Breastfeeding

Baby

Wherever possible, the Essential Baby site promotes and encourages natural practices, methods and alternatives. Essential Baby recommends that all new mothers aim to breastfeed their babies. To help meet this aim, it is important to gain an understanding of the difficulties that may be experienced, how to overcome them, where to get help when you need it, and if necessary, who you can talk to about alternatives to breastfeeding.

While we strongly recommend and encourage breastfeeding, we are also very conscious that sometimes, mothers who had planned to breastfeed their baby may experience on-going problems that can make this natural alternative either very difficult or near impossible. This can result in feelings of stress, anxiety and inadequacy.

The following information is designed as a basic guide and starting point only. Please be aware there is plenty of support for breastfeeding Mums and we encourage you to seek help from the experts! Breastfeeding is a precious gift and there are many organisations dedicated to helping.

The benefits of breastfeeding

• Breast milk contains all the nutrients your growing baby requires and is easily digested
• Breast milk contains the antibodies your baby needs to guard against common infections such as gastro- enteritis and respiratory tract infections
• Breast milk is clean, and in most cases, readily available
• Breast milk is always the right temperature and consistency
• Breastfeeding is quick, convenient and inexpensive
• Breastfeeding is a rewarding and enjoyable experience that encourages close contact and results in a loving, bonding relationship between mother and baby
• Breastfeeding helps you to get rid of the fat reserves built up and stored during your pregnancy and will also help speed up the contractions that return your uterus to it's normal size 

Tips for breastfeeding

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet while breastfeeding to ensure you get plenty of iron, protein and calcium
• Try to feed frequently, as this will help you to maintain your milk supply
• At each feed, use both breasts, but wait until your baby empties one before changing over. This ensures that your baby gets the nourishing milk that is delivered later in the feed
• If your baby is too tired or disinterested to breastfeed, try to express the milk and save it for when the baby is ready to feed
• You can keep expressed milk in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Alternatively, expressed breast milk can be kept safely in the freezer for up to 6 months
• If your breasts are leaking, try using breast pads to absorb leaking milk
• If your nipples are sore, dry and/or cracked, nipple creams and lotions are available to relieve discomfort 

Potential difficulties and suggestions for overcoming them

Baby refusing to feed or not "latching on"
Initially a baby may resist your encouragement to breastfeed due to tiredness (this is natural in the first 24 hours). If this happens, don't be discouraged. Try to use a breast pump to express the milk, then use it to feed the baby when he/she is ready to feed. Although breastfeeding is natural, it can also be challenging, requiring persistence, patience and confidence. Try not to wait for the baby to cry before offering the breast. Crying is the last sign of hunger and is an indication the baby has been hungry for quite some time. If your baby resists your encouragement to breastfeeding - seek help to assess the situation.

If your baby is having difficulty latching on to your breast, try the following suggestions:

• Hold your baby close to you with the front of your baby facing you.
• Undress your baby down to their nappy and lie them on your chest. They will feel comforted and may start to seek the breast.
• Make sure both you and the baby are comfortable for the duration of the feed, try using a pillow under the baby so that you don't bear the weight.
• If your breasts are too full your baby may have difficulty latching on. Try hand expressing some milk first to relieve your breasts' firmness.
• Your baby should be lying on their side, facing the nipple.

If you need further support, try some of the support groups listed below.

Reduction in milk supply
Milk production can slow down, but frequent feeding should ensure a good supply of breast milk. If not, seek further help and advice. Some characteristics of feeding behaviour include: audible swallowing, periods of deep rhythmic swallowing interspersed with pauses, and possibly a sensation of let-down. Other ways you can assess your baby's feeding include the number and appearance of stools, number of wet nappies, your baby's general disposition, and their weight gain. All of this should be discussed with your early childhood nurse or lactation consultant, however minor your concern. These people are experts when it comes to detail and will be glad to discuss it with you.

Sore and cracked nipples
Breast care is important while breastfeeding, and can prevent sore and cracked nipples. The only breast care necessary is to be gentle when bathing and drying-don't try to toughen them or rub them briskly.  A good deep effective latch on the breast with the baby positioned well at the breast is the way to prevent sore and cracked nipples. To try and avoid sore and cracked nipples, follow the steps above to help your baby latch on correctly, then remember to take care when removing your baby from the breast. 

Exposure to the air is good for sore nipples. If your nipples begin to crack, take particular care, as this can lead to infection however nipples heal very fast when the problem has been addressed. Usually when the baby's latch has been corrected you can continue to feed with a significant reduction in pain because the baby is now feeding more deeply and not on the nipple.

Blocked milk ducts
A blocked milk duct can be caused by engorgement (when your breasts are too swollen with milk), incorrect use of a breast pump, breast secretions that have dried on the nipple and blocked its opening, or wearing a bra that is ill-fitting (too tight or restrictive) Symptoms are tenderness, lumpiness (specific lump area) and possible redness. You can try to unblock the duct by massaging the affected breast while feeding to ease the milk down. Keep breastfeeding or expressing as frequently as possible and massage your breast towards the nipple - not up away from it. Sometimes using the back of a hairbrush or comb helps too. Seek help if you cant clear it in 24-36 hours, or earlier if you develop the flu-type symptoms of mastitis.

Mastitis
Mastitis occurs when the breast becomes inflamed. The symptoms are similar to blocked ducts, but will also be accompanied by swelling and other flu-like symptoms such as headaches, elevated temperature, and chills. Mastitis can be treated with antibiotics and usually clears up within a few days. If you experience any symptoms, seek help straight away. It is very common, can be treated and should not affect your ability to continue breastfeeding. Seeking help as soon as possible is the best solution.

Taking medication or drugs
If you are taking any medication, check with your doctor about its impact on breastfeeding. Not all medication is incompatible with breastfeeding, however you may need to swap medication or receive a different dosage. You should also try to avoid cigarettes and alcohol while breastfeeding. If you need to seek help with reducing your intake as your baby can still benefit from being breastfed.

Remember, if you experience problems with breastfeeding it doesn't mean you have "failed".  Before giving up, seek help from the following support organisations, and if you are still unable to breast feed, try not to be too hard on yourself.

Contact the below organisations for more information:
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Early Childhood Health Centre
You will find contact details for your nearest Early Childhood Health Centre in the main section of the White Pages.
Karitane
Tresillian Family Care Centres

Discuss breastfeeding with other EB mums.