10 Warning Signs You Need Breastfeeding Help

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. Lactation is a natural, biological process, but just because it’s normal doesn’t mean it can’t be challenging. Lots of parents need help on this journey.

There are many reasons you might need assistance with breastfeeding. Some of the most common struggles when nursing a baby are feeling pain, questioning your supply, and worrying about your baby’s weight gain. But how do you know when it’s time to reach out to a lactation consultant?

In this blog, we’re exploring 10 of the most common signs that you need lactation help, including those documented by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Your baby’s nursing sessions are either very short or extremely long

Less than 10 minutes or more than 50 minutes is a good rule of thumb to use for this. When feeding sessions consistently fall into either of these descriptions, it could suggest a milk supply issue and your baby may not be getting enough milk to meet their needs. It may also suggest that there is a latching or suckling issue that needs to be addressed.

Keeping a diary of your baby’s wet diapers and bowel movements, especially until you’re familiar with each other, your body, and in a routine, can help you know if your baby is progressing properly. If your baby has fewer than six wet diapers and four stools per day, their urine is dark yellow or speckled with red, or their stools are still dark rather than yellow and loose, contact your pediatrician. Please note however, a diary is not recommended before 7 days of age.

Your baby still seems hungry after most feedings

If you notice that your baby is consistently hungry after feedings, we suggest seeing their pediatrician for a weight check. Your baby may not be getting enough milk, and the first steps include assessing their weight and making appropriate changes if needed. Sometimes, making a small position change is all that’s necessary. Other times, more strategies are involved. Being as proactive as possible when concerns arise can help alleviate stress for both you as the lactating parent and your baby.

Your newborn frequently misses nursing sessions or sleeps through the night

Babies require frequent feedings throughout a 24-hour period in order to thrive. If your baby is sleeping more than 4 hours at a time, you should wake them to nurse.  You should also monitor and learn their swallowing habits. Many newborns have a gentle quiet swallow that is hard to notice at first. Babies also do not swallow frequently at the start of a feeding. Swallowing will gain momentum as the session continues and taper off again at the end. Being familiar with your baby’s swallow pattern helps you know if they are getting enough milk.

Your milk hasn’t come in after five days

If you think your milk hasn’t come in within 5 days following delivery, this requires an immediate weigh in with your pediatrician.  Having your baby weighed is the most accurate way to tell if your baby is getting enough milk.

Your baby is under their birth weight at two weeks of age.

Losing weight or insufficient weight gain are strong indicators that your baby is not getting enough milk. Babies should gain on average 5-7 ounces per week after your milk has come in.

You’re experiencing severe engorgement

Engorgement happens when breasts become hard and painful as a result of mammary glands expanding from the pressure and buildup of breast milk. This can interfere with your baby’s latch and discourage both of you from nursing. Expressing milk manually or with an electric breast pump — just until your breasts have softened somewhat — helps alleviate the pain and the pressure, making the nursing experience more enjoyable for you both.

Left untreated, engorgement can become severe and decrease your milk supply. You may also notice your baby gasping or fussing at the breast due to increased milk flow. The most common reason for engorgement is having oversupply, which is when your breasts produce more milk than your baby needs. Oversupply can happen for a variety of reasons including: Schedule changes, weaning, traveling and baby’s increased sleep schedule.

You have extreme pain with breastfeeding

Pain is never fun. If you experience pain with nursing, the cause can be anything from incorrect latching to mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation in the breast tissue that can lead to a bacterial infection in the body. It affects up to 10 percent of lactating people in the United States alone.

Oversupply and engorgement are common symptoms that lead to mastitis. If you experience pain, cracked nipples, redness, lumps, or flu-like symptoms, reach out to your lactation consultant or another healthcare provider for further assessment and treatment. Do not ignore changes in your breasts that go beyond enlargement due to normal milk supply.

You’re exhausted and depressed

After birth, hormones fluctuate rapidly. Having a new baby also creates unpredictable sleep patterns. Having bouts of sadness or even depression is common, just like feeling tiredness and fatigue are. However, it requires monitoring and care. You must make sure your physical and mental health are prioritized and that you take time to care for yourself, so you can also take care of your baby. If at any time you feel overwhelmed or are struggling with caring for yourself or your baby, call your healthcare provider immediately. Some things cannot always be prevented, but getting on top of them before they escalate makes a difference.

You feel like you can’t leave your baby

The frequency of breastfeeding your baby may make you feel like you have no time as an individual. There is no question that infant feeding schedules take up large amounts of time. The good news is there are ways to be supported through this. Please do not hesitate to ask for help or a break when you need it. Your partner and/or support system are usually happy to help and excited to bond with the baby, too.

As natural as the breastfeeding process is, problems can occasionally arise. When they do surface, they can grow worse very quickly and interfere with your milk production or your baby’s ability to get the nutrition they need. For this reason, it’s vital to get help right away if you experience difficulty with breastfeeding at home or observe any of the symptoms listed above. Never hesitate to contact your baby’s pediatrician or your lactation consultant. Don’t stop asking for that one-on-one guidance until you get the help you need.

Our goal here at Magnolia is to make sure you have the resources you need to prepare for any stage of pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care. For more information about our services, fill out our form or call us at 786-953-6534.