Common Breastfeeding Complications

by Rachel

If you are breastfeeding your baby, there is a possibility that complications will arise. The most common complications when it comes to breastfeeding are clogged ducts, infection and sore nipples.

If you are suffering from clogged ducts, it will be evidenced by small, red lumps on the breast tissues. If you have clogged ducts, this can cause the milk to revert back which can lead to infection. In order to prevent this from happening, you must make sure that all the milk secreted is emptied out and consumed. If there is still milk left over after the feeding, you can use a breast pump to avoid having clogged ducts.

Infection in the breast is also called mastititis. This is usually caused by empty milk ducts and bacteria entering the breast tissue. Mastititis can also be caused by the mother’s stress and poor nutrition. To know if you have breast infection, you must take note of the different symptoms concerned with Mastititis which are severe pain, hardness and redness of the breasts and swelling. It can further be aggravated to abscess, which is a more serious level of infection. Antibiotics and pain killers can be used in treating breast infection. If it gets really serious, you can be required by your doctor to undergo surgery.

Breastfeeding can also lead to sore nipples which would make the feeding process very painful. In order to prevent sore nipples from happening, you must make sure that your baby is assuming a correct feeding position, expose your breasts to air after feeding and after the feeding you must wash your breasts with just water.

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February 24, 2009   No Comments