The first months of breastfeeding can be a swirl of emotions: tender, tiring, beautiful, and, at times, a little confusing. One moment you’re soaking in the sweetness of those quiet feeds, and the next, you’re wincing in pain, wondering why things aren’t clicking the way you’d hoped.
This season is full of learning for both you and your baby. And even with all the love, care, and preparation in the world, it’s normal for things to feel harder than expected. The challenges you face aren’t signs of failure. They’re part of the process, part of figuring it out together, feed by feed.
If you’re in the thick of those early struggles, you’re not alone. Here are seven breastfeeding challenges many parents face in the first few months, along with gentle ways to move through each one with more clarity and confidence.
1. Pain During Nursing and Sore Nipples
Some tenderness in the beginning is common, but sharp or lingering pain during nursing is usually a sign that something needs adjusting. The most common cause is a shallow latch, where your baby is sucking more on the nipple than the full breast. This can lead to cracked or pinched skin, poor milk transfer, and a lot of discomfort.
A good latch should feel more like pulling than pinching. Try adjusting your position, aiming your nipple toward the roof of your baby’s mouth, and watching for flanged lips and a deep latch. If your nipple looks flattened or white after feeding, that's a sign to reposition.
Gentle care between feeds can also help. Let your nipples air-dry, express a few drops of milk onto the skin, or use a safe, lanolin-free balm. And if things still feel painful or stressful, reach out to a lactation consultant. With the right support, feeding can become far more comfortable.
2. Baby Prefers One Side Over the Other
If your baby latches well on one breast but fusses or refuses the other, you're not alone. It’s common for babies to have a preferred side, often due to a stronger letdown, faster flow, or tension in the baby’s neck or jaw that makes turning one direction uncomfortable.
Try offering the less-preferred side first, when your baby is calm and hungry. Using a different nursing position like the football hold can also help by changing the angle. If one side stays full, hand-express or pump to relieve pressure and keep your milk supply steady.
Sometimes, bodywork like pediatric physical therapy or craniosacral therapy can help if your baby shows consistent one-sided tension. Most babies grow out of this preference with time and a little patience.
3. Milk Flow Feels Too Fast or Overwhelming
If your baby gulps, coughs, or pulls away at the beginning of a feed, you might have a strong letdown or an oversupply. While having plenty of milk is a good thing, a fast flow can feel overwhelming for your baby.
Try nursing in a laid-back or reclined position, so gravity slows the milk. You can also express a little milk before latching to ease the pressure of the first letdown. Offering one breast per feed instead of switching sides can help your supply regulate more gradually.
Frequent burping and shorter, more relaxed feeds can also make a difference. As your baby grows and your body adapts, this challenge often becomes much easier to manage.
4. Baby Falls Asleep Before Finishing a Feed
Newborns are naturally sleepy, especially during feeds. But if your baby consistently falls asleep before finishing, they may not be getting enough milk, which can affect weight gain and feeding patterns.
Watch for signs of active feeding like rhythmic jaw movement, slow sucking, and soft swallowing sounds. If your baby starts to flutter suck or stops altogether, gently stroke their feet or cheek, switch sides, or use breast compressions to keep them engaged.
Skin-to-skin time can also help your baby stay more alert during nursing. If you're unsure whether they're getting enough milk, check their diaper output and weight gain, or ask your provider for support.
5. Tender Lumps or Clogged Ducts
A sore, firm spot in your breast might be a clogged duct, which happens when milk isn’t draining fully. It’s uncomfortable and, if left untreated, can lead to mastitis, a painful infection with fever and chills.
Keep nursing on the affected side often and try warm compresses before feeds to help loosen the clog. Gentle massage in the direction of the nipple during and after nursing can also support drainage.
Try to avoid tight clothing or skipping feeds, as both can make clogs worse. Most clear up in a day or two, but if the area gets red, hot, or you feel flu-like symptoms, reach out to your provider.
6. Baby Suddenly Refuses to Nurse
If your baby suddenly turns away from the breast, cries when brought to feed, or refuses to latch, it can feel scary and confusing. These nursing strikes can happen unexpectedly, often triggered by teething, illness, or changes in environment or routine.
Stay calm and offer the breast in peaceful, low-pressure moments after a bath, during skin-to-skin, or when your baby is drowsy. Avoid forcing them to latch. Instead, focus on comfort and connection, and keep expressing milk to maintain your supply.
Most babies return to nursing within a few days once the trigger passes. Gentle patience and calm reassurance go a long way.
7. Worrying About Not Having Enough Milk
Many new parents worry about low milk supply, especially when their baby is feeding frequently or seems fussy. But frequent feeding is often normal, especially during growth spurts or cluster feeds.
Rather than focusing on how much milk you can pump, watch for diaper output and growth. At least six wet diapers and three or more poopy diapers each day usually means your baby is getting enough. If your baby is alert, gaining weight, and content after most feeds, that’s a strong sign things are going well.
If you’re still unsure, a lactation consultant can help you assess milk transfer during a feed and offer support. Remember, every breastfeeding journey is different, and yours is valid whether you nurse exclusively, pump, supplement, or do a combination of all three.
Closing Thoughts
Breastfeeding in the early months can feel like a mix of wonder, worry, and constant adjustment. Some days bring ease. Others bring questions. That is all part of learning something new — together.
If you're working through one of these challenges, know that it doesn’t mean you’re falling short. It means you're paying attention. You're caring, you're trying, and you're tuning in to what your baby needs.
No matter how things look from the outside, you are doing something powerful every time you show up with love. Keep going in the way that feels right for you. That is more than enough.
