ABSTRACT
Breastfeeding may be natural but just like many physical skills it is a learning process that happens over time between mother and baby. There are a number of key elements around recognising when breastfeeding is going well, and when complications are arising, that will help mothers continue to breastfeed for longer. Central to this is the concept of positioning and attachment, or how the infant latches on to the breast. Postpartum engorgement is common for mothers at around day 2–5. After the postpartum phase, engorgement may recur as the baby’s patterns adjust or sometimes in response to an artificial gap between feeds. Nipple pain should not be considered an accepted part of normal breastfeeding and pain requires investigation to prevent early weaning. When milk is not removed effectively, a mother may develop a blocked duct. This is referring to an actual blockage in a milk duct or insufficient milk removal, resulting in localised immune response from overly full glandular tissue.
