Avoid the Most Common Breastfeeding Problems

No Latch Troubles!

"Nursing can be painful while the baby and mother are getting the hang of it, but if all is going well, the discomfort shouldn't last more than a week or so," says Mona Gabbay, M.D., creator of TheBreastFeedingDoctor.com and a nursing expert in New Rochelle, New York. If you're still experiencing pain after the first week, it could be a sign that your babe hasn't mastered the latch. Helpful checks: Your sweetie's mouth is wide open, with lips curled out; he has taken as much of the areola into his mouth as possible; he is sucking rhythmically; and you can hear regular swallows. If you need to, seek help from a lactation consultant.