This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Common breast feeding problems

Authoring team

Around 30% of women will experience at least one breastfeeding problem at two weeks post partum and consult their general practitioner or other health professional (1)

The two most common problems faced by breastfeeding women are:

  • nipple and breast pain
    • is the leading cause of discontinuation of breastfeeding in mothers
    • in UK around 55% of women who discontinued breastfeeding in the first two weeks after birth, the cause was painful breasts and nipples
  • low (or perceived low) milk supply (1)

Common breastfeeding problems faced by lactating mothers are

  • full breast
  • breast engorgement
  • blocked duct
  • mastitis
  • ductal infection
  • breast abscess
  • nipple soreness and pain - incorrect positioning and attachment, eczema, impetigo, dermatitis, candida (thrush) infection, Raynaud's phenomenon of the nipple and ankyloglossia in breastfeeding infants
  • insufficient milk supply
  • overabundant milk supply (1,2)

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.