Fourth Trimester
Your Breastfeeding Journey: Combatting 5 Common Breastfeeding Challenges
Breastfeeding can be an incredible way to bond with and nourish your baby, but for many women, it can come with its challenges, too. If you’re having difficulties breastfeeding, you’re not alone! No matter where you are in your breastfeeding journey, we’re sharing five of the most common breastfeeding concerns and tips for how to handle them.
#1: Baby Won’t Latch
For both mother and baby, finding the proper latching technique can take time. If you’re having difficulties, it could be due to a host of reasons. For example, it could be that your baby is too sleepy or agitated to feed, or it could that your baby’s mouth has a physical condition like a tongue tie or a lip tie that restricts their range of motion.
Solution: If you’re unsure of the cause of the problem, you may want to consult a lactation consultant or pediatrician who can help diagnose and offer advice. In the meantime, making small adjustments to your positioning may help. You can try different techniques from cradling, to the crossover hold, or the laid-back position to see what works best. Nipple shields can also be helpful in the short-term to give your baby a firmer target to attach to. Conditions like tongue tie or lip tie often resolve on their own, or can be treated by a pediatrician if needed.
#2: Sore or Cracked Nipples
It’s very common to experience sore, cracked nipples especially during the early weeks of breastfeeding. On top of the adjustment to breastfeeding, your breasts are often more sensitive after giving birth. Generally, though, the sensitivity should resolve in a few weeks. However, if you’re noticing a persistent soreness or that your nipples are becoming raw and cracked, this is often due to improper latching and shouldn’t be ignored.
Solution: To provide some relief, you can try applying a warm compress to help soothe irritated nipples. You can also try soaking your nipples in a homemade saline solution by mixing ½ teaspoon of salt with 8 oz of warm water. To further promote healing, opt for a medical grade ointment like Lanolin designed for breast-feeding mothers. And again, it’s best to consult with your provider or lactation specialist to identify what could be causing the problem in the first place.
#3: Clogged Ducts
Clogged or plugged milk ducts can feel like hard, tender lumps in your breast that prevent the flow of breast milk. They can cause swelling, redness, and breast pain. Clogged ducts can develop from improper latching, missed feedings, or weaning too soon.
Solution: To prevent milk from backing up in your ducts, you’ll want to continue to stick to a regular breastfeeding scheduling. You may also want to avoid bras that are too tight or anything that can put pressure on your breasts. If you develop a clogged duct, it’s best to continue to breastfeed often to help with the flow of milk. It’s important that you empty your breast milk as you much as you can, which may mean using a breast pump or hand compression after feeding.
#4: Mastitis
Mastitis is an infection that occurs when bacteria found on skin or saliva enters the breast through a milk duct or crack in the skin or when a clogged milk duct goes untreated. It causes breasts to become swollen, red, and inflamed. Women with mastitis may also experience flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue.
Solution: Monitoring for issues like a clogged milk duct can help with preventing mastitis, in addition to making sure you fully dry your nipples after each feeding session to prevent irritation. If you do develop an infection, make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and getting proper rest as your body is fighting off the infection. To help reduce the inflammation and pain, you can apply a warm compress every few hours. You can also massage the area using a gentle circular motion. It’s recommended that you continue to breastfeed every few hours, even though it may be uncomfortable. Your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic to treat the infection that should work within 7-10 days.
#5: Inverted Nipples
Having inverted nipples won’t prevent you from breastfeeding. However, it may mean you need to give your baby some extra assistance to help them latch.
Solution: Just before breastfeeding, it can be helpful to extract the nipple by gently pinching around the areola. Tools like a breast pump can also be helpful to help “pull out” the nipples before feeding.
Additional Breastfeeding Resources
Axia Women’s Health is proud to partner with organizations like Birthly who offer expert advice and instructions on how to get started breastfeeding, all in a convenient virtual class.
Other organizations that offer breastfeeding support include:
It`s always a special day when one of our Axia babies comes to visit! 💜Sweet baby Harland and mom Paige came to visit with Dr. Esguerra at our Women`s Specialty Care practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We`re so thankful for our patients who share these special moments with us!
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#womenshealth #pregnancy #obgyn #babypic
ICYMI: New guidelines from ACOG and the CDC support RSV vaccination during pregnancy. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is most commonly spread in the fall and winter months. It is also the most common cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S. By getting vaccinated, you can pass on those protective antibodies and protect your baby`s future health!
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#RSV #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth #newbornhealth #babyhealth
Dr. Jennifer Gilbert, an Axia Women`s Health OB/GYN, recently spoke with Parents.com to offer insights on how to know you`re in labor and when it`s time to go to the hospital. Spoiler alert: it isn’t always how it appears in the movies! Read the full article via the link in our bio. 🔗
#laborsigns #laboranddelivery #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth
Fun fact: Studies show more babies are born in September than in any other month. Sending love to all our Axia Women`s Health babies! 💙
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#septemberbabies💙 #septemberbirthday #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth #baby
DYK there are different uterus shapes? Certain shapes could impact your ability to conceive or to have a healthy pregnancy. As always, it’s important to keep up with regular gynecologic exams and if you`re having trouble conceiving, it`s important to talk with your Axia Women`s Health provider. Swipe through to learn more.
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#womenshealth #reproductivehealth #pregnancy #uterushealth #obgyn
Say hello to one of the newest members of the Axia community, baby Josephine! One of the many joys of being an OB/GYN provider is helping support our patients throughout their pregnancy journey. It’s especially rewarding when those patients are our own colleagues! Dr. Sarah Borders and Dr. Allison Cook from our Lexington, KY area practice are not only friends and colleagues but had the incredible experience of delivering each others’ babies. Congratulations Dr. Borders and best wishes as you celebrate your little bundle of joy, baby Josephine!
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#obgyn #womenshealth #pregnancy #motherhood #obgynpractice
With heat waves rippling across much of the U.S., it`s important to take precautions to protect your health and your baby`s. Swipe through for what you need to know in order to summer safely while pregnant.
#summerheat☀️🔥 #pregnancytips #heatwave🔥 #summerpregnancy #SummerSafety #summer #summer2023
Millions of Americans are under air quality alerts as as a result of the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Increased exposure to high rates of air pollution can pose risk, especially to pregnant individuals. Swipe through for safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
#canadawildfire #airpollution #pregancytips #maternalhealth #smoke #wildfires
In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we`re shining a light on the importance of maternal mental health. While pregnancy and motherhood is filled with so many happy moments, it can also be an isolating and certain time for some. If you`re struggling with feelings of isolation, sadness, or anxiety you`re not alone.
Happy Mother’s Day! 💜 Today, we honor all those who have taken on mothering in any shape or form. We know each woman’s path to motherhood can be different, and no matter where you are in your journey we’re here to support you. Thank you for allowing us to be a special part of your care journey!
Thank you to Mom.com for featuring us in your latest article about pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that often goes undiscussed. It may sound scary, but with the right support it is manageable! Visit link in bio to read the full article.
#postpartum #postpartumsupport #pelvicorganprolapse #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #pregnancysupport
Did you know that your menstrual cycle is more than just the main event – your period? It’s actually a series of four different phases that each play a role in your reproductive health. Getting in touch with your cycle can help you with planning for pregnancy and even detecting other health issues. Swipe right to learn more.
The fertility awareness method (tracking of your menstrual cycle in order to prevent pregnancy) has been gaining traction on TikTok and other social media channels of late. But, does it work? Axia Women`s Health OB/GYN, Dr. Daniel DiSabatino, explains what you need to know about the risks/benefits in a recent interview with Yahoo! Swipe through to learn more.
#fertilityawareness #birthcontrol #naturalfamilyplanning #cycletracking #contraception
With many different options for prenatal vitamins available on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Swipe right to learn the top expert recommended ingredients to support you and your baby.
Finding a healthcare provider who you trust and feel comfortable with is so important. At Axia Women`s Health, we`re proud to build relationships that span decades - from puberty through pregnancy. Thank you, Brittney, for sharing your experience with us! 💙
credit: @mrs_kochanski89
‘Tis the season of giving thanks, and we couldn’t be more thankful for our incredible patient community! 🙏🏻💛Thank you for trusting us with your care. Through the happy moments and the sad, from puberty to pregnancy and even into the golden years, through challenges and joyous moments, we thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.
#thankful #appreciationpost #patientcare #givethanks #pregnancy #obgyn #gynecology
All moms know that holding your baby is an important part of bonding emotionally. But did you know it can also provide physical benefits? Kangaroo Care, a specific form of skin-to-skin contact, can have benefits for both preemies and their parents. Research shows that holding a baby to your bare chest can help regulate the baby`s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature as well as promote bonding. To all of the NICU mamas, we see you and salute your strength!
#worldpreemieday💜
Do you know the physical signs of ovulation? If you`re trying to get pregnant, tracking ovulation can go a long way to helping you conceive. Beyond that, knowing your ovulation patterns can clue you in on other potential health issues like PCOS or thyroid conditions. Swipe right to learn the signs.
#ovulationtracking #ovulationsigns #TTC #ovulation #ovulationstest #tryingtoconceivetips #tryingtoconceive
Pregnancy and infant loss is a uniquely personal and complicated experience that affects each woman differently. No matter your experience, we`re here to remind you that your grief is valid and you`re not alone. Save this post as a reminder anytime you need support. <3
#pregnancyinfantlossday
It`s sexual health month, so 🎶let`s talk about sex 🎶 post-baby. Perhaps, you`ve had your 6-week-checkup but still aren`t feeling ready to be intimate again...that`s completely okay!
There`s so much to navigate as a new mom. 🤯It can be challenging to find the time or energy to be intimate with your partner. 👩❤️💋👨
But, if you`re feeling ready and are bothered by symptoms like pain or discomfort, don`t be afraid to speak up! Your Axia Women`s Health provider is here to help.
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