National Breastfeeding Month: Common Breastfeeding Challenges and Practical Solutions

If breastfeeding has felt harder than you expected, you are not alone, and you are not doing anything wrong. So many new moms picture those early weeks as warm and peaceful, only to find themselves exhausted, uncertain, and wondering what they are missing. The truth is that breastfeeding is a skill, and like any skill, it takes time, practice, and a little bit of troubleshooting to find your rhythm. 

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and we want to use this time to offer something practical: real answers to the challenges that come up most often. Because when you know what to expect, and what to do about it, everything feels a little more manageable.

Every breastfeeding journey is different. Our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident as you find what works best for you and your baby. Breastfeeding support is often a team effort, including your OB/GYN or certified nurse midwife, your baby’s pediatrician, and lactation consultants. You don’t have to navigate it alone. 

Our team at Grace Obstetrics and Gynecology is here to support you through every part of your postpartum journey. From your first prenatal visit through the fourth trimester, our obstetrics and midwifery providers are in your corner.

Challenge: “I Do Not Think I Have Enough Milk”

This is one of the most common breastfeeding concerns, and most of the time, the worry is bigger than the actual problem. In the first few days after birth, your body produces colostrum, a thick, concentrated first milk that your baby’s tiny stomach is perfectly sized for. Your fuller milk supply typically arrives between days two and five, and until then, frequent feeding is both normal and important. 

It’s also normal for newborns to lose a small amount of weight after birth before they begin gaining it back, which is why those early pediatric appointments are so important. 

The most reliable way to know your baby is getting enough milk is not how your breasts feel, but your baby’s growth and diaper output. In the early weeks, many babies have at least six wet diapers each day and several dirty diapers, along with steady weight gain. Your baby’s pediatrician can help determine whether feeding is going well. 

If you are genuinely concerned about low supply, feeding more frequently, including at night, is the most effective first step. Your body makes milk based on demand, so more feeding signals more production. If you’re still worried your baby isn’t getting enough milk, reach out to your baby’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant. If you’re also experiencing concerns about your own health or breastfeeding, your OB/GYN or midwife can help guide you to the right resources. 

Challenge: Painful Latch or Sore Nipples

A little tenderness in the very first days of nursing is common as your body adjusts. But pain that lasts throughout a feeding, or that causes cracking or bleeding, is a signal worth paying attention to, and it is almost always fixable.

One of the most common causes is a shallow latch, where your baby is latching onto the nipple rather than taking in a good portion of the areola. A few things to try include: 

• Make sure your baby’s mouth is wide open before latching, like a yawn, not a small o.
• Bring your baby to your breast rather than leaning your breast toward your baby.
• Your baby’s chin should touch your breast first, with their nose tipping away.
• If a latch is painful from the start and stays that way, gently break the suction and try again.

If you have tried adjusting the latch and pain continues, it is worth asking your baby’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant to evaluate your baby’s latch and determine whether a tongue tie or another issue could be contributing. You deserve to breastfeed comfortably, and help is available

Challenge: Cluster Feeding

You just finished a long nursing session, settled the baby, and ten minutes later they are hungry again. If this sounds familiar, welcome to cluster feeding, and you can breathe: this is completely normal.

Cluster feeding often happens in the evenings and during growth spurts. It’s your baby’s way of signaling your body to increase milk production. While it can be exhausting, especially in those early weeks, it’s usually temporary. Most cluster feeding phases last only a few days before settling down. 

The best thing you can do is respond to your baby’s hunger cues, stay hydrated, eat nourishing meals, and accept help wherever you can. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to lean on your support system or reach out for guidance. 

Challenge: Engorgement

When your milk comes in, your breasts may become very full, firm, and uncomfortable, sometimes to the point where it is actually harder for your baby to latch because there is no give in the tissue. This is engorgement, and while it can be intense for a day or two, it typically resolves as your supply regulates.

To ease the discomfort and help your baby latch, try hand-expressing or pumping just a little milk before a feeding to soften the areola. Warm compresses before nursing and cold packs between feedings can also help. Feeding frequently is the most important thing, as removing milk regularly prevents engorgement from becoming more serious.

If you notice a hard, red, warm area on your breast along with flu-like symptoms such as fever or body aches, contact your OB/GYN or certified nurse midwife. These can be signs of mastitis, a common breast infection that responds well to prompt treatment. 

Challenge: Returning to Work

Going back to work is one of the most common reasons women wean before they planned to, and it does not have to be. With the right preparation, many moms breastfeed well into their baby’s first year and beyond. Here are a few things that make the transition easier:

• Start pumping and building a small freezer stash a few weeks before your return date.
• Aim to pump as often as your baby would normally feed at work, usually every two to three hours.
• A hands-free pumping bra is worth every penny.
• Know your rights: federal law requires most employers to provide break time and a private space (not a bathroom) for pumping.

If you have questions about pumping, milk supply, or balancing breastfeeding with your return to work, bring them to your postpartum visit or speak with your baby’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant. Together, you can create a plan that works for your family. 

You Are Doing Something Remarkable

However your breastfeeding journey looks, we want you to know that every feeding you give your baby is something to be proud of. Whether you breastfeed for two weeks or two years, exclusively nurse, exclusively formula feed, or combine both, you are caring for your baby with love.

Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be something you figure out alone. Whether you have questions about recovery, breast pain, pumping, or simply need reassurance, our physicians and certified nurse midwives are here to support you throughout your postpartum journey.

If you have concerns about your recovery or your own breastfeeding health, schedule your postpartum visit or contact our office at 817.776.4722. If you’re concerned about your baby’s feeding, weight gain, or diaper output, be sure to contact your baby’s pediatrician as well.