What are the most effective strategies for managing common breastfeeding issues such as nipple pain and engorgement?

Effective strategies for managing nipple pain during breastfeeding include:

• Ensuring correct positioning and attachment of the baby to the breast to reduce trauma to the nipples.
• Providing face-to-face breastfeeding support to assess and address any concerns about feeding technique.
• Offering reassurance, encouragement, and tailored care to build confidence in breastfeeding.
• Using expressed breast milk on the nipples to aid healing and keeping nipples clean and dry.
• Seeking additional support such as lactation consultation or peer support if pain persists.

For breast engorgement, recommended management strategies include:

• Frequent and effective breastfeeding or expressing milk to relieve fullness and maintain milk flow.
• Applying cold packs or ice packs to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Wearing a supportive bra to provide comfort and reduce breast tissue strain.
• Using over-the-counter pain relief as needed.
• Expressing milk sparingly to ease engorgement without stimulating excessive milk production.
• Seeking professional help if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

These strategies should be supported by healthcare professionals skilled in breastfeeding support, with face-to-face assessments and ongoing encouragement to address individual needs and concerns ¹.