It is believed that breastfeeding comes naturally to babies and mothers but despite that many new mothers face many issues while breastfeeding. One common problem is pain during breastfeeding.
Effath Yasmin, director of Nourish & Nurture Lactation Care & Parenting Education and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, explains the possible causes of pain while breastfeeding. According to her, breast engorgement is a common cause. Breast engorgement is common among new mothers anytime between the second and the fifth day after delivery and childbirth. The most common cause of this is the inability to nurse and feed the baby frequently or to drain the excess milk produced in the breast efficiently. As a natural process, after childbirth, a mother's breast prepares enough breast milk for the baby's nourishment and needs. However, there can be a possibility that even after adequately feeding the baby the mother might be unable to drain the milk thoroughly. This excess milk remaining in the breasts could lead to engorgement. When the breasts get engorged, they appear swollen, full, and hard. They can also be painful when touched. Engorgement is a serious issue and should never be neglected as it would not only cause problems for the mother but it will also make it difficult for the baby to get a proper feed despite the breasts being filled with milk. This is because a hard areola makes it difficult for the baby to latch on it correctly to continue with a smooth feeding session. Also, read about the
new mum's guide to breastfeeding. If you feel that your breasts are becoming taut, hard or full even after you have fed your baby to his satisfaction, try and express some milk from your breasts manually. You can use an electric or manual pump for this purpose. Here are
diet dos and dont's while breastfeeding. Watch the video to find out more about what causes pain while breastfeeding. Image & video source: TheHealthSite/YouTube
