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Breastfeeding is a natural and rewarding process; however, it can be harder than it looks. If you have trouble breastfeeding, contact your health care provider or consult a lactation consultant or counselor. Breastfeeding challenges are often easily overcome with some support and, occasionally, treatment, so don't give up.

What's a lactation consultant?

Lactation consultants are professionals who are trained to help mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. Most hospitals and clinics have lactation consultants on staff to help new moms learn to nurse. They can provide encouragement and assist moms and babies with latching difficulties, painful nursing and other issues that may interfere with efforts to breastfeed. To find a lactation counselor near you, visit the La Leche League's Web site: www.lalecheleague.org.

Common complications with breastfeeding

There are several problems new mothers may experience when breastfeeding, including:

• Sore or cracked nipples. This occurs most often because the baby is not "latching on" to your breast correctly.
• Engorgement. When your breasts are engorged, they become swollen, hard and sore. They may become so full that the nipple flattens into the areola (the dark skin around the nipple). This can lead to plugged ducts or a breast infection.
• Plugged milk ducts are common during breastfeeding and occur when the milk is not properly drained. The affected milk duct feels like a tender lump in the breast and can become inflamed; however, there are usually no other symptoms.
• Mastitis, or breast infection, is often accompanied by a fever, chills and/or other flu-like symptoms. Less common than other complications, mastitis is caused by bacteria on your skin or by bacteria from your baby's mouth that enters the breast through cracked skin. The affected breast may be red, painful and swollen.
• Thrush (yeast infection). Also less common than other breastfeeding complications, thrush may be suspected if you suddenly get sore nipples after several weeks of successful, pain-free nursing. Other signs include pink, flaky, shiny, itchy or cracked nipples. You may experience shooting pains deep in the breast during or after feedings.