Possible breast-feeding problems - birth to 1 year
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Some women find that breast-feeding goes without a hitch from the beginning, but be prepared to be a bit clumsy the first few times, for your baby not to suck vigorously or for very long during the first 24 to 36 hours, and for your breasts to be a bit sore.
Refusing the breast
One of the most common reasons for a baby having problems taking the breast is that he has difficulty breathing. Your baby can't breathe through his nose and swallow at the same time, so always check to make sure that your breast is not covering his nostrils.
Your baby may be reluctant to take the breast if there has been a delay in starting to breast-feed after birth. For both you and your baby, the sooner you start the better. Babies learn to take the breast quickly in the first 48 hours but find it increasingly difficult the longer it is left. This does not mean, however, that your baby will never take to the breast. It just means that you will have to be patient and persevere. If, for example, your baby is premature, you could ask that he be given your expressed milk (so that your supplies of milk continue), and when you get home you can introduce the breast.
Another reason for your baby refusing to take the breast may be that he's fretful. If he's woken up, keen to feed, only to find that he's either ignored, fussed over, or changed, you may well find that he's too distressed to take your breast. If this happens you'll have to hold your baby firmly and talk soothingly and not even try to feed him until he's calmed down.
“Sucky” babies
For many babies, sucking on their mother's breast is the most pleasant experience of the day. You'll soon learn to distinguish between sucking for food and sucking for comfort. During a feed you may see and feel your baby making strong, rhythmic sucking movements but if you look closely, you'll see that he isn't swallowing. There's no reason, however, why your baby shouldn't suck as long as he wants, as long as you're happy about it and your nipples aren't sore.
Sleeping through feeds
During the first few days your baby may not be all that interested in feeding. Don't be put off. Still try suckling your baby for about five minutes on each breast, at each feed. If your baby goes to sleep at the breast don't worry; it is a very good sign that your baby is contented and doing well. (This is not the case, however, with premature babies who sleep a lot and need to be awakened and fed frequently.)
Don't stick to a rigid routine. If your baby sleeps through a feed, leave it for half an hour and then wake him up gently and try the breast. If he wants to go on sleeping, let him do so: just give the feed when he wakes. If he is hungry he'll perk up when food is offered.
Startled babies
Most babies are easily startled by any sudden, loud noise or violent movements in their first few weeks. When you pick your baby up for a feed, hold him firmly and talk soothingly all the time. Lower your head towards your baby so that your face and eyes are all that he sees. Make sure that there are no disturbing noises around you and, if possible, pick your baby up before he starts to cry.
Biting
This is a natural impulse and your baby may well bite you even before his teeth have come in. When it happens you will automatically jerk back and may even let out a cry. Your baby will be startled by this and if you say “NO”, quite firmly but without shouting, he will soon learn not to do it - even at a very early age.
A mother's anxiety during breast-feeding
If you meet a minor obstacle such as your baby refusing to have a feed, try not to get worked up about it. Nervousness may lead to more difficulties, which will make you more discouraged and may even put you permanently off breast-feeding.
Nervousness may also affect your milk. As far as your baby's health is concerned, even a few days of colostrum and breast-milk give a good start to life and are better than none at all. You should never get worried about your baby going without food because you can always fall back on bottle-feeding. Don't let small problems lead you to hasty decisions. You may be tearful and easily upset during the first week or so after delivery anyway, and it would be a shame to give up breast-feeding when you are in this rather unsettled state. Try to persevere and ask your midwife or health visitor for advice.
If you are worried about breast-feeding, make it as easy on yourself as you can. If you are embarrassed about it, make sure that you are not in a public place when feeding time comes around. Don't invite visitors to the house when you know you will be feeding, unless you are prepared to feed your baby in front of them if he wants food in a hurry.
Overfeeding/underfeeding
You cannot overfeed a breast-fed baby. He regulates how much he wants (see Milk supply and demand feeding), so unless you give something other than breast-milk (like badly made-up supplementary bottles), he'll take what he needs and his weight will be correct.
It is highly unlikely for a breast-fed baby to be underfed, but if you are worried that your baby isn't getting enough milk, talk to your midwife or health visitor.
If you're ill
- If you have to have an anaesthetic you will not be able to breast-feed - not only will you be too groggy afterwards, but the drugs you have been given will have passed into your milk.
- If you have an advance warning of an operation, try to express and freeze your milk. This way the baby will not miss your milk, even if he misses the pleasure of feeding from you.
- If you are confined to bed with a bad cold or flu, you can express your milk so your partner can feed the baby if you feel too weak.
- If you're too ill even to express milk your baby will have to be given formula milk by bottle or by spoon. He'll probably protest at first but will acquiesce as he becomes hungrier.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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