Why Breastfeeding Isn’t Always Easy: What Every Pregnant Mum Needs to Know

Did you know breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally? When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was so excited to breastfeed because I knew it was the best thing for my baby’s health, but I had no idea what I was doing! I really thought breastfeeding would just happen because it’s natural. But it wasn’t as simple as I thought! Luca struggled to latch, and breastfeeding quickly became really painful! I felt completely overwhelmed and wasn’t sure if I could keep going because it hurt so much and I was struggling to make enough milk. It was a tough journey filled with tears and self-doubt. But that experience taught me something so valuable: the importance of learning about breastfeeding before your baby arrives. In this post, I’ll share how learning about breastfeeding before your baby is born can help you feel so much more confident so you can have a calm, relaxed and beautiful bonding breastfeeding journey with your baby.

I wish I was the only person who had this kind of breastfeeding journey, but SO MANY of my lactation clients tell me the same. They had no idea breastfeeding could have problems they might need to work through and fix, so had never thought to learn about it before birth. Breastfeeding just isn’t on our to-do list when we’re busy getting ready for the baby, but that changes for you right now! Don’t make the same mistake I, and so many others, made.

Confidence and Knowledge

Learning about breastfeeding before my second baby was born changed everything for me. With my first baby, Luca, I didn’t know what to expect or how to handle the challenges. I felt so lost and unsure, especially when Luca wasn’t gaining enough weight. It was heartbreaking. But with Fletcher, armed with what I’d learned, I could read his cues easily – knowing when he was hungry or full and the signs that showed he was getting enough milk became natural. This made feeding times calm and stress-free, unlike before. This time, I was prepared, and it showed in how confident I felt.

Good Latch

Understanding proper latch techniques was super important. When I had Luca, I didn’t know what a good latch looked like or how to do it, which made breastfeeding really painful. My nipples were cracked and bleeding and I dreaded every feed because it hurt so much I would cry. But with Fletcher, it was different. With the right guidance, I learned how to help Fletcher latch properly, so it didn’t hurt like it did with Luca. I also learned different breastfeeding positions that helped me find what worked best for both of us, making feeding sessions comfortable and so much easier! This time I knew what to look for and how to adjust, which made a huge difference for both me and Fletcher.

Comfort and Pain Relief

Avoiding nipple pain was a major priority after my tough experience with Luca. I remember the agony of cracked and bleeding nipples, feeling like every feed was torture, not wanting to feed him and then the intense guilt I felt for thinking that. Learning how to prevent sore nipples this time made a world of difference! It transformed breastfeeding into a peaceful time with Fletcher, where each feed became a moment of connection and comfort, strengthening our bond more than I could have imagined.

Better Milk Supply

Building and keeping my milk supply strong was also really important after I had low milk supply with Luca. This time, I learned the strategies to make sure Fletcher always had enough milk and could get it easily. Learning how to tell if Fletcher was feeding effectively helped me keep my milk supply up. It gave me peace of mind knowing he was getting enough milk to grow and be healthy.

Support and Resources

Having access to expert guidance from a Lactation Consultant was a game-changer for me. When I had Luca, I didn’t even know they existed until he was 1 month old and we were having huge problems! But with Fletcher, having someone who really understood breastfeeding helped me so much. I could ask questions and get advice. It made me feel supported and less alone, which made a huge difference in my breastfeeding journey. The support I got with Luca helped me to keep breastfeeding until he was 2, even though I had to give him formula as well for some of that time. I know it sounds like I had a horrible time with him, but things really did calm down after seeing the Lactation Consultant, and we had our own special, but different breastfeeding journey. Things were so different the next time with Fletcher. I knew so much more and could get the help early. We kept breastfeeding until he was almost 3 without ever needing any formula.

Bonding with Baby

Breastfeeding was so much more than just giving milk; it was our special time to bond. Knowing that Fletcher was latching on properly, getting enough milk and putting on enough weight helped me feel calm, and actually enjoy breastfeeding and those special early months with my baby instead of feeling devastated, heartbroken and guilty like I did with Luca when things were going wrong. This time it was a beautiful experience that strengthened our connection like I had imagined as a pregnant first time mum.

Problem-Solving Skills

Learning about breastfeeding armed me with the knowledge and problem-solving skills I needed to keep breastfeeding. When latching problems came up in those early days, I knew something wasn’t right and could fix it quickly. It was empowering to handle these issues and keep breastfeeding going strong.

Get Ready for Breastfeeding Success: Download Your Free Guide Now!

If you’re expecting a baby and planning on breastfeeding, download my free Preparing for Breastfeeding guide. I wish I’d had a resource like this when I was pregnant. It’s packed with tips that would have made a huge difference in my journey. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare early on can truly set you up for success. Download the guide for free here.

My first breastfeeding journey with Luca wasn’t easy, but learning about breastfeeding by taking a breastfeeding class turned my second breastfeeding journey with Fletcher into something truly beautiful. By educating myself and getting help early on, I got through challenges and enjoyed a loving connection with my baby. If you’re expecting and planning to breastfeed, remember that knowledge is power. Take the time to learn about breastfeeding before your baby arrives—it could make all the difference in your own journey.

If you found this post helpful, reach out to me on Instagram and let me know what helped you the most! I’d love to hear from you 😊