One of the things I hear most often is:
"I thought breastfeeding would just come naturally."
And I completely understand why people think that. Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn't necessarily mean it feels instinctive from day one.
Like so many parts of becoming a parent, it's something you and your baby learn together. Some feeds will feel easy, others won't. That's completely normal.
For Breastfeeding Awareness Week, here are five things I wish every parent knew before they started.
1. Breastfeeding shouldn't continue to hurt
One of the biggest myths I still hear is that pain is just part of breastfeeding.
Some discomfort at first can be completely normal. As you and your baby learn together, you may notice tenderness in the early days, particularly when your baby first latches. Many parents also describe feeling a strong vacuum or pulling sensation while their baby feeds. But that shouldn't become pain or remain painful. If feeding is consistently painful, or you're dreading every feed because it hurts, it's usually a sign that something needs adjusting.
Sometimes it's as simple as changing your baby's position, waiting for a wider mouth before bringing them onto the breast, or helping them get a deeper latch. Small adjustments can make a huge difference.
If feeding is painful, ask for support early. A feeding assessment can often turn things around much sooner than people expect.
2. Never underestimate skin-to-skin
Skin-to-skin isn't just lovely after birth. It's one of the most useful tools you have throughout your feeding journey.
Holding your baby against your bare chest helps stimulate oxytocin, the hormone involved in your milk let-down. It also encourages your baby's instinctive feeding behaviours while helping regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature.
And it's not just beneficial in those first hours after birth. I often recommend more skin-to-skin if feeding feels difficult, during growth spurts, if your baby seems unsettled, or if your milk supply feels like it's adjusting. Sometimes the simplest interventions really are the most effective.
3. Watch your baby more than the clock
One question I'm asked all the time is:
"How often should my baby feed?"
The reality is that babies don't feed by the clock.
Instead, watch for their early feeding cues. Stirring from sleep, bringing their hands to their mouth, rooting or lip-smacking are all signs they're ready to feed. Responding before they're crying often makes feeding much easier for both of you. Crying is actually one of the later feeding cues, so if you can spot those earlier signs, feeding often feels calmer and more straightforward.
4. Don't forget that you matter too
Breastfeeding can look like you're "just sitting down", but your body is doing an incredible amount of work.
Before you settle in, ask yourself:
- Have I got a drink nearby?
- Have I eaten?
- Am I comfortable?
- Is everything I need within reach?
They're small things, but they can make those long feeding sessions feel much easier. Looking after yourself isn't separate from looking after your baby. It's part of it.
5. If expressing is part of your journey, make it work for your life
Every family feeds differently.
Some exclusively breastfeed. Some combine breastfeeding with expressed milk. Some express because they're returning to work, want more flexibility, are building a small freezer stash, or simply because it suits their family.
If expressing is part of your plan, choosing a pump that fits into your life can make a real difference.
Wearable pumps, like those from Momcozy, allow many parents to express milk comfortably while getting on with everyday life, rather than feeling tied to one place. For lots of families, that flexibility can take some of the pressure off those early weeks.
Ultimately, the best pump is the one you'll feel comfortable using and that works for your individual circumstances.
Above all, I hope every family hears this during Breastfeeding Awareness Week: Breastfeeding doesn't have to be all or nothing.
Whether you breastfeed for a few days, a few weeks, a few months or much longer, every feed has value. And if breastfeeding isn't going the way you hoped, please don't struggle on your own.
There is absolutely no shame in asking for help. Breastfeeding was never meant to be something parents figured out in isolation. We learn through guidance, encouragement and the people around us. Wherever you are with feeding today, I hope you know you're doing better than you probably realise.
Top Tip
There is absolutely no shame in needing help. In fact, breastfeeding was never meant to be something parents figured out in isolation. We learn through guidance, encouragement and community - and that's exactly what Breastfeeding Awareness Week is all about. Wherever
you are on your feeding journey, I hope you know this: You're doing far better than you probably realise.
