Breastfeeding Tips
Common Problems | Helpful Solutions
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My Nipples Are Painful With Latch:
Common Issue
It is common to feel an initial discomfort/pain with latch in the first 7-10 days. The pain goes away after a few sucks if the baby is latched deeply. You should NOT have blisters, cracks or compression stripes on your nipples. This can indicate a shallow latch or poor positioning. Check the bottom lip and make sure it is flanged out. Please make an appointment with the lactation consultant for an assessment. If the pain is not tolerable, then unlatch and try again. If it continues to be painful, you can pump and feed your breastmilk to your baby.
Severe Engorgement:
Use Cabbage!
Wash a fresh head of green cabbage and place cabbage in refrigerator to chill. Just before use, crush the veins with a rolling pin or crush the leaf in your hand. Place the leaves over each breast, covering ALL of the engorged area. Leave on until they become wilted, about 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat one to two times within a 24 hour period. Be aware of your supply, as there is indication that cabbage leaves can work TOO well and end up reducing mother’s milk supply. If your milk decreases too much, then pump after feeding for 3-6 times in a row and your supply should bounce back.
My Baby Keeps Falling Asleep After Just A Few Minutes:
Look for Clues
Undress your baby before trying to latch and look for feeding cues: alert and active behaviors, rapid eye movement, sucking on fingers or hands​.
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Massage the breast and hand express a few drops of milk. Latch baby deeply and compress the breast. Have your hand back away from the areola so the latch isn’t broken with compression. Watch for active sucking and swallowing. Once the baby is sucking in a good rhythm, then you can stop compressing. Watch the suck. If the baby slows down, give another squeeze to get the swallowing going again.
If your baby is not nursing well with active swallowing, stop and hand express or pump and feed your baby. Sometimes giving just a half of an ounce will help them wake and then they latch just fine.
Please call and make an appointment for a full assessment if your baby is not latching and nursing with active sucking and swallowing. Babies that are doing well usually stay awake. Babies will tend to fall asleep when the milk isn't flowing well. Protect your supply if you think your baby isn't nursing well and pump and feed your baby while waiting for an appointment.
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