Breastfeeding Challenges and 4 Ways to Avoid Them

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true of breastfeeding. Simple habits established early can prevent a whole host of challenges that may lead to early weaning.

According to recent statistics, over 70% of American women start breastfeeding their baby at birth but only 16% are still nursing when their baby is a year old. Following these tips will make a big difference.

Build a Support Network

Even though mom and baby are the ones breastfeeding, building a network of supportive people is key. This would include taking steps like: making sure your baby’s father strongly supports breastfeeding; educating family members close to you about breastfeeding; finding health care practitioners who are breastfeeding advocates and also knowledgeable; and making friends with other nursing moms who can be a source of information and support.

Nurse Early and Often

“Nurse early and often” is a tip that La Leche League, considered the world’s foremost authority on breastfeeding, has long advocated. Why? Breastfeeding soon after birth and frequently thereafter helps establish milk supply and helps mom’s uterus contract, reducing postpartum bleeding and other complications.

Babies are typically born ready to nurse within about 20 minutes of birth and the experience of many has shown that this is an ideal time to introduce the breast. Not limiting baby’s time at the breast, but rather nursing when he indicates the desire means mom will develop a healthy milk supply and avoid issues with plugged ducts or mastitis.

Avoid Artificial Nipples

While pacifiers have some benefits, they are best avoided in the early weeks when baby and mom are getting used to nursing. The same is especially true of supplemental bottles. These can disrupt the balance of supply and demand that makes breastfeeding work and lead to insufficient milk supply as well as confusion in the baby.

Despite what some Pediatricians or Doctors say, the experience of many mothers and breastfeeding experts over the years has shown that some babies do indeed have much trouble switching from breast to bottle. Wait until the baby is several weeks old to introduce bottles.

Give It Six Weeks

For some nursing couples (remember that it takes two to make breastfeeding work, and one of you may have more trouble than the other in learning the ropes!), nursing is smooth sailing. For others, it’s one challenge after another, but even for these nursing dyads, most of the time breastfeeding gets easy after the 6 week mark.

Take it one day at a time, but don’t give up too quickly. It’s surprising how often things just magically improve once baby matures a bit. Get help from a Lactation Consultant, La Leche League leader or another breastfeeding mom if you need it. Breastfeeding should not hurt!

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