Once you establish breastfeeding, your boobs will soften as they regulate to mirror your baby's needs. You can get into a rhythm and gradually become more comfortable and confident. For other women, due to a variety of reasons aside from pain and discomfort (e.g. problems with milk supply, an irregular nipple shape or issues regarding the baby’s physicality (for example if it has tongue tie or a cleft palate)), breastfeeding may be an exceptionally tough experience to navigate. If you want to persevere and keep going, good on you! As mentioned above, it’s a good idea to call a lactation consultant as soon as you can, to prevent further damage or pain.
You can also troubleshoot some common problems here.
If you want to stop breastfeeding and opt for an alternative, again, good on you! Your baby, your body, your call. Feeding your baby with a bottle and expressed breast milk (EBM) or formula are perfectly healthy options. Feed your baby, your way, and do what’s right for you and your family.
