WHY IS IT DIFFICULT?!

Question

Ftm here - due in two months. I’m always hearing about how difficult breastfeeding is but I can’t seem to understand why? This is a genuine question as I want to be prepared for any difficulties that may arise but I don’t know what to expect or how to address any problems?! Xoxoxo

Answer

It’s difficult in many different ways. The first month or so your nipples are going to be so sore and probably cracked and have bled a few times until they get used breastfeeding. For the first few months you’re going to be engorged almost ALL the time until your supply regulates. You’re going to be leaking like crazy until your supply regulates as well. Don’t even get my started on if the baby is having problems latching. You have to worry about if you are producing enough milk for your little one to gain weight. You have to worry about being scrutinized in public for something as natural as breastfeeding your baby. Breastfed babies tend to wake more often during the night because breast milk passes through them quicker than formula does so you’re going to be getting less sleep than you were probably already planning for. I’m sure there are more reasons than even these ones but just know that with your breast milk you’re giving your baby the best possible nutrition that you can. Because of this, it makes it all worth it to me in the end

Answer

Honestly I think the main problem is lack of education and knowledge about BF. 
Many moms mistakenly think they’re not producing enough milk. 
But also, latch problems can be an issue (if baby isn’t latching right).  
Sore nipples can be a problem (they need to toughen up a bit at first sometimes).

Answer

I might get slammed for this. 
But honestly I think it’s because a lot of moms expect it to be easy and that they are uneducated about it. They expect it to be easy and for them to have tons and tons of milk immediately- when you only make what baby needs- not 6oz every time you pump/express. And they aren’t prepared about clusterfeeding and think they’re doing wrong.

Answer

I had trouble producing milk and just kept listening to other women telling me “ you’re fine. You just think you’re not making enough milk.” Meanwhile my son was always crying and his weight kept lowering until he was off the charts for his weight! I was told to immediately give my son formula at about 5 months after a worrying visit to the pediatrician and he is now HUGE. It’s not always easy. I pumped. I fed on demand. I took fenugreek pills, brewers yeast, mothers milk tea, and drank and drank tons of water. Some women have trouble producing. I had such a hard time accepting that I wasn’t making enough milk that I put my child at risk without fully realizing it. He’s fine now and a normal weight for his age. KHere is my sweet boy when he was under weight and a pic of him happy and healthy now!

Answer

Breastfeeding definitely can be difficult but it isn't always. We often hear the stories of momma's who really struggle with it for all sorts of reasons but hardly ever do we hear the stories of momma's whose breastfeeding journey was relatively easy and uneventful... because there isn't really a story to tell 😂 
I was expecting the worst when it came to breastfeeding but then my daughter arrived, latched on perfectly, nursed well, gained plenty of weight, my nipples never cracked or bled (I only had a little bit of pain the first month or so), I never got mastitis or thrush and my only real struggle was with an oversupply during the first month that balanced out naturally after a while.
Everyone's experience is different and often Mama's will have to overcome one or two issues for it to be a smooth journey, some have it easier and some have it harder.

Answer

Aside from an unbelievable amount of pain due to latch issues, the hardest part for me was adjusting to how time consuming breastfeeding really is. It’s been 11 months and I still feel like my life revolves around nursing. I definitely underestimated the amount of dedication it takes to keep going. It’s physically and mentally exhausting in a way that I couldn’t have ever imagined. Even with knowledge and support, it’s going to be challenging... but the bond you develop with baby is indescribable. Not only does breastfeeding benefit my baby, it made me realize my own perseverance and resilience.

Answer

My daughter has a tongue tie so not every latch was correct... due to that she was pinching my nipples and I was super raw, red and my nipples started to get a gash in them as if someone dug a chunk out. Lactation consultant had me stop feeding for 2 days and exclusively pump. I couldn’t pump enough to feed her so I had to supplement. VERY FRUSTRATING. Let’s not forget the long nights cluster feeding. As bad as these things sound. I was able to breeze through them lol. The worst part for me is latching, it’s so painful to me and sometimes knocks the wind out of me. I guess that’s due to my nipples not being broken in yet, I’m only 23 days in lol but it’s still all worth it already ❤️❤️❤️

Answer

I agree with @Lindsey...being uneducated can lead to being unprepared and then feeling overwhelmed and defeated! It takes time and patience and a bit of trial and error to see what works for you and your baby...but don’t give up...our bodies were designed to do this!!

Answer

Breastfeeding isn’t supposed to be painful. I have six kids and I’ve nursed four of them. If it’s really painful then you have the baby latched on incorrectly. If you’re interested in breastfeeding go to a class. It’s worth it not to have sore cracked bleeding nipples. The worst thing about breastfeeding is that it’s time consuming. You nurse more than you give bottles. It’s so much easier to me. You can see a lactation consultant after delivery or WIC provides support to moms who are having trouble. You can go to weigh and feeds at WIC, the lactation consultant, or your pediatrician. The worst part of engorgment should be right when your milk comes in. Your body will adjust to how much milk to make depending on how much you nurse and how much your baby eats.

Answer

I took the class, I saw a specialist (three times a week), I read practically every article on Kelly mom. My guy had a disorganized suck and a bad latch. I had cracked nipples and vasospasms. We had to do a nipple shield and the cycle of feed pump, give him what I pumped every 2 hours left me with about 10 minutes before it started again. Once his latch looked good, his suck swallow was still inefficient, which affected my supply. At 6 weeks, I realized he had terrible silent reflux and his extended sessions at the breast were for comfort to keep the reflux at bay, though they caused me more vasospasms and he screamed when I finally had to pop him off. By the time I figured it out, my doctor pressured me to supplement. I don’t regret it, but I’ll do it differently next time. At 11 months, he decided our journey was over. Pumping the last month was not my dream, but I’m glad he made it to a year with milk every day. 
I thought I was going in prepared, but I also thought there would be a point where instinct would take over and I’d feel silly for all the reading and preparation I did. That my husband would roll his eyes at me the way he does when I over prepare. I mean, I’m in a career where I had to take a whole masters level course in the mechanics of swallowing. I wasn’t going in blind. But it. Was. Hard. (For me, at least).  Which made me feel ashamed and like I was failing him right out of the gate because we couldn’t do this thing that all mammals just do. And those feelings were amplified by the hormones and the crazy things that are happening in your body. For me, it was the perfect storm. I’ll never forget SOBBING at 2:30 in the morning because I knocked over the .25 ounces I’d fought so so hard to pump.

WHY IS IT DIFFICULT?!

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey