When breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned

Breastfeeding is not always easy, and for some women it can be downright difficult. Even with excellent support and specialized assistance, your breastfeeding experience might not live up to your expectations. Some women cope well with these difficulties, while others feel sad and frustrated or even guilty because they cannot achieve the goals they set for themselves. Successful breastfeeding depends on a number of factors that you can’t always control.

It’s good to be able to talk about it with someone you trust and who will lend an ear. Every birth and breastfeeding story is unique.

Discouraged and thinking of weaning your baby?

Essential information to remember If you don’t think you can continue breastfeeding and are considering weaning your baby, consult a trained breastfeeding support person (see Getting help).

Photo: Jean-Claude Mercier

When breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned, many mothers will think about weaning their baby, even if they were originally very determined to breastfeed. This situation may lead you to experience different emotions, some even contradictory.

Before making a hasty decision, you can

  • Talk to a trained breastfeeding support person (see Getting help).
  • Express milk to reduce or stop nursing from one or both breasts either temporarily or permanently.
  • Opt for partial (or mixed) breastfeeding by introducing commercial infant formula.

Express: Pump or squeeze milk from the mother’s breast.

Weaning: Gradual phasing out of breastfeeding.