Breastfeeding is natural — but it isn’t always easy. Many parents in Dubai face challenges with latch, milk supply, or feeding pain in the early weeks, and good information makes a real difference. This guide explains what lactation support involves, the signs you may need help, and when a feeding difficulty could point to an underlying medical issue worth checking.
What Is a Lactation Consultant?
A lactation consultant is a trained professional who helps parents work through breastfeeding difficulties. The most qualified are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), who complete extensive clinical training and examination. The field exists because breastfeeding support has historically been under-served in routine medical care — and in the Middle East, breastfeeding rates remain lower than the global average.
Most parents who stop breastfeeding early do so because it hurts or because they worry they don’t have enough milk. Both concerns are common, and both are usually solvable. Breastfeeding should not be persistently painful — when it is, there is almost always a reason that can be identified and addressed.
Common Breastfeeding Challenges
Support is most often sought for issues such as:
- Painful latch, nipple pain, or cracked nipples
- Worry about low or inadequate milk supply
- Breast infection (mastitis)
- Re-lactation or rebuilding supply
- Nursing strikes
- Pumping, returning to work, or pumping while travelling
- Reducing formula supplementation
- Gentle, gradual weaning
How Do You Know If You Need Breastfeeding Support?
Some worries — like doubting your supply even though your baby is gaining weight and thriving — can be eased with good information and reassurance. Others need a closer look from a healthcare professional who can assess the baby’s latch, the baby’s weight gain, and feeding patterns.
It’s worth seeking help if you experience persistent pain, your baby isn’t gaining weight as expected, feeds are extremely long or constant, or your baby seems unsettled and hungry after most feeds. Early support tends to resolve problems faster than waiting.
When Feeding Difficulty Is a Medical Issue
Not every feeding problem is about technique. Sometimes a baby struggles to feed because of an anatomical or medical reason — and this is where a pediatric assessment matters. The most common example is tongue-tie or lip-tie, where a tight band of tissue restricts the baby’s tongue or lip movement and makes an effective latch difficult.
Signs that a feeding problem may have a medical cause include a clicking sound during feeds, milk leaking from the corners of the mouth, poor weight gain despite frequent feeding, and ongoing nipple pain that doesn’t improve with positioning changes. In these cases, a pediatrician can examine the baby, rule out medical causes, and recommend treatment where needed.
At myPediaclinic, our pediatric team — including Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban — assesses infant feeding difficulties and diagnoses and treats conditions such as tongue-tie and lip-tie that can interfere with breastfeeding.
Practical Breastfeeding Tips for New Parents
- Focus on the latch. A deep latch (more areola in the baby’s mouth, lips flanged outward) is the foundation of comfortable, effective feeding.
- Feed on demand. Frequent feeding in the early weeks builds and protects your supply.
- Watch the baby, not the clock. Wet nappies, steady weight gain, and a content baby after feeds are better signs than feed length.
- Stay hydrated and rest when you can. Recovery and supply are linked.
- Ask for help early. Small adjustments in the first weeks prevent bigger problems later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is breastfeeding supposed to be painful?
No. Brief tenderness in the first days can be normal, but ongoing or sharp pain is a sign something needs adjusting — usually the latch, and sometimes an underlying issue like tongue-tie. Persistent pain is worth having checked.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
The most reliable signs are steady weight gain, regular wet and dirty nappies, and a baby who seems settled after most feeds. If your baby is gaining weight and thriving, your supply is very likely adequate, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Can tongue-tie affect breastfeeding?
Yes. Tongue-tie can restrict the baby’s tongue movement and make a deep latch difficult, leading to feeding pain, poor weight gain, and a frustrated baby. A pediatric assessment can confirm whether tongue-tie is present and whether treatment would help.
When should I see a doctor about feeding problems?
See a pediatrician if your baby isn’t gaining weight well, you have persistent pain that doesn’t improve, your baby feeds constantly but stays unsettled, or you notice clicking sounds or milk spilling during feeds — these can point to a medical cause worth evaluating.
If you’re concerned that your baby’s feeding difficulty may have a medical cause, book a pediatric consultation at myPediaclinic — our team can assess your baby and check for issues such as tongue-tie that affect feeding.