What problem occur during breast feeding

 Mastitis is perhaps the most distressing problem you may encounter when attempting to breastfeed. You have been making it through the sleepless nights, the relentless feeding schedule, the diapers, the leaking… when all of a sudden you want to stop breastfeeding. Why? Mastitis is the answer. One of your breasts is engorged. There is a slightly red patch which is painful to touch. When the baby feeds it’s extremely uncomfortable. After the feed your breast feels sore. You dread the next feed… and then you begin shivering. You think you have the flu. You have hot and cold sweats. You have a thumping headache. You retire to your bed and feel utterly miserable. Visitors encourage you to give the baby a bottle so you feel like you’ve failed… but there is a solution. In most cases mastitis affects only one breast at a time. So what causes it? Most often a new mum, whether or not she has previously breastfed, will suffer mastitis as a result of incorrect positioning or latching on of the baby. Consequently the milk is not properly drained from the breast and a milk duct becomes blocked. Other reasons include skipping feeds because you don’t want to feed in public or in front of visitors, or the baby is sleeping and you do not want to disturb him. If you recognise the sensation of a blocked milk duct you may be able to avoid it progressing into mastitis by gently massaging your breast in the bath or shower. Massage downwards towards the nipple. You may feel a small lump which disappears as the duct becomes unblocked. You can also try feeding the baby more often and again massaging the sore area towards the nipple as the baby drinks. Another effective technique is to try expressing milk with the aid of an electric or hand pump. However, if all your efforts are in vain and the duct does not unblock mastitis will often follow. Mastitis is simply when the blocked duct becomes inflamed and possibly infected. Current medical advice is to continue feeding from the affected breast even if it is infected. The infection will not harm the baby. However, the last thing you may want to do is to feed from the affected side at all as it is so painful. This will only make things worse and you may end up with an abscess. If this happens you will need to have the abscess drained by a doctor. If you are worried about your baby drinking milk from the affected breast a good alternative is to express and dispose of the milk and to feed only from the unaffected side. Your body will adapt. It will continue to supply enough milk for your baby from the unaffected breast. And as long as you express regularly from the affected breast the milk supply will be maintained. You produce breast milk on a supply and demand basis so there will always be enough. When the infection clears up you can simply return to your usual feeding pattern. If you do get mastitis and it does not clear up within a few hours you will probably require an antibiotic so speak to your GP. Make sure to tell him you are breastfeeding so a suitable antibiotic can be prescribed. To avoid a recurrence make sure you position the baby properly. Ensure he is not sucking on just the nipple but that he has a good mouthful of the areola also. Try to sit upright or if lying down do not lie on the breast. Make sure the baby is tummy-to-tummy with you, his nose and mouth facing the breast and that he is not creating a blockage with his chin or a hand or arms. Mastitis usually clears up completely within a couple of days so put it in perspective. Don’t give up breastfeeding because you have mastitis. Instead ensure you don’t get it again; position your baby correctly, feed on demand and avoid skipping breastfeeds. Breastfeeding was not widely practiced in the past, perhaps when you were a child. Breastfeeding was not encouraged as it is in todays society. The benefits and significance of it for a newborn baby were not fully appreciated by doctors. Because of this, and a few other reasons, there were many new mothers that went directly to feeding with the bottle, most often new mothers didn’t even try to breastfeed their new baby. There are numerous benefits to breast-feeding your baby's health and safety. There have been many studies in regard to breastfeeding babies and the results have shown increases in brainpower within as little as six weeks of breastfeeding. The study has also shown a reduced risk of obesity due to the fact that breastfed babies are much less likely to overeat than formula-fed babies. Overall, babies that have been breastfed for roughly six months are also less likely to have breathing problems. We now understand how beneficial breast milk is to your infant. Doctors and other health care providers strongly advocate breastfeeding. Further, it’s been shown that breast milk supports brain function as stated above and also provides valuable nutrients that would not otherwise be available. Breast milk is very special, every mother’s milk is slightly different, tailored to her own baby’s needs. A baby’s immune system is directly affected by the breast milk of his/her mother. Every feeding time is an extremely important time of the day, it allows the mother and baby time to bond to each other without any distractions. A new mother will really get to know her baby by breastfeeding and will feel much more at ease with him or her during breastfeeding. Milk induced sleep is one of the most wonderful things a mother will experience. Newborns love to be cuddled and they also love to eat. When you combine the two you get an extremely sleepy baby who will snuggle up in their mother’s arms long after the feeding is over. Breastfeeding will instill a naptime but you’ll find yourself continuing to rock your precious little one, it’s calming to mother as well. Babies have a built-in latching instinct, although some babies will not latch properly, causing pain to the mother. You’ll detect these problems early on and you’ll find that most hospitals have a nursing specialist that will help to determine if your baby is latching on wrong. If you continue to have problems in this area in the first week, you should consult with your doctor. With a little practice you’ll be a pro in no time! Hang in there, It’s worth it! Breast milk is not only good for your baby, but it’s also good for the mother as well. It has been stated that Mother’s who breast-feed their babies for at least six months have shown a dramatical reduction in the risk of various types of cancer including breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Another happy note… through breast-feeding, new mother’s will also lose the additional weight she gained while pregnant, and another benefit is that it will also help her uterus contract to its pre-baby size. All new parents want to give their babies the very best and when it comes to nutrition, the very best “first food” for baby is breast milk. Although you may experience a few challenges at first while breastfeeding; it will be the best experience a new mother will have. There may even come a time later in life when you look back on this wonderful experience and wish that you had breast fed your baby longer.

While many new moms have the best intentions to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, a new survey found that nearly one-third (29 percent) of new mothers who breastfeed stop prematurely due to work-related issues. These issues include having no designated place to pump (57 percent) and no place to store pumped milk (27 percent). “While the health benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother are undisputed, returning to work can leave breastfeeding moms feeling overwhelmed and frustrated,” says Sue Huml, international board-certified lactation consul-tant and member of the Lansinoh Breastfeeding Advisory Board. “While many mothers may fear returning to work will disrupt the breastfeeding routine they’ve worked so hard to establish, it is possible and common for women to breastfeed and return to work outside the home. It does take planning, commitment and flexibility, however,” advises noted pediatrician Dr. James Sears. Dr. Sears and Sue Huml offer some tips to help moms successfully ease the transition back to the office and continue to breastfeed while working: • Invest in a Quality Electric Breast Pump: Many women find that using an electric breast pump helps to keep up their milk supply better than manual pumping and allows for pumping enough milk to have on hand while they are at work. “Look for a pump where you can control the speed and suction, which can enhance the milk flow by mimicking your baby’s natural sucking pattern,” adds Huml. “The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump is quiet, which is good for being discreet, and uses a patented system that keeps condensation/breast milk from getting into the tubing and damaging the motor. It also comes with an instructional DVD.” • Stock Up: If possible, mothers should start pumping and freezing their milk about a month before returning to work. Lansinoh Breast milk Storage Bags are specially designed for freezing expressed breast milk safely. • Talk with Your Employer: It is important to talk to your supervisor about your pumping schedule and work out a designated area that is safe, clean and private, where you will be able to pump without being disturbed. You can also point out the many benefits of breastfeeding for the employer, such as reduced absenteeism. Most moms create a pumping schedule that mimics their baby’s feeding schedule. As a general rule, it is best to pump every two to three hours that you will be away from your baby. “Whenever you are not working and can be with your baby you should breastfeed exclusively in order to maintain and build up your milk supply,” adds Dr. Sears.

Im going to breastfeed, is a common refrain amongst pregnant women.  But what many women dont do is to prepare for breastfeeding beforehand.  They simply make the statement and then put it to the back of their minds.  The next time the issue arises is often in the delivery suite when the new mum has just gone through the ordeal of childbirth.

 The new mother may be exhausted when she is shown her baby, and the last thing she wants is for anyone else to poke her. The result?  All her good intentions to breastfeed become overshadowed when a bottle is produced and the exhausted mum is told that she can try to give a breastfeed later on in the day!

 To stand the best chance of successfully breastfeeding, pregnant women need to prepare during their pregnancy.  Successful breastfeeding results from careful planning.  And the most important way to successfully breastfeed is to give the newborn baby a breastfeed within half an hour of her birth!  Now, not later! Being committed to breastfeeding, but not placing too much pressure on oneself, can work wonders!  A new mom who puts too much pressure on herself will likely experience stress and be more likely to stop breastfeeding early. Having a new baby is stressful enough!  By preparing to breastfeed whilst you are still pregnant, you will feel more relaxed about it when the baby is born.

 The following will certainly aid you in your breastfeeding experience:

 Join a Breastfeeding Support Group to chat to new and experienced breastfeeding mums.  Ask questions about breastfeeding and enquire if you can watch some babies being offered the breast.

 Observe how each baby is put on the breast.

 Look at how different mums hold their babies.  Getting the right position is essential to avoid early problems.

 Also ask for advice about breastfeeding friendly shops and changing facilities!

 Read books, magazines or online articles, to find out as much as you can about breastfeeding successfully.

 Get measured for a nursing bra when you are around 38 weeks pregnant.  Many baby stores now offer this service.  Try a few different styles to find one that is comfortable.  Also purchase a couple of night-time nursing bras.

 Nursing pads are essential for absorbing leaks and avoiding embarrassing stains!

 Nursing shells can be very useful on nights out, as they will catch leaks.  Or you can use them during breastfeeding to collect milk from the breast not being used, storing the milk for later use.

 Nipple Creams can help soothe sore nipples.

 Front-opening or Nursing Nightdresses or Pyjamas can make it easier to breastfeed at night.

 Loose- fitting tops can be comfortable during the day.  Try layering so that your back is not exposed when you are feeding.  Or use a poncho or wrap if you feel anxious about breastfeeding in front of other people.

 A Breast-pump is a fantastic investment as it can be used to collect milk for bottle feeds, making up first solids or when you are away from the baby to prevent engorgement or ease mastitis.  Ask other mums to recommend one they liked.

 A V-shaped Cushion can make breastfeeding more comfortable as it offers good support for mums back.  Or a Nursing Pillow can be used to raise the baby up to a more comfortable height for mum.

 A Steriliser is a compact way to keep baby utensils and breast-pump attachments clean and sterile.  A glider chair can be very helpful for some mothers, especially during nighttime feedings. If you are well prepared for breastfeeding there is no reason why you should not succeed.

 Breast-milk is natures diet for babies; perfectly balanced for a great start to life.

The decision of how to feed your baby is a very personal one. Despite the numerous and significant advantages of breastfeeding, many women continue to do so for distinct reasons. Take some time to learn more about breastfeeding before deciding how to feed your child. Armed with this information, it should be easier to make a decision. Breastfeeding has two stages, colostrum and regular milk. The very first milk to be produced is colostrum. It occurs during the first two to three days, and is a thick, whitish liquid. Colostrum is exactly what a new baby needs. It is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies. It is also extremely easy for the newborns system to digest. One of the first things that the colostrum does is produce a laxative effect. It helps the baby to pass the meconium, which are thick and tarry. It also helps to clear excess bilirubin and prevent jaundice. So, if a baby is born with jaundice, the best thing is to nurse. Colostrum also carries an extremely high number of both antibodies and leukocytes (protective white cells), and helps the babys immature immune system fight off diseases, viruses, and bacteria. In effect, colostrum super-charges the babys system and helps prepare him for life outside the womb. By the third or fourth day after birth, the second stage of breastfeeding occurs. This is when the regular milk comes in. Despite its thinner consistency, this milk still contains all the nutrients a baby needs to grow and thrive. Just as colostrum did, the regular breast milk carries much-needed antibodies to the babys system. Your immune system produces molecules called antibodies that aid in the prevention of illness. Breast milk contains all of the antibodies that the mothers body has created. The mother's body begins making antibodies to protect the baby from new germs as they enter the environment. These new antibodies are then passed through the breast milk to help the baby fight off the new threat. This does not mean that babies who are breastfed never get sick, but studies have shown that they typically recover faster than babies who are fed formula. There are additional benefits to breastfeeding other than just the antibodies. It has been shown that breastfeeding offers protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, staph, strep, e-coli infections, diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, childhood cancers, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, salmonella, and SIDS. Breastfeeding also offers lifetime protection from Chrohns disease, ulcerative colitis, some lymphomas, insulin dependent diabetes, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also offers benefits to the mother. Long-term breastfeeding, for a cumulative total of two years or more, has been shown to reduce a mothers chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also helps the mother to lose weight more quickly after having a baby. Because many women do not get their periods back until they stop nursing, breastfeeding also helps to naturally space out children. But, it is important to note that one should never rely solely on breastfeeding for birth control. These are just a few of the amazing things that breast milk can do for a baby. You would think that with all this research, the decision to breast-feed would be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, one of the biggest deciding factors of whether a woman decides to breastfeed is the reaction of family members. Oftentimes the husband is uninformed on the benefits of breastfeeding, and pushes the woman to wean to formula. Many mothers and grandmothers dont support the breastfeeding woman because that wasnt how it was done in their day. Many women receive dirty looks or harsh comments for discretely nursing in public. All of these factors push a new mother towards formula, despite the amazing health benefits of nursing. The decision to breast-feed is yours. Take at least as much time to learn about breastfeeding as you did when you picked out your babies crib; more if you can spare it. Arm yourself with knowledge and then make a decision. Only you can decide if breastfeeding is right for you family.