Breastfeeding is natural — but that doesn't mean it comes naturally. Most parents who breastfeed encounter at least one significant challenge in the early weeks. Here's what's common, what's not, and where to turn for help.
Sore or cracked nipples
Some initial tenderness is normal as your body adjusts, but persistent pain is almost always a sign of latch issues — not an inevitable part of breastfeeding.
What helps:
- Ask your midwife or health visitor to watch a full feed and assess the latch
- Try a different position (laid-back feeding takes pressure off the nipple)
- Apply a small amount of expressed breastmilk to nipples after each feed and let them air dry
- Lanolin cream can provide relief, but it won't fix an underlying latch problem
If you're experiencing sharp, shooting pain during or between feeds, ask your GP about nipple thrush — it's common and treatable.
"Am I making enough milk?"
Low supply anxiety is one of the most common reasons parents stop breastfeeding before they want to. The vast majority of the time, supply is fine.
Signs your baby is getting enough:
- At least 6 wet nappies per day after day 5
- Steady weight gain after the initial 10% newborn drop
- Baby seems settled after most feeds (not all — see cluster feeding below)
- Frequent dirty nappies in the early weeks
What genuinely increases supply:
- Feeding or pumping more frequently (supply is driven by demand)
- Ensuring a deep latch so the breast is properly drained
- Staying hydrated and eating enough calories
- Rest — easier said than done, but chronic exhaustion suppresses supply
What doesn't help: Watching the clock, topping up with formula without guidance (this can reduce your supply further), or comparing yourself to others.
If you're genuinely concerned, a referral to a lactation consultant (IBCLC) is worth asking for.
Cluster feeding
Cluster feeding — where your baby wants to feed constantly for hours, often in the evenings — is normal and not a sign of low supply. It typically peaks around weeks 2–3, 6 weeks, and 3 months, coinciding with growth spurts.
It's exhausting. Here's what helps:
- Accept help with everything except feeding — let others do the cooking, nappy changes, and housework
- Set yourself up on the sofa with water, snacks, phone charger, and the remote
- Know it passes — cluster feeding phases rarely last more than a few days
Engorgement
In the first few days, when your milk comes in, engorgement can be intensely uncomfortable. Your breasts may feel rock-hard and warm.
Relief:
- Feed frequently — at least every 2–3 hours
- A warm flannel or shower before feeding can help letdown
- Cold cabbage leaves between feeds (yes, genuinely — the evidence is limited but many parents find it helps)
- Hand express a little before latching if the breast is too firm for baby to latch
When to stop and seek help
Contact your GP or midwife promptly if you have:
- A hard, red, painful area on one breast with flu-like symptoms (possible mastitis)
- A fever above 38°C
- A breast lump that doesn't improve after 24 hours of frequent feeding
Mastitis is common and very treatable with antibiotics — you can and should keep feeding through it.
You don't have to figure this out alone. Peer support through organisations like the Breastfeeding Network or La Leche League GB can be just as valuable as clinical advice.