Breast Feeding Complications

Breast Feeding Complications



Clogged milk ducts

Clogged milk ducts can be identified as small, red tender

lumps on the tissue of the breast. Clogged ducts can

cause the milk to back up and lead to infection. The

best way to unclog these ducts is to ensure that you've

emptied as completely as possible. You should offer

the clogged breast first at feeding time, then let

your baby empty it as much as possible.



The treatment of breast infection includes bed rest,

antibiotics, pain relievers, increased fluid intake

and applying heat. Many women will stop breast feeding

during an infection, although it's actually the wrong

thing to do. By emptying the breasts, you'll

actually help to prevent clogged milk ducts.



Improperly positioned babies or babies that suck

really hard can make the breasts extremely sore.

Below, are some ways to ease your discomfort:

1. Make sure your baby is in the correct

position, since a baby that isn't positioned correctly

is the number one cause of sore nipples.

2. Expose once you have finished feeding

your breasts to the air and try to protect them from

clothing and other irritations.

3. After breast feeding, apply some ultra

purified, medical grade lanolin, making sure to avoid

petroleum jelly and other products with oil.

4. Make sure to wash your nipples with water

and not with soap.

5. Many women find teabags ran under cold

water to provide some relief,when placed on sore

nipples.

6. Make sure you vary your position each time

with feeding to ensure that a different area of the

nipple is being compressed each time.



You should always make sure that breast infections

are treated promptly and completely or you may

risk the chance of abscess. An abscess is very

painful, involving throbbing and swelling. You'll

Experience swelling, tenderness and heat in

the area of the abscess. If the infection progresses

this far, your doctor may prescribe medicine and

even surgery.







The symptoms of breast infection include severe pain

or soreness, hardness of the breast, redness of the

breast, heat coming from the area, swelling, or even

chills.



Try using a pump while laying in a tub of warm water ,with your breasts floating comfortably in the water,

if the pain is so bad you can't feed.

You should make sure that the pump isn't electric if you

plan to use it in the bath tub.



The remaining amount of milk remaining after the feeding

should be removed by hand or with a pump. You should

Keep pressure off the duct by making sure your

bra is not too tight.



Breast infection.

Known as mastitis, breast infection is normally

due to empty breasts completely out of milk, germs

gaining entrance to the milk ducts through cracks or

fissures in the nipple and decreased immunity in the

mother due to stress or inadequate nutrition.



Sore nipples

A lot of mothers complain about tender nipples that

make breast feeding frustrating and painful. There

is good news though, as most mothers don't suffer

that long. The nipples will toughen up quickly

and render breast feeding virtually painless.