It is interesting to note that only 2-3% of women int he workd are physically unable to breastfeed. I know that there are many other reasons why a mother cannot (including phsycological and emotional problems). The most common reasons for a mothre to stop breastfeeding are cracked/sore nipples and thinking

they don't have enough milk. Other reasons include the myth that a mother cannot breastfeed and return to work as well as the beleif that you cannot breastfeed if you have PND or mastitis. I am aware that with some medications it is impossible to breastfeed but if your Dr wishes to prescribe medication make sure they check that there isn't a version that can be used while breastfeeding as some Drs just assume that the mother doesn't want to continue. I personally would rather they double checked to make sure then to find out after I had weaned that I didn't have to.

So the problems that mothers encounter breastfeeding are usually easily fixed. Some aren't and some require medical intervention. So I will try to stick with the common ones but will list a few lesser known ones. If at any stage you are dealing with these problems or suspect you have a problem ring an ABA counsellor and they will give you suggestions on what can help.

ENGORGMENT:- This occurs when your milk comes in and sometimes when for whatever reason you miss a feed (or bub decides to suddenly sleep through!) your breasts become full and tight and you feel like a DOlly parton lookalike and very uncomfortable. Feed your baby often and if your nipple doesn't stick out very well then express a little milk before a feed so bub can get a better mouthful. A cold compress or washed and dried cold cabbage leaves applied to the breast are very soothing. Change cabbage leaves regularyly and don't leave cold packs on for more than 15-20 minutes. Gently massage your breasts from the back to the nipple before and during a feed also helps. If you  are experiencing very painful engorgement then you may need to express so your breasts are emptied as much as possible. If you are experiencing painful engorgement contact ABA counsellot or lactation consultant who can help you with this. Most engorgement will settle down in a few days.

CRACKED/SORE NIPPLES:-  you will frequently hear that breastfeeding should not hurt and this is absolutely true. Nipple tenderness is normal in the first few days but PAIN is not. If you are experiencing pain whilst feeding it probably means your baby is not attached correctly. you may also notice your nipple is flattened after a feed or that you have noticable cracks. Try this take your thumb and place it along the roof of your mouth - can you feel the ridges- now see how far back you need to get your thumb before it reached the soft pallette. this is how far back a baby needs to get your nipple so it doesn't cause you pain. the baby needs to get a good amount of your areola into their mouth as well (thats why its called breastfeeding not nipple feeding) otherwise your nipple is going to rub on that hard ridges in bubs mouth and cause you a lot of grief.  Treating sore/cracked nipples involves firstly making sure you attach bubs correctly, change nursing pads fequently so they are not holding moisture against your niipple, after a feed express a little hindmilk onto your nipple and allow to air dry before outting away ( nipple creams are not necessary). If you are having ongoing problems with cracked nipples this can affect your milk supply (baby who isn;t attached properly cannot drain breast effectivley and also the pain stresses the mother and that itself can causeproblems). Talk to an ABA counsellor or lactation consultant if you are experienceing cracked /sore nipples especially if you think the reason may be other thatn incorrect attachment.

HOW DO I KNOW MY BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH?:- http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/lowsupply.html hopefully this link will help you with this question.

THRUSH:- signs of nipple thrush include redness,flakingor white spots and shiny area on nipple. It can cause excrutiting pain while feeding- itching, burning anf deep throbbing inthe breast. Your Dr will prescribe antifungal treatment after it is diagnosed. Please arrange to treat the whole family as you know thrush can turn up in babies mouth and can be tranferred from you during childbirth. Boiling of dummies etc are better then cold water disinfectants when it comes to thrush. Practice good hygiene and wash bras etc frequently. Treat your partner as well even if you aren't having sex yet. If an antifungal is used you are OK to keep feeding but if no improvements are made in a few days go back and see your Dr incase it is some other infection (perhaps bacterial) and not thrush.

BLOCKED DUCTS:- Yo will perhasp find a lumpy engorged area in your breast. Start treatment straight away as this will reduce the chance of getting mastitis. Feed your baby from the infected breast first. try to feed in a position that gets babies chin over the blockage (perhasp kneeling on all fours over bubs?) Apply a warm compress before a feed and then a cool compress after a feed to releive discomfort. Massaging the lump from the back of the breast to the nipple in a warm shower will also help, you can also massage like this while feeding, ensure you allow bub to feed off the affected side for as long and as often as they want- just ensure the unaffected breast doesn;t become overful. Take your bra off when feeding if you can and rest as much as possible.

MASTITS:- Mastits begins with a blockage of a milk duct and the mother gets flu like symptoms like fever,chills and aches. The most important treatment for MAstitis is to keep feeding. See a Dr immediately and they will prescribe antibiotics. Take to bed for a few days and just feed and rest (if you can- or jsut take it easy for a few days). Follow all the treatment for blocked duct and for engorgement (cabbage leaves are wonderful). Check that when you sleep or the clothes you wear aren;t diggin into your breast, make sure you are attaching bub correctly and take it easy with feeding, don't rush and try not to miss too many feeds. Once you have antibiotics ring an ABA counsellor who will give you more suggestions on how to help resolve this problem.

There are a few lesser known problems or those not usually brought up and those include whitespot, nipple vasospasm and breastfeeding jaundice. there are also special breastfeeding situations that will require medical intervention and specialised help. these include premmies, feeding babies with cleft pallette, down syndrome, breastfeeding multiples and many more. The ABA has a great selection of booklets and many of their counsellors have been through these situations themselves (if you ring a counsellor about a specific probkem and they haven't had personal experience with this ask to be referred to a counsellor who has) http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/index.html check out other breastfeeding information on this link. As I said most problems resolve themselves but sometimes a mother is not given the chance because she is given incorrect advice form well meaning relatives, friends and sometimes even Drs/midwives/CHN. next topic will be breastfeeding myths and how to find out if the advice you are given is correct.