Every parent wants the same thing: a healthy, thriving baby. How that baby is fed is a personal decision, and every family's journey looks different.
As we recognize World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), it's a great time to share accurate information, clear up common misconceptions, and remind families that support is available, whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, or using formula.
At Women & Infants Hospital, our goal is simple: help families make informed decisions and support them in meeting their feeding goals without judgment.
Fact: Breastfeeding has health benefits, but it doesn't always come easily.
Breast milk provides nutrition that adapts to your baby's changing needs and contains antibodies that help support a baby's developing immune system. Breastfeeding has also been associated with health benefits for the person who is breastfeeding, including a lower risk of certain health conditions.
But "natural" doesn't always mean easy.
Learning to breastfeed is a skill that both parent and baby develop together. It can take time, patience, and practice to establish a comfortable feeding routine. Challenges with latching, sore nipples, engorgement, milk supply, or simply figuring out what works best are common in the early days.
The good news? You don't have to figure it out alone.
Myth: If breastfeeding hurts, you just have to push through it.
Some tenderness during the first few days can be normal, but ongoing pain isn't something you should accept.
Pain may be a sign that your baby needs help with a deeper latch or that another issue should be addressed. Lactation consultants can often identify small adjustments that make a big difference.
If breastfeeding is painful, ask for help early. Getting support sooner can make feeding more comfortable and help prevent bigger challenges later.
Myth: If breastfeeding doesn't happen immediately, you've failed.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Some babies latch right away. Others need extra time. Parents recovering from a difficult delivery, caring for a premature baby, managing certain medical conditions, or recovering from surgery may face additional challenges.
For some families, pumping, supplementing with formula, or exclusively formula feeding may be the best or safest option.
Every feeding journey is different, and there isn't one path that's right for everyone.
Fact: Many families face barriers to breastfeeding.
While many parents hope to breastfeed, real-life circumstances can make it difficult.
Some common barriers include:
- Returning to work sooner than planned
- Medical conditions affecting parent or baby
- Difficulty establishing milk supply
- Premature birth or NICU stays
- Physical discomfort or pain
- Mental health concerns, including postpartum depression or anxiety
- Limited family or workplace support
These challenges are common, and needing help doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. In fact, many families stop breastfeeding earlier than they planned because of barriers, not because they lacked commitment.
Myth: Formula feeding means your baby won't be healthy.
Formula is a safe, nutritious option for babies who need it or whose families choose it.
Some parents cannot breastfeed because of medical reasons. Others decide that formula feeding is the best fit for their family's physical, emotional, or practical needs.
Parents deserve accurate information and compassionate support regardless of how they feed their baby. The goal is always the same: making sure babies are well-fed, growing, and loved.
At Women & Infants Hospital, we support families who choose to breastfeed and those who choose formula feeding by providing education on safe preparation and responsive bottle feeding.
Fact: Support can make a big difference.
One of the biggest predictors of breastfeeding success isn't perfection, it's support.
If you're preparing for your baby's arrival or have questions after you get home, reaching out to a healthcare provider or lactation consultant can help you feel more confident and address concerns before they become overwhelming.
Women & Infants Hospital offers breastfeeding classes, outpatient lactation consultations, a free weekly breastfeeding support group, and the Warm Line, where experienced nurses and lactation consultants answer questions and connect families with additional resources.
Every family's story is unique.
World Breastfeeding Week is an opportunity to celebrate and support families – not to judge them.
Whether you breastfeed for two years, two months, exclusively pump, combine breast milk and formula, or formula feed from day one, your feeding journey is your own.
The most important thing is that parents have access to trustworthy information, compassionate care, and the support they need to make the decisions that are right for their family.
If you have questions about feeding your baby, the Women & Infants Hospital Postpartum and Lactation team is here to help every step of the way.