The most common breastfeeding problems at a glance

Breastfeeding problems: “wrong” sucking

One of the most common breastfeeding problems is that the baby is not sucking properly. Then avoid bottle feeding and don’t give your baby a pacifier either, as both can lead to “tear confusion” which could be responsible for the breastfeeding problems. Also make sure that your baby is correctly positioned on the breast .

Breastfeeding problems: spitting while drinking

Spitting up is perfectly normal for the first few months and is nothing to worry about, whether the milk runs gently from your mouth or comes up in a gush. Spitting up doesn’t mean your baby drank too much. Even if he spits out some of the milk after a meal, you should always let him drink until he stops on his own, showing that he has had enough. If your baby spits up shortly after the meal, put it on again right away. If spitting occurs regularly after a meal, make sure you are in an upright position when breastfeeding. Also avoid abrupt changes in position and quick movements that can cause such breastfeeding problems.

Breastfeeding problems: The baby cries while drinking

If your baby stops drinking and starts crying, there can be a variety of reasons. One sign of digestive problems is a gurgling stomach. If such breastfeeding problems occur more frequently, you can put a warm cherry stone pillow on your baby’s stomach before a meal to reduce strong bowel movements. Another reason for breastfeeding problems could be a stuffy nose that makes it difficult for your baby to drink. A few drops of isotonic saline solution or breast milk in the nostrils can help to reduce swelling. Another reason for crying while drinking can be that the baby prefers one side and rejects the other. Ultimately, this isn’t a big problem and may change over time if you give the disadvantaged side additional stimulation with a breast pump.

Breastfeeding problems: Too much milk

Breastfeeding problems such as overproduction of milk are not uncommon for many mothers, especially in the early days after giving birth. Because at the beginning of the breastfeeding period, milk production is regulated by hormones. Milk production only adjusts to the needs of your baby over the course of the weeks. Pumping, which is often used for breast engorgement and breast infections, also increases milk volume and should therefore be avoided or reduced.

In the case of such breastfeeding problems, the breastfeeding advice advises only feeding the baby on one side at a time. This procedure is intended to stimulate milk production less than if both sides are always offered. If the infant wants to breastfeed again within an hour, the same breast should be offered as the last feed. Another advantage of this method is that the child has the opportunity to empty the breast sufficiently and thus also receives the “hind milk”, i.e. the rich, filling breast milk. If you still produce too much milk, pumping is the only way to relieve the pressure on your breasts.

Breastfeeding problems: rejection of the breast

One of the rarer breastfeeding problems is your baby refusing the breast for a short time because of a negative experience. However, some children also reject the breast because they have become acquainted with the bottle from which the milk gushes without much effort. A strong-smelling perfume or a cream can also be the reason for such breastfeeding problems. Therefore, try to avoid cosmetics if possible and then offer your baby the breast again. It often helps to breastfeed the baby when he is half asleep.

Tip: Try giving your baby the milk with a small spoon first. Don’t offer him a pacifier or a bottle. In order to pursue its natural sucking instinct, it should only get the breast during this time.

Breastfeeding problems: falling asleep while breastfeeding

Sometimes the baby falls asleep while breastfeeding. This is not a problem at first, but can sometimes mean that you are busy breastfeeding for hours. In order not to delay breastfeeding for too long, you can switch breasts more frequently, every three to four minutes, so that your baby is not tempted to fall asleep. Milk production teas and warming up the breast can stimulate milk flow and make it easier for your baby to drink. This way he doesn’t get as exhausted while breastfeeding and doesn’t fall asleep because of that. You can also try to keep her awake while breastfeeding by lovingly stroking her cheek or tickling her ear as soon as you notice her falling asleep. Another tip to get such breastfeeding problems under control is to breastfeed your baby on the first side first. As soon as you notice that it is no longer sucking properly or is just sucking, detach it from the breast. Gently wake up your baby and change it’s diaper. After that, it will be awake enough to drink on the second side.

Tip: Leave your little darling’s legs naked! Of course it shouldn’t freeze, it just shouldn’t be quite as comfortable.

Breastfeeding problems: Your child is losing weight

Your baby will lose weight in the first few days after birth. This is perfectly normal as long as the loss is no more than 10 percent of birth weight. Breastfeeding problems usually have nothing to do with it. After ten to 14 days, the newborn should have regained its birth weight. It is not necessary to weigh your baby every day. You can tell if he’s getting enough milk if he has at least five wet diapers in 24 hours. If you are unsure, weigh your child once a week.

Breastfeeding problems: Baby drinks longer on one side

In a way, drinking at the breast can be compared to a “3-course meal”. Breastfeeding begins with high-water, low-calorie milk, which your baby can use to quench its thirst. This is the appetizer, so to speak. After a few minutes, the composition of breast milk changes, which triggers the milk ejection reflex. The milk contains more fat and calories and has a satiating effect. This milk is the main course. To fill up, most babies suckle from the first breast for about 10 to 20 minutes. The dessert, a mixture of thirst-quenching and filling milk, is given to your baby on the second breast. It is therefore not surprising and quite normal that they drink for less time there than on the first, where they take two courses, so to speak.

To avoid breastfeeding problems, however, you should make sure that the next time the baby feeds, it first drinks from the breast from which it got the “dessert” the last time, so that both breasts are regularly emptied sufficiently, milk production on both sides is stimulated and there is no engorgement of the milk.

Breastfeeding problems: No bowel movements

Giving the baby enough liquid is important for regular bowel movements. This is usually ensured by breast milk feeding. Breast milk stool is therefore also quite liquid. The frequency of stool can vary greatly from person to person, some babies have stools every three days or even less frequently, others several times a day. The reason for rare stools in fully breastfed children may be that they utilize the food particularly well and there are hardly any leftovers. Only after a few days have so many food residues accumulated that the bowels can be emptied. As long as your baby is comfortable, there is no need to worry.

Breastfeeding problems: Sore nipples

The most common cause of sore nipples is that the baby latches on incorrectly or that the mouth does not catch enough of the areola. Nevertheless, latch your baby often – and correctly, of course – and use the different breastfeeding positionsto prevent such breastfeeding problems. Warm washcloths placed on the breast before breastfeeding widen the milk ducts so that the milk can flow more easily and your baby does not have to suckle as intensively. Since protects the nipples! If you are unsure at first, have a midwife watch you breastfeed to find out what you can improve. Also protect your skin from unnecessary friction, which can quickly lead to fine tears. After breastfeeding, moisten the skin with a few drops of breast milk or grease it with a little nipple ointment , usually nipple lanolin (ultra-pure wool wax). This makes the tissue supple and helps it heal.

Breastfeeding problems: breast engorgement

If the milk cannot drain properly, it can lead to engorgementcome. The breast becomes hard in one place or completely, lumps and redness follow and the breast is very sensitive to pain when pressure is applied. A possible cause is that the baby was latched too infrequently or more often to one breast and the other breast was not completely emptied. Another cause could be a bra that is too tight and constricts the breasts. But mental problems can also result in engorgement. It is important to take the right measures at the first indication of such breastfeeding problems. Hold your baby against the affected breast so that his chin is pointing in the direction of the painful area. Also, try to stimulate milk flow with heat (hot shower or warm, damp compresses). If that is not enough, stroking the breasts by hand, which is preceded by a relaxed breast massage, helps.

Breastfeeding problems: breast infection

Breast infection (mastitis) can develop from insufficiently treated breast engorgement, because milk at body temperature is an ideal breeding ground for existing, inflammatory germs. However, these can also penetrate the nipple through fine skin wounds, in which case the breast infection develops without previous engorgement. In order to reduce the risk of such breastfeeding problems, it is particularly important to wash your hands frequently when handling the nipple. After breastfeeding, a cold curd wrap fights the inflammation well. As with engorgement, it is particularly important to empty the breast regularly and sufficiently. As a preventative measure, you should also make sure that you change the nursing pads often enough to avoid sore nipples, through which germs can easily penetrate.

Important: If there is no improvement after one or two days, you should see your midwife or gynecologist, as a breast infection can quickly become dangerous if not treated properly.

Breastfeeding problems: Peculiar nipples