Often new parents prepare for the arrival of their new baby by putting a lot of time and energy into getting the room ready, preparing as best you can for labor, and reading as much as you can about how to car for newborns.  However, people often don’t give breastfeeding as much thought as they should.  Many parents will read about it and maybe even take a breastfeeding class at their local hospital, but beyond that they tend to not give it much thought, thinking it is natural and won’t be that hard.  The challenges of breastfeeding during the first few weeks are many and often result in a mother giving up altogether.  The more you know about the challenges you may face and the better equipped you are to handle those challenges the more like it is that you will successfully continue breastfeeding your baby beyond the first few weeks.

The Challenges You May Face:

• The baby has trouble latching on.  This is very common and easily over come with a little practice, patience, and some time with a good lactation consultant.  Most hospitals provide lactation consultant services while you are in the hospital and after you go home.  If your baby isn’t latching on properly take advantage of their services, you’ll be happy you did.
• The baby wants to eat all the time.  In the first few days your milk supply is not in yet and the baby is only getting colostrum.  Often your baby will want to eat very frequently.  By allowing your baby to feed frequently you will help ensure you have a strong milk supply when it comes in.  Also, their little tummies don’t hold much so they do need to eat often.  Don’t worry it gets better.
• Your breasts become engorged.  As your milk supply comes in you may experience some engorgement.  Allowing your baby to nurse often will help alleviate this, along with hot showers, a little pumping and warm compresses.  Usually this passes in a day or two as your body adjusts.  If you are concerned contact a lactation consultant.
• Your nipples are sore, chapped, or irritated.  It is common to experience some discomfort during breastfeeding early on.  However, if it remains painful after the first few minutes it may be a sign that your baby is not latching on properly.  For chapped or sore nipples use lanolin and allow your breasts time to breath outside of a bra for a while.
• You can’t tell if your baby is getting enough to eat.  This can be especially difficult since most babies will have some weight loss after they are born and you can’t see how much they are taking in.  Feed your baby frequently and as long as they are gaining weight and your doctor isn’t concerned than you shouldn’t worry.  If you baby isn’t gaining weight you may need to meet with a lactation consultant to ensure the baby is latching on properly, and in some cases you may need to supplement with formula until both you and the baby get the hang of things.
• It is too exhausting.  Taking care of a newborn is a lot of work, around the clock.  Breastfeeding can feel that much more frustrating when you are exhausted.  Remember to sleep when the baby sleeps and enlist the help of your partner for some of the baby care tasks.

The most important thing to remember is that you are doing a wonderful thing for your baby by breastfeeding him or her.  It does get easier, a lot easier, once you get past the first few weeks.  Once you get past these challenges you will feel very proud of yourself for sticking it out.  I had my own challenges during the first couple of weeks after my daughter was born, however, I suffered through and now am still breastfeeding her almost 15 months later.

However, if do end up deciding to formula feed instead, don’t feel guilty or let others lay a guilt trip on you.  Formula is a perfectly good alternative to breastfeeding.  Sometimes it just doesn’t work out, and that’s OK.

Be sure you have all the necessary baby feeding supplies to help you with successful breastfeeding.  Including things like a breastfeeding support pillow, comforting nursing bras and clothing, and a breast pump so you can pump and let dad take over one of the night time feeding sessions when you are too tired.

Remember to talk to your doctor, your child’s pediatrician, a lactation consultant or other breastfeeding moms if you have questions about breastfeeding or the challenges you are facing.  Successful breastfeeding requires support.