Birth is a significant life event and generally a happy one. Although labor is often challenging, it can also be empowering, with mothers experiencing elation and strength. Unfortunately, for other women, birth can be difficult, can be overwhelming, and can lead to psychological trauma. Some women may experience depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following their births. These effects can last for years and can cause difficulties in women’s relationships with their partners and their babies. Difficult births can also negatively affect breastfeeding. This article describes the prevalence of PTSD after childbirth and summarizes the symptoms so that International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) can help recognize it and refer mothers to appropriate resources.

Difficulty with breastfeeding in the newborn and new mother population is all too common, and too little is known about the type of healthcare assistance most relevant to these families. Therefore, 18 mothers were interviewed for their experiences with suboptimal breastfeeding and their perceptions of the healthcare they had received for the problem. These mothers attended an interdisciplinary breastfeeding clinic (midwifery and chiropractic) on the south coast of England. The goal of this study was to better understand mothers’ preferences in healthcare resources to facilitate the most efficient and effective assistance to improve breastfeeding for mothers and infants. The main themes were that mothers desired ongoing reassurance and contextualized, nonconflicting advice that was specific to their baby.

Breastfeeding pain is the second most common reason women stop breastfeeding (Strong, 2011); therefore it should be recognized early and treated promptly. Often pain from primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon of the Nipple (RP-n) imitates Candidiasis, misleading providers who prescribe antifungal medications. Unfortunately, the correct diagnosis comes after multiple doses of medication and no improvement in breastfeeding pain. Antifungals can further complicate diagnosis because they can cause nipple vasospasm as a side-effect of treatment (Bonyata, 2011). This article presents a case study of RP-n mistaken for Candidiasis. Evidenced-based treatment strategies, education, and close follow-up are minimum standards of care for women with breastfeeding pain. Fragmented healthcare systems can interfere with coordinated, evidence-based care. Raynaud’s and Candidiasis can present in very similar manners resulting in a clinical dilemma for providers. However, excellent systematic clinical assessment focusing on the characteristics of the pain can help to differentiate between the two conditions. An algorithm to assist providers in differentiating between the two has been developed.