Breastfeeding Problems – the Not-So-Easy Parts of NursingBreastfeeding is wonderful. It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. But…it’s not always perfect. Breastfeeding problems do crop up sometimes, so it’s good to know how to identify ‘em and fix ‘em so that you can get back to enjoying nursing your child. One quick reminder: Always, always check in with your doctor for any medical issues you might be having – I’m just a friend, not a doctor, and besides, it would make me feel a lot better if you were super-careful and chatted with a professional. ... there’s the do-it-yourself issues:When it comes to the most common breastfeeding problems, many of them are the do-it-yourself variety – meaning there are some home remedies and somewhat easy ways to correct them.Topics in this category include: …the emotional:Some speed bumps you might come across are more emotional than physical, though, such as sticking with breastfeeding handling criticism from others, coping with breastfeeding and guilt, or if your baby goes on a nursing strike (don’t take it personally).…and then the truly medical (call the doc!):But every now and then, you might have to deal with breastfeeding problems that you just can’t fix at home, and really need a professional’s insight and direction before moving forward.Balancing breastfeeding and colic is a biggie for some moms, while persevering with breastfeeding with an underweight baby can be another huge stumbling block for others – but both of these are totally compatible with breastfeeding; sometimes you just need a little direction to help it all come together with these special situations. GERD – or gastrointestinal reflux disease – is quite common in newborns and young infants, and in most cases is temporary; but it could be the underlying problem to a few nursing difficulties you see crop up elsewhere. 
After several late, scream-y nights in my daughter’s first few months, I knew something was wrong (but just couldn’t figure it out). She was diagnosed with GERD and was prescribed baby-safe antacids for before her early-morning and evening nursing sessions, and it made a huge difference. I just wish I had known what to look for, so that I didn’t have to call the pediatrician’s after-hours number in a panic at 2 a.m.!Thrush is a condition that creates painful mouth sores for your baby and makes it difficult for her to nurse; but, with the right treatment and care, there’s no reason to stop breastfeeding for fear that it will return. Breastfeeding and pain is another very common issue, and could be caused by a number of things – in more extreme scenarios, for example, you might have some breast inflammation, which could be a sign of mastitis. And if this is a case, get thee to a doctor right away; it can turn into a serious infection real fast. And of course, it’s also extremely important to keep an eye out for postpartum depression (PPD), especially if you’re experiencing other problems with nursing; this can make a tough situation worse, and it is so important for you and your baby to talk with a doctor if you or your spouse suspect that you might even have a few of these crucial signs of PPD. What Other Suggestions Do You Have for These Breastfeeding Problems?Do you have other great solutions for these breastfeeding problems? Share them with us! What Other Mamas Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other mamas to this page...
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