Challenges in Breastfeeding

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Breastfeeding, often portrayed as a serene and natural bonding experience between mother and child, can also come with its fair share of challenges. From latch issues to milk supply concerns, the reality of breastfeeding is far from effortless for many mothers.

In this blog post, we're discussing the common struggles that breastfeeding mothers encounter. Whether you're a new mom trying to establish a routine or a seasoned parent facing unexpected hurdles, understanding these challenges is crucial to finding solutions and seeking support. Let's explore the real-life difficulties of breastfeeding and empower each other with knowledge and empathy on this remarkable journey of motherhood.

I’m so thankful I can be a stay-at-home mom so I had the option to exclusively breastfeed. Even if you are not a stay-at-home mom, breastfeeding is still possible with a couple of added obstacles, and some positives, like being able to sleep while someone else takes the night shift haha!

Although I believe exclusively breastfeeding was the best option for me, it may not be the perfect fit for everyone, remember, “Fed is Best”.

Let’s dive in!

Getting milk

The first challenge is waiting for your milk to come in. In the first few days, you might think you’re not producing enough milk. This is where a lot of moms panic and switch to formula. Please be patient. Your milk will come in and you will know it! The first milk you produce is colostrum. A baby’s tummy is the size of a marble when first born so the colostrum is just enough to fill baby up. Mature breast milk gradually replaces colostrum 2-5 days after delivery and sometimes up to 2 weeks after delivery. Latch and nurse baby as much as baby will allow. I never go over 2 hours without nursing. Be patient, don’t stress. Your body knows what to do and will do it. So just relax and take it one day…or, one nursing session, at a time.

Cluster Feeding

Now, this next challenge I wouldn’t really call a struggle unless you just really want to get other things done besides holding that precious bundle of joy all day. I enjoy the extra snuggles! Don’t listen to people who tell you holding the baby will spoil the baby. This is all new to the baby just like it’s new to you. Baby knows nothing but you. That closeness is comfort.

Baby will nurse for a long time and multiple times a day during the first few days/weeks. I remember my babies nursing for as long as 45 minutes OR MORE during a session! They will cluster feed a lot. Baby will want to nurse even though you just unlatched for the millionth time that day. Do not take that as a sign of not producing enough. It’s actually a good thing! The baby nursing signals the body to produce milk and your body will produce what baby needs.

The best way to get through cluster feeding is to set up a dedicated nursing spot. You want all of your essentials nearby, literally at your fingertips, because once you get settled you don’t want to get up.

If you are concerned baby is not getting enough milk, please speak to your baby’s pediatrician. You can also visit a lactation consultant. My hospital had a lactation consultant come around after birth to speak with. They also had the option to visit later if needed and they would weigh baby before and after you nurse to see how much baby has eaten and discuss any concerns you may have.

All of this nursing is going to bring on engorgement and latch pain. So on to the REAL challenges.

Engorgement

When your milk finally comes in you will get engorged. Your breasts are going to get big, swollen, tender, and hard. As much as you are going to want to pump to relieve all of the engorgement, I don’t recommend it, unless you want an oversupply to have a big freezer stash. Otherwise, check out the lifesaving products and tips that will help you through the engorgement struggle here. This is a hard stage of breastfeeding but it will pass soon and the milk will even out to produce just what your baby needs. Be grateful you are producing all that milk!

Latch Pain

I exclusively breastfed all 3 of my babies. The beginning, with all 3, was the hardest challenge for me. Your nipples are not used to the constant sucking and you will experience cracked, sore nipples. That initial latch after a few days can be excruciating.

I wanted to give up so many times. SO many times I just had to grit my teeth and just cry through the pain of that initial latch.

They say, if it hurts, then something is not right with the latch, whether it be tongue or lip tie, or the latch is not deep enough or wide enough. Although that could be the case it's also true that there could not be any issues.

Is there a mother out there that didn’t have ANY pain in the beginning? If you are one of the lucky ones that had no pain, I am so happy for you. But for the majority, that initial latch in the first few weeks is awful!

If pain persists past a couple of weeks or continues during the length of the nursing session, PLEASE reach out to a lactation consultant. You can normally find these resources at your local hospital or reach out to your OB or midwife.

I met with lactation consultants and they never saw a problem with the way my baby was latched or any reason besides the fact that it’s the beginning and it will be over soon. Just give it time and keep going. YOU CAN DO IT! It might feel like forever, but it’s not.

Check out all of my favorite products that helped me through the first few weeks of breastfeeding here including engorgement and how to soothe and heal sore nipples.

I hope I can help you with these challenges using my own experiences. I hope you find comfort in knowing you are not alone when it comes to these challenges and that you can get through them. Maybe my advice can make it a little less of a struggle.

Nothing comes easy when it comes to being a mother, you just have to fight and pray through it for your baby’s sake because that’s what being a mother is about, right?

Trust me, once you get through these first few challenges, breastfeeding is a breeze and makes feeding your baby so easy! You can do it anywhere at any time. No bottles to clean, no struggling to make bottles on the go, fewer things you have to carry with you on the go, and the money you save!

Find what works for you and keep going, it’s worth it!

Remember, if it doesn’t work out, you are still an amazing mother, and no matter which way you decide to feed your baby “Fed is best!” Don’t feel discouraged. Just take care of yourself and your baby.