Let’s get real for a second.
You’re told “breastfeeding is natural.”
And that’s true. It is.
But what they don’t tell you (what so many of us find out the hard way) is that “natural” doesn’t mean easy.
Childbirth is natural. So is bleeding. So is healing. None of it is easy. And breastfeeding? It's one of the biggest curveballs motherhood throws.
You might have imagined those soft, glowy moments - your baby nestled against you, nursing peacefully while you smile down at them like a Pampers commercial.
But then real life hits.
Your nipples feel like they’ve been through a paper shredder.
Your baby cries at the breast but won’t latch.
You’re engorged. Or not making enough. Or leaking through every shirt.
You’re Googling at 3 AM: “Is it normal for breastfeeding to hurt this much?”
And you're wondering: "Why didn’t anyone tell me it would be like this?"
The truth? Most of us are set up with a fantasy, not a plan.
We’re told “breast is best” - but not how to get help when things get hard.
We’re encouraged to nurse - but not given the time, space, or support we need to actually do it.
And when it’s painful, messy, overwhelming, or not working... we blame ourselves.
You’re not failing.
You’re not broken.
You’re not a bad mom.
You were just handed a really hard task without a manual.
Let’s be honest. society loves to say “breastfeeding is free and natural!” — but where’s the paid leave? Where’s the lactation care at your doctor’s office? Where are the safe, clean places to pump at work? Where’s the emotional support when your baby’s not gaining and you’re crying in the car?
We are expected to “do it all” - but rarely given the tools to do any of it well.
That’s not a personal failure. That’s a systemic one.
Here’s the good news: breastfeeding is a learnable skill.
And just like any skill, it gets easier with practice, support, and time.
If you have the right people around you, things can start to shift:
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
With the right support in place, things that feel impossible at first can slowly start to make sense. Your confidence can grow. Your baby can learn, too. You can do this - you just don’t have to do it without help.
Please hear this:
You’re not the only one whose baby won’t latch.
You’re not the only one triple feeding and crying.
You’re not the only one who wanted to breastfeed more than anything - and still ended up combo feeding or switching to formula.
You’re not alone.
Whether you breastfeed for two days or two years - you are a good mom.
Whether you pump, nurse, supplement, or switch - you are feeding your baby with love.
And that’s what matters most.
Breastfeeding is hard. Full stop.
Not because you’re doing it wrong.
But because it is hard - especially in a world that tells us it should be easy, but doesn’t lift a finger to support us.
If it’s working for you? Beautiful.
If it’s not? That doesn’t make you less of a mother.
No matter how your baby is fed — you are showing up. You are trying. You are loving them.
And that is more than enough.
