Common breastfeeding problems

Breastfeeding offers many benefits for both you and your baby. While it's not always easy and many people experience challenges, support is available, and most challenges have solutions to help you overcome your breastfeeding difficulties.

What is breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is the process of feeding your baby human milk directly from your chest, or by expressing your milk and giving it to your baby via a bottle.

Breast milk is the ideal food for your baby’s optimal growth. Your breast milk changes to match your baby’s needs as they develop.

Breastfeeding is also environmentally sustainable.

Your healthcare team will support you to exclusively breastfeed your baby until they are around 6 months old. After introducing solids to your baby, you are recommended to continue breastfeeding your baby until they are at least 12 months, and then for as long as you and your baby want.

There are many reasons you might choose to start, continue to or stop breastfeeding your baby.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

There are many benefits of breastfeeding, both for you and your baby. Some benefits are immediate and others last many years.

Benefits for your baby

Breastfeeding can reduce your baby’s risk of:

• gastrointestinal (tummy) infections — diarrhoea, rotavirus and a serious gut condition called necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)
• ear infections
• respiratory (breathing) infections and asthma
• sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Long-term benefits of breastfeeding for your baby may include:

• lower risk of developing some chronic diseases (for example, high cholesterol and high blood pressure)
• protection against developing allergies
• better dental health
• brain development
• stronger immune system
• improved motor and social development

Benefits for you

Breastfeeding is also good for your health. It can reduce your risk of developing:

• some cancers (breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer)
• diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• heart disease and stroke
• postnatal depression

Breastfeeding also helps you bond with your baby through skin-to-skin contact.

Breastfeeding issues related to you

Many people experience breastfeeding problems — read on to learn about some of the more common issues.

Low supply

Low milk supply is when you do not make enough milk to feed your baby. This is common.

With the right support, you may be able to increase your supply. Low supply is one of the most common reasons why people stop breastfeeding early.

Oversupply

Oversupply of breast milk (‘hyperlactation’) is when your body makes more milk than your baby needs. Oversupply can cause breast pain, blocked ducts or mastitis (inflammation).

There are many interventions, including feeding techniques, herbal and prescription medicines you can try to reduce your supply.

Inverted or flat nipples

If you have flat or inverted nipples, it may affect how your baby attaches to your breast. Using a nipple shield may help.

Engorgement

Your breasts can become engorged and feel very full, hard and painful. This often happens when your milk first comes in, but it usually passes. There are many things you can try to relieve your discomfort.

Nipple thrush

If you feel burning or stinging pain in your nipple during and after feeding your baby, you may have nipple thrush. Thrush is caused by Candida albicans, a fungus. Your nipples will be red and feel tender. Your baby can catch it too, so you’ll both need treatment.

Mastitis

Mastitis is inflammation of your breast. It can cause soreness, tenderness and flu-like symptoms. Mastitis can lead to an infection in your breast, so it’s important you see a healthcare professional.

You can continue breastfeeding if you have mastitis.

Cracked or bleeding nipples

Your nipples can become cracked and bleed, especially in the early days of breastfeeding. As your baby gets older, if your nipples continue to crack and bleed, it can be a sign your baby is not attaching properly.

Seek support from your doctor or lactation consultant for assistance.

Vasospasm

Nipple vasospasm happens when the blood vessels in your nipple tighten after you feed your baby. This reduces the blood flow to your nipple, causing a burning or tingling pain. Treatment includes applying a hot dry compress after breastfeeding.

Poor attachment

Sometimes your baby may not attach well to your breast. This can make breastfeeding very painful and affect your baby’s feeding and your milk supply.

Poor attachment can be due to issues with you or your baby.

Breastfeeding issues related to your baby

Some breastfeeding challenges you may experience might be related to your baby.

Tongue-tie

If your baby has a tongue-tie, the small piece of skin under their tongue (frenulum) might be shorter or tighter than usual. This makes it harder for your baby’s tongue to move freely. Your baby might have trouble attaching or staying on the breast.

Low muscle tone

If your baby has low muscle tone (hypotonia), they may find it hard to suck and swallow. This can make breastfeeding more difficult.

Early birth

Babies born early (premature) may have difficulty breastfeeding. Your health team may encourage you to express milk, and they will guide you through this journey.

Other issues

There may be some other rare issues associated with your baby that cause breastfeeding to be challenging. Speak with your medical team or lactation consultant for support.

What should I do if I'm having trouble breastfeeding?

If you are having trouble breastfeeding, there is a lot of help available. You do not have to go through it alone. Many challenges can be overcome with the right support.

You can seek support from your doctor, maternal child health nurse, lactation consultant or a breastfeeding counsellor.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

What if I can't or choose not to breastfeed?

Not everybody can or wants to breastfeed, and that is okay. You can still feed and bond with your baby in many other ways.

If you can’t or choose not to breastfeed, you can feed your baby with formula. This is your choice. Infant formula is safe and healthy for your child. Formula is made to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. When you prepare formula for your baby, make sure you carefully follow the instructions.

You may choose to try accessing donor breast milk from a milk bank. Milk banks are tightly regulated to make sure all breast milk is safe for babies.

You can also source donor breast milk informally, through social media networks or people you know. Remember, this milk would not have been pasteurised and may not have been appropriately stored. It is important you are aware of the risks involved.

It’s common to feel sad or overwhelmed when you are going through breastfeeding issues. Try to reach out to someone you trust — a friend, family member or someone close to you. You can also talk to your doctor. They can help connect you with a counsellor for support.

Resources and support

• The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne has a lot of information about benefits of breastfeeding and common problems with breastfeeding.
• Learn more about breastfeeding problems on The Royal Women’s Hospital website.
• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples?

The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a collection of resources about breastfeeding for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

The Multicultural Health Communication Service has translated their resource about breastfeeding tips for new mothers into many community languages.