Breastfeeding and Pain, What’s the real deal?
I am a lactation consultant on a mission to help bust the popular myth that goes like this – “Breastfeeding hurts – just keep going and in about 6 weeks it will be so much better.”
Instead, my mantra is: Breastfeeding is not suppose to hurt. Not on Day 1 or Day 2 or Day 3. If it does, get help. There is no need to suffer for days while you are waiting for it to get better. There are some things in life that it makes sense to wait it out and see if it gets better. Breastfeeding is not one of them.
What motivates me to get the word out and repeat my mantra on a daily basis? The facts! The CDC latest report from 2018 shows us that about 83% of all mothers start off planning to exclusively breastfeed. By 6 months, only 25% are exclusively breastfeeding. By the time babies are 1 year old, only 36% of babies are receiving some breastmilk. These statistics are not much different when looked at from a global perspective. The duration rates are high. Thank goodness for this. Widespread breastfeeding education and peer support have really helped to drive these numbers up. However, where we fail is the duration rates.
What does this tell us? We are failing to meet the needs of new mothers in between the day they give birth and the following few weeks. 83% of mothers are saying, I would like to exclusively breastfeed my baby for 6 months. When less than a third meet their goals, this tells us that there is a huge gap that lies between the initiation rates and the duration rates. Where are the holes that need to be plugged up? What is happening with moms that they aren’t meeting their personal goals?
There are several key areas that the experts say we could be doing better with.
Mothers need the right support from the right people in their lives. Statistics show that mothers are more likely to meet their breastfeeding goals when they have the full support of their physicians. Preferably all physicians will have taken an entry level breastfeeding class so they know how to evaluate breastfeeding. Full support means that they have learned enough so that they are able to assess the situation.
They have a basic understanding of normal newborn breastfeeding behavior. They will refer to the local IBCLC who will help with breastfeeding challenges that deserve a full evaluation.
Mothers also need to surround themselves during the postpartum period with close family and friends who support their interest in breastfeeding. During the first few weeks of breastfeeding, you will want to be pretty picky about who you have staying with you. The last thing you want is a loved one telling you that they were fed formula and they are fine so if you need to feed your baby formula, they will be fine also.
I am not going to argue the whole breastfeeding/formula thing, but rather suggest we stick with the mothers wishes. If you want to breastfeed, then everyone around you should do all they can to help you do so.
In addition to having supportive physicians and supportive family members, we need to do better with breastfeeding education. Mothers need to know what to expect in the early days. What is normal and what is not. I don’t want mothers to continue to be exposed to all the crazy myths out there and believe that breastfeeding is suppose to hurt, or that they will not make enough in the early days and will need to supplement.
Pain and low supply are very common reasons why moms discontinue breastfeeding. This may be common, but it surely is not normal. Understandably they cannot continue on any regular basis putting their baby to breast and be in such pain that their toes are curling and they are trying to hold back tears. This is not what we would call an enjoyable breastfeeding experience.
There is no reason why mothers should be suffering with breastfeeding pain and painful breasts and nipples when breastfeeding.
Tissue trauma increases the risk factor of getting a breast infection and this is a common reason why moms stop breastfeeding. If trauma has been created, please get help ASAP to keep this from getting worse. There are many barriers to breastfeeding – lack of good support, painful breastfeeding and not preparing with a good breastfeeding class. Let’s all do what we can to help moms and reduce these barriers.
Surround new parents with good breastfeeding supporters.
Let them know that breastfeeding is not suppose to hurt.
Offer them an excellent breastfeeding class that will teach them what to expect in the early days and will offer on-going support after their baby is born.
Lori Jill Isenstadt, IBCLC is the creator and founder of the All About Breastfeeding class. She became an IBCLC ( lactation consultant) 20 years ago and shortly after founded her private practice, All About Breastfeeding. Lori is an international speaker, author and host of the All About Breastfeeding podcast. Lori lives, works and plays in sunny Arizona. You can contact Lori at: aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com