Health

What Interferes with Successful Breastfeeding?

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2023

While breastfeeding is ideal, it comes with many difficulties new parents might face.

After experiencing the intensity of labor and delivery, many new parents are left exhausted. Despite this fatigue and surviving pospartum, new parents soon learn the importance of managing the needs of an infant. Putting aside their own desires, parents learn to quickly adapt.

Exhaustion and recovery are not the only things that discourage parents from breastfeeding. There are a variety of other woes that can make it difficult for a lactating parent to continue to choose this option.

While 83 percent of women breastfeed at the beginning of postpartum, there is a drastic reduction by 6 months, resulting in only 56% of babies still being breastfed.

Engorged Breasts

When a lactating woman’s milk comes in, she may experience intense pain and discomfort. The breasts typically become overly filled with milk because they have not yet regulated their supply. This engorgement can continue throughout the breastfeeding journey for a variety of reasons.

If the baby’s schedule changes, a woman’s breasts can become overly full. If the parent misses a feeding, breasts can experience discomfor which can lead to breastfeeding infection. If a woman becomes preoccupied at work and does not make time to pump, she can experience discomfort.

If breast engorgement is not treated properly, milk ducts can become blocked, and if a woman does not work to move the milk through her breasts (via feeding her baby, pumping, or expressing the milk), this engorgement can lead to further problems and may cause clogged milk ducts.

Infection

One of the biggest concerns beyond the pain a woman experiences with engorgement is infection. This is known as mastitis, and leads to a woman experiencing not only breast pain and warm breast tissue, but also flu-like symptoms that come with fever, chills, headache, and further exhaustion.

In order to help prevent infection, regular feedings are essential. Often, the best mastitis treatment, at least for early symptoms, is to massage the breast in a warm shower and express the extra milk.

Furthermore, by working with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), parents can have a great resource on how to best deal with, treat, and alleviate these problems.

Not only is an IBCLC a great resource in helping prevent breast infection, but a great source for your breastfeeding journey to encourage and educate you in best practices.

The best way to achieve breastfeeding success is to utilize the many tools that an IBCLC offers.

Burnout

To exclusively breastfeed your baby can be quite overwhelming and exhausting. Between nightly feedings, cluster feedings, and pumping sessions for working mothers, breastfeeding is difficult to maintain. Unless a woman is properly supported by her family, friends, and workplace, the chances that a woman will continue to breastfeed are significantly impacted.

Culture also impacts the likelihood of a baby being breastfed beyond 6 months. The CDC discovered that parents in the Southeast United States are less likely to breastfeed their children past six months. This was in contrast to the Northwest, where business policies and the culture is more breastfeeding-friendly and supportive.

Conclusion

Despite the nutritional benefits afforded to a breastfed baby, there are many obstacles that can be discouraging for parents on their breastfeeding journey. From exhaustion to pain to lack of supoort, parents have many reasons to give up.

To increase your chances of success, surround yourself with supportive individuals, reach out to an IBCLC, also known as lactation consultants, and gain the necessary tools required to provide your child with the healthiest option available – you!

Health

Dr. Raghu Athré: Beyond the Surface: The Mind-Skin Connection in Aesthetic Medicine

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2025

Michelle Langton

Before becoming one of the most sought-after facial cosmetic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Raghu Athré’s academic journey began at the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors in Chemical Engineering. His deep-rooted passion for understanding how things work—both functionally and aesthetically—laid the foundation for his career in plastic surgery. For Dr. Athré, the parallels between engineering and surgery are unmistakable: both require precision, analysis, attention to detail, and strategic problem-solving.

Dr. Athré’s expertise extends beyond surgical precision. He recognizes that beauty is not just skin deep—stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being play critical roles in dermatological and aesthetic concerns. This understanding has led him to explore the field of psychodermatology, a specialty that examines the powerful connection between mental health and skin conditions.

“Psychodermatology has become a buzzword ever since a strong relationship was shown between acne patients and depression.” said Dr. Athré. “To treat these patients effectively, physicians must address both the patient’s acne and depression simultaneously for optimal results. This highlights the connection between how we look and how we feel.”

A similar trend is evident among many of Dr. Athré’s facial rejuvenation patients. Unscripted patient interviews reveal that patients feel more awake, alert, confident, and self-assured after surgery. This pattern is also observed in many rhinoplasty patients, who often change how they engage with the world post-surgery due to increased self-confidence. These observations underscore the importance of a holistic approach to patient care in contemporary aesthetic medicine.

What is Psychodermatology?

Psychodermatology examines the intricate relationship between the mind and skin, focusing on how psychological stress and emotional well-being directly influence skin health. Conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even premature aging have been linked to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. This field bridges dermatology with psychological and emotional care, offering a more holistic approach to skincare and aesthetic treatments.

The mind-skin connection becomes particularly evident when a patient’s emotional state exacerbates or triggers skin conditions. For example, stress-induced acne breakouts are a common issue, as the body’s response to emotional stress can lead to hormonal fluctuations, which in turn affect the skin. Similarly, individuals battling with anxiety or depression may experience worsened symptoms of psoriasis or eczema, as emotional distress can amplify the immune response.

An Approach to Aesthetic and Skin Wellness

The rise of psychodermatology marks a shift in how both patients and healthcare providers approach skin conditions. Instead of viewing the skin as merely a surface to treat, psychodermatology emphasizes the importance of emotional and psychological health in the overall management of skin conditions. Patients dealing with skin issues are encouraged to address their emotional well-being as part of their skincare regimen, fostering not just physical but mental health in tandem.

This field also highlights the importance of treating the patient as a whole person rather than focusing solely on external beauty. While cosmetic procedures can improve physical appearance, psychodermatology helps ensure that patients are also given the tools to support their mental health, which plays a key role in maintaining long-term skin wellness.

Bridging Aesthetics, Science, and Mental Well-Being

As the understanding of psychodermatology continues to grow, there is increasing recognition of the need to treat mental health concerns in conjunction with skin conditions. Innovative treatments are emerging that combine dermatological care with psychological interventions, offering patients an integrated approach to wellness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices, for example, can be used alongside traditional dermatological treatments to reduce stress and improve skin health.

The future of aesthetic medicine is poised to be more inclusive, recognizing that true beauty encompasses not just a person’s outward appearance but their emotional and mental well-being as well. As psychodermatology continues to evolve, it offers the potential to transform how we approach skin care, focusing not just on the exterior but on the holistic well-being of the individual.

By merging the science of dermatology with the psychology of the mind, psychodermatology provides a groundbreaking approach to skincare—one that is as much about healing the mind as it is about enhancing the skin.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Raghu Athré, visit https://www.athrefacialplastics.com/facial-surgery/facial-rejuvenation/ or call 281-214-9324