Some mothers nurse several babies and never experience plugged ducts or mastitis (breast infection), while others have recurrent episodes. There are many reasons for these problems to occur, but treatment is essentially the same: rest, apply heat, breastfeed often on the affected side, and use antibiotics only when medically necessary. A plugged, or clogged, duct is a sore, tender lump …
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Breast fullness is a normal part of lactation which nearly all women experience when their milk ‘comes in’ 2 – 5 days after birth. This feeling of fullness, which may be accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, tenderness, and warmth, is caused by swelling of the breast tissue as blood, lymphatic fluid, and milk collect in the ducts as the …
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Over the past thirty-five years of experience working with nursing mothers whose breasts came in an amazing variety of shapes and sizes, I have discovered that breastfeeding can present special challenges for the large breasted woman. Breast milk production is a function of the glandular tissue inside the breast as well as the baby’s appetite and suckling ability. The fatty …
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Ask Anne… Question: My baby is a month old and my nipples are so sore that I want to stop nursing and switch from breast milk to formula. How do I keep myself from becoming engorged or getting mastitis when I wean? Answer: Before beginning the weaning process, I would really want to find out why you’re still having problems with …
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Ask Anne… Question: My first baby was born three days ago. My milk has come in and breastfeeding is going well. My nipples are tender but not sore, and my breasts are full but not engorged. However, today I noticed something strange and I’m worried. I have what looks like a little nipple underneath my left breast. It’s been …
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Ask Anne… Question: I’m breastfeeding my two year old daughter and don’t plan to stop until she’s ready to wean. We both still enjoy nursing, and she is allergic to cow’s milk, which is another reason I want to continue breastfeeding. I’ve had a small, painless lump in my right breast for two months. During my yearly physical today, I asked my family …
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Ask Anne… Question: My baby is 6 weeks old. I’ve been setting an alarm for every 4 hours since the start of each feeding every night. Usually he wakes up before that to nurse, but occasionally he will still be asleep after 4 hours so I will wake him to eat. Is it best to continue waking him, or should I wait for him …
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I always planned to nurse my babies, but I secretly worried that I wouldn’t have enough milk because of my breast size. They did get a bit bigger during my pregnancy (AA to B cup), but it seemed impossible that my small breasts would be able to produce enough milk to feed a baby. It was a big relief to me to discover …
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Breastfeeding Basics