Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
Logo for WebMD
  • Coronavirus Update
  • Check Your Symptoms
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Dentist
  • Connect to Care
  • Find Lowest Drug Prices
  • Health
    A-Z
    Health A-Z
    Health A-Z
    Common Conditions
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Cancer
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • Lung Disease
    • Orthopedics
    • Pain Management
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • View All
    Resources
    • Symptom Checker
    • WebMD Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Newsletters
    • Questions & Answers
    • Insurance Guide
    • Find a Doctor
    • Children's Conditions A-Z
    • Surgeries and Procedures A-Z
    • Featured Topics
    • woman experiencing chest discomfort Symptom Checker COVID-19: Check Your Symptoms Now
    • photo of migraine Slideshow Get Help for Migraine Relief
  • Drugs &
    Supplements
    Drugs & Supplements
    Drugs & Supplements
    Find & Review
    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    Drug Basics & Safety
    • Commonly Abused Drugs
    • Taking Meds When Pregnant
    Tools
    • Manage Your Medications
    • Pill Identifier
    • Check for Interactions
    • Drug Comparison Tool
    • Featured Topics
    • assorted vitamins Slideshow Vitamins You Need as You Age
    • berry and yogurt on spoon Slideshow Supplements for Better Digestion
  • Living
    Healthy
    Living Healthy
    Living Healthy
    Diet, Food & Fitness
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Weight Loss & Obesity
    • Food & Recipes
    • Fitness & Exercise
    Beauty & Balance
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Health & Balance
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Oral Care
    Living Well
    • Women's Health
    • Men's Health
    • Aging Well
    • Healthy Sleep
    • Healthy Teens
    • Featured Topics
    • grocery cart Article Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes
    • walking sneakers Quiz Do You Know the Benefits of Walking?
  • Family &
    Pregnancy
    Family & Pregnancy
    Family & Pregnancy
    All About Pregnancy
    • Getting Pregnant
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • View All
    Parenting Guide
    • Newborn & Baby
    • Children's Health
    • Children's Vaccines
    • Raising Fit Kids
    • View All
    Pet Care Essentials
    • Healthy Cats
    • Healthy Dogs
    • View All
    • Featured Topics
    • apple slices and peanut butter Slideshow Smart Snacks When You're Pregnant
    • photo of dogs kissing Slideshow Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats
  • News &
    Experts
    News & Experts
    News & Experts
    Health News
    • Coronavirus News & Updates
    • COVID-19 Vaccines -- Latest Updates Here
    • COVID-19: Check Your Symptoms Now
    • Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts
    • Social Distancing, Quarantine Explained
    Experts & Community
    • WebMD Blogs
    • News Center
    • Featured Topics
    • photo of coronavirus cell WebMD News Get the Latest COVID-19 News Here
    • photo of person typing Newsletters Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter
  • Mobile Apps
  • Subscriptions
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • My Profile
    • My Tools
    • My WebMD Pages
    • My Account
    • Sign Out

    Breastfeeding Home

    • Medical Reference
    • Features
    • Video
    • Slideshows & Images
    • News Archive

    Baby

    • News
    • Reference
    • Slideshows
    • Quizzes
    • Videos
    • Questions & Answers
    • Find a Pediatrician

    Guides

    • Toddler Milestones
    • Child Development
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Child Safety
    • Healthy Habits
    • All Guide Topics

    Baby Guide

    • Baby Development
    • Baby Nutrition
    • Breastfeeding
    • Bottle Feeding
    • Crying & Colic
    • Diapering
    • Essential Baby Gear
    • Sleeping
    • Foods for New Moms
    • Your Baby's Skin

    Related Topics

    • Children's Health
    • Children's Vaccines
    • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • More Related Topics
    • Parenting
    • Baby
    • Videos

    Get Help for Your Baby's Eczema

    Breastfeeding Pain and Problems

    Video Transcript

    Tanya Altmann, MD: Certain conditions make breastfeeding challenging for mothers and babies. Some are more common than others – and most can be overcome. We offer insights step by step. A key message-don't struggle on your own. At the first sign your infant is not feeding well, appears to be dehydrated or is losing weight see your doctor, nurse or lactation specialist right away. Some situations are specific to the mother. They include: anemia or poor nutrition;sleep deprivation;postpartum depression;inverted nipples; severe engorgement or mastitis;or an oversupply of breastmilk Other obstacles are linked to the health of the newborn. Professionals can troubleshoot issues such as: prematurity; jaundice; reflux; fussiness or colic; and tongue or mouth malformations Know that while mild discomfort is normal - breastfeeding should not be painful. Bring their head back and open their mouth nice and wide…

    Kelly Hightower, RN: Bring their head back and open their mouth nice and wide…

    Tanya Altmann, MD: Avoid sore or cracked nipples by nursing frequently and learning to guide your newborn for a proper latch.

    Kelly Hightower, RN: And always checking afterwards to make sure the lips are flared out-like a fish

    Tanya Altmann, MD: Experts agree a good latch is the key to ongoing success with breastfeeding, so don't be shy-ask for help. Your physician may recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate tenderness or discomfort. But always consult the doctor before taking any medications or herbal supplements. Many pass through breast milk and could affect the health of the baby.

    Kelly Hightower, RN: Hiccup….Have you been having rash on your nipples? (butt) Well remember I had that sore on my nipple…

    Tanya Altmann, MD: If you experience a burning sensation on the nipples – it may be a yeast infection caused by moisture.

    Kelly Hightower, RN: Symptoms of thrush are a white tongue, white patches in the mouth

    Tanya Altmann, MD: Since it can be passed back and forth, both you and baby will need to be treated - so see your physician. You can avoid this condition by letting the nipples air dry before you dress. A serious condition that requires medical attention is mastitis. This is an infection of the milk ducts that often causes thin, red lines down painfully swollen breasts. It should be treated with antibiotics. Nursing can be a challenge for women with nipples that are inverted – flat or don't protrude. But keep trying-it can be done! Postpartum nurses and lactation specialists can assist with feedings.

    Mom: Oh, we've got gas again, huh

    Tanya Altmann, MD: For many different reasons, infants can be overly fussy. Try soothing techniques such as swaddling or infant massage to calm your little one. But if crying is excessive, check with your pediatrician to rule out, pinpoint or help treat any problem. Causes of fussiness may be colic, reflux, hunger or even serious illness. Often it is the moms who feel like crying. In fact baby blues affect the vast majority of women shortly after giving birth. Sometimes, mild melancholy can develop into full-blown postpartum depression – and in these circumstances, medical attention is crucial. Reach out for help and know you are not alone. Remember, in the end – all time and effort spent breastfeeding – is tremendously worthwhile--offering rich, rewarding ways to bond with baby step by step. For Web MD, I'm Dr. Tanya Altmann.

    Related Videos

    Editor's Picks

    • woman with cup of coffee

      Video

      The Truth About Coffee
    • tongue scraper and tongue

      Video

      5 Ways to Beat Bad Breath
    • couple having sex in bed

      Video

      Why Orgasms Feel Good

    Latest Videos

    Top Picks

    • A Day in the Life of Your Newborn
    • Is My New Baby Eating Enough?
    • What Happens When Your Son Is Circumcised?
    • The Best Diet for New Moms
    • Your Preemie's First Year: What to Expect
    • When to Call Your Newborn's Doctor

    further reading

    • Breastfeeding Hints and Hurdles
    • How to Increase Your Milk Supply
    • How Can You Set Up a Breastfeeding System?
    • How to Have Healthy Breasts for Life
    • Expert Spotlight: Breastfeeding and the Affordable Care Act
    • If I Have Diabetes, Can I Breastfeed My Baby?
    • Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding
    • Breastfeeding Topics

    Today on Grow

    Human fetus in utero at 8 weeks

    Your Baby's Growth: Conception to Birth

    parents and baby

    Life Changes After Baby Arrives: New-Parent Surprises

    baby acne

    Is My Baby Typical? What's Normal and What's Not

    baby asleep on moms shoulder

    Baby Napping Guide: Dos and Don'ts

    Recommended for You

    mother holding baby at night ARTICLE

    Better Sleep for Baby and You

    mother with sick child QUIZ

    How to Soothe Your Child’s Cold or Flu

    Chinese mother breast feeding newborn baby girl SLIDESHOW

    Tips to Boost Your Milk Supply

    Track Your Babys Vaccines TOOL

    Track Your Baby's Vaccines

    Baby Napping 10 Dos And Donts Slideshow

    Baby Napping Dos and Don'ts

    Mother with her baby boy Article

    How 'Baby Talk' Helps Brain Development

    baby in crib Slideshow

    Keep Your Baby Safe From SIDS

    baby gear slideshow Slideshow

    4 Baby Gear Essentials

    Tools & Resources

    • Is Your Newborn Typical?
    • Stretches for New Moms
    • Can Teething Cause a Fever?
    • 8 Surprising Facts About Twins
    • Why Babies Are Sleeping in Boxes
    • Lose the Baby Weight

    Health Solutions

    • Penis Curved When Erect
    • Could I have CAD?
    • Treat Bent Fingers
    • Long-Term Acute Care
    • Enlarged Prostate Facts
    • Cancer Detection
    • Rethink MS Treatment
    • Is My Penis Normal?
    • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
    • Discover hATTR Symptoms
    • Weight-Loss Surgery
    • Healthy Weight Loss
    • Bent Finger Causes
    • AFib-Related Strokes
    • Preventing Infection
    • Missing Teeth?

    More from WebMD

    • Finding the Care You Need for MS
    • New Hope for Narcolepsy
    • Eat Better in the New Year
    • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
    • What Psoriasis Feels Like
    • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
    • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
    • Start a Home Fitness Program
    • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
    • Common Psoriasis Triggers
    • Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles
    • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
    • Tackling Pain of Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
    • When Ulcerative Colitis Flares
    • Where Breast Cancer Spreads
    • Logo for WebMD
      • Visit WebMD on Facebook
      • Visit WebMD on Twitter
      • Visit WebMD on Pinterest
    • Policies

      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Editorial Policy
      • Advertising Policy
      • Correction Policy
      • Terms of Use

      About

      • Contact Us
      • About WebMD
      • Careers
      • Newsletter
      • Corporate
      • WebMD Health Services
      • Site Map
      • Accessibility
    • WebMD Network

      • Medscape
      • Medscape Reference
      • MedicineNet
      • eMedicineHealth
      • RxList
      • OnHealth
      • WebMDRx
      • First Aid
      • WebMD Magazine
      • WebMD Health Record
      • Dictionary
      • Physician Directory
    • Our Apps

      • WebMD Mobile
      • WebMD App
      • Pregnancy
      • Baby
      • Allergy
      • Medscape

      For Advertisers

      • Advertise with Us
      • Advertising Policy

    © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.

    WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    See additional information.