83% of Indian women have had these breastfeeding problems
“Am I a bad mother?”
So, no one told you that motherhood would be this way. A good night’s sleep feels like a dream; you haven’t bathed in a few days, and intimacy with your partner is something you both laugh about as a fond memory from a different era. On top of that, you’re struggling with breastfeeding problems that are threatening to shred your last iota of patience.
However untrue the sentiment may be, women do start to feel like failures. This is supposed to be a wonderful and natural way for mothers to nourish and bond with their infants, but dealing with breastfeeding problems can make you feel alone and stressed out, says Dia Jadwani, an international board-certified lactation specialist and consultant. Few women have a support system around them with correct information – or at least kindness and empathy – to get them through. Jadwani herself was one of the people who had to make the switch to formula after dealing with a low milk supply.
“I was fine with it, but then the doctor told us that my baby had abnormal hormonal levels and needed to be breastfed exclusively. After three months, she was tested again, and all the levels were normal. Instead of lifelong medication, it was as simple as going back to breastfeeding — that was quite eye-opening for me.” When her daughter was 18 months old, Jadwani started the training course and was certified as a lactation specialist.
“There is a gap in the system where women give birth, and after the baby is handed over to them, they’re told OK, now go home and deal with it, but with little to no information of what comes next. It’s frightening when you’re responsible for this new little life.”
A 2022 study surveyed 1,200 nursing moms across India and found that 83% had major breastfeeding challenges. You can extrapolate that number to our 1.5 billion population.
A lack of knowledge about breastfeeding problems and how to tackle them is the purpose behind Jadwani’s online Coto community for women to openly share their experiences and get guidance without feeling guilty.
“Women often don’t talk about the problems they face because they feel shame about not being able to breastfeed properly, which should supposedly be easy for new moms. So either they stop, or continue to live with the pain during the breastfeeding period. But that’s not healthy for either mother or infant.”
Jadwani helped us break down some of the most common but often undiscussed breastfeeding problems that women face and how they can be overcome. While the information she shared with us is educational, we, along with Jadwani, urge new moms dealing with any of these to reach out to an expert who can guide them best.
Common breastfeeding problems and how to deal with them
Low milk supply
When your milk factory decides to take a spontaneous vacation, it’s natural to feel panicked. Jadwani says that low milk supply can be the source of multiple breastfeeding issues that new moms face. “Low milk supply can be caused if the baby is not latching properly. Breastfeeding is 50% mother’s job. The other 50% is the baby’s, who is actually removing the milk. If there’s low demand, there will be low supply.”
A lot of it has to do with your health as well. Stress can play a major factor when it comes to low milk supply. Stress and anxiety are hard to be completely rid of, especially right after birth as you adjust to this new way of life, but with a good support system and asking for professional help, you can ease your pains.
“Moms often supplement with formula, thinking, ‘oh, they didn’t nurse well, so formula can be used instead of that. Or when they go back to work and the baby is at daycare, they’re given formula there as well. The lack of nursing, physically speaking, gives your body the cue that the demand is decreasing. So, again, the supply will deplete too,” adds Jadwani.
The first step to tackling low milk supply would be to talk to a specialist. Milk supply is physically, but more importantly, hormonally stimulated, she says.
Nurse more often so the baby’s mouth can stimulate milk flow or use a breast pump between feedings. “A proper investigation needs to be done if your hormones are out of balance. Could it be PCOS that you had before? A thyroid issue, or medications that you are taking?”
Engorgement
‘Engorgement’ – a fancy term for when your boobie buddies decide to go big or go home. You’d think that pumping up the volume of milk would be a good thing.
After you’ve gone through the superhero feat of childbirth, the increased hormones and blood flow can make you swell up like you’re smuggling watermelons under your shirt. Your nipples hurt, you face latching issues because of flat or compressed nipples, and your breasts get firm, hard and painful.
Frequent nursing and proper latching from the start can avoid the issue altogether. But if you’re already facing it, a gentle massage and hot compress can help ease the pain before nursing and help with milk flow, which will alleviate the discomfort.
Latching problems
Ensuring a proper latch is crucial for successful breastfeeding. If the baby doesn’t latch onto the breast correctly, it can lead to sore nipples, inadequate milk transfer, and frustration for both the mother and baby.
Jadwani says that there are different positions and techniques for breastfeeding, each varying with the different kinds of breasts women have. It’s best to ask the doctor at the hospital before you leave what would work best for your breast type.
Check for any obstructions in the baby’s mouth. The infant’s latch may be too shallow, grasping only the nipple, causing pain for the mum and an ineffective milk supply for the infant. It could be a tongue issue with the baby, often called a ‘tongue tie’, which needs to be checked by a doctor. And the same applies to the shape of the baby’s lips. Overly full breasts can also make it difficult for babies to latch properly.
A slight change in positioning could be the solution, and any resolution for latching issues is best explored with the guidance of an expert.
Clogged milk ducts
Your milk ducts are the tiny highways within your breasts designed to carry that liquid gold from within to your hungry little munchkin. But every now and then, one of those lanes decides to put up a barricade and cause a traffic jam. You might feel a tender lump or a hot spot on your breasts – the clog announcing its presence.
A massage can give your breast a little TLC and help release the logjam. Nurse or pump like it’s your full-time job until you feel the discomfort wave goodbye. When all else fails, don’t be afraid to call in reinforcements.
Mastitis
You’re well in the groove of breastfeeding, and then bam! Your breasts start to feel like they’ve been taken over by an angry Grinch. They’re red, angry and screaming for attention. That’s mastitis – a bacterial infection in your breasts that takes ‘sore boobs’ to a new level.
It’s not just limited to the breast. Accompanying breast pain is flu-like symptoms – chills, fever and fatigue. Though it is common in the first few weeks after childbirth, it can happen anytime and lead to other breastfeeding problems, such as clogged ducts, engorgement and cracked nipples.
While nursing is helpful – naturally or using a pump to empty the breast – this is a case where reaching out to a doctor is your first line of defence for antibiotics to fight the infection.
Fungal infections
Your breasts, warm, moist and cosy from all that feeding, can become a breeding ground for fungi like candida. This leads to a condition called thrush and itch fest that transfers from the baby’s mouth to the breast and vice versa, creating an endless cycle. Your nipples itch and feel like they’re on fire. They can get red and flaky with pain that feels like it’s coming from somewhere deep inside your breasts.
A doctor will write up some antifungal medication for your nipple and the baby’s mouth. Keep your breast pumps well sanitised and maintain proper hygiene after nursing to keep the area clean and spores at bay.
Painful and cracked nipples
During breastfeeding, your nipples are the MVPs that rarely get any rest. This is one of those breastfeeding problems that can be caused by different things – an improper latch, dry skin, fungal infection, hormones or pumping wrong or too much.
It’s best to get a doctor or lactation specialist to determine what is causing your cracked nipples or nipple pain before jumping into treatment. But there is relief in the form of nipple ointments, cooling gel pads, or even a mild pain killer if prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Here’s to all the mamas out there, manoeuvring through the maze of motherhood with a mix of determination and sleep deprivation. With the right information comes the confidence to overcome what heads your way. Breastfeeding is not always easy, but it’s a journey worth taking with your little one.
A note of caution: This article is for educational purposes only with inputs from trained professionals. However, it does not replace a medical diagnosis or opinion. If you or someone you love is facing such issues, please reach out to your healthcare provider to find a treatment plan that’s suited to your needs.
