Most mothers want to breastfeed their children. It's natural and it helps to create a tighter bond with them and the infant.
Unfortunately, breastfeeding isn't always easy to do. While some mothers have success with it, others don't.
If you're in the latter category, don't worry. Having difficulties with breastfeeding doesn't say anything about you as a person. It's usually just biology being problematic (as it seems to be most of the time!) Usually, it's just a matter of working through the problems you're having and finding alternative solutions to whatever predicament you face.
Latching Problems
One issue that comes up again and again is latching problems. These occur when the baby won't latch onto the breast, leading to sore nipples.
Latching is something that affects breastfeeding at the start of nursing and can be frustrating for the first few days. Sometimes, it can help to use a single breast pump to extract milk and feed that to the baby in a bottle to encourage them to learn to latch properly. The more you can build their muscle memory, the more likely they are to wean in the way you want.
Milk Supply Concerns
Milk supply issues can also be a problem. You may worry about not producing enough milk to satisfy your child. Infants who don't get enough can become weak and fail to put on weight.
Milk supply is something you can modify with lifestyle, so look online to see what advice is out there. Many mothers don't eat enough food, interrupting their ability to produce more milk. Therefore, it might be a good idea to add another meal to the day to see if that raises production (particularly if you naturally consume a little).
If milk supply problems continue, go to see a doctor. Usually, they can probe the issue more and find out what might be going wrong at the root of the problem. It could be diet-related, but it could also be hormonal or related to an existing condition.
Pain-Related Problems
Pain-related problems are by far the biggest issues breastfeeding mothers face during the course of nursing. Supplying an infant with milk can be uncomfortable for numerous reasons/
Engorgement is one factor. This occurs when the breasts become too full and require draining but the infant doesn't want to feed. Sometimes, they will leak milk as they overflow.
The best approach to this situation is to relieve the pressure by using pumps and drawing it out that way. You can also reduce discomfort by feeding your child directly - it's up to you.
Thrush is another issue that mothers face. The infection can affect the breasts, making them tender to the touch.
Lastly, some mothers get mastitis, which is an inflammation of the milk-producing part of the breast. This condition is painful and usually means you can't continue breastfeeding, however much you'd like to.
If you have any of these problems, doctors can help. Medications can reduce symptoms and eradicate infections (if they are present).
Expectation-Related Problems
Some new mothers can also fall into expectations-related problems. Many believe breast milk production will come naturally. So, when it doesn't, it can be a bit of a shock and you can go away from the experience thinking there's something wrong with you (even if there isn't).
In this situation, you are better off looking at the future for what it will likely be like. While some women have no difficulty getting the milk flowing, others face significant challenges and may not be able to produce milk, even if they want to.
Don't put pressure on yourself to produce milk. Just see what happens. If you are worried about using formula, you can sometimes use a wet nurse to act as an interim. You can also try various techniques to encourage milk production (which can take a few days).
Limited Guidance
New mothers also sometimes face the problem of limited guidance. It's not always clear what you should be doing.
If that sounds like you, then start your research before the baby arrives. Look for information on how the body works and what to expect. Getting a fuller picture can help you anticipate problems you might face and how to overcome them.
If you already know someone who's been through pregnancy and breastfeeding, speaking to them can also help. They can tell you what's likely to happen and how things will pan out.
Social Pressure
Social pressure can also make breastfeeding challenging for many mums. There's an expectation that you behave in a certain way.
For example, you might feel self-conscious about breastfeeding in public or around other people. You might also have problems with work and distributing milk to your infant.
If you feel strong pressure, seek support. Alternatively, you can invest in products that shield the breastfeeding activity from other people. So-called "nursing covers" can be a lifesaver in some situations.
Wrapping Up
Breastfeeding is challenging and like giving birth, it doesn't always go how you want it to. Biology can sometimes get in the way, as can societal pressures and issues.
Fortunately, there are multiple organisations offering support and guidance to pregnant mothers. These provide helpful information and can even send consultants and specialists to your home to give you additional guidance.
For example, many parents use La Leche International because of the support groups it offers and arranges. You can link up with other people going through the same difficulties and get a sense of where you are in relation to them.
Some parents also use UNICEF. It provides authoritative information on breastfeeding and whether it is proceeding healthfully. If it is not, they offer guidance on what to do next and how to prevent you or the child from becoming unhealthy.
So there you have it: some of the reasons breastfeeding is so challenging for some mums. Fortunately, support is available and there is usually a workaround you can implement if you get into trouble. While it can be distressing when things don't work the first time, you're not doomed.
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