Breast Infection (mastitis)
This is when there is pain or a lump in your breast. It can lead to a fever, nausea, vomiting, yellow discharge from the nipple, or breasts that feel warm or hot to the touch and look red. To help, you can breastfeed on the affected side or massage the area. You can also put a warm compress where it hurts or wear a comfy bra. If both of your breasts are affected, there is pus or blood in your breast milk, or you have red streaks near the problem area on your breast, call your provider right away.
Fungal infection
This infection can form on your nipples or in your breast. Some signs of this are sore nipples after months of pain-free breastfeeding, or pink, flaky, shiny, itchy, or cracked nipples. To treat these issues, change your nursing pads a lot. Also try to wear a clean bra every day, boil all pacifiers, bottle nipples, and toys to clean them, and wash baby’s hands a lot.
Inverted, flat, or very large nipples
If your nipples are flat or even if they are large, it can make it hard for the baby to breastfeed the right way. If you have flat nipples, try using your fingers to pull them out. If you have large nipples, your baby’s latch will get better over time.
Nursing strike
A nursing strike is when your baby has been breastfeeding for months and then refuses. It may mean that something is wrong, not that the baby is ready to wean. Some causes of a nursing strike are: mouth pain, ear infection, being upset, or having a stuffy nose that makes it hard to breathe while feeding. Try pumping when your baby would usually feed so you do not get plugged ducts. You can also try using a spoon to give your baby breast milk. Keep trying to feed your baby, stopping and starting again if he or she gets angry.
Strong let-down reflex
This is when the milk comes strongly, usually if there is an oversupply of milk. To ease this issue, you can hold your nipple between your first and middle fingers and lightly push down on your breast to reduce the force of the milk. You can also lie on your side to reduce gravity.
Engorgement
This is when your breasts are hard and painful from being full. It can lead to swelling, soreness, warmth, redness, a low fever, or flat nipples. Some ways to help are to breastfeed often, massage the breast, use cold compresses to ease the pain, and wear a bra that fits well. Avoid bras that are too tight.
Plugged ducts
Plugged ducts feel like a sore, tender lump in your breast. It happens when milk does not drain properly. To help, you can breastfeed on the side with the issue every two hours, massage the area, get extra sleep, and aim your baby’s chin at the plug when he or she feeds.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BREAST FEEDING
Source: womenshealth.gov
