Learn how to manage breastfeeding pain, prevent complications, and understand the benefits of breast milk for your baby’s early development.
A few days after birth, the milk supply in the breasts increases, and since the baby cannot suck all the milk, it accumulates in the alveoli in the breasts. This may show itself in red patches on the breasts, hard knots, breastfeeding pain, and a general feverish state. The hardening of the breasts causes the tightening of the nipples, which prevents the baby from latching onto the nipple to nurse. Even though the milk supply increases, the baby cannot feed from it and goes hungry. To prevent the milk accumulated in the alveoli from turning into an abscess—and the mother having to take antibiotics—it is essential to act quickly at the first signs of breastfeeding pain or discomfort. The mother must take a warm shower or apply a not-too-hot compress on the breasts. After relaxing for some time, the compress should be followed by massaging the breasts in circular motions, applied clockwise. The accumulation must be pushed down between the palms of both hands in a milking motion. At this point, a nominal amount of fluid will usually be released from the nipples. This helps soften the nipples and facilitates sucking by the baby. The remaining milk should be pumped to relieve the hardness and ease breastfeeding pain, as well as to help reduce fever. Cold compresses can then be applied between nursing sessions, over the mother’s clothing, to prevent further milk accumulation and reduce oedema. Wearing a supportive and form-fitting nursing bra can also help alleviate breastfeeding pain and provide better breast support.
The colostrum discharged from the breasts in the first three days immediately after delivery might be small in volume but is essential for your baby, as it contains more than thirty substances. Colostrum is rich in zinc, sodium, potassium, proteins, growth factors, and antibodies that protect against infections (100 times more than in the blood), and is easy to digest. Ensuring that the baby receives this colostrum is a critical part of early baby care, especially during the first week when breastfeeding pain may occur as the milk flow adjusts. In premature babies, where the central nervous system, lungs, and eyes are not fully developed, feeding colostrum, followed by transition milk and mature breast milk (if digestion permits), is extremely important. Colostrum also helps to discharge the sticky, green stool (meconium) from the baby’s bowels. Colostrum evolves day by day and transitions into normal human milk within 7 to 15 days. The fats in breast milk make up 50% of its calorie content and include essential long-chain multi-unsaturated fatty acids, crucial for brain and vision development. Fats also contribute to cellular structure and carry fat-soluble vitamins and hormones. The main carbohydrate in breast milk is lactose, which provides 40% of milk calories. Lactose not only supplies energy but also creates an acidic environment that inhibits harmful bacteria and encourages beneficial bacteria in the intestines. It also supports the development of the central nervous system, calcium absorption, and bone development. Mature milk contains less protein than colostrum but offers high biological value, fully meeting the baby’s needs until six months. The unique proteins in breast milk promote healthy growth and are easily absorbed by the baby’s digestive system, preventing gas and digestive issues that are often associated with breastfeeding pain and discomfort during feeding. In contrast, proteins in formula milk—though similar—are derived from cow’s milk, making them harder to digest and more likely to cause gas and discomfort. Additionally, the taste of breast milk can vary based on the mother’s diet, helping to introduce flavour awareness to the baby. Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of allergies, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in later life.
