The answers to your nursing S.O.S .

We often see pictures of moms breast feeding in complete joy and ease. But even in the best nursing relationships, moms can experience problems. We’ve taken the most common nursing dilemmas… and their simplest, most effective solutions.

1. Too Little Milk

First, how sure are you that you aren’t making enough milk? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the fear of low milk supply is largely unfounded.

Practically all mothers can produce enough milk for their babies. It is all a matter of supply and demand. The more your baby suckles at the breasts, the more milk your body will produce. In the early days of breast feeding, it is important to make your newborn nurse every two hours for your body to start building ample milk supply. The AAP advices about 10 feedings per day for the first few weeks, then about eight feedings per day for the next three months.

if your baby needs extra time in the incubator or cannot feed directly at your breast for other medical reasons, use a good breast pump. I swear by double breast pumps – particularly the Medala Pump in Style.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and other healthy liquids. Note that lactating mothers need to eat an additional 300 to 500 calories a day to stay healthy.

2. Poor Latching

This is a problem encountered when breast feeding has just started. A poor latch means the baby has not properly positioned his mouth’s hold onto the nipple, resulting in poor milk suction. Typically, this is caused by a newborn that is still trying to figure out how to suck on the breast efficiently. Some women also have inverted or flat nipples that make it harder for baby to latch on properly.

These can both be solved with some guidance and by sticking to a regular nursing schedule.

Help your baby latch on properly by helping him get most of your nipple into his mouth. Try gripping your baby by the back of his head and guiding as much of the nipple into his mouth. If your baby is latched on improperly, remove him from the breast by sticking a finger into his mouth to break air pressure – then release and re-latch.

As for the inverted nipples, nursing regularly will eventually make it protrude enough for easier feedings. For some women, using breast shells that fit over the nipple can help as it applies gentle pressure to help it protrude. Breast pumps can also help pull the nipple out.

3. Cracked, Painful Nipples

This is also typical in the early days of breast feeding and especially for first time nursing moms. Poor latch can also contribute to cracked, painful, sometimes bloody nipples.

A nursing must-have for me was Lansinoh lanolin breast cream. It is a nipple cream endorsed by La Leche League – completely safe, no need for you to remove before your baby nurses. Babies can eat this with no worries. It soothes and even heals nipple wounds. Apply on your nipples regularly – everyday, before and after feedings.

If the wounds are bleeding and need time to heal, use the breast pump until your baby can latch on directly again.

4. Clogged Milk Ducts

Milk ducts, like plumbing pipes, can also get clogged. This is also called plugged ducts, which happens when milk gets stuck on the pipelines from the breasts to the nipples. We have quite a few ducts, so sometimes they don’t get completely emptied. These localized milk blockages can feel like painful knots.

If I feel a plugged duct, I would use hot compress on the area and massage it to loosen up the milk. When my baby couldn’t finish all the milk, I would also pump if the pressure was too much to bear until the next feed. While feeding, you can also massage clogged areas to help it flow through and make sure baby gets to relieve you from the plugged duct himself.

Experts advice: to avoid ducts, you should wear comfortable fitting bras – nothing tight, no underwire bras allowed. And nurse regularly to get the milk out! If you have to be away from your baby, use a breast pump.

5. Engorgement

If you go too long without feeding, your breasts can fill up to the point of engorgement. How does it feel? Your breast become big, rock hard and painful. To relieve yourself, you just have to let the milk out by getting back to your baby and nurse, nurse, nurse. The problem is, the breasts can be so engorged, it is difficult for your baby to latch on. In this case, you will have to hand express some milk or use the breast pump, before directly feeding your baby.

If nursing or pumping doesn’t fully relieve the pain right away, experts advice using cold compress or good old cabbage leaves. I have been saved by the cabbage leaf trick myself and it does work. Whenever I’m nursing, I make sure we always have cabbage leaves in the refrigerator. It is the perfect breast shaped cold pack that fits right inside your bra.

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