---
title: Realizing That Breastfeeding Takes Longer Than You Think
date: 2022-11-12T01:30:09-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-realizing-that-breastfeeding-takes-longer-than-you-think"
section: "Stories & Conversations"
---
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[Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Realizing That Breastfeeding Takes Longer Than You Think

MS discusses breastfeeding. She notes that she wishes that someone had told her how hard it can be. She addresses getting confortable with latching and the fear around not providing enough milk for our babies. In speaking with the new birthing parents that she works with as a professor, MS makes sure to share that nursing takes time.

## Transcript

**OBOS TODAY:** Is there anything that we have not talked about today that you would like to bring up?

**MS:** I don't think so, I mean the only other thing I just sort of wish that someone had told me has to do with nursing, which I did nurse both my oldest and, and my twins as well, is that it's actually really hard. It's not that easy. It's not like you just hold the baby up and they start nursing and it's like you know falling off a log. It is not. It often takes a while for the babies to latch on, and I was lucky, I mean my babies didn't have any trouble. Like some babies even have more difficulty latching on. Mine were kind of within the normal range, but even within the normal range, it takes a while, it takes a while to really get comfortable and to feel confident that you're providing enough milk. I feel, like, there's a lot of fear that must be evolutionary, you know, like it, it makes sense that, like, you would have this innate fear of not feeding your baby enough milk because that needs to happen for survival, but you have to really fight against that when you're nursing.

If you feel like you're not producing enough milk, you can get very freaked out and switch to formula quickly because you're so panicked about it. And I feel, like, I had a lot of support and at that time my insurance actually paid for a consultant, a lactation consultant to come to my house, who did come and helped with my oldest. And so, I think that's super, I think that was very, very helpful to have someone who's really experienced who can, like, literally sit with you and like help you do it because it's like very personal and it's your body and it’s your baby's body, and so you need kind of someone you really trust to help you with that.

But I'd say in the years since, a lot I work a lot with young women in my profession. I'm a college professor. I have a lot of graduate students, I have a lot of postdocs and people who are often having babies, and I've made it a point to always sort of tell them to be realistic about how much time it takes to be able to nurse and to not feel like you're doing something wrong and to recognize that if it doesn't just like happen like this and feel super easy, it's, it's, you know that's normal and you need to kind of be patient and, you know, give it, give it a chance, so I'd say that's the only other thing that I really wish I'd gotten better information about.

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ pregnancy & birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/pregnancy-birth)
- [breastfeeding](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/breastfeeding)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## Breastfeeding as Birth Control

Information about lactational amenorrhea, a form of contraception that aims to prevent ovulation through breastfeeding.

![Breastfeeding scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Information about lactational amenorrhea, a form of contraception that aims to prevent ovulation through breastfeeding.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/breastfeeding-as-birth-control)

[ResourcesWatch

## Breastfeeding Video Series

A collection of short videos about breastfeeding (or chestfeeding), filmed around the world with a diverse group of new parents.

![Breastfeeding Video Series scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A collection of short videos about breastfeeding (or chestfeeding), filmed around the world with a diverse group of new parents.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/breastfeeding-video-series)

[ResourcesRead

## How to Care for Your Baby at Night

A guide for parents and caregivers from the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) baby-friendly initiative.

![william-fortunato-6392916-3](data:image/png;base64,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)

A guide for parents and caregivers from the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) baby-friendly initiative.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/how-to-care-for-your-baby-at-night)

[ResourcesRead

## COVID-19, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Breastfeeding

This FAQ answers many concerns a pregnant person may have about COVID-19 and their pregnancy.

![Pexels sandeep kashyap 5341262 scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

This FAQ answers many concerns a pregnant person may have about COVID-19 and their pregnancy.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/obgyn-covid-19-guidance-for-pregnant-women)

[ResourcesRead

## Safe Sleep for Breastfeeding Babies

La Leche League International’s Seven Tips for Safe Sleep is a thorough resource for parents and caregivers who are thinking about sharing a bed with their babies.

![david-veksler-kd4Z1gX6C5E-1024x710](data:image/png;base64,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)

La Leche League International’s Seven Tips for Safe Sleep is a thorough resource for parents and caregivers who are thinking about sharing a bed with their babies.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/safe-sleep-for-breastfeeding-babies)

[ResourcesListen

## How Epidurals Can Affect Breastfeeding

Adriana Lozada, host of the Birthful Podcast, talks with Dianne Cassidy, a lactation consultant, about how epidurals can impact the feeding relationship.

![wren-meinberg-NFH6LovuJso](data:image/png;base64,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)

Adriana Lozada, host of the Birthful Podcast, talks with Dianne Cassidy, a lactation consultant, about how epidurals can impact the feeding relationship.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-connection-between-epidurals-and-breastfeeding)

[ResourcesWatch

## Tools for Breastfeeding / Chestfeeding Success

In this video, experienced lactation consultants provide clear, practical advice on how to have a successful breastfeeding (or chestfeeding) experience.

![Tools for Breastfeeding Chest feeding Success scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

In this video, experienced lactation consultants provide clear, practical advice on how to have a successful breastfeeding (or chestfeeding) experience.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/tools-for-breastfeeding-chestfeeding-success)

[ResourcesRead

## Breastfeeding & Heart Health

Can breastfeeding reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease? The American Heart Association describes the many ways that breastfeeding benefits both babies and birthing parents.

![A woman breastfeeds a baby who looks at the camera](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAERElEQVRIiWVWW7brug0DQGXnzrSfnUAH3rMjAv2glOSsejGyYlsEn5D4n3//iwAYAGDIUCOkoJKWVKvWqlq1HrUea/2seqz1WLVWPUprVS1VsUoqSqRIggQWSQAkAIAgQVwhyXn2ub7n84/34ax9fzPvVlUd1QjgLydwtZOgAJI6NuAvmc/G5HuJmufr8XhccwwENBEMBkFi/BVYwCAJECHwvHqLKErSQAgAuR4/TwAY8xPAgEETHsv5Xg8WIaBAgeIgHaVFSRJVknhACK7n8wkASWDEiIE+MIPBCQ5HdZFFFFHkt0gqVakGgzfP6/n8B0iS0Z500hiBgZDhOxpAHeEFU2lqrWZSqnGF/w+QdNzwjjvZSCODAU1YRi+4wHW0c5RWqapKqySpDgC5nv88EWTMd8edVrxjxoTHD4y/BRwniCIWuahFLqlUayDGA0kUyPXzfCJAHDvu9LaYZpohQiKNhMD14MYHNwEnMqq5JhcnqFw/P2+ATrfFaEr1VBWck+1jPk8aPhnWB2OcqBKLEsH18/iZHKQ72j7a48RwYlABiHya4FtOEeuEfhzRmqIFudbjASROpLF9giWXU1EnSkJk+lYZ1fyr0aYXLoJKUp0QrbUQRE7TgBLbdltFyu+GDnG0Z8ZLFR920IzfbUctVSFIGICwLUhQQYIEKodpwYBnDHP/4sNXh4HmdyhVSyokMaLYRfW7zyfoHnIMwDBBggABEORvYr2sd+I3/fyGx1X6ocazMLzqkkxBJIHP/cDkvau8OZ0AV95WfBsU3HXI1TuEGyVOpiyCmXi8evv2BiHW24qxx1c+tn7dKdFBTJuecoiTMyYKfNITAwxW20MVcdLOLJvbINmegCC0ScOBg4TOIClph4kSXlECYO02kthwx063fWw7kyR2YiSQGNsuG23YOBhHZI9/oAJLWq/XBoBLROk+4vaM7sSxgcAAKU8vOjbabKNNm22W0SYNesK0fl8bCGK40xt7Z+/sb4zLsrhHgbbKbrsdNy7M0S7DDluAlPX7egGBA3e8sTd6p3f2Howz2rcOSZptl91OG90fUVMKpyPhaP35feFuZ+iNfqG/YN7a3QFCASfc7nZ32jgYRjfV0GEXIWLWf//8AtOiTW/0Zr8GJr3RO96+HoQ4AN0tV9snZ0Y3LwAosCuxsv78/gLAbGDe9KZf6BeP9k530okThggMm3ZNmV0P2M025YPRSKIcD4YPmm5l069BQu+7P3eSgAaQqU63xwOn+yS5m9W02E0giJL15/cFgLBippWtbHorG2644WnV3ENZQNNRO2XYbMtWW+3q3jrn0gKinDIlIlhpZVc2s5Wme44aeAOA0/O0Z+fAdLItu+xt68qQ0XrtTeAAoCudtOCkOaV16dOzSydJmNipRIni6f6OT/8ltkkgWm0PQNBHyTnihTDPeWmIYvbqcw4kwg85DnnDlxw9O23yP0Idy/muLleYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)

Can breastfeeding reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease? The American Heart Association describes the many ways that breastfeeding benefits both babies and birthing parents.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/breastfeeding-heart-health)