When breastfeeding hurts, it takes a toll — physically and emotionally. You might feel torn between wanting to continue and feeling like you can’t keep going. Pain can make you dread feeding, interfere with bonding, and disrupt your confidence and rest.

Nipple pain can make every feed feel like something to endure rather than enjoy. It may cause dread, anxiety, or even aversion to feeding. Cracked or bleeding nipples also increase the risk of infection and can lead to early weaning if not addressed quickly and gently.

When a baby struggles to latch effectively, it can be painful for you, your baby may become fussy at the breast, and this can feel really stressful. An ineffective latch can affect your milk supply, meaning your baby may not get enough milk, or lead to breast inflammation (blocked ducts) or mastitis. Without support, many mums feel overwhelmed and what should be a bonding experience can become a source of worry.

Low supply can lead to issues with baby’s growth and confusion around how to manage this, including how to introduce supplements of formula or other milks. Oversupply can lead to your baby getting too much milk at each feed, which can upset their digestion. Oversupply can also cause your breasts to be uncomfortably full, leaking, or sometimes painful.

Painful breasts are a sign that something isn’t working right and needs attention. Breastfeeding with pain is exhausting — physically and mentally. You may feel feverish, drained, or anxious about what to do next. Without the right care, pain can worsen, feeding might feel unbearable, and supply may drop as a result.

When your baby is unsettled, it can feel like nothing you do is helping. Feeding may become a battleground, sleep is broken, and you're constantly second-guessing yourself. It can impact bonding, your mental health, and your confidence as a parent. Over time, this stress can affect how feeding unfolds, how rest and routines develop, and how supported you feel in those early months.

When a baby refuses to feed, it can quickly become worrying as we struggle to get them to take the milk they need. Feeding becomes unpredictable and stressful, and the refusal can feel deeply personal and emotionally draining — especially if feeding once felt easy.

When your baby doesn’t sleep well, or their sleep patterns are not what you expected, this can affect you emotionally, physically, and mentally. You may start to question your instincts, feel pressure to sleep train, or experience anxiety around every nap or bedtime. It can also impact feeding, bonding, and your sense of confidence as a parent.

Hearing that your baby isn’t gaining “enough” can trigger self-doubt, guilt and anxiety. You might feel pressure to supplement, start pumping/expressing your milk, or abandon your feeding goals — all without really understanding why the numbers are what they are. It can feel confusing and disheartening.

You felt that everything was going well for your baby, and then when their growth slows it comes as a surprise and feels really stressful. You might question your feeding goals, feel pressure to start pumping/expressing your milk, or you might worry about their intake of food at mealtimes. Our older babies can often pick up on our anxiety around these things, which can make things even more tricky.

You may feel unsure about how to pump, concerned about pumping enough milk, confused about the routine of pumping, or unsure how to store milk or give milk to your baby. Pumping without good support and information can make the process more challenging.

Mixing feeding without a plan can affect milk supply or lead to confusion around volumes, timing, and goals. Mums often get blanket advice that doesn’t fit their individual situation - and there are a million different opinions online about how to do this (!)

Nipple shields are a really useful feeding tool, but they must not be used to “cover up” an underlying feeding issue without investigating the full cause. Also, you may feel unsure about whether you’re “doing it right,” how long to use a shield, or how to eventually stop. Some parents worry about becoming dependent on the shield or feel judged for using one.

If you’ve had breast surgery, you may feel uncertain or anxious about whether breastfeeding is possible. You might struggle with mixed advice while pregnant on how to prepare for this. If you haven't been able to access breastfeeding preparation support ante-natally then you may be unsure how to tell if feeding is going well.

Unexpected changes can cause worry — “Am I producing enough milk?” “Is my baby getting what they need?” “Is this the start of weaning?” Without clear guidance, these questions can create stress, especially if you feel your experience doesn’t match what others are going through.

This change in our lives often brings worries like: “How will I maintain my supply?” “Will my baby take a bottle?” “Can I really do both?” Without a plan, it can feel like you’re unable to balance your baby’s needs with your own, which really adds to the stress of the situation.

These paths are often filled with questions, doubts, and inconsistent advice. Many parents feel emotionally invested but unsure where to start, how to track progress, or what’s realistic. It can be both physically and mentally demanding — and lonely without guidance.

Weaning can bring up mixed emotions — relief, guilt, grief, uncertainty. Some mums feel unsure how to begin, how fast to go, or how to avoid pain and supply issues. Without support, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing it “wrong.”

When you’re breastfeeding a toddler you might feel isolated, judged, or unsure whether to keep going. Some mums worry about their supply, their own sleep needs (if still breastfeeding through the night), how to set boundaries around when and how often to feed, etc. Without guidance, it’s easy to feel stuck between wanting to continue and feeling the need to stop.

Mums who are considering tandem feeding might have questions about managing their milk supply, making sure the new baby gets enough milk, how to manage their toddler’s feeding, and how to manage their own energy levels. However, once mastered, tandem feeding can be a great way to help a toddler adjust to having a new baby in the family - rather than choosing to wean them before their younger sibling arrives.

If you’ve had breast surgery, you may feel uncertain or anxious about whether breastfeeding is possible. You might struggle with mixed advice while pregnant on how to prepare for this. If you haven't been able to access breastfeeding preparation support ante-natally then you may be unsure how to tell if feeding is going well.