Real Mom Breastfeeding Stories

A new mom's breastfeeding experience can be as unique as her baby. Some take to it like they've been doing it forever, while others struggle through pain, infections and supply issues. We asked moms to share their stories and advice on what worked (or didn't work) for them.

Hurts like crazy at first, but you will make it work

"My advice would be to be stubborn about it! If you are determined to make it work, then you will. It isn't as easy as they made it out to be in my breastfeeding class... My little girl didn't want anything to do with nursing at first, but I was determined to nurse her. We very quickly became pros at it and I nursed her for 13 months without a drop of formula. (Not that there's anything wrong with formula -- I am just a very stubborn girl who wanted to provide the milk myself.) It hurts like crazy the first couple of weeks, but that will soon go away, and the bond that comes with it, I couldn't even describe. I'm due in 4 weeks with my second and plan to nurse him for the first year as well." -- Seana Johnson, Texas