The Breastfeeding Conversations Not Enough Folk’s are Having — And How to Find Your Way Through
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month — a time to honor the ancient, beautiful relationship between parent and baby, and the incredible ways human milk nourishes, comforts, and connects. Breastfeeding has been passed from generation to generation, carried in stories, traditions, and shared wisdom. It is both deeply personal and universally human.
Yet for all the celebration, there are aspects of breastfeeding that rarely make it into the conversation — the quiet, often private challenges that can make a mother feel isolated or even like she’s doing something “wrong.” The truth? These struggles are far more common than most people realize, and talking about them is one of the best ways to ensure families get the support they deserve.
Below are some of the rarely-discussed realities of breastfeeding, along with ways to navigate them while keeping the heart of the feeding relationship intact.
1. Feeling Touched Out
The constant skin-to-skin contact, frequent feedings, and sometimes cluster feeding marathons can leave a parent feeling physically drained and yearning for personal space.
Support + Solutions:
Normalize this feeling — it’s a common sensory response, not a sign you don’t love your baby.
Build in small “body breaks” — even 10 minutes of uninterrupted space can help.
Ask a partner, family member, or friend to hold or wear the baby while you rest or shower.
2. Emotional Ambivalence
Some parents expect breastfeeding to feel purely joyful, but find it’s a mix of pride, fatigue, resentment, and tenderness — sometimes all within a single feeding session.
Support + Solutions:
Give yourself permission to feel the full range of emotions.
Connect with other parents who’ve been there; peer groups and lactation circles can normalize your experience.
Journaling about your feeding journey can help you process complex feelings.
3. The Pressure to Exclusively Breastfeed
Cultural messaging often presents exclusive breastfeeding as the only “right” choice, leaving parents feeling guilty if they supplement or wean earlier than planned.
Support + Solutions:
Remember that feeding is not a contest — your baby’s nourishment, growth, and your mental health matter most.
Work with a lactation consultant to find a plan that supports both your goals and your realities.
Celebrate every drop of breastmilk you provide — it all counts.
4. Sensory Discomfort or D-MER
Some parents experience Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) — a sudden wave of sadness or anxiety right before letdown. Others may simply feel physical discomfort they didn’t anticipate.
Support + Solutions:
Know that D-MER is a physiological response, not a reflection of your feelings toward your baby.
Track patterns and discuss them with a lactation specialist or healthcare provider.
Mindfulness breathing or grounding exercises during letdown can sometimes ease symptoms.
5. The Social Isolation Factor
Breastfeeding can mean missing social events, feeling left out of certain conversations, or staying home more than you’d like — especially in the early months.
Support + Solutions:
Invite friends over for low-key visits so you don’t always have to leave your comfort zone.
Join virtual breastfeeding support groups to connect with others on a similar schedule.
Remind yourself that this season is temporary, even if it feels endless right now.
6. Changing Body Image
From fuller breasts and leaky shirts to postpartum changes in weight and shape, breastfeeding can bring up unexpected insecurities.
Support + Solutions:
Choose clothes that make you feel both comfortable and confident.
Follow social media accounts that celebrate real postpartum bodies.
Talk openly with trusted friends or your partner about how you’re feeling — you are not alone in this.
Breastfeeding and Equity
In the U.S., the overall breastfeeding initiation rate is around 83%, but that number masks important disparities: Black mothers, on average, have initiation rates about 10 percentage points lower than white mothers, and also face earlier weaning due to systemic barriers.
Ways to support equity in breastfeeding:
Advocate for workplace policies that protect pumping breaks and lactation spaces.
Support community-based lactation programs led by women of color.
Donate to or volunteer with local organizations that provide culturally responsive breastfeeding education and peer counseling.
Uplift stories and images of diverse breastfeeding families in your networks and media spaces.
When communities address these barriers, breastfeeding success rates rise — and every family benefits from a stronger culture of support.
Why These Conversations Matter
Breastfeeding Awareness Month isn’t only about celebrating the benefits of breastmilk; it’s also about building a culture where families feel supported in the realities of feeding — messy, complex, and beautiful as they are.
When we speak openly about the hidden challenges, we empower parents to seek help without shame, to adapt their feeding plans with confidence, and to carry the ancient tradition of breastfeeding forward in a way that feels sustainable for their lives.
This month, may we honor every drop, every latch, every tear, every laugh — and the courage it takes to feed our babies in a world that still doesn’t talk enough about what it really takes.
Need Support?
If you’re facing challenges in your breastfeeding journey—from latch struggles to emotional overwhelm—I offer one-on-one lactation guidance rooted in empathy, evidence-based care, and respect for your unique story.
📅 Book a session with Well Worth Watering and get personalized help that meets you where you are.
