A mom writes in asking for advice about breastfeeding. She says she did not breastfeed her first child due to personal preference. She is due to give birth to her second child this fall and is thinking she may want to give breastfeeding a try. The thing is, she is concerned and worried it may hurt. She asks the Mamas Uncut community what breastfeeding is like: Does it hurt? What is the first feeding like? The first month? Check out some of the community’s helpful first-time breastfeeding advice below.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:Â 6 Breastfeeding Tips and Hacks That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier
A member of the community asks:
“How did it feel when you first started breastfeeding?
So I’m pregnant with my second baby, due this fall. With my first daughter, I didn’t breastfeed due to personal preference, but I think maybe I should try with my next. I mean, if I’m a milk goddess who is able to produce milk for my baby, why not?
But my question is, does it really hurt during your first month breastfeeding? Like how was your first feed? How long did it take you to adjust? I’m scared it may hurt. I’ve only heard from others that it is excruciating & your nips bleed & get dry/crack, like I’m freaking out just thinking about it. Please help.”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Who Is Considering Breastfeeding for the First Time and Wants to Know What It Feels Like / If It Hurts
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“Don’t let anyone persuade you one way or the other. If you feel like you might want to, latch baby after birth and see what happens. Don’t put any pressure on yourself to make it work. I tried for 2 months and the pain never stopped and my baby had to have formula too because I didn’t make enough milk and he would’ve starved to death if I didn’t use formula. It’s a great thing to do, yes. But it’s not the end all be all. Do what you’re comfortable with. Don’t sacrifice your baby’s health or your mental health just to do it.”
“I was told the more nipple that the baby takes in their mouth the better. I had no issues and no pain. I also made sure that I left some milk on my nipples after she was done. It’s amazing how breast milk cures almost everything lol.”
“I’m sorry you’re scared. It’s a big responsibility, knowing your baby’s sustenance is coming directly from you. It’s also beautiful, exhausting, and exhilarating! You can do it! The most important thing is the latch. If your baby is on the breast, it shouldn’t hurt. You may get sore for a little while but that’s normal. It takes lots of practice and patience- you’ll have time for both. Be good to yourself and believe you can do it. Everything else will fall into place. Best of luck!”
“If you can endure childbirth, you can handle breastfeeding too. It really isn’t that bad — make sure you apply a warm or cold compress and use ointment if you see any cracks but if you keep up with a good cleaning after the baby is done feeding and apply ointment you should be absolutely fine. My kids are teenagers now and honestly I would love to have another child just for that bond. It’s the most precious thing you’ll ever experience. Best of luck and give it a try you won’t regret it I promise.”
“Breastfeeding helps your uterus shrink back to normal, so cramping lasts for the 1st few days or so, but will pass. It’s recommended to also toughen up your nipples, and there are creams you can buy to help with cracking. I know it might seem scary or painful at first, but it’s best for your baby. Good luck.”
“Truth be told… YES, it hurts, BUT only if he is not latched properly, or you don’t take care of your nips. Cold compresses are a must or warm showers help with milk release when you’re engorged. Changing breast pads frequently is a must. I had 5 boys and breastfed them all. Trial and error.”
“It does hurt a lot the first 3-4 weeks but it’s such a rewarding feeling after you get the hang of it. I felt like I bonded more with my babies by breastfeeding.”
“It’s only painful if you get mastitis. That usually only happens if you don’t switch sides. Switch sides every time you feed. Use cocoa butter on breasts after a shower to make sure they don’t get dry. If you do get mastitis, use a warm compress and try to get rid of some of the milk in the shower. This will help as it won’t hurt as bad. Baby will probably prefer one side or the other, you can pump on the other side if needed. I only remember it happening once.”
“Yeah, it hurts when the baby has an incorrect latch. When done properly, it’s a relief to take the pressure out!”
Do you have any advice for this mom? Leave a comment to help another mom out!
Over on the Mamas Uncut Facebook page, our robust community of moms is always having a conversation about topics that matter. We like to highlight those conversations from time to time. Important mom questions. Thoughtful mom answers.
Do you have a question you’d like answered? Submit it to the Mamas Uncut Facebook page, and we may feature it along with some of the best answers on this site! You can remain completely anonymous while still getting the information and support you need from other moms who know what it’s like.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.