Breastfeeding is a beautiful and rewarding but there are times when it doesn’t feel beautiful and times when it gets hard.
We can do it. We are doing it. It’s worth it. Keep calm, latch on and enjoy some helpful advice to keep you from burning out. 
Know why you are doing what you’re doing
It was my fourth day nursing and I remember sitting there crying, wondering what I was doing wrong. I didn’t want to feed her, it hurt too much. My husband had to hold her up to my chest while I moaned through the pain. I remember feeling like a failure. I felt like quitting. But I wouldn’t quit, I knew my why and it was worth fighting for.
All the reasons I refused to quit:
- Breast milk is full of antibodies to keep my baby healthy
- Breast milk is the perfect food for my baby to protect her body against future allergies, illness and disease
- Health benefits for mom including reducing cancer rates
- Skin to skin bonding during feeds
You need support.
My daughter and I have had our fair share of challenges including tongue tie, engorgement, oversupply, overactive letdown, plugged ducts, poor latch, sore nipples, and food sensitivities requiring an elimination diet. Talking with other moms who could offer support and advice helped me to keep going. If you don’t have friends and family to turn to for support the La Leche League is a great resource, we love the ladies in our local chapter. You can also connect with our blog readers on Facebook, full of other supportive mamas ready to answer questions.
Breastfeeding is hard work.
Wait, let me capitalize that: HARD WORK. It’s not hard for everyone but for some of us it is. I wish someone would have mentioned that to me beforehand. The good news is that with each challenge you overcome, you become a more fierce mama.
Get a good bra.
It’s amazing what a good bra can do! I was frustrated for months because I didn’t have a good nursing bra. I dreaded going out because of it. I FINALLY found a nursing bra that I love — The Bravado Bliss Nursing Bra. They sent me one to review and I have absolutely fallen in love! {They also have a great video for sizing.}
Make time for “me time.”
I was blessed this weekend with another plugged duct complete with an achy body and a horrible headache. What to do if you have a plugged duct? Heat. Massage. Increase Fluids. Lots of Nursing. and Rest. It’s an in your face reminder that mamas needs rest in order for her body to run well so she can take care of baby. But please don’t learn the hard way like me, don’t wait for the plugged duct to remind you. Mamas needs rest. We needs “me time.” Whether it’s a soak in the bath, a quick trip to the coffee shop by yourself, curling up in a chair with your favorite book, or just sitting with your feet propped up. Make time and do it!
Remember, even if you only breastfeed for a day you are still a success
“Breastfeeding is NOT the true test of motherhood.” ~Erin Odom. You are still a good mom. You are still enough.
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Great, supportive post! I was lucky and had a pretty easy tine nursing. It was the only thing good from 3 yrs infertility to a difficult pregnancy. I was so glad baby was a pro. Though I did have a low milk supply. With a colicky baby, we decided to supplement with formula but the combo really worked. One thing I LOVED was my heating/cooling breast pads. At the time I had NUK ones (there are many out there now), I stuck them in the microwave as directed and put them in my nursing bra 5 min before nursing to help with letdown. They also helped soothe blocked ducts. They were a lifesaver!
I’ve heard it can be the difference between night and day between the way some babies nurse. I’ve only had one so I can’t say for sure. Sounds like you needed a breather in life so I’m glad to hear your nursing was generally a smooth sail.
Wow! Thank you so much for this post. As I lay here breastfeeding my 3 week old son at 3am all I could think of was “wow! Is she describing my breastfeeding experience thus far?” These are all the trails were currently dealing with but I also have inverted nipples so his latch is even worse. Thank you so much for the encouragement. One day at a time!
Keep up the hard work mama! I can totally remember browsing the internet in the middle of the night during nursing sessions. You are awesome for pushing through, a day at a time sometimes is all you can think about without getting way overwhelmed. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or are needing support. Our Facebook page is also a great community with loving mamas who have been there before too!
After a combined total of 94 (out of 144 months of motherhood) months (5 babies) of nursing I am experiencing burnout… hence clicking on this post. But in a way I think burnout is a good thing. I love nursing and thought I would never stop missing it once I weaned my youngest, but I also thought I would never stop craving newborns.
I’ve started cutting feedings and should be done by his 2nd birthday. For me, burnout is God’s way of allowing me closure on this chapter of my life. Ready for a new stage of life.
Thank you for sharing this great perspective!
I agree with you here. I am nursing baby number 3 and I have been feeling the same thing. Before I was pregnant this last time, I thought “how am going to stop myself from just wanting to have more and more babies. With a difficult pregnancy and very busy busy life after the pregnancy I feel like this is God giving me the answer. Three is good for us, our family feels complete!
I ended up nursing him till 30 months. Rounding my time nursing to an even 100 months, time was not the goal, I finally realized I had to pick a day, because it wasn’t happening on its own. We (he is very verbal) agreed that on his half year bday we would be done nursing. Sometimes I miss the comfort it brings, but sleeping all night is lovely.
There are only 3 babies that make me the slightest bit baby hungry, they are my cousins kids and I see them maybe twice a year, so I snuggle them and get my fix.
Thank you so much for this supportive post! It is really good to hear words of encouragement and not criticism!
So glad it was helpful! Breastfeeding is hard work.
I’m in tears right now. I had every intention of breast feeding my baby for 6 months mths. My pregnancy was great, delivery too. The first second night in hospital my sweet baby was so fussy and was nursing continuously, my nipples were destroyed. Next day I insisted on getting some more
Input from a lactation consultant,
Everyone kept telling me that everything was fine. Turned out that my milk hadn’t come in yet. That started formula supplementing. Went home fl start my breastfeeding journey with her only to be readmitted to the hospital with preclampsia. I was separated from my newborn for a week. The stress pumping my now engorged breasts impossible. When I got home, I wasn’t making enough milk, and my manual pump wasn’t cutting it. My insurance doesn’t cover an electric one. Long story short, she’s a month and a half and I’ve been unable to relactate thus far. That last bit about breastfeeding for a day being a success touched my heart. I was feeling really sad about failing at it and about all complications postpartum preclampsia caused with breastfeeding. Now I feel encouraged to keep trying but won’t beat myself up if I can’t make it work. Thanks!
Parenting is so hard and it sounds like you’re doing a great job! Don’t let anyone beat you down.
Thank you for sharing. I’m a 43 year old first time mom to my one and only 2 1/2 year old toddler that I am still breastfeeding to date. Everyone is asking me when I would stop. Well after a blighted ovum, bleeding during my first trimester and being required to fuse myself to the bed while taking duvadilan and duphaston, being diagnosed to have gestational diabetes, hypertension, and had a C-section, I can only say that until my son wants to breastfeed and I am still blessed with an ample amount of breast milk supply, I will not deprive him of it. Although I will admit that I am exhausted and sore (reason why I ended up reading this article), knowing that I’m not the only mom experiencing this energizes me. Again, thank you for sharing.
Keep up the awesome work Karen! You’re little one is benefiting so much from it!