Breastfeeding: How to Manage Challenges and Build Confidence
In honor of Breastfeeding Week, a Maccabi Healthcare Services expert explains how to cope with the physical and emotional challenges of early breastfeeding. Learn how to recognize hunger signs, ensure your baby is getting enough, and why family support is vital.
In honor of Breastfeeding Week, it is time to talk honestly about one of the most significant topics at the beginning of parenthood. Breastfeeding is a natural act, but for many women, the journey begins with difficulties, pain, and sometimes frustration. Every woman has her own story, and every birth is a different experience. If you choose to breastfeed, remember that it is a skill that can be learned and acquired.
An Honest Conversation
Alongside the exciting moments, it is important to recognize the reality. Challenges change throughout the breastfeeding period. Remember: eating is a skill the baby is born with, while feeding is a skill that parents learn together.
Most mothers do not have a definitive decision until they meet their baby and simply try. Breastfeeding is an existential and emotional experience, filled with delicate complexity and mixed feelings.
Creating Connection
Have a dialogue with your baby. In this interaction, you speak, the baby listens, and there will be moments of silence. To make breastfeeding more pleasant, maintain eye contact and avoid distractions. Treat your baby as if they understand everything from day one.
Self-Care is Essential
Find a comfortable position where your arm is supported by a pillow or armrest. A breastfeeding mother needs at least two hours of rest daily, sufficient fluid intake, and continued use of prenatal/postnatal vitamins as recommended.
Frequency and Hunger Signs
Aim for at least eight active feedings a day, alternating sides. In the first month, 10 to 12 feedings are common.
Watch for early hunger signs:
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Movement, opening the mouth, and turning the head.
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Yawning and putting hands in the mouth.
Crying is a late sign; calm the baby first, then feed.
When the Responsibility Feels Overwhelming
Feeling like you are the only one responsible for the baby can be exhausting. You are not alone. Mental struggles, fears, and anxieties are part of the process. During this time, it is crucial to strengthen your self-confidence.
Managing Pain
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Abdominal pain: Uterine contractions during early feedings are normal and help the body recover.
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Breast pain or cracked nipples: Often stem from an incorrect latch. If the baby doesn't latch onto the entire areola, detach and re-latch. Use appropriate ointments.
If you experience persistent pain or engorgement, consult a lactation specialist.
Is the Baby Getting Enough?
In the first month, look for:
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At least six wet diapers per day.
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At least three yellow bowel movements per day.
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A return to birth weight within ten days.
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An expected weight gain of 20–30 grams per day during the first two months.
If supplementation is needed, expressed breast milk is preferred (60 ml portions). Use a slow-flow nipple (size 0 or 1).
The Role of Family
Family support has a significant impact. Encourage the mother with words like, "You are doing a wonderful job." Encourage skin-to-skin contact and take over household chores. Visit with home-cooked meals to give the mother time to rest.
The author is a clinical dietitian for infants and children, a lactation consultant, and coordinator of the child nutrition department at Maccabi Healthcare Services, Northern District.
