Breastfeeding Difficulties

Finding Solutions

Breastfeeding Difficulties Red Flags

• Painful feeding (nipple pain or misshaping)

•  Limited milk transfer/ Poor weight gain

•  Coughing and choking

•  Congestion or color changesAspiration (down the wrong tube)

•  Refusals to Feed

• Tires before finishing feeding

• Poor sucking patterns

• Difficulty latching or staying latched

• Lengthy or frequent feedings

• Stressful feedings, Irritable feedings

• Biting instead of sucking

Breastfeeding your baby It is one of life’s greatest pleasures. There is no question that all babies (and moms) benefit from the experience of breastfeeding. Unfortunately, breastfeeding can be difficult for some babies. If breastfeeding is painful or stressful for baby or mom, it may be time to get help.	Early Intervention If you are concerned about your baby’s ability to breastfeed, a thorough evaluation of your baby’s oral function and feeding mechanism can identify any interfering issues and address any potential problems. Prompt evaluation and management through Feeding Therapy will increase successful breastfeeding and ensure that your baby obtains adequate nutrition to support growth and development.
Ways To Increase Success  • Make sure you are seated comfortably • Hold your baby tummy-to-tummy • Make sure your baby’s back is supported • Do NOT settle for a shallow latch • Make sure that both lips are flanged (fish lips) • Listen for at least 8-10 suck/swallow per burst. (Typical burst pattern is 20) • Try jaw support (under the boney part) • Massage your breast to increase milk flow • Listen for coordinated suck/swallow/ breathe patterns	Things That Can Interfere  Tongue or lip tie (Tethered Oral Tissues) • Reflux and other GI issues • Swallowing air (aerophagia) • Allergies/Intolerance • Respiratory problems • Heart issues
Early Intervention  If you are concerned about your baby’s ability to breastfeed, a thorough evaluation of your baby’s oral function and feeding mechanism can identify any interfering issues and address any potential problems. Prompt evaluation and management through Feeding Therapy will increase successful breastfeeding and ensure that your baby obtains adequate nutrition to support growth and development.	What Can Feeding Therapy Do? • Suck Training • Teach your baby how to coordinate suck/ swallow/breathe skills • Teach correct tongue and oral function • Develop strong oral sensory/motor patterns for feeding, speech, and oral facial development • Baby supported feeding • Transition back to breast • Find a supportive breastfeeding bottle • Teach you exercises to do with your baby Feeding therapy not only makes successful breastfeeding possible, it can increased enjoyable and stress free feeding for you and your baby. If your baby is having difficulty ask for a referral to a speech pathologist specializing dysphagia/feeding disorders.