Model Marriage
(a) He’s feeding frequently, latches on well, and sucks vigorously.
(b) If he wets six to eight diapers a day and has several yellow bowel
movements a day.
(c) If he’s gaining weight at a consistent rate.
Speak to your doctor if you have doubts or concerns; nursing problems are easier to solve if
addressed early. Don’t wait until problems are extreme. The most obvious sign of severe
dehydration is a sunken soft spot on top of the baby’s head. Other symptoms are: sunken eyes,
excessive drowsiness, and decreased urination.
Common Problems of Breastfeeding and Their Solutions
Engorgement
Engorgement is when your breasts feel uncomfortably full, swollen and tender. It
is your body’s signal that you are producing more milk than the baby is taking in.
It is most common when your milk first comes in, which is three to four days after
birth, and may occur again when the baby is older and does not feed as much as
he used to. Engorgement is painful, and it can also lead to feeding difficulties.
Sometimes, the nipple angle flattens and the baby has difficulty latching on. Or
he may not get enough of the areola into his mouth to nurse effectively.
Solution:Pump out a little milk before a feeding to make latch-on easier. Be sure
that your baby empties your breasts as much as possible with each feeding. Above
all, get the milk flowing. When milk is not removed regularly and effectively,
production will decline. With frequent nursing of a newborn, engorgement
usually subsides in about two days.Sore Nipples
Many women experience tenderness during the first week or two of breastfeeding,
as the nipples adjust to the pressure. If discomfort occurs beyond this early stage,
or you continue to feel pain after latch-on while baby nurses, incorrect positioning
may be the reason.
Solution: To avoid discomfort, you need to get your baby to apply pressure to a
large area of the areola, and not just to your nipple. Be sure your baby opens his
mouth wide. Use your index finger to pull down his chin, which will open his
mouth wider, enabling him to take in the areola beyond the sore nipples. Most
important, don’t ignore the problem of sore nipples. If not attended to, your
nipples can become cracked and infected.Clogged Ducts
The first sign of this problem is a wedge-shaped area of tenderness and swelling
near the armpit, with the wedge pointing down toward the nipple. The area where
the duct is clogged will be painful and swollen. You may see a tiny white spot on
the nipple.