Don’t let these obstacles prevent you from breastfeeding

From the time you are expecting, you look forward to meeting your bundle of joy after spending a long nine months pregnant. You also look forward to bonding with your baby through breastfeeding. But sometimes breastfeeding is not as easy at it seems and can be daunting to new moms, especially if she’s lacking a good support system and has had only negative experiences. Jude Polack, founder and director of the active birth hospital, Genesis Clinic in Johannesburg gives practical solutions to help you overcome these five common breastfeeding hurdles.

My baby is always hungry because I don’t produce enough milk

In the first week of delivery, moms usually complain that they don’t have breast milk hence they can’t breastfeed. This is further exacerbated by their babies suddenly start fussing more than usual, feeding more frequently or popping off the breast sooner. A breast pump can also be very discouraging. “After a mom has only managed to pump a few millilitres, who can blame her for concluding that she has no milk supply, when in reality she likely has an abundant supply?,” asks Polack. Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand equation. “Feed your baby on demand and your body will produce more milk. Skip a feed or two every day, and your body will respond by reducing supply,” explains Polack. He says there’s no need to be concerned about your milk supply if your baby is gaining weight, seems reasonably content, is alert, and produces five or more wet nappies, and two to five poo nappies a day from day four.

Breastfeeding is very just too painful

Even moms who have breastfed before can be shocked to discover that breastfeeding the second time around is painful when they do it again. According to experts, 80-90% of breastfeeding moms will experience nipple pain, and 26% will get cracked, extremely sore nipples.With a little time, good nipple care and the guidance of a lactation consultant, breastfeeding will stop being painful. Don’t wait to ask for help; sore nipples can very quickly escalate to unbearable levels.

 I suffer from mastitis

According to Polack, mastitis is the inflammation of a mammary gland, which presents itself with flu-like symptoms and a sore, area on your breast. While painful, mastitis doesn’t have to mean the end of breastfeeding. “Feeding more to empty the milk ducts is part of the cure (mastitis doesn’t make the milk unsafe for your baby). Polack says that lactation-safe drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen will ease the pain. Ice packs have also proven effective but Polack advises that you consult a doctor if your symptoms persist, as you may need a lactation-safe antibiotic.

I am struggling to get it right, so I’m obviously not cut out for breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding might be natural, but it doesn’t always come naturally to everyone. Most new moms need help, support and practice as they struggle to get into the hang of things.“Breastfeeding can be difficult the first few weeks and you might feel like you’re a failure; you’re not. Both you and your baby are still learning and trying to master a new skill,” says Polack adding that, new-borns have a powerful instinct to breastfeed, but they too have to get the hang of latching and sucking. “Start breastfeeding within an hour after birth, keep separation from your baby to a minimum, feed your baby on demand, and avoid dummies and bottles to help you get the hang of breastfeeding quicker,” Polack says.

I am going back to work soon, so what’s the point?

Any amount of breastfeeding, even if only for a short period, is a gift for your baby. The fact that you are returning to work, shouldn’t serve as a barrier to breastfeeding. If you have to go back to work a few months after your baby’s birth, find out if you’ll be able to express at work. If expressing isn’t an option, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider breastfeeding at all.