Breastfeeding Challenges - 7 Things New Parents Should Know

7 Need-to-Know Things About Breastfeeding

From pumping patience, latching to low supply, the more you know before, the more relaxed and ready you’ll be to nurse your newborn.

Breastfeeding Benefits & Potential Issues

Whether you’re expecting or already nursing your hungry bundle, we offer you proven tips to make breastfeeding easier (along with our best wishes to you!)

Breast milk is considered the healthiest food for babies. 

Experts, from medical doctors to midwives, promote exclusive breastfeeding to at least 6 months. The World Health Organization encourages breastfeeding to age three. “Breast is best” is a common catchphrase in infant care and the benefits of nursing aren’t just for the newborn.

Since the dawn of time, mothers have nursed their young. The word “mammal” is derived from the word mamma, the Latin name for breast. That’s right, an entire animal class (not to mention all mamas out there!) is named after the unique and ubiquitous mammalian ability to produce milk.

Considering all of this, one might think breastfeeding comes naturally and easily. Unfortunately, that is not always true. 

Healthcare statistics reveal that two-thirds of new moms have difficulties nursing their infants. According to The International Breastfeeding Centre, many women experience issues like nipple pain, low milk supply, and difficulty with baby latching. Although common, these problems are unhealthy and thankfully, preventable.

Breastfeeding Problems are Common

Prevent Breastfeeding Problems

Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts a new parent can provide to its infant in the earliest stages. Yet it can also cause pressure, stress, and confusion.

This comes to a shock to first-time parents. The pressure to breastfeed instead of formula feeding can become all-consuming when breastfeeding challenges arise.

In addition to the overwhelming nature of new parenthood, suddenly lactation consultant appointments and baby weigh-ins are added to the dizzying to-do list.

Typical breastfeeding problems can include unhealthy weight loss for the baby and mental and physical fatigue for the already exhausted parents, to more acute mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Troubleshoot Breastfeeding Problems

Breastfeeding is a skill that doesn’t always easily flow -- and we’re not just talking about mama’s milk.

Here’s what parents should know about breastfeeding -- but aren’t always told.

Nipple pain, low milk supply, baby weight loss, and trouble latching are all very common problems for new moms.

While we encourage expectant parents to think positively and focus on the brighter side of things, when it comes to nursing, we recommend you be prepared for common breastfeeding issues, given the high percentage of women who seek out lactation help when the baby arrives.

Breastfeeding Challenges New Parents Should Expect:

1. Cluster feeding.

 The first night with your bundle of joy is filled with joy and wonder and that excitement and adrenaline rush might keep you up more than the baby does. Cake walk, right? Wrong! Brace yourself for night two, or 48 hours after the baby is born, when cluster feeding commences. These are feeding sessions that are short and in quick sequence -- don’t expect to get much rest, but rest assured it’s normal and it will end.

2. Sore Nipples.

Breast pain associated with breastfeeding is not normal, but very common. Chapped and cracked nipples can result from tender skin now being wet and pulled on by a suckling baby, but more commonly, the culprit is an improper latch.

3.  Latching Problems.

Heard of the noodle slurp? How about the hamburger chomp? (And why are we even talking about food when newborns need breastmilk?) Ideally, you want the baby’s mouth to feed from the nipple with a wide mouth.  A small ‘o” shape mouth, as if slurping a noodle, is not effective. Luckily here in Canada, there are free resources for new moms to visit a public nurse to assist with the latch.

 4. Engorged breasts.

Different from nipple pain, this discomfort is caused by a build-up of milk and relieved by the  nursing baby. Some women have an overflow of milk, which might require pumping, or a manual release of milk. While this might seem benign, it’s not. Mastitis, a breast infection, can result from clogged ducts and cause severe pain and flu symptoms.

5. Low Breastmilk Milk Supply.

Also commonplace is the opposite of breast engorgement: low milk supply. Almost immediately after birth, a newborn is placed breast of its mother to feed on colustrum, the first and highly concentrated form of breastmilk, to stimulate milk supply. This can also be achieved by a manual or electric breast pump, but these aren’t always solutions. Dr. Jack Newman, the world’s leading breastfeeding expert, along with traditional medicine practitioners, recognizes fenugreek as a remedy for low breastmilk supply. Fenugreek naturally and safely stimulates breastmilk production.

6. Tongue-tied baby.

What if, even after pumping or trying fenugreek for milk supply, baby is still not feeding properly? You might feel this from an uncomfortable latch, or the infant may not be gaining the weight it should. A doctor should be consulted immediately to check if the baby has ankyloglossia, commonly known as being tongue-tied. A simple procedure with a local anaesthetic can fix the issue.

7. Breastfeeding Pressures.

Certain stress responses are good, and necessary for species survival, including getting through labour and delivery. Most stress, however, is unhealthy and can negatively impact our health. 

A better understanding of what to expect before your baby arrives helps alleviate stress and give you the upper hand tackling common breastfeeding issues.

Fenugreek Benefits Nursing Moms

You may wish to consider being proactive before your new baby arrives by purchasing fenugreek supplements in advance. Even if the new mother doesn’t have an issue with milk supply, fenugreek is a natural, safe and effective way to increase the healthiest food you can give your baby.

Fenuboost is proven to increase your milk supply and is especially created for breastfeeding mothers and their nursing children.