what are the pros and cons of breastfeeding

Getting Started Can be Hard

I’m sure you’ve heard many horror stories by now, breastfeeding can be very hard in the beginning. Not only is it exhausting, but a woman whose baby has a bad latch can suffer immensely with cracked, sore, and even bleeding nipples (the rumors are true!). In fact, a new study in TIME Magazine revealed that about half of nursing moms quit within the first few weeks because of difficulties, anxiety, and lack of support, which is a real shame.

The Big 3 Hairy Monsters of Nursing

Most nursing moms will experience one or more of the following three issues at some point in their nursing career: thrush, blocked ducts, and mastitis.

Yeah, it sucks. I’m not gonna lie.
Overcoming it

There is a lot you can do to avoid these. The better educated you are, the better off you’ll be. Keeping your nipples dry and addressing a clogged duct situation before it becomes mastitis — these things are key.

Getting blocked ducts, mastitis, or thrush is a bummer, but it’s nothing you can’t deal with. These can all be treated within a day or two, so it’s really not that bad. Almost everyone has to pay the “breastfeeding tax” at one time or another. It