August is National Breastfeeding Month, and at Ovation OB/GYN, we want to celebrate and support every mother on her feeding journey — wherever that journey takes her. Breastfeeding is deeply rewarding, but it can also be genuinely hard. The challenges are real, and they don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. What they mean is that you need support — and that support is available.
Here are some of the most common breastfeeding obstacles our patients face, along with practical guidance on how to address each one. Because the more you know going in, the better equipped you are to navigate whatever comes up.
Latch Difficulties
A shallow or painful latch is one of the most frequent issues new mothers encounter, especially in the first days after birth. Breastfeeding should not be consistently painful — brief discomfort at the start of a latch is common, but toe-curling, nipple-flattening pain that persists throughout a feeding is a sign that something needs to be adjusted. Left unaddressed, a poor latch doesn’t just cause pain — it means your baby is working harder than necessary for less milk, which can affect their weight gain and your supply over time.
Signs of a poor latch include a clicking sound during feeding, a baby who seems frustrated or unsatisfied after long nursing sessions, nipples that come out of your baby’s mouth looking flattened or wedged, and pain that doesn’t ease up after the first few seconds. A lactation consultant — particularly an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) — can observe a live feeding and make real-time adjustments that can genuinely transform the experience. If you’re struggling, don’t try to push through: ask your Ovation OB/GYN provider for a referral, or ask the hospital’s lactation team before you’re even discharged.
“We like the way the doctor communicates with us every time and caters to all your doubts and concerns with utmost care and concern. “
— Ovation OB/GYN Patient Testimonial
Low or Perceived Low Milk Supply
Concerns about milk supply are among the most common reasons mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they planned — but true physiological low supply is actually less common than most people think. More often, what a mother experiences as “not making enough” is a perception issue rather than an actual production problem. Babies who seem constantly hungry, fussy, or unsatisfied are sometimes simply cluster feeding (a completely normal developmental behavior), or they may not be transferring milk efficiently due to a latch issue.
That said, true low supply does occur and is worth addressing. Feed or pump frequently — 8 to 12 times per 24 hours — to maximize the supply signal to your body. Ensure your baby has an effective latch so that milk removal is complete. Stay well-hydrated and eat enough to support the additional caloric demands of lactation. If supply concerns persist, talk with one of our providers; we can help assess what’s happening and connect you with the right next steps.
Engorgement
In the first few days after delivery, when mature milk comes in, the breasts can become uncomfortably full, hard, and swollen — sometimes dramatically so. Engorgement typically peaks around days three to five postpartum and is a sign that your milk is coming in, which is ultimately a good thing, even when it feels anything but.
The best way to manage engorgement is to nurse frequently and on demand, allowing your baby to drain the breast as completely as possible. Applying a warm compress or taking a warm shower before feeding can stimulate letdown and make it easier for your baby to latch onto a very full breast. If the areola is too firm for your baby to latch effectively, hand-expressing a small amount of milk first can soften it. Cool compresses or chilled cabbage leaves applied after feeding can help reduce swelling and provide relief. Engorgement should improve significantly within a few days as your body calibrates to your baby’s needs.
Mastitis and Plugged Ducts
A plugged duct presents as a tender, firm lump in the breast — often in one specific quadrant. It occurs when milk flow is obstructed in a particular area, sometimes due to an incomplete latch, an ill-fitting bra, skipped feedings, or simply the body’s response to an increase in milk volume. Plugged ducts are uncomfortable but usually resolve within a day or two with frequent nursing, warm compresses applied to the affected area before feeding, and gentle massage from the outside of the lump toward the nipple.
If a plugged duct doesn’t resolve or bacteria enter through a cracked nipple, mastitis — a breast infection — can develop. Mastitis causes redness, warmth, and swelling in a specific area of the breast, along with flu-like symptoms: fever, body aches, chills, and significant fatigue. It’s important to keep nursing or pumping even with mastitis, as draining the breast helps prevent a blocked duct from worsening into an abscess. However, mastitis typically requires antibiotic treatment. If you develop these symptoms, contact our Ovation OB/GYN team promptly — don’t wait to see if it clears on its own.
Sore or Cracked Nipples
Some nipple tenderness in the first week or two of breastfeeding is normal — your skin is adjusting to a level of friction and moisture it has never experienced before. But persistent, severe nipple pain, cracking, bleeding, or blistering are not things you simply have to endure. These symptoms almost always point to an underlying issue, most commonly a shallow latch.
In the short term, applying a small amount of expressed breast milk to the nipples after feeding and allowing them to air dry can promote healing. Pure lanolin cream is another widely used option. Gel pads designed for nursing can provide relief between feedings. But addressing the root cause — usually latch — is what actually resolves the problem. If you’re dealing with persistent nipple pain, please reach out.
Returning to Work
The transition back to work is one of the most commonly cited reasons women wean earlier than they planned — but with preparation, many mothers successfully continue breastfeeding or providing pumped milk well into their baby’s first year. Start building a small freezer stash a few weeks before your return date so you’re not starting from zero. Familiarize yourself with your workplace’s pumping accommodations: federal law requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for pumping.
Invest in a quality double electric pump, and check with your insurance — most plans cover breast pump costs under the Affordable Care Act. Practice with the pump before you return to work so it doesn’t feel unfamiliar on top of an already stressful transition. And remember that any amount of breast milk you’re able to provide continues to benefit your baby. The obstetrics team at Ovation OB/GYN can help you think through your postpartum plan, including your return to work.
| “Dr. Bradley and her team were extremely kind, gentle and supportive and provided me with a wealth of information and documentation for my new pregnancy. “
— Ovation OB/GYN Patient Testimonial |
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Every breastfeeding journey is different, and every challenge has potential solutions. The providers at Ovation OB/GYN are here whether you’re troubleshooting a latch, managing discomfort, worried about supply, or simply looking for reassurance that you’re on the right track. We serve patients throughout the Frisco, Texas area and are committed to supporting you well beyond the delivery room.
Request an appointment with our team in Frisco, TX, or call us at 972.777.3232.