Giving birth can be an overwhelming experience for a mother. Coupled with the arrival of a new responsibility is a rush of hormonal changes happening simultaneously inside the mother’s body. One of the concerns many new mothers have is breastfeeding the new baby.

There are women to whom breastfeeding comes naturally, but every mother is different, and there are many cases when women need the assurance that they’re not the only ones having problems with breastfeeding. Below are a few frequently asked questions compiled for mothers, both new or otherwise.

Q: Is rooming in required for all moms?
A: Hospitals advocating breastfeeding for all babies will hand the baby over to you the next day, and some will not take them back. Although highly recommended, this can be very distressing for mothers who are worn out and need more rest after an expecially stressful delivery. In addition, those who have undergone Caesarean sections may not be able to handle the baby as adroitly as they should.

Don’t feel upset that you feel compelled to have the nurses take your baby back to the nursery, as that’s what it’s there for. You can always ask for your baby to be taken to you every 2-3 hours for breastfeeding. Simply specify that no formula or water be given between sessions, to avoid nipple confusion on the baby’s part.

Q: When should I start breastfeeding?
A: There’s no hard and fast rule stating that you should do this within the first few minutes of delivery, although it has been proven that nursing immediately helps in the faster shrinking of the uterus. If possible, try breastfeeding within the first four hours. You can breastfeed a newborn up to 12 times, and at least 8 times, during his first 24 hours.

Q: How can I breastfeed when my breasts are engorged and painful to touch?
A: Engorgement happens within 2-4 days after delivery and it can be relieved by breastfeeding the baby on demand, around 10-12 times in a day for the first few weeks. You’ll have a difficult time getting a restful sleep, but at least make sure that the baby gets the colostrum – a thin liquid rich in nutrients which protects the baby from infections – that is expressed by your breasts the first week after delivery.

Q: The baby can’t latch on to the nipple. What should I do?
A: Some mothers have so-called “inverted nipples” but this can often be treated during the last trimester of pregnancy. They can be stretched manually by pinching between the thumb and forefinger, or a breast shell (plastic bra insert) could be used to help them protrude.

Q: The baby doesn’t seem to want to breastfeed.
A: This sometimes happens if you’re alternating with formula and he has gotten used to the bottle nipple, or finds it easier to get milk from a bottle. Otherwise, you can caress his feet to stimulate his feeding reflex or remove his clothes so you can bond with the baby while he’s cuddling to you skin-to-skin.

You can also skip the bottle feeding and offer your breast when the baby’s really hungry, as more sucking stimulates the production of milk. If he is still uninterested and has skipped a couple of feedings, consult your pediatrician to find out if the baby is ill.

Q: What if I need to go to work?
A: Workplaces have become more mother-friendly in recent years and some even provide daycare centers and breastfeeding rooms for new moms. If your office doesn’t have these facilities yet, you can extract your milk in the washroom during your break or when needed, using any of the breast pumps available in the market. Manual pumps cost $20-$30 while electric or battery-operated pumps are priced at $30-$200.