Breastfeeding Difficulties

When choosing to breastfeed there can be a number of barriers to breastfeeding which you may face as a mother. We can help to provide support and education with techniques to overcome these difficulties.

Breastfeeding difficulties can not only be caused by the baby's nutritional needs but may also be due to your infant being unable to successfully learn the complex process of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding difficulties can affect on your baby's growth and development, hindering their ability to meet and achieve optimal nutritional status.

What are breastfeeding difficulties?

Breastfeeding difficulties that can occur include, pain when breastfeeding, oral motor movement difficulties, childhood aversion to breast milk, poor nutrition and aspiration difficulties.

The Kids Feeding Team will work hard to ensure that these difficulties are minimised or reduced. We are able to assess, treat and monitor the breastfeeding problems and advice on how best to support yours and your infant's needs.

What causes breastfeeding difficulties?

The most common cause of breastfeeding difficulties identified is premature birth. This implies that the infant was not fully able to develop the muscles required for effective breastfeeding. Breastfeeding problems may also occur when the infant has any physical disabilities, including cleft lip and palate or tongue tie. The infant's ability to breastfeed may also be caused by any neurological conditions, allergies or intolerances.

The Kids Feeding Team will work hard to assess the causes of breastfeeding in order to gain more understanding of the nature of your infant's problems and how best we will be able to help you.

Bonnie-flo with mum breastfeeding

What problems caused by breastfeeding difficulties can we help with?

Mothers and infants that experience any breastfeeding difficulties may have the following problems that our team of dieticians, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists can minimise and support:

• Difficulty latching onto the breast whilst feeding.
• Poor swallow function and oral stimulation.
• Uncoordinated suck-swallow-breathe cycle.
• Baby is unsettled during and after feeding.
• Baby showing lack of interest and / or refusing to breastfeed.
• Sore or cracked nipples.
• Low milk supply.
• Poor weight gain and nutrition.
• Aspiration or pneumonia.

How can the Kids Feeding Team help a child with breastfeeding difficulties?

The Kids Feeding Team will be able to provide many benefits to a mother and child unit that experience breastfeeding difficulties. Through careful assessment and bespoke treatment options, we would aim to:

• Improve the use of muscles in the mouth and throat.
• Improve the closure of the lip around the breast.
• Increase the infant's acceptance of breastfeeding as a method.
• Improve the ability to and the coordination of sucking, breathing and swallowing.
• Reduce the anxiety of mother and child during feeding times.
• Advice on formula for optimal growth and nutrition.
• Identify any allergies or intolerances.
• Ensure the infant's developmental milestones are being met.
• Alter maternal diet to ensure breast milk is suitable for each individual baby.

We make every effort to help and support for continued breastfeeding as we know the great benefits it offers babies. However, on occasions there may be indication for combinations feeding (breast and formula).

What would treatment for breastfeeding difficulties involve?

Our multidisciplinary Kids Feeding Team will use various treatment options to support a child and their mother with breastfeeding difficulties, this might include one or a number of:

• Assess the child's ability to breastfeed in order to identify strengths, weaknesses and the potential cause of the difficulty.
• Discuss any techniques you have used previously to see how to build on these.
• Implement strategies that promote safe and efficient feeding.
• Advice, education and training.
• Oral motor and breathing exercises.

Bonnie flo with mum breastfeeding

How do I arrange an assessment for breastfeeding difficulties?

If you would like to know more about the services we offer for breastfeeding difficulties or to arrange an assessment with a member of our multidisciplinary Kids Feeding Team, do not hesitate to email office@kidsfeedingteam.co.uk or call 0161 820 8262.

Summary

Breastfeeding is a complex process that the infant must learn in early life and so many difficulties may occur, causing feeding to be an unpleasant or difficult experience for both the baby and mother. The Kids Feeding Team are able to identify any causes of breastfeeding difficulties and can help implement strategies to support breastfeeding and the infant's development.

If you or your child experience any difficulties with breastfeeding and feel that you would benefit from seeing our Kids Feeding Team, email office@kidsfeedingteam.co.uk or call 0161 820 8262.

We're registered