What is it really like to breastfeed?
Nursing isn’t quite as simple as you might think. These real parents share their stories.
Jan, 2026
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Most parents-to-be are told this familiar mantra during pregnancy: Breast is best.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does recommend that infants should be exclusively breastfed and/or receive pumped breast milk for about six months after being born. But for some parents and babies, nursing just isn’t that simple.
How do you know if breastfeeding is right for you?
It’s hard to have the answers prior to your child’s birth, but hearing from parents who’ve already gone through the experience may give you some insight. These eight parents—some who breastfed and some who didn’t—get real about what it’s like to nurse and pump, all while adjusting to life as a new parent.
Written byOlivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed byJoanne Perron, MD.
Sources: Eidelman AI. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk: an analysis of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2012 Breastfeeding Policy Statement. Breastfeed Med. 2012;7(5):323-324. + 10
- Eidelman AI. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk: an analysis of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2012 Breastfeeding Policy Statement. Breastfeed Med. 2012;7(5):323-324.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Benign breast conditions. Last updated February 2021.
- Dixon JM. Lactational Mastitis. Uptodate. Last updated January 15, 2020.
- Spencaer J. Common problems of breastfeeding and weaning. Last updated October 18, 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2 months. Last reviewed March 31, 2022.
- La Leche League Canada. Breastfeeding the distracted baby (6-12 months). Last updated November 2, 2021.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Breastfeeding your baby. Last updated May 2021.
- La Leche League USA. Breastfeeding your distracted baby. Accessed May 5, 2022.
- You H, Lei A, Xiang J, Wang Y, Luo B, Hu J. Effects of breastfeeding education based on the self-efficacy theory on women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A CONSORT-compliant randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(16):e19643.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breastfeeding contraindications. Last reviewed March 2, 2022.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Infant formula: safety do’s and don’ts. Last reviewed April 22, 2021.
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