Breastfeeding Issues

Common Breastfeeding Problems

Most new mothers and infants are able to breastfeed. But problems can and do happen, and they can make nursing a painful and difficult experience. These issues are most common in the early postpartum period and include:

Sore/cracked nipples

If you have sore or cracked nipples due to breastfeeding, the underlying problem may be a common infant feeding issue: the baby not latching properly. Improper latching can lead to the baby’s tongue rubbing and pressing against the nipple, causing pain and cracking.

A lactation consultant, midwife or health visitor can help correct latching problems early on, before they start to cause you significant discomfort.

Low milk supply

Many mothers worry they have a low milk supply. But low milk supply is rare, and most women are able to produce enough milk to breastfeed exclusively for six months and continue nursing for as long as needed. Occasionally, milk supply may be too low to meet a baby’s needs.

Most issues with low milk supply are easy to correct with proper feeding techniques, frequent feeding and occasionally medication.

Clogged milk ducts

Milk can become clogged inside a duct due to engorgement or poor drainage. This problem often happens if the breast isn’t completely emptied following a feed or when you skip a feed or two. While clogged ducts usually resolve on their own, the problem can also advance into mastitis, an inflammation of the breast.

Common signs of a clogged milk duct are:

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  A tender lump in one or both breasts
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  Painful letdowns
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  Relief after feeding/pumping

About two-thirds of nursing moms experience this problem at some point. Treatment involves massaging, applying warm compresses and draining the breast.

Mastitis

If a clogged milk duct does not resolve on its own or is left untreated, it can progress into mastitis. Mastitis is inflammation of the breast that may sometimes lead to an infection.

Mastitis can cause symptoms such as breast pain and swelling and flu-like symptoms. Women often mistake these symptoms as a normal part of being a new mom. But pain and discomfort are never a normal part of breastfeeding.

If you suspect you may have mastitis, empty your breast, wait for a couple of hours to see if your symptoms subside and contact your doctor if they do not. Your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent further complications. You can still breastfeed even when taking these medications.

A rare complication of untreated mastitis is a breast abscess, a painful buildup of pus. This problem usually requires needle aspiration or surgery.

Lactational Abscess

If mastitis does not resolve with conservative treatment, it might develop into a lactational abscess. Instead of a hard mass you might start to feel fluctuation (the area gets soft and filled with fluid), which is a sign that you may have developed an abscess. The skin over the area might get shiny and thinner and eventually break, if the abscess starts to drain spontaneously. Lactational abscesses can be treated with usually multiple aspirations to prevent surgery, scarring and drainage through the skin.