Common concerns

Many parents face a few challenges along the way when breastfeeding. Don’t worry!

Breastfeeding is a skill you and your baby will learn that gets easier with time. It’s important to recognize the signs that your baby might be having a difficult time removing milk well during breastfeeding so that steps can be taken to fix any problems.

Common problems that parents encounter are:

• Sore nipples
• Engorgement
• Plugged duct and Mastitis
• Candidiasis (Thrush)
• Crying and colic
• Growth spurt (cluster feeding)
• Milk supply
• Too much breast milk (overabundant supply)
• Forceful letdown

If you’re still encountering difficulties with breastfeeding and your baby is still not sucking properly, get help now. In the meantime, maintain your milk production and continue feeding your baby until help arrives. Express your breast milk regularly (minimum 8 times per day and once per night to mimic baby’s pattern) and feed it to your baby using an alternative feeding method. Ensure you are properly storing and handling your breast milk.

For more information, call 613-933-1375 or 1-800-267-7120. You can also drop in to any of our Watch Me Grow centres, for free consultations with a Public Health Nurse, and the opportunity to meet and share with other parents of children 0 to 6 years of age.