Breastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it is easy, intuitive, or joyful. It commonly brings conflicting emotions, both positive and negative, including:
Comfort and anxiety
Joy and sadness
Liberating and demanding
Ecstatic and excruciating
Empowering and exhausting
Give yourself grace, and don’t hesitate to advocate for support when you experience the problematic side of breastfeeding. It is not just physiological but also mental, emotional, and spiritual.
If your stress and discomfort are from pain, know that breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful and should not be ignored as part of being a “selfless” parent. Pain while feeding your baby is worth an evaluation from a medical provider or certified lactation consultant.