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Breastfeeding Problems and Solutions

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Cracked nipples

If you have never experienced any breastfeeding problems, you're one of the lucky ones. Almost every nursing mother has to deal with at least one breastfeeding-related issue, such as cracked nipples, engorgement, insufficient milk supply, mastitis, nipple pain, plugged ducts, and thrush. Unfortunately, many women abandon breastfeeding in the early weeks because of such problems. Fortunately, there are effective natural treatments that can usually overcome them. In this section,we will share the solutions that we have seen work best for nursing mothers.

Cracked Nipples
If your nipple skin is delicate and your baby enjoys marathon nursing sessions, you may end up with this painful problem. Buy a tube of pure lanolin ointment – most stores that sell breastfeeding supplies carry it – and keep a thin coating of ointment on your nipples whenever your baby isn't nursing. The good thing about lanolin is that it will not harm your baby, so you don't need to wipe it off to nurse. Its texture actually can help the baby latch on properly.

To prevent cracked nipples, air them out frequently. If you would rather not go braless, turn the flaps of your nursing bra down for a while each day. Do not use plastic-lined breast shields; stick with washable cotton or disposables without plastic linings. Also try Phytolacca decandra, a homeopathic remedy, for cracked nipples. This remedy can also work well for mastitis.



More on: Adjusting to New Motherhood

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From A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Health by Dean Raffelock, Robert Rountree, and Virginia Hopkins with Melissa Block. Copyright © 2002 by Dr. Dean Raffelock. Used by arrangement with Avery, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book visit www.penguin.com. Get a 15% discount with the coupon code FENPARENT.

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