No matter your experience level with breastfeeding, there is always a learning curve. To help you stay ahead of that curve, we?ve put together some tips for ways to avoid some of the common breastfeeding mistakes that happen a lot with new moms.
Mistake #1: Thinking pain is normal
If nursing hurts your nipples, it?s a sign that something is wrong and it should be addressed as soon as possible. ?Breastfeeding is like any other normal body function, like going to the bathroom or breathing, and if any of those normal functions really, really hurt and you went to your doctor they would probably want to figure out why,? says international board?certified lactation consultant Ashley Pickett.
Nipple pain could be a sign that something is off with the latch, and can sometimes be fixed by addressing the angle you?re nursing at, or it could be caused by something like a tongue tie that may need to be released in order for the baby to nurse effectively. A lactation consultant can help you get to the bottom of it all. If it?s your breast that hurts, not your nipple, you may be experiencing vasospasms, which feel like a throbbing, burning sensation in your breast. They are caused by a decrease of blood flow due to compression, thanks to a tight latch. When the blood flow returns after the baby is off the breast, the burning feeling starts up ?it?s kind of like pins and needles.
Never ignore this pain, because the bad latch that causes it may mean your baby isn?t fully draining the milk ...