Many people think women who breastfeed were lucky to be able to do so and that those who struggled and stopped somehow missed out on this luck. Many assume that the women who continued had no problems whatsoever and that it was easy.
- You face many challenges in giving your baby the most nutritious food, but no mother backs out. Most people are unaware of the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers. The struggles are real and need to be addressed. A new mother will feel exhausted mentally and physically while breastfeeding. It takes lots of love and courage to stick on to breastfeeding.
- Another challenge is the poor latch. When a baby attaches to the breast to feed in the ''wrong'' way, it can cause issues for them in getting enough milk, resulting in a lot of pain for the mom. Ensure your baby's chin is aligned with the center of their chest. Make sure the baby's mouth is wide open as they begin to latch and ensure that their nose is free of the breast so that they can breathe. It's essential to get support very early, at the hospital and beyond, to ensure that the baby is latching correctly and if not, teach them to do so if it's just positioning or establish if there's a problem such as a tongue tie which may need to be addressed by a doctor. The earliest it is resolved, the better for the baby and mom.
- Everything everyone else has said such as hurting breasts, mastitis, and cracked nipples most likely happens. There's a "break-in" period where nipples will be sore, crack & even bleed. It doesn't last long, and there are many things you can do to alleviate these issues. t It's vital to keep nipples clean & dry. Wipe with a wet cloth & dry thoroughly after nursing. Apply nursing balm if needed. Change nursing pads (worn in the bra to soak up leaks) frequently. There are specific also oils and creams that are specially made for nipples and safe for babies to ingest such as olive oil. Another oil that doesn’t need to be wiped off before breastfeeding is Go-Lacta Moringa Oil which is 100% Pure Moringa Oil. With its anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, one or two drops are enough to soothe cracked nipples. Anything you buy should be made for this purpose. Never apply lotions, salves, or creams that are not made safe for your baby to ingest.
- Breastfeeding in public. Some people find public breastfeeding bothersome just as they wouldn't want to see someone performing other body functions publicly; others apparently see it as overexposing one's breasts to open view. Without fear of being harassed or shamed, mothers should be able to feed their babies anywhere. Moms shouldn't be shamed into having to go to the restroom or hide from feeding. Plenty of wraps and covers available allow for providing right in the middle of a crowded auditorium or grocery store without anyone seeing a thing. Breastfeeding is already legal and protected in Europe, the US, and most of the world.
Most of the challenges can be overcome with support; for many people, finding support is the real challenge. More families should be guided, supported, and encouraged in their breastfeeding journeys; Moms who struggle with breastfeeding, who need that little push, and who feel like giving up. Breastfeeding is not always easy in those first few weeks after giving birth. But with all the resources, support, and professional help available to new mothers, it is definitely worth giving it a try.
