Quick Answer: Almost every mother faces some breastfeeding challenge - you're not alone! The good news is that most problems have solutions. From latching difficulties to sore nipples to engorgement, these issues can usually be resolved with the right technique and support. Don't suffer silently or give up - get help early. With proper guidance, 95% of mothers can breastfeed successfully!
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The 6 Most Common Breastfeeding Problems
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1. Latching Difficulties (Baby Nahi Latakta)
The Problem: Baby can't attach properly to breast, leading to poor feeding and nipple pain.
Signs of Poor Latch:
Painful throughout the feed
Clicking sounds while feeding
Nipple looks flattened or misshapen after feeding
Baby seems frustrated at breast
Baby not gaining weight
Solutions:
Step
How to Do It
**Wait for wide mouth**
Tickle baby's lips with nipple, wait for big yawn-like opening
**Aim high**
Point nipple toward baby's nose, not straight into mouth
**Bring baby to breast**
Don't lean forward - pull baby in quickly when mouth is wide
**Check position**
Baby's ear, shoulder, hip in a line; tummy to your tummy
**Use C-hold**
Support breast with thumb on top, fingers below
**Seek help**
Lactation consultant can assess and guide
Signs of Good Latch:
Comfortable after first few seconds
Baby's mouth covers areola (not just nipple)
Lips flanged outward like fish lips
You hear swallowing
Cheeks rounded, not sucked in
Tip: Cross-cradle hold gives you most control with newborns learning to latch.
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2. Sore or Cracked Nipples (Dard Aur Phatna)
The Problem: Painful, damaged nipples that may crack or bleed.
Causes:
Poor latch (most common)
Incorrect positioning
Thrush infection
Tongue tie in baby
Pump flange wrong size
Immediate Relief:
Remedy
How to Use
**Expressed breast milk**
Apply after each feed, air dry
**Lanolin cream**
Pure lanolin (Lansinoh), no need to wash off
**Hydrogel pads**
Soothing, promote healing
**Air dry nipples**
After feeding, before covering
**Pain relief**
Paracetamol before feeds if needed
What NOT to Do:
Don't use soap on nipples
Don't rub with towel
Don't wear wet breast pads
Don't stop breastfeeding (makes it worse)
Long-term Fix:
Get latch checked by a lactation consultant. Correct the cause, not just the symptoms!
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3. Engorgement (Breasts Bahut Bhar Gaye)
The Problem: Breasts become overly full, hard, swollen, and painful - usually when milk "comes in" around day 3-5.
Signs:
Both breasts hard like rocks
Painful, shiny skin
Nipples may flatten
Baby can't latch (areola too firm)
Solutions:
Step
Action
**Feed frequently**
Every 2-3 hours, don't skip feeds
**Soften before feeding**
Hand express a little to soften areola
**Reverse pressure softening**
Press around areola for 1-2 minutes before latching
**Warm before, cold after**
Warm compress before feeds, cold compress after
**Don't over-pump**
Just enough to relieve - more pumping = more milk
**Supportive bra**
Not tight, but supportive
Relief usually comes within 24-48 hours with frequent feeding!
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4. Nipple Confusion
The Problem: Baby refuses breast after being introduced to bottle, or struggles to switch between breast and bottle.
Why It Happens:
Bottle requires different sucking technique
Milk flows faster from bottle (less work)
Introduced too early (before 4-6 weeks)
Prevention:
Wait until 4-6 weeks to introduce bottle
Use slow-flow nipple
Practice paced bottle feeding
If It's Already Happening:
Strategy
Details
**Back to breast**
Offer breast when baby is drowsy
**Skin-to-skin**
Lots of bare chest contact
**Stop bottles temporarily**
If possible, cup or syringe feed
**Patient practice**
May take days to weeks
**Avoid forcing**
Creates negative association
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5. Mastitis (Breast Infection)
The Problem: Bacterial infection causing fever, flu-like symptoms, and a painful, red area on breast.
Warning Signs:
Fever above 38.5°C (101°F)
Red, wedge-shaped area on breast
Hot, swollen, very painful
Flu-like symptoms (chills, body aches)
Feeling very unwell
What to Do - SAME DAY:
See a doctor - You likely need antibiotics
Keep breastfeeding - Your milk is SAFE and feeding helps clear infection
Complete antibiotics - Even when you feel better
Take pain relief - Paracetamol/ibuprofen as directed
Rest - Your body is fighting infection
Stay hydrated - Drink lots of fluids
Prevention:
Treat blocked ducts promptly
Don't skip feeds
Ensure good latch
Avoid tight bras
Important: Untreated mastitis can become an abscess. Don't delay medical care!
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6. Blocked Milk Duct
The Problem: Milk backs up in a duct, causing a painful lump in one area.
Signs:
Tender, hard lump in one spot
May feel warm
Usually one breast affected
No fever (unless becoming mastitis)
Solutions:
Action
How to Do It
**Feed more often**
Start feeds with affected breast
**Massage toward nipple**
Gently during feeding
**Warm compress**
Before feeds to help flow
**Change positions**
Point baby's chin toward lump
**Pump after feeds**
If baby doesn't drain fully
**Loosen clothing**
No tight bras or underwires
If not improving in 24-48 hours or fever develops - see a doctor immediately!
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Quick Reference: Problem-Solution Chart
Problem
Quick Solution
**Can't latch**
Check position, wait for wide mouth, see lactation consultant
**Sore nipples**
Fix latch, apply breast milk, use lanolin
**Engorged breasts**
Feed frequently, soften areola first, cold compress after
**Blocked duct**
Frequent feeding, massage, warm compress, point chin to lump
**Mastitis symptoms**
See doctor TODAY, continue feeding, antibiotics
**Nipple confusion**
Skin-to-skin, patient practice, slow-flow bottles
**Low supply concerns**
More frequent feeding, proper latch, adequate fluids
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When Each Problem Typically Occurs
Time
Common Problems
**Days 1-3**
Learning to latch, colostrum vs milk
**Days 3-7**
Engorgement, nipple pain from learning
**Weeks 1-4**
Sore nipples, blocked ducts, supply concerns
**Weeks 4-8**
Supply regulation, nipple confusion if bottle introduced
**Any time**
Mastitis, blocked ducts, thrush
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When to Seek Professional Help
See a Lactation Consultant If:
Latch problems persist despite trying solutions
Nipples not healing after 1 week
Baby not gaining weight
Painful feeding every time
You feel like giving up
See a Doctor Immediately If:
Fever above 38.5°C (101°F) with breast symptoms
Red, hot area on breast
Flu-like symptoms
Pus or unusual discharge from nipple
Signs of infection in cracked nipples
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is breastfeeding supposed to hurt?
A: Initial tenderness (days 1-5) is common, but ongoing pain is NOT normal. Pain signals a problem that can be fixed - usually latch issues.
Q: How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
A: Watch for: 6+ wet diapers daily (after day 4), weight gain at checkups, swallowing sounds during feeding.
Q: My mother/MIL says my milk is not enough. Should I supplement?
A: Don't supplement based on appearance or family pressure. Check with your pediatrician using objective measures (weight gain, wet diapers). Unnecessary supplementation can reduce your supply.
Q: Can I breastfeed with cracked/bleeding nipples?
A: Yes! Your milk is safe even with small amounts of blood. Focus on fixing the cause (latch) while continuing to feed.
Q: Breast pump se kam doodh aa raha hai - does this mean low supply?
A: Pump output doesn't equal actual supply! Babies are more efficient than pumps. Many mothers with great supply pump little.
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Key Takeaways
Most problems are solvable - With right technique and support
Don't suffer silently - Get help early
Latch is key - Fix latch = fix most problems
Keep feeding - Stopping makes most problems worse
Watch for infection signs - Fever + breast pain = see doctor TODAY
95% of mothers can breastfeed - You can too with proper support!
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This article was reviewed by pediatricians and lactation consultants at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
Struggling with breastfeeding? Book a lactation consultation on Babynama - our experts can help solve your specific problem!
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