Breastfeeding has many benefits for you and your baby, but some women do encounter problems.  Here are some of the common ones, with advice on how to deal with them:

Sore breasts

Sore or painful breasts are common when you start breastfeeding, and can be down to a number of complaints that can usually be treated easily. If you have concerns, get help from your health visitor, midwife or breastfeeding counsellor.

Sore nipples

Your nipples could get sore if your baby is not latched on properly and is sucking more on the nipple than the breast.

What to do: Ask your midwife for help with positioning your baby. If your nipples are bleeding, talk to your midwife or see your doctor.

Painful, sensitive breasts

If your breasts become engorged – full of milk – they become rock hard, painful and very sensitive. Engorgement can happen when your milk comes in and if you are not feeding on demand.

What to do: Ask your midwife for advice on soothing your breasts and to check that your baby is latching on and attaching well. Feed your baby as often as she wants: you may need to express a little milk before a feed if your breasts are very engorged. Take a real-life close up peek at how a baby should latch on by watching our 'How to breastfeed' video.

Thrush

If you have sore nipples with sharp nipple pain, deep breast pain, and nipple skin that’s pink and shiny, you may have thrush. Your nipples may also be sensitive to cold and your baby may have white flecks in his mouth.

You may be more prone to thrush if you had it during pregnancy, are prone to thrush anyway, or if you or your baby has recently taken antibiotics.

What to do: See your doctor. Both you and your baby need an anti-fungal treatment, even if only one of you has symptoms, otherwise you can re-infect each other.

Blocked milk duct

A tender lump or a red patch on one or more breast could be a blocked milk duct. It may happen because of a poor fitting bra, or something restricting your milk flow during a feed, such as your hand or your baby’s hand.

What to do: Feed your baby with his lower jaw as near to the lump as possible. Gently massage the lump towards your nipple while your baby is feeding.

Mastitis

Mastitis is characterised by flu-like symptoms, raised temperature, sore, sensitive breasts or a red patch on the breast.  It may happen because of insufficient drainage of the breast, delayed feeds, attachment that is not quite right, blocked ducts or persistent engorgement.

What to do: Have a warm bath and hand express your milk, change feeding position, and express milk after a feed. See your doctor as antibiotics may be needed. You will still be able to breastfeed on most courses of antibiotics, but always check with your GP first.