While breastfeeding is what your breasts were designed to do, that doesn't mean doing it comes naturally to everyone. For many of us, it's a steep, and sometimes painful, learning curve; for some of us, that curve feels more like a difficult, exhausting downward plunge – until, maybe, you get to the point where you're not sure you can keep on going.

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If that feels true for you – and you're wondering whether there's maybe something you can find to smooth the way for you to carry on breastfeeding, keep reading: we've got expert advice to help you, solutions to the most common breastfeeding problems, and loads of contact details for really good professional groups and networks of people who understand just what you're going through and really want to offer you support.

What to know when breastfeeding's a struggle

First things first: just by starting to breastfeed, you've done a wonderful thing – even breastfeeding your baby for a few days only means they get colostrum, the pre-milk your breasts make first, that's known to help develop immunity in your newborn.1

If you've carried on past the 1st few days or are even 1 of the 24% of mums still exclusively breastfeeding at 6 weeks (according to stats shared by Unicef in 2010), good for you. But, if you're not sure you'll make it that far – or have got that far but don't think you can go much further – we get that, too. Before you pack it in for good, though, you need to know that there is help out there and it's not an admission of failure to ask for it.

If breastfeeding's a struggle, you shouldn't feel it's something you have to deal with on your own, says Justine Fieth, postnatal doula and breastfeeding supporter at La Leche League GB. "Speak up and seek skilled professional help," she says.

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"If it doesn’t feel right to you, then it isn’t fine – whatever anyone says," says Justine. "Breastfeeding should be comfortable for you and your baby should be getting milk efficiently. If either of those things aren’t happening, then you need skilled breastfeeding support both for you and your baby.

Keep asking for help, rather than suffering in silence. Breastfeeding isn't meant to be uncomfortable. If it’s hurting, get support. Sometimes, a few adjustments can make a huge difference to how it feels.
Justine Fieth, La Leche League

"And who you get help from can make all the difference," adds Justine. "Not everyone is equally trained, experienced and practised to the same level of breastfeeding support and knowledge: finding someone with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) qualification (see Professional groups who can help with breastfeeding, in the box below) is a really good starting place."

Struggling to breastfeed? Here's who can help

It's really important to remember that you don't need to feel alone: there are professional groups out there that can offer practical help with specific issues you might be having.

There are also support groups of women going through something similar where you can chat and read about their experiences.

Professional groups who can help with breastfeeding

  • La Leche League GB (LLLGB). They have local leaders (all breastfeeding counsellors) you can call and support groups in many areas where you can meet with other breastfeeding mothers and get support from LLLGB’s accredited counsellors. LLLGB also runs a helpline on 0345 120 2918.
  • Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM)helpline. Call 0300 330 5453 (open every day, 9.30am to 10.30pm). ABM also runs local support groups and webchat breastfeeding support.
  • NCT National Breastfeeding helpline. Call 0300 330 0700 (open every day, 8am to midnight).
  • National Breastfeeding helpline. Call 0300 100 0212 (open every day, 9.30am to 9.30pm)
  • The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: Call 0300 456 2421
  • The Breastfeeding Network provides breastfeeding support and information.
  • Lactation Consultants of Great Britain can help you find a lactation consultant near you.
  • Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) has information about feeding twins and triplets.
  • Kellymom is a US site dedicated to breastfeeding, started by Kelly Bonyata, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She shares practical advice in a simple-to-read way.

Communities and forums where you can chat with other mums about breastfeeding issues:

6 reasons we struggle to breastfeed – and 6 simple solutions

1. I can't get my baby to latch on properly

Getting a good 'latch' (so your baby's mouth is correctly attached to your breast for a feed) is key to ensuring breastfeeding isn't painful and that your baby's getting enough milk.

It can take a little while to get the latch correct but, says Justine, there are key signs that you've got it right – such as it feeling comfortable for you and seeing your baby's cheeks staying rounded as they're sucking.

If you think you've not quite got it correct, check our our 8-step guide to a correct latch – with pictures – compiled with Justine's expert help.

2. Breastfeeding is just so painful

Pain when you're breastfeeding could mean your baby's not latching correctly (see problem number 1, above). As well as looking at our guide to getting the right latch, it might be worth changing up the way you hold your baby as you feed them, to see if that improves your baby's ability to latch correctly and helps them to get milk more easily.

Sometimes, pain when breastfeeding can have other causes, though, including engorgement, cracked or sore nipples (often as a result of an incorrect latch), blocked milk ducts, inflammation (such as mastitis) or infection (such as thrush). None of these are pleasant, we know (we've been there) but there are ways to make sure it doesn't hurt as much, and to stop it happening again.

3. I don't think my baby's getting enough milk

Anyone who's ever breastfed has worried about this at some point – and no wonder, when you can't see and measure how milk much your baby is drinking like a formula-feeding parent can. But when this becomes a stressful, daily worry – particularly if your health visitor is telling you your baby's not gaining weight – it can undermine any confidence you have in your ability to breastfeed.

If this is something that's affecting you, read up on the key indicators that your baby's getting enough milk (which settling well after a feed and producing 6 to 8 wet nappies a day). If you're still worried, seek help from a qualified breastfeeding counsellor (see Professional groups who can help with breastfeeding, in the box above); this is exactly the kind of issue they're trained to sort out.

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4. My baby was born prematurely

Having a premature baby changes any expectations you may have had about breastfeeding. If your baby's poorly or very premature (born before 32 weeks), they probably won't be be able to nurse at your breast yet, and you'll be encouraged to express breastmilk that can then be given to your baby through a tube or syringe or from a cup.

The hospital medical team will make sure you're able to feed your baby (either from a tube, from the breast or from a bottle) before you bring them home. But once you're at home, it can be tough transitioning from feeding with support all around you to feeding a hungrier, more alert baby on your own.

Sometimes, the solution is just a matter of practicalities (such as finding a chair or cushion that allows you to raise your baby high enough to latch on well) but often what you actually need is 1-to-1 support from a qualified lactation counsellor. Don't be afraid to seek it out: you and your baby deserve it.

5. I just feel very 'down' when I breastfeed

As Justine says, breastfeeding should be both comfortable and enjoyable. But for a small number of women, the physical reality of a baby suckling at your breast actually makes triggers feelings of overwhelmingly sadness.

If this is the case for you, it's possible that you have D-MER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex), a rare and only-recently-recognised condition that makes breastfeeding an emotional 'downer' and seems to have a physiological, rather than psychological, basis, possibly caused by an abrupt drop in dopamine levels when your breastmilk is released as your baby latches on.2

As D-MER is only recently recognised, the scientific literature about it is limited and there's no direct research into it, so your doctor or health visitor may not know much about it. But there is now a Facebook support group (see Struggling to breastfeed: here's who can help, above) where you can share your experience with others, and get practical tips and encouragement.

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6. I feel I'll be judged if I stop breastfeeding

If breastfeeding's painful or uncomfortable, it's always worth getting help to see if you can make it easier (with the right support, it's nearly always possible). But if you strongly feel that you don't want to breastfeed any more – for whatever reason – that's totally your decision and no one should make you feel bad about it.

Yes, official guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend that breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months is best for your baby but gone are the days when, if you told your midwife or health visitor you're switching to formula-feeding or mixed feeding, you'd be strongly advised not to or simply left to get on with it on your own.

In fact, it's now part of a midwife's job to support women who decide to stop breastfeeding – or not to breastfeed at all. "If, after being given appropriate information, advice and support on breastfeeding, a woman chooses not to do so," says Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, "her choice must be respected. Women must be given all the advice and support they need on safe preparation of bottles and responsive feeding to develop a close and loving bond with their baby."

So, if you've tried everything and are still struggling so much, you want to stop, you won't be judged. The most important thing, as all health professionals acknowledge, is that your baby's getting the milk they need, and that you're staying as happy and healthy as you can and enjoying your role as a new mum.

Pics: Getty

About our expert Justine Fieth

Justine Fieth is a trained breastfeeding counsellor based in Cambridge, who is on the Council of Directors of La Leche League GB. She is co-founder and trustee of the Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance, and became a recognised post-natal doula in 2016. She is now part of Doula UK and Cambridgeshire Doulas. Justine has extensive experience in helping families with a wide-range of  breastfeeding issues, including breastfeeding babies with tongue-tie, twins, premature babies, and slow-weight-gain babies.

References

1. Colostrum and its benefits: a review. Florence O. Uruakpa et al. Nutrition Research 22(6):755–767 June 2002. DOI: 10.1016/S0271-5317(02)00373-1
2. Dysphoric milk ejection reflex: a case report. Alia M Heise et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2011 Jun 6. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4358-6-6

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Authors

Tara BreathnachContent Editor and Social Media Producer

Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015

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