10 Misconceptions About Breastfeeding
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By Lyz Lenz
When my daughter was born, I was excited to start breastfeeding. Everything I had heard from the lactation consultant, nurses and the hospital-sponsored class made it sound wonderful—I would lose weight, my baby would be healthy, it was natural and instinctive. And while breastfeeding was a rewarding journey, it wasn’t quite the instinctual experience it had been marketed as for me. In fact, one day when I pulled my daughter off the breast and saw that my cracked nipples had bled on her face, I began sobbing. When I called my friend, she told me, “Oh yeah, we all have those blood moments.” She continued to explain how she once pumped a bottle full of blood.” Why wasn’t that in the breastfeeding class?
We all know that breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby. The AAP recommends breastfeeding your child for up to one year. While I in no way want to discourage anyone from breastfeeding, I want to share a few misconceptions I found while on my breastfeeding journey.
1. It doesn’t hurt
After one week of breastfeeding, I was in so much pain that I cried when my baby latched and cried when I even thought about feeding time. For those first six weeks and sometimes more, your baby is eating every 1.5-2 hours, and that takes a toll. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise isn’t giving you the whole story. Breastfeeding just takes a while to get used to and yeah, that pain is normal. Notes mom Hilary Faverman, “For the first few weeks, even if everything is going swimmingly, your nipples will hurt! It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, your baby is starving, you’re a terrible mother, you’re holding the baby wrong, his latch is weak, etc. It just hurts.” The good news is for me, after 12 weeks it stopped hurting (for the most part).
2. You will lose the weight
My lactation consultant constantly told me how great breastfeeding was for losing weight. But after I had the baby and began breastfeeding, I actually gained weight. Breastfeeding isn’t some weight loss panacea. Although, some women swear by it, just as many other women have had breastfeeding hamper their weight loss goals. For mom of two girls, Stefanie Huffington the weight didn’t come off until she stopped breastfeeding. “My doctor explained that my body was holding onto fat reserves to protect my milk supply. Any time I tried to diet or work out too hard my supply dropped. So, the weight didn’t really come off until after I weaned [my daughter].”
3. It feels good
I breastfed (almost) exclusively for 12 weeks and continued to use the bottle and nurse for four more weels, it never felt good. Despite what all the handouts and literature told me, I never experienced the rush of hormones that are supposed to make breastfeeding a truly pleasurable experience. When I asked my lactation consultant why this was, she said it was because I didn’t stick with breastfeeding long enough. However, when I asked other moms, it turns out I wasn’t the only one. Lancy James, mom of four, breastfed three of her four children and she said she never experienced that “feels good” sensation. But I sincerely hope you do.
4. You’re doing it wrong
When I asked my lactation consultant why my baby was taking so long to nurse or why it hurt, her answer was that I was holding my baby improperly. But when I talked to my friends (and my doctor) they reassured me there was nothing wrong with the hold or the latch or anything. And my daughter and I eventually worked out the kinks in our approach. Sometimes babies take a long time to nurse. Sometimes it hurts. Give yourself some grace.
5. You didn’t breastfeed long enough
When my daughter was 16 weeks old, I switched from breastfeeding to pumping exclusively. I was told by friends and family members that I was giving up too soon. And sometimes I feel like I did. And that makes me feel like a failure as a mom. But at the time, I had no choice. We started giving my daughter a bottle to train her to go to a sitter when maternity leave ended and when I went back to work, she decided she like the bottle better. “Long enough” is what you decide. Don’t let other people make you feel like you failed.
6. You breastfed too long
A friend of mine just weaned her 18 month old daughter. And while she complained that people criticized her for breastfeeding too long, I told her how people criticized me for not feeding long enough. If you love breastfeeding and it is working for you and your baby, continue on. People love to side-eye the mom nursing the 2 year old, but guess what? We should all be so lucky to have boobs that productive and the stamina. Be careful not to judge. There is too much of that going around in mommyland anyway.
7. No more caffeine
I mainline coffee. If I could get it intravenously, I would. And yes, my baby still drinks the boob juice and not once has it affected her. On the other hand, I know a woman whose baby gets gas even when she eats chocolate. But before you start giving up foods willy nilly and assuming that your baby doesn’t like it when you eat dairy, soy or caffeine, talk to a doctor. When my daughter got diarrhea after I started eating more dairy, I assumed she was allergic. But after talking to my doctor, I held off on going dairy free. Sure enough, the diarrhea worked itself out and my daughter is happy and I’m still chugging the coffee and eating cheese like a champ.
8. Breastfeeding is the best way to bond with your baby
Sure, there is a special feeling that you get when you feed your baby. It’s an almost primal feeling that says, “I created you and fed you with nothing but my body.” And women who have had successful breastfeeding experiences talk about that connection and bond that they feel with their child when they are feeding. But as a woman who has done both bottle and breastfeed, trust me, there are other special ways to connect and bond with your baby and if breastfeeding doesn’t work for you, it won’t jeopardize your relationship. You are still a good mom no matter how you feed your baby.
9. Don’t introduce the bottle too soon
During a home visit from the lactation consultant, I was told to get some rest at “whatever cost.” “Even if it means giving the baby a bottle?” I asked. “No,” she said and explained how introducing the bottle too soon could negatively impact my daughter’s nursing. But one late night, when my daughter was a week old and my boobs were cracked and bleeding, I gave in and used some formula. The next day, my baby was still happy, still ready to latch. The world didn’t end. In fact, having what I called my “emergency bottle” of formula was instrumental to saving my sanity in those first six weeks. Essentially, every baby is different and if you need to use the bottle to get some sleep, don’t stress it. That won’t be the reason your kid ends up needing therapy. There will be other reasons for that.
10. Breastfeeding is easy
Alaina Tonelli, creator of the therapeutic breast compress Shower Hug, knows firsthand that breastfeeding isn’t quite the intuitive, instinctual feeding mechanism it’s billed as. “Supposedly, since all women have breasts meant to feed infants, all a mom needs to do is place her baby at her breast and the child will do the rest. It’s a natural instinct. Truth be told, I am a pretty smart woman and I struggled.
Breastfeeding isn’t a cake walk. I actually don’t know anything about parenting that is a cake walk, nor do I know what exactly a cake walk is. Just remember that the more you know, the more you can be better prepared for the ups (and challenging downs) of an ultimately rewarding experience.
About the Author:
Lyz Lenz is a writer, a mom and a midwesterner. Although, not in that order. She lives in Iowa and on the web at LyzLenz.com
What a great gift idea for a mom-to-be. Pregnancy Countdown Hand Painted Magnetic Chalkboard $28.00 
Comment by Kendall on Sep 01 2011 07:17:38:
I think it’s great that people are talking about these things. I bottle fed my first 3 for different reasons and am currently almost 4 weeks breastfeeding my 4th. She has had those emergency bottles of formula, I believe she’s had 3 in the past 4 weeks. It is NOT easy. It’s hard…it’s very hard. I don’t know how long I’ll stick with it, but I’ll still be as bonded to her as I am to my first 3, eventhough they’ve all been fed differently.
Comment by Victoria on Sep 01 2011 07:31:59:
Love the real world perspective you give!
Comment by wendy on Sep 01 2011 08:09:53:
I must be odd here because my son is 26 weeks and I think breast feeding feels good. Sure at first it hurt due to tender nipples but now I just love it. I plan on nursing until 12 or 18 months.
Even through two trush battles we are still here and yeas those killed.
Comment by Kelly on Sep 01 2011 08:42:16:
I felt the “feel good” rush so much that when I stopped nursing is when I first started to experience PPD. It wasn’t out of guilt; I knew at that point, I was doing what was best for my daughter. I just honestly could FEEL the hormonal shift, not getting that oxytocin boost anymore.
And my nipples didn’t hurt at all, until my daughter developed thrush, which passed on to my previously happy nipples. That made breastfeeding much less comfortable, and yes, even bordering on excruciating. But there was no pain until that point.
Anyway, I think some of the horror stories aren’t mentioned in breastfeeding classes is because those issues aren’t as common as people make them out to be. I honestly believe that a lot of people make up excuses to not breastfeed, because they feel a little guilty that they don’t like it. It’s fine if you don’t like it, or if you don’t want to do it, but stretching the truth or, even, downright lying, is leading to staggering numbers of moms who don’t even attempt to breastfeed (even though they may really want to!).
Some of your points ring true, like about talking to a doctor before dramatically changing your diet to breastfeed. Or about not letting people make you feel like you failed. Or how you shouldn’t allow people to make you feel awkward for breastfeeding for however-long-you-choose-to.
Some of the points in this article, though, only perpetuate the problem. You don’t want to discourage people from breastfeeding? Then why not make it clear that while *you* had these experiences, not everyone will, nor are they even that common. You may have intended to put that message across, but that wasn’t the vibe that came across to this reader.
Comment by Katie on Sep 01 2011 08:53:03:
This is a wonderful article and I wish I had been able to read this about 5 weeks ago!! Breastfeeding has been a learning struggle and I’m still not making enough for the baby to eat exclusively but I’m still pumping and nursing until I’m over it. It hasn’t been a great or horrible experience but it hasn’t been the fairy tale that I had been told! Great article!!
Comment by Kate on Sep 01 2011 09:10:14:
Amen Sister!
I had every single one of the issues you mentioned in this article with my first child. And I was so resentful that the “experts” I was consulting weren’t empathizing with my experience, rather telling me if I was having problems it was just because I was doing it wrong.
They made me feel like a failure and I wish I had read this article during those very tough first months. It would have made me feel so not alone.
I am pregnant again and am going to try breastfeeding again with my second child, but now know what I experienced before was normal and it’s okay if it doesn’t work out. My first child is a healthy, strong, beautiful child, breastfed or not.
Comment by Lyz on Sep 01 2011 09:14:05:
@Kelly I think all you have to do is look at the comments to see that actually more women have trouble with breastfeeding than don’t. Why else would they have breastfeeding support groups. IT’S HARD WORK. Also, notice there were other women interviewed for the story, it’s not just my perspective. I’ve never met a woman who lied about her problems just to “get out” of breastfeeding. Telling the truth isn’t discouraging, it’s just telling the truth. There is no need to set false expectations about breastfeeding for new moms. It only leads to disappointment later. That said, I’m so glad you didn’t have any of the problems mentioned. That’s awesome.
Comment by Susan on Sep 01 2011 10:45:18:
I am passionate about breastfeeding and I totally appreciate this article. Thank you for pointing out both sides of the too short/too long criticisms! And just for others info: breastfeeding did hurt for me, but it also gave me a good feeling, I also chug coffee, I still breastfeed my 3yo PLUS my 7mo, I have often felt like I am doing something wrong, and I will agree in a heartbeat that it is not easy!
Comment by Jennifer on Sep 02 2011 01:09:47:
My daughter is 7 mo old now and she has been breastfed the entire time, never had any formula. Breastfeeding is very hard work and it did hurt for a few weeks for me but then we perfected our routines and it feels great now. I definitely get the hormone rush. I cannot imagine not having theclose personal bonding time that I get with my daughter when she eats, sure there are other ways to bond, but for us there is something very special about feeding times. For new moms who want to breastfeed, my best advice is to stick with it for as long as its not causing you grief. It is hard, but it is so very rewarding!!
Comment by Sam on Sep 02 2011 04:21:57:
This article has some good points and some very bad points. I feel that someone who breastfed their first child for 12 weeks is not being ethically responsible in writing this article.
Like all health professionals, not all Lactation Consultants are created equal either, and I think it is important to note that seeking a second opinion from another IBCLC is very important. Your local phsyician receives about 2 hours of breastfeeding education in their entire medical education – so I would think twice about trusting their opinion over a Lactation Consult who has had to gain at least 1000 practical hours working directly with mothers, as well as at least 90 hours of purely lactation education and then works exclusively with breastfeeding women as a career!
If your LC told you that you were holding your baby incorrectly, gosh I would trust her over the opinions of friends and the family doctor – and whether you believe it or not, incorrect positioning and latch are the biggest cause of pain and discomfort.
I feel very much betrayed by this article and think that it has tainted the very important message that should be realistically addressed – I believe it is very true that some of these issues are given a sugar coating and set mothers up to be disappointed – however this article is not evidence based, and I don’t think you could say this article writer is exactly experienced…
Comment by Ashley on Sep 02 2011 05:01:26:
I agree with Sam. This article was written by someone with very little breastfeeding experience and little, if any, research. Breastfeeding should not hurt! That is fact. You need a new, IBCLC, lactation consultant if she isnt fixing the problem. We had a great lactation consultant. My nipple cracked and blead before we left the hospital (we were there a week just about). I was in so much pain and she helped work with me to correct the latch and introduced us to nipple sheilds which were GREAT during that super sore period of healing. I just cant stress enough that this article was poorly written. I still breastfeed my almost 14 month old. Although, I will say not everyone has the rush of hormones they talk about. Thats my two cents.
Comment by Hannah on Sep 02 2011 09:14:09:
I have over 17 years of breastfeeding experience, that’s 7 children that I’ve nursed for 14 to 24 months. I am disappointed in the article. To have struggled in attempt to BFand share that experience is commendable. However to attribute your struggles as general misconceptions is irresponsible reporting.
It should be understood, unless Drs have training in lactation support, generally they know very little, if at all, about breastfeeding and breastfeeding problems. Lactation consultants are the way to go…especially over the advice of friends and family.
Comment by Rebecca on Sep 02 2011 11:19:22:
I had an EXTREMELY difficult time breastfeeding my child and it caused me so much angst to go onto forums and have other moms tell me I must be doing it wrong, and that it was MY fault. Not everybody is able to breastfeed effectively, even with the advice of a lactation consultant. I saw 5…count them FIVE lactation consultants. It turns out I had lactation failure, a problem that a lot of new moms have (and one that was actually diagnosed by my DOCTOR). Breastfeeding angst was shared by several of my girlfriends, who all had their own issues breastfeeding as well. I can’t tell you how many times I cried thinking that the whole thing was my fault. I don’t understand why it can’t just be said that some women cannot breastfeed. It’s ridiculous.
Comment by Hannah on Sep 02 2011 12:45:26:
Yes. Some women cannot breast feed, but to attribute one’s struggle with it as general misconceptions, is unfair.
My success at BFing doesn’t translate for every mom and the author’s struggle with it doesn’t translate as general misconceptions. They very well may be her own learning experience as she uses personal stories without studies/research to back it up, this is where I think the article is disappointing.
Comment by Kellie on Sep 02 2011 02:18:56:
I agree with Rebecca. I didn’t produce enough milk for my baby (despite trying many tactics to increase my supply) and had to supplement with formula at each feeding. I cried after a doctor’s appointment when I realized my baby was losing weight early on because I didn’t produce enough. Well that’s why she cried so much! And here I thought she was just ‘fussy’. I felt like a total failure, because everything I had read said “Your body will produce what the baby needs”…which is definitely not true for everyone. In fact, after I realized that I had production problems and mentioned it to some friends, I found out in one week that FIVE other moms I know had the same issue. All of us felt like low production wasn’t something that was spoken about at all, and we all said we initially felt like failures. I think we’re doing a disservice to new moms when we don’t present ALL of the possible issues that can arise with breastfeeding. Let’s not gloss over them and pretend like its ‘easy’. Is it natural? Sure. Is it easy? No, its most often not. Having all the information available is comforting when breastfeeding as a new mom, and that’s what should be provided.
Comment by Adriana on Sep 02 2011 05:08:38:
To say these are the 10 misconceptions of breastfeeding is not true. This article was based on the opinion of just one person. 12 weeks is not a very long time to offer it as stated fact. I have nursed 5 children and am a Breastfeeding Counselor and I have heard my fair share of horror stories from mommas who feel some of these things. Once I educate and show how to really latch and hold these problems all go away. Educate our mommas,not discourage or scare them.
Comment by Sidney on Sep 02 2011 08:27:18:
I disagree with the author on a lot of this… You shouldn’t drink a lot of caffine while breastfeeding; not because they don’t like it but because they’re little bodies can’t digest it the way we can. I LOVE my coffee so I researched about it, and finding this out it wasn’t a problem to give up that extra cup of coffee for my babies sake. Also supplementing with formula is the number 1 reason women have problems with breastfeeding! It messes with your supply. And it’s an ‘easy’ way out for mom and baby. Although it’s much easier to stay in bed and just lay your baby next to you. And breastfeeding does help you shed the weight, but it’s the extra water and blood volume weight that you have gained while pregnant, and it helps your uterus shrink back closer to it’s pre pregnacy size. If you sit and really enjoy your baby while they are feeding you will notice the ‘happy’ endorphins, but it’s not like drug rush, you won’t necessarily feel it rush thru your body.
Comment by Mandy on Sep 04 2011 12:57:18:
I usually don’t comment on articles, but I appreciated this article and don’t understand all the criticisms against the author. I was breastfed and always assumed I would do the same for my children and that it would be natural and easy. Even with that assumption, I read all I could find prior to the birth of my girls and took breastfeeding classes offered by lactation consultants at my hospital. I was pregnant with twins, and my information and class included information on breastfeeding multiples. Despite my preparation and desire I still had difficulties. I was size 34-36 Nearly A prior to pregnancy and even though I grew to 36 C I still was unable to produce enough to feed both girls solely through nursing. I hemorrhaged after birth and required a blood transfusion before being released and was unable to nurse directly after birth as planned. Even though I saw lactation consultants in the hospital several times while I was there, spoke to them on the phone several times after going home, and attended breastfeeding support classes at the county health department we still had difficulties. My milk came in late from all my complications, one of the girls did not latch well, they both became jaundiced, and getting them to eat instead of sleep at the breast took forever. I was getting no rest (supposed to feed them every 1.5-2hrs, but it took about an hour to feed them, so I’d only have an hour at most before I had to start again) and felt guilty that I wasn’t able to feed them better. We have ended up supplementing all along and I am just happy to be able to do what I can for them. They are nearly ten months old and nurse like pros now (aside from the occasional nip when teething), but we struggled with latch difficulties, carpal tunnel syndrome numbness and pain, and nipple soreness for 3-4 months. I found speaking with friends and family who had nursed helpful and don’t think their experience should be discounted just because they aren’t certified lactation consultants. I also don’t believe the article is trying to say that these things happen to the majority of women, just that they happen, and IT’S OK! It is helpful for those of us that have had similar experiences to know that we are not alone. I also have gained weight while nursing. I started researching it after several months because I knew nursing was supposed to help it come off. I found out that many people kept the weight on until they weaned their children. I also thought it would be easier than it was, even knowing I’d have two to feed. When it came to giving the girls bottles, they had bottles while in the hospital because I was unable to feed them, especially the first night when I was under near constant watch because of my poor condition. One of my girls still latched easily and took to nursing and the other didn’t. They both had bottles and pacifiers, so I think it just depends on the baby. Also, once we got past a couple of rough patches, nursing did start to feel good. I love being able to do it for my girls, and it is a nice bonding experience. At the same time, though, when I was trying to force breastfeeding exclusively and feeling guilty and stressed out about the situation it made it more difficult for me to enjoy my girls and bond with them.
Comment by Andrea O on Sep 04 2011 04:01:39:
I am also very disappointed with this article. I feel like it is going to discourage future Mothers to breasts because of the fear that they may have some of these problems. I breastfed my son for 14months. I was afraid my milk supply was going to go.down because I only.breastfed him the day he was born and then was sent to the NICU and I did not breastfeed him again until about 4 weeks later. I was in the hospital for 1week and after a blood transfusion I requested a pump and pumped for the 4 weeks. at first I did bleed when I first pumped but after that I didn’t. My nipples did crack a little bit but I applied lasinoh and I was all better. The bad experience only lasted for.one day. I pumped and when I started breastfeeding exclusively I didn’t have any problems at all. We all have different experiences and honestly it sounded a lot like PPSD.
Comment by Miriam on Sep 04 2011 10:00:06:
At first reading this article you start feeling, dissapointed and upset of how all the misconseptions and descriptions of the events were written. Yes, I BF my first child for 6mths, and my second child for 24mnths. My children are 20yrs apart, and believe me yes ALL babies are different. But when you REALLY educate yourself and apply the knowledge plus your mother instincts there is no room for feeling like a FAILURE. I have been a Midwife for 10yrs, and I have definetly dealt with many mommies that did not want to breastfeed, but if you start putting together what the reasons are mostly they are excuses NOT to BF because interrupts their sleep, or they don’t want to give up their coffee, or chocolate. etc etc. BF it does have its challenges just like birth. USA has the highest Cesarean rate ever at 47% how can moms BF, they don’t even get to hold their babies till 6hrs later.
This article sure needed more research, and the person who wrote it should have given a bit more statistics on what the BF rate is. My daugther ended up in a hospital at 3mnths old, with collapse lung and had 5 SX to her chest, I at any point did I even crossed my mind to stop BF, I pumped, I stored, I kept insisting to the surgeons,I knew it was the best for her, the nutrition, the immunity for her recovery, she had nothing but breastmilk thru her 2mnth stay at the hospital, thru every surgery, holding her full of chest tubes, even if it meant for me to sleep on a rocking chair for weeks at the PICU.
The question here is not can you breastfeed; Is, How important is it to you. Let’s stop blaming or pointing fingers the society makes it easy to give up, Why? because we have the resources to do so. Go to another country like Colombia, or Ecuador where they don’t have the resources they don’t know nothing but breastfeeding, bottles don’t exist. Truly, I work in the maternity field, besides being a Midwife I also work for an OB\GYN and when a mommy comes to him with a BF or even a breast questions, he doesn’t know what to say but “Yeah it’s normal” but that is it. There is lots of assistance out there, many educated and individuals that really know what the struggles are that can really help you IF your really want to BREASTFEED. Sure I expierienced cracked nipples, soreness, encourgement. But I was determined and got thru them and I was able to BF for 24mnths. A bottle was not an option for me.
There is so much to say about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. The same goes you can see a naked person, but is offensive to a mom breastfeed. What does that tell you. For, Kelly, Sam, Ashley, and Sidney. Unfortunately we are the odd balls, in this article when we shouldn’t be. How about really educating yourself on the real ingredients to what is in those formulas, and STOP making breastfeeding such an issue. No one is painting roses or sugar coating it, the same goes with birth, Yeah it hurst but is what you make of it.
The key is EDUCATE YOURSELF, stop feeling like a failure do something about it.
Comment by Jen on Sep 04 2011 05:21:08:
Lyz, thank you for writing this article. In a streak of anti-feminism, many women (including several of the above commentors) have decided that it’s just fine to judge new mothers based on how long they breastfeed or how much they enjoyed it.
Comment by Jenni on Sep 04 2011 09:38:31:
I agree with Miriam, I believe many women quit breastfeeding because its easy to or because they never wanted to. I didn’t view formula as an option. Breastmilk is the healthiest option for babies and provides many antibodies. Don’t you think your child deserves the best? Being a parent is hard and breastfeeding is part of that. With experience everything gets easier. Quit making excuses.
Comment by Camillia on Sep 06 2011 11:43:00:
Breast feeding is the one choice you can make as a mom that you will never regret. The biggest problem is a lack of support.
Comment by Barb on Sep 06 2011 11:47:58:
I rarely comment on these but I have to because it is so discouraging to potential breastfeeding moms. I am a lactation consultant, have nursed 4 babies and have 2 daughters who have each nursed 2 babies. None of us had pain or bleeding nipples. We all lost more than our pregnancy weight gain. We did feel the relaxation hormones and loved the bonding.
Am I saying breastfeeding is always easy? No, but please don’t make bleeding nipples and pain sound normal. IT IS NOT!
I agree with Kelly, Sam, Ashley, Sidney and Miriam. Please don’t scare potential moms with your horror stories. Most other countries have higher breastfeeding percentages and breastfeed longer. We are obviously doing something wrong in this country and the only way to change that is to promote breastfeeding, support moms in the work place and fix problems, not use formula as a substitute.
I am really sorry that you missed out on one of the most special relationships you could possibly have because you received poor advice. I believe your problems could have been solved and I’m sorry you did not receive the proper help. Please don’t continue to discourage other moms. You also need to remember that there are so many health benefits to moms who breastfeed, in addition to those for their babies.
Comment by Jessica on Sep 08 2011 06:23:44:
I agree that the name of the article is misleading. These mostly are issues encountered by the author and not general misconceptions (with some exceptions, most notably, “you didn’t breastfeed long enough” / “you breastfeed too long”).
I’m still BFing my 14 mo old, but at first I had a very hard time and quite frankly, it was indeed my fault. I never had any bleeding, but when I had sore nipples, the LC showed me how to get the baby to latch, how to hold her so that I wouldn’t strain my back, and introduced me to the nipple shield. Once I did what she showed me, all the pain went away and my daughter nursed like a champ.
Every child is different and parents do what they think is best for their children, whether it is formula, bottle or breast. everyone has different experiences with BFing, some have a super easy time with milk that comes in right away and a baby that latches right on and other have a hard time with milk that doesn’t come in, or takes a long time, or low supply, or a baby that won’t properly latch, etc. I honestly don’t believe that breastfeeding is easy for many of us and many of us will experience some glitches…and some of the glitches (i.e. pain or bleeding) are signs that something isn’t right.