Every August 1 to 7, the world marks World Breastfeeding Week, recognized in over 170 countries including Canada. It’s a good prompt to discuss something that comes up in almost every early postpartum visit: the handful of common struggles that catch new breastfeeding moms off guard and what actually helps with each one.

Almost every new mama runs into at least one of the five issues below in the first couple of weeks. None of them mean something has gone wrong; they’re simply the most common places people need a bit more information or a bit more support.

Painful Latch

A painful latch is usually a positioning issue, and small adjustments, how baby is angled, how much breast tissue is drawn in, the height of the pillow or arm supporting baby often resolve it within a feed or two.

If pain continues despite working with a lactation consultant and trying different positions, the next step is getting a proper tongue-tie assessment. A tie that’s restricting baby’s tongue movement can make it physically difficult to latch deeply, no matter how the position is adjusted, and this is something a trained provider needs to look at directly rather than something to keep troubleshooting alone.

“Is My Milk Coming In?”

Yes! For most mamas, milk ‘comes in’ somewhere between 2 and 5 days after birth. It can feel slower after a C-section or a longer, more challenging labour, which is normal and not a sign that anything is wrong.

A few things reliably help this process along:

Frequent feeding at the breast: removing milk often signals the body to produce more.
Pumping between feeds: especially useful if baby isn’t yet feeding efficiently.
Skin-to-skin contact: supports the hormonal signals (oxytocin and prolactin) that drive milk production.

Low Supply Worries

This is one of the most common concerns we hear and one of the most commonly overestimated. When you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you can’t see how many mls or ounces baby is taking in, which naturally creates uncertainty.

Instead of guessing based on how full the breast feels or how long a feed takes, the more reliable indicators are baby’s output:

Wet diapers: generally increasing to 6+ per day by day 5–6
Stooling: regular bowel movements, especially in the early weeks
Weight gain: steady gain over time, tracked at follow-up visits

If these three markers look good, supply is very likely adequate, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.

Engorgement

Engorgement happens as milk volume increases, sometimes before baby’s feeding pattern has caught up to supply. A few things help manage it:

Cool cloths between feeds: helps reduce swelling and discomfort.
Warmth just before a feed: a warm cloth or shower can help milk start flowing more easily
Regular removal of milk: through feeding or pumping, this is the most important piece, since engorgement eases as milk is removed consistently

Most engorgement is at its most intense in the first few days and settles within about a week, as your body calibrates supply to what baby actually needs. It is temporary, even when it doesn’t feel that way at 3 am!

Blocked Ducts

A blocked duct usually shows up as a tender, firm, or lumpy spot in the breast that doesn’t fully soften even after a feed. It happens when milk isn’t draining efficiently from one area, often from positioning, tight clothing, missed feeds, or pressure on the breast.

The usual first steps are the same as engorgement: frequent feeding or pumping, starting the feed on the affected side, very gentle massage toward the nipple during a feed, and warmth beforehand to encourage flow.

Where it doesn’t resolve within a day or so, therapeutic ultrasound, available in-clinic, can make a significant difference. It works by reducing local inflammation and helping break up the blockage, often clearing the issue quickly and helping prevent it from progressing to mastitis. It’s a simple, non-invasive option worth knowing about before a blocked duct turns into something more painful.

When to Reach Out for Support

A lot of people wait until they’re in crisis, cracked and bleeding, in tears, or ready to stop entirely, before asking for help. But the earlier a latch or feeding pattern gets a second set of eyes, the easier it usually is to resolve.

Our team includes IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) who work specifically with new families through this exact stage, from prenatal feeding questions through the early postpartum weeks.

If You’re Pregnant, Trying to Conceive, or Further Along

If you’re pregnant or TTC, it’s never too early to start thinking through your feeding plan, knowing what to expect ahead of time takes a lot of pressure off the first few days.

If you’re perimenopausal, menopausal, or simply past this stage yourself, consider passing this along to a daughter, daughter-in-law, or friend currently in it. Sometimes the most useful thing anyone can do is point someone toward the right support at the right time.

Have questions about feeding, latch, or supply? Reach out to book with one of our IBCLCs.

Breastfeeding Struggles: What Actually Helps