Getting past early breastfeeding pitfalls

This post was written by Sarah Wolfe, RN-BSN, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Parkview Health.

Having a new baby is usually a time of great joy for parents. However, at first, you may feel uncertain about caring for them, especially when it comes to nutrition. Breastfeeding is a personal choice for you and your newborn. It offers many benefits for both of you, but it also comes with a range of emotions and unique challenges.

While in the hospital, your care team can offer their knowledge and expertise as they look after you and baby. However, once you're home, it’s up to you to care for this new little life. Don’t worry, you will do great! In this post, we'll explore some of the hurdles you may encounter while breastfeeding and how to overcome them.
 

Birth experience and hormone changes

Your perception of your birth experience is a significant factor in how breastfeeding may go. It can also impact your emotional well-being, particularly in caring for yourself and your baby. Women who have an uncomplicated or positive birthing experience may find it easier to transition into breastfeeding right away. However, new moms who have had a stressful or traumatic birth may need more time to recover from both the physical and psychological impact of labor.  

The hormone oxytocin is released from your body during breastfeeding; this often leads to emotions of love and happiness. It can also make you feel calm and tired. Most mothers experience these feelings, but occasionally, they may have other emotions that arise during breastfeeding. Dysphoric milk ejection reflex, or D-MER, is a condition that affects women who breastfeed or pump milk. D-MER causes a sudden and intense wave of negative emotions, such as sadness or anxiety, just before you "let down" or release milk. It lasts just a minute or two; however, it can cause intense unhappiness and other unpleasant feelings.
 

Early breastfeeding concerns

Over the first year of motherhood and beyond, you will undergo numerous physical, social, emotional and financial changes. All the while, you and your baby are still getting to know each other. It’s completely normal to need to make adjustments as you learn to work together. Some challenges that you may face during your breastfeeding season of life include:

• Cluster feeding happens when your baby nurses frequently during a short time frame.

• Sleepy baby refers to an infant who easily falls asleep while nursing and has difficulty waking up to feed effectively.

• Growth spurts typically occur when the baby is 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months old, but can happen at any time. During this time, babies need to feed more frequently to support their rapid development.

• Sore nipples are often caused by incorrect latch or improper positioning.

• Engorgement occurs when the breasts become overly full of milk. This can cause pain and swelling. It can also make it difficult for your baby to latch properly.  

• Ductal narrowing, formerly known as a plugged duct, can be triggered when milk ducts become inflamed and narrowed, restricting milk flow.

• Mastitis is caused by inflammation of breast tissue, generally due to cracked or sore nipples. This condition can also occur during periods of high stress. Mastitis can lead to pain, swelling, warmth, and sometimes fever or flu-like symptoms.

• Breast surgeries involving the nipple or areola, like augmentation, reducing breast size or lifts, can affect breastfeeding. They might damage milk ducts, nerves or blood flow. While many women with breast implants or other breast surgeries can still breastfeed, some may have less milk or other problems.

• Nursing or breastfeeding strikes are when a baby who has been consistently nursing well suddenly refuses to breastfeed. This can occur for several reasons, but it is usually temporary.

Scheduling conflicts

If you can't nurse at the breast or choose not to, you may use a breast pump to maintain milk supply. Pumping schedules can be time-consuming and may affect your emotional state. In addition to pumping and feeding the baby, you'll need to wash the pump and bottle parts, as well as manage storage for your milk supply.

Nighttime feedings can be tiring. Your newborn will feed often in the first 4–8 weeks. Additional support in the evenings may help with this routine. Your partner, family member or trusted friend can help by preparing the baby for feedings, changing diapers or holding the baby while you prepare. When alone, consider preparing your supplies in advance to simplify nighttime feeding.

Caring for yourself

Consuming high-carb foods may leave you feeling tired and sluggish. High-protein foods tend to make you feel fuller and give you energy. It's best to eat a variety of foods with a good mix of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Don’t skip meals or go long periods without eating. Water intake matters too. Dehydration can also deplete your energy and even make you irritable. So, drink when you’re thirsty and keep water nearby while breastfeeding in case you experience dry mouth.

Here are some more ways you can care for your mind and body while breastfeeding:

• Rest when your baby sleeps. Even if you don’t fall asleep, take moments throughout the day to be still. Consider incorporating short meditations or breathing exercises.

• Get help from your partner, family or friends.

• Talk to someone about your feelings. Let someone close know that you want them to check on you and ask about your emotional health.

• Join a support group. Hearing from mothers who may have gone through similar experiences can help you feel less lonely. You may even learn new coping strategies that have worked for them.

• Seek out an IBCLC to help you address any feeding challenges.
   

Parkview offers support group services with International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants. Click here to learn more.