What to Do When Breastfeeding Doesn’t Come Naturally: Expert Tips for New Moms

New mom breastfeeding baby in her arms on sofa

Breastfeeding your baby is one of the most natural things in the world, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally. Struggling to breastfeed can lead to concerns about your baby’s health and feelings of inadequacy. In reality, trouble breastfeeding is incredibly common and not a sign that there’s anything wrong with you or your baby. More than 70% of nursing parents report difficulties, including worries about insufficient milk production, pain, fatigue, and more.

It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and scary to encounter nursing roadblocks, but those challenges are common, and you don’t have to go at it alone. Your child’s pediatrician can help you tell the difference between ordinary stumbling blocks and legitimate concerns, providing comfort and care along the way.

These are the most common breastfeeding challenges you’re likely to encounter, as well as strategies for dealing with them.

Low Milk Supply

Most nursing parents make plenty of milk, even if they perceive they aren’t making enough. As long as your baby is growing at an appropriate rate (approximately 5 to 7 ounces per week), you don’t need to worry. If you’re concerned about your milk production, you can try these tricks to keep things flowing.

  • Offer both sides at each feeding.
  • Switch which side you start with at each feeding.
  • Breastfeed often and let your baby decide when to end the feeding.
  • Increase skin-to-skin contact.
  • Avoid offering alternative foods (unless medically/nutritionally necessary) so your baby doesn’t lose interest in nursing.

Too Few Diapers

Inspecting diapers isn’t the most glorious activity in a parent’s life, but diapers can hold vital information about your baby’s health. Nursing newborns should have approximately six wet diapers and four stools every day. Keep an eye out for:

  • Too few dirty diapers could indicate too little milk consumption.
  • Dark urine and stools could indicate dehydration and/or malnutrition.

The general philosophy is that what goes in must come out. If you’re unsure whether your little one is getting enough sustenance, keep a diaper diary to track your baby’s output and help identify challenges early.

Nipple Pain or Cracking

Nipple pain, including cracked or inflamed nipples, is one of the most common side effects of nursing, and it can lead to other problems if not taken care of. Nipple pain can be the result of improper latching or nursing position. It can also be the result of trauma, often caused by removing the baby or the pump without breaking suction first.

  • Before ending a feeding or pumping session, break suction with the tip of a clean finger
  • Ensure your baby is feeding from most of the areola, not just the nipple
  • Your nipple should not look flat or compressed after feeding
  • Avoid harsh soaps and change nursing pads often
  • Watch out for signs of infection

Infection

Infections of the nipple or surrounding area can cause pain to the nursing parent and can even spread to the baby in some cases. Fortunately, while infections are relatively common, they are also highly treatable. Signs of an infection include:

  • Yellowish discharge from the nipple
  • Tenderness
  • Warm or hot to the touch
  • Red or pink in color
  • It may also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms

Thrush, commonly known as a yeast infection, is a common fungal infection that can be spread from infant to parent or vice versa. Symptoms of thrush include:

  • White spots in the baby’s mouth and/or throat
  • Pink, flaky, itchy, cracked, or blistered nipples

If you have an infection, apply ice, rest, drink fluids, and nurse or pump often. Depending on the type of infection, you may also need antibiotics or antifungal medication, as directed by a physician.

Trouble Latching

Even if your body produces plenty of milk and your baby is happy and hungry, you might still get stuck at the starting line if you can’t get a good latch. Nursing isn’t automatic; it’s a skill you and your baby must learn together, and it might take a little time to become good at it. If you’re struggling to get a good latch, try these tips.

  1. Bring the baby’s nose opposite the nipple
  2. Brush the baby’s top lip across the nipple, which should cause them to open their mouth
  3. Once the mouth is open, bring the baby to the breast quickly, with the head back and chin forward
  4. You should both be comfortable, without any pain
  5. If properly latched, the baby’s mouth should be wide open, and its lower lip should turn out

Don’t be discouraged if your baby doesn’t get a good latch. Break suction with the tip of a clean finger and try again. Over time, latching often becomes second nature for both of you.

Managing Let-down Reflex

The let-down reflex, also known as the milk ejection reflex, is what makes breast milk flow. Usually, when your baby latches and begins suckling, tiny nerves trigger your brain to release two hormones: prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin helps with milk production, while oxytocin causes the reflex, releasing the milk.

Typically, the let-down reflex happens two or three times per feeding, but you may only feel the first one. Everyone experiences the let-down reflex differently, but you might feel it as a fullness or tingling in the breasts. You might also feel suddenly thirsty or notice a change in your baby’s feeding pace. It takes a couple of weeks for your baby and your body to sync up, and in the meantime, you might struggle with a let-down reflex that is too weak or too strong.

  • Keep a feeding routine to help your body learn when to release milk.
  • Try to make feeding times comfortable and free of stress or anxiety. Feel free to put your feet up, turn on some music, and make feeding times enjoyable.

To encourage the let-down reflex

  • Take a warm shower or place a warm cloth over the breast for a few minutes
  • Roll your nipples between your fingers
  • Gently massage the breast from the top toward the nipple with the palm of your hand

To manage a let-down reflex that’s too strong

  • Pump or express milk before nursing
  • If your baby chokes or sputters, unlatch and let the excess milk flow out before relatching
  • Try different positions to reduce the force of gravity on the breast and reduce the force of the milk flow

Breastfeeding Session Time

Every baby is different, and there’s no exact duration for a good feeding, but a pattern of short or long feedings might indicate an issue. Feedings shorter than 10 minutes during the first few months of life could mean that your baby isn’t getting enough milk. It could also impact milk production down the line. Feedings longer than 50 minutes might be the result of ineffective suckling. If your baby has trouble getting milk, they might have to spend more time feeding to get enough.

If you’re concerned about the duration of feeding sessions, pay attention to your baby’s weight and the contents of their diapers to ensure they are getting enough nutrition.

Nursing Strike

Sometimes, even after a baby has successfully nursed for months, they may refuse to nurse any longer. An abrupt lack of nursing often means something is wrong and doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is ready to wean off of breastfeeding. Causes of a nursing strike can include:

  • Mouth pain (from teething, infection, etc.)
  • An ear infection causing pressure and pain when feeding
  • Discomfort or pain in certain feeding positions
  • Stress
  • Illness: a cold or the flu can cause stuffiness, making it difficult to nurse
  • Distractions: remember that the whole world is new and exciting for your little one

If your baby refuses supper, you still have a few tricks up your sleeve. The most important thing is to be patient. If the strike is a result of stress, then reacting with frustration or other negative emotions could make things worse.

  • Offer breast milk from a spoon, cup, or dropper
  • Monitor your baby’s weight and diaper contents
  • Keep offering the breast for feeding, but don’t push it if your baby gets frustrated
  • Offer to nurse while your baby is sleepy or sleeping
  • Increase skin-to-skin contact

Lactation Support

Nursing should be an opportunity to bond with your baby, a time of peace and connection, not stress or anxiety. The good news is that most breastfeeding challenges are manageable and temporary, just part of the growing pains for mom and baby. For everything else, your WeeCare medical team is here to help!

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