What are some of the challenges of breastfeeding?
For all its health benefits, breastfeeding can be challenging. In the early weeks, it can be painful if it is not done properly. A woman’s nipples may become sore or cracked if she allows her infant to latch on to the nipple, instead of the areola. She may experience engorgement more than a bottle-feeding mother, when the breasts become so full of milk that they’re hard and painful. She can reduce the risk of painful engorgement by using proper latch-on and positioning, as well as by allowing the baby to nurse on-demand. Engorgement can be relieved by frequent feedings, massaging the breast, and by applying warm or cold compresses between feedings. Nursing women may also develop clogged milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. While most nursing problems can be solved with home remedies, mastitis requires prompt medical care.
