Moms, What was the most difficult obsticle you faced while breastfeeding?

I am still battling the lack of support from my mother. I have been exclusively breastfeeding my almost 6 month old daughter. My mom is not only unsupportive, but is actively against breastfeeding.
They say support is very important in order to be successful with nursing, so it has been very difficult.
What was the biggest challenge breastfeeding presented you?

I had problems with latch for the first week; I didn't know how to position her correctly. It got so bad that I was dreading the next feeding because my nipples were sooo sore. Feeding her was nearly excruciating. If I hadn't been so determined that I was going to breastfeed, I would have given up. After a week we got everything straightened out so she wasn't just latched onto my nipple, but the areola too. After that, it's been a breeze. That first week though, I was ready to give up. She's 11 wks now.

I couldn't give a big enough thumbs up to Sophie's mum, she's exactly right. When I was struggling, I asked my midwife (as recommended to do by my doctor) and I was given a long list of reasons why I should perservere (breastfeeding is easier, more nutritional, etc etc) rather than actual help on my problem. I also had very little support and a MIL who is against b/feeding.
In addition to that, I also ended up with PPD after I finally caved to the formula (3 months down the line) then my daughter self-weaned at 4 months. The 'help' that was offered to me was either a bottle of formula or a 'breast is best' lecture. All I wanted was someone to say, 'would you like me to help with the housework/entertain your older child/ do some laundry while you nurse for hours and hours on end?' Even my husband, as much as I love him, was about as much use as a one-legged man at an @ss kicking contest. I suppose he thought he was helping by offering to nip out for some formula but it only made me more frustrated.
It seems the most common obstacle is lack of support and encouragement.

My MIL was the same way.
Finally I had my husband say something to her, because she was not listening to me.
The hardest challenge I faced was when my son was 4 days old and was at his first check up and was rushed to the ER and stayed in the NICU for 3 days while they ran a spinal, cat-scans, and all other kinds of test on him, just to find out that he was not getting enough milk and was dehydrated. It was the most horrifying, horrible, heartbreaking situation I have been in and do not wish it on my worst enemy.
And of course this is ONE of the reasons why my MIL was so against me bf, but I continued and got a lactation consultant while at the hospital and breastfed my son until he was 8 months (really until 10, but only once in a great while).
Even my family was weary of me breastfeeding after this had happened, but at the hospital I became a lot more knowledgeable about what to do and how to make sure I getting enough to my son. Breastfeeding is hard and as natural as it is, it takes work, time and effort to prefect it.

Poor education on the subject. I attended the classes however, they taught more about the benefits of breast feeding and not the practice of it.

I was a first time mother, an emergency section so my milk never came in right away and I was put in a single room on my own and left to get on with it.

My daughter was a poor latch, and after asking for help and not getting it. One night with cracked and bleeding nipples, I gave up. She is now a 20m old child who has been sick twice in her life (chest infection and a gastro bug), so a positive outcome came of a negative situation.

The comments from midwifes and others about my failure to nurse, contributed to my PPD that I have only just overcome after being put on Fluoxetine. Some women want to nurse so much and for whatever they cant - 15% of new mothers have PPD, I think its very important to be sensitive to the possibility of that when answering, before jumping into an answer with comments like - formula is poison, if you loved your child you would breast feed, or those answering formula question with breast feeding answers without knowing the askers situation and why she chose to feed her child the way she did, I have seen people answering like that and it really is abhorrent.

Well done for getting so far despite your mothers criticism! You've given your baby the very best start and you should feel proud. Your mom had her child/ren and made her choices, you have to do the same and if she doesn't like it tough. Get used to thinking (if not saying!) "MY baby, MY rules"

Personally I found the hardest obstacle to feeding was my baby himself, as when he got to 4 months he would kick and struggle and push his feet against the sofa or me, catapulting himself off my nipple whilst still latched on, which was very painful and frustrating, and eventually we had to go on formula. I felt sooo guilty but we couldn't carry on like that! Now he's older I see that he's a very hot sweaty sort of child who doesn't like to be held closely for long, so that explains it!

My milk didn't come in for 6 days, so that was rough. We had the supplemental feeding system until my milk came in fully. That long wire you tape to your boob - it was a hassle and I wanted to give up but I kept going until my milk came in.

Once we got the hang of it, my other biggest challenge was feeding him while we were out and about. I never felt comfortable nursing in public, so I'd pump and feed him bottles when we were away from home. And then the whole time we were gone my breasts would be engorged and hurting so bad I couldn't even hug anybody without wincing in extreme pain.

Besides the usual early days struggles (engorgement, nipple pain, baby falling asleep on the nipple after 5 minutes etc etc), my biggest obstacle was when my first started biting. He bit a hole in both nipplles!! I nursed through the pain until they healed, but it was excrutiating!!

I'm sorry your mom doesn't support you. My mom doesnt' really either. She doesn't vocally not support me, but she leaves the room if I'm breastfeeding, doesn't want to talk about it and stuff like that. It's very hard when you don't have the support of people close to you.

Great job and keep going!!

My husband. His first child was born by c-section and the mother's milk didn't come in so she was bottle fed. When my first son was born, my husband started pushing from the very beginning to go to formula and not breast feed. He kept saying that his daughter turned out fine without breast milk and that he wanted to help take some of the pressure off of me and let me get some rest. I was so frustrated that I only breast feed for two weeks before giving in and going to formula. The same thing happened when my second son was born. But this time I was able to breast feed for four weeks before I had to go back to work. I wish I would have been able to go longer, but I don't feel comfortable pumping at work.

How sad that she is so anti-breastfeeding! Geez it's the most natural and healthy thing you can do for your children.
My last baby and I are breastfeeding but our difficulties in the beginning (sore nipples, thrush, plugged duct, milk blister AND bad latch on!) had everyone telling me "you are having so many problems, why don't you just go to the bottle now". I told them that no matter how many problems I had with it, I was not ever going to give up and that was how I made it through. Besides the problems only lasted for 3 or 4 weeks and now its smooth sailing!
Tell your mama to mind her own business :)

Remember, it is your baby, not your mom's. You have to do what you think is right for your baby. Unwanted parenting advice from family often happens - just keep reassuring her that you know this is healthy for your baby. Breastfeeding is great to do for those who are able, you are giving your baby many antibodies that will keep her healthy.

Some people are just not understanding... when my son was 3 months my MIL said he (my son) was not getting full enough from a bottle of breast milk that she gave him so instead of warming up another bottle of breast milk i had left for her to give him, she gave him formula, not just regular formula next step formula (9-24 months)!!!! He was so sick for the next 24 hours it was ridiculous. That being said my MIL has not and will never watch my child again! I shouldn't have to tell an ADULT to follow my rules pertaining to my own son!

Breastmilk/feeding is so natural, its the best way you can go! I hope you get more support =)

Definitely the pain and cracked nipples, by far. My daughter latched perfectly but it just really hurt. Sorry your mom isn't supportive, but you're doing really well to stick at it so long without much support. I agree that support is very important in being successful, so good on you.

The hardest for me was returning to college and working part time. Like you said, you need support to help continue breastfeeding. And when your university and work don't have private rooms for pumping, that's a lack of support. I had to quit at 6 months because of it!

I want to do extended breastfeeding and wean when my son is ready...
My family thinks it'll be wierd

My first son weaned at 8 months so I didn't get to try
Mycurrent son is 3/2 months when I mentioned possibly nursing until two... I recieved some odd looksof disapproval.

The body armour I have to wear when I'm patrolling the crowds is my biggest obstacle. Oh, and the prying eyes of the men who keep wanting to oggle at my boobies.

The fact that the midwives were so emphatic that you had to do it.

If someone tries to sell me something, I want to do the opposite.

My daughter being born tongue tied and not being able to get it clipped. And then when choosing to pump since nursing wasn't an option I had support from no one but my hubs. But his support was really all I needed.

Latching at first, and boy was it painful! I think I bled a couple times too. You get used to it and the pain subsides, but at first it was rough!

My son is now 9 months old and i am always being told he should be on formula now! Constantly being told get him on a bottle. I am happy breastfeeding him so i continue. x

Pushing your husbands head away and giving the baby a chance.