When Breastfeeding Doesn't Come Easy

Tips for Sticking With It

By Melinda Copp

Most moms know that breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby, and many expectant moms plan to nurse their little ones. However, new moms are surprised at just how difficult breastfeeding can be to establish. After all, new moms don't have any experience with nursing, and babies don't automatically know what to do. In those first few days, you may experience problems with engorgement and getting your baby latched on, which many moms don't anticipate.

"I anticipated the pain, so that wasn't surprising, but I never anticipated the difficulty getting her latched on or that she would be physically unable to do it," says Shani Pinkerton, a mom from San Antonio, Texas, whose daughter was born with a tongue tie that made latching on difficult. "I never considered that a possibility."

Other moms experience problems with their milk supply, which may also make nursing difficult to establish. "It took several days for my milk to come in," says Brette Sember, a mom from Clarence, N.Y., and author of Your Plus-Size Pregnancy (Barricade Books, 2005). "My babies initially weren't interested in nursing, since there wasn't much there for them to get. It took a lot of work with a lactation consultant to get things going."

When you are trying to establish nursing, it's important to realize that many moms go through this, and in most cases, you can overcome the challenges and go on to nurse your baby successfully. The key is to know how to prepare for breastfeeding and where to find help when the time comes.

Many moms make the mistake of assuming that breastfeeding is natural and therefore easy to do, but this isn't always the case. "Making milk is natural; breastfeeding is a skill that mothers and babies have to learn," says Amy Spangler, IBCLC, a lactation consultant in Atlanta, Ga. Breastfeeding doesn't come easy for everyone, and any new skill requires practice and preparation.

"The secret to any parenting skill is having realistic expectations and learning all you can before the baby is born," says Spangler. Read everything you can, and read from different sources. Attend a prenatal breastfeeding class, talk to other moms who breastfeed about their experiences and attend a La Leche League meeting or other support group that's offered in your area.

Want to see more?

• I Hate Breastfeeding Now What? Considerations Before You Quit
• Holding On: Basic Breastfeeding Positions
• Your Breast Friend: The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
• Talk about it!