Navigating Early Breastfeeding Challenges: A Case Study

When I first met Sarah (name changed to maintain confidentiality), she came through the door looking like so many of us do in those early postpartum days—tired but determined, with her tiny 4-day-old baby nestled in her arms. There was a mix of worry and hope in her eyes, and I instantly knew she was here because she cared so deeply about getting breastfeeding right.

If you’re reading this, you probably know that feeling too. The overwhelm, the endless questions about breastfeeding and milk supply, and the “Am I doing this right?” that plays on a loop in your mind. I want to pause here for just a second and tell you—you’re not alone. Breastfeeding can feel like one of the hardest things in the world at the start, but with the proper breastfeeding support, we can figure this out together.

Sarah settled into the chair, took a deep breath, and said, “I’ll never be able to breastfeed. I’ve already started pumping. I’m failing.” My heart sank for her because I’d heard this story many times. There’s this unspoken pressure that breastfeeding should come naturally, but the truth is, for many postpartum moms, it takes practice—and patience. I reassured her that she wasn’t failing; she was just at the beginning of her breastfeeding journey, and journeys are rarely a straight line.

She went on to tell me how her little one would latch for a few seconds, maybe suckle 3 or 4 times, and then pop off, leaving her frustrated and wondering if he was getting enough breast milk. Sound familiar? It’s more common than you’d think in the early weeks.

The First Step: Understanding the Latch

One of the first things I wanted to check was Sarah’s baby’s latch. So, we sat down, and I watched a nursing session. It became clear pretty quickly that her baby wasn’t latching deeply enough. He’d get on, but after just a few suckles, he’d lose the rhythm and pull away. That’s when I saw that her nipples were a little misshapen after feeding—a sure sign that the baby wasn’t getting enough milk due to a shallow latch.

I could see the panic in Sarah’s eyes as if she was already calculating the hours of pumping ahead and wondering how long she’d be doing this. So, I gently reminded her we had many options and could tweak things to make breastfeeding more comfortable and practical. Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be perfect on day one. It’s a process that takes time and support, especially for new moms.

Small Adjustments Can Make a Big Difference

We started with the basics: breastfeeding positions. Sometimes, just holding your baby in a slightly different way can make all the difference. We tried the cross-cradle and football hold, adjusting until we found what felt best for Sarah and her baby. And it wasn’t long before I could see the lightbulb moment—the latch was deeper, her baby was staying on longer, and we were on the right track.

A little tip I love to give moms is to gently press around the areola to soften that area before latching. It makes it easier for the baby to get a deep, comfortable latch. After a little massage and hand expression, we tried again to get the breast milk flowing. This time, we positioned her baby’s belly against hers, nose to nipple, and—magic. His little lips flanged out perfectly, and you could almost hear the relief in the room.

Is My Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk?

This is probably one of the biggest worries of new moms: How do you know if your baby is getting enough breast milk? Well, one way to check is to keep track of wet and dirty diapers. By four days old, babies should have about four wet diapers and four poopy ones a day. It’s like nature’s little way of letting you know everything’s on track.

We also talked about weight. Babies often lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week, but they should regain it by 10-14 days. If your baby isn’t back to their birth weight by then or has lost more than 10%, it might be time to consider some temporary supplementation. But remember, this is just a stepping stone—it doesn’t mean you’re giving up on breastfeeding.

When and How to Use Formula

Like so many I’ve worked with, Sarah was hesitant about using formula. There’s a lot of emotion tied to it, isn’t there? We talked about how supplementing with formula doesn’t have to mean giving up on breastfeeding. In her case, it could help her baby get the nutrition he needed to regain strength while we worked on improving the breastfeeding experience.

We explored using a supplemental nursing system (SNS), which lets you supplement with breast milk or formula while your baby is still latched to the breast. It’s like giving your baby the best of both worlds—they get the extra milk they need, and you get the extra stimulation to boost your milk supply. Win-win.

Boosting Milk Supply and Caring for Yourself

We also talked about how to maintain and boost her milk supply. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how on earth you’re supposed to pump 8-12 times a day, feed your baby, and still have time to shower (or sleep!), you’re not alone. It can feel like a juggling act, but taking it one step at a time helps.

For Sarah, the plan was to continue pumping after each breastfeeding session and use hand expression to get every last drop. This helps tell your body to make more breast milk. But we also focused on something just as important—self-care. Eating well, staying hydrated, and getting as much rest as possible (even if it feels like wishful thinking some days) all play a huge role in keeping your milk supply healthy.

Moving Forward with Confidence

By the end of our time together, we had a plan. Sarah left feeling hopeful, knowing she had options—adjusting the latch, pumping, or supplementing for a short time. We set up a follow-up appointment to check in on her baby’s weight and latch, and I reminded her of something I wish more moms knew: you’re doing fantastic. There’s no one “right” way to feed your baby, and the most important thing is that you’re taking care of yourself and your little one.

So, if you’re in this spot right now, feeling overwhelmed or unsure, please know you’re not alone. Breastfeeding isn’t a solo journey. At Our Nurturing Nest, I’m here for you—helping you find what works for you and your baby with all the encouragement and support.