Let's *Really* Talk About Breastfeeding
Not just the sugar-coated, romanticized version. But the reality, demand & identity shift every nursing mother experiences.
Welcome to August—Breastfeeding Awareness Month!
Breastfeeding is never just about milk, but also about identity, effort and emotional labor. Behind every latch, pump, or bottle is a mother navigating so much more than physical demands—she's dealing with engorgement, sore nipples, sleepless nights, as well as the invisible work of self-redefinition.
That’s why every August, since 2011, the United States Breastfeeding Committee has recognized National Breastfeeding Month: a time to acknowledge, empower, and celebrate mothers navigating the complex reality of infant feeding.
Whether you’re at the beginning, nearing the end or long past your breastfeeding journey, chances are it’s been marked by both pride and pain. While it’s often framed as a “natural” process, most mothers find breastfeeding far more difficult than expected (and yet, are terrified to admit it for fear of being judged or dismissed).
A What to Expect survey revealed that many women struggle with issues like latch problems, leaking, fatigue and feelings of being touched out or disconnected from their bodies. A study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth further confirms that even the most “successful” nursing journeys often come with cracked nipples, engorgement and emotional overwhelm.
The physical toll is real—breastfeeding requires the same amount of daily energy as walking seven miles—and so is the emotional one. In the U.S., 83 percent of babies start out breastfeeding, but the journey looks different for every family. Many transition or supplement with formula, pump exclusively or mix feeding methods.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding a child. What matters most is that mother and baby are supported, nourished and cared for.
So if you breastfed, are breastfeeding or wanted and tried to breastfeed—you deserve to be honored. Every feeding journey is valid. Every feeding journey is mothering. This month, and always, we celebrate the resilience, sacrifice, and love it takes to breastfeed a baby—and the transformation it brings to the one doing the nourishing.
As we mark this year’s Breastfeeding Awareness Month, let’s come together to honor and support all mothers in their unique feeding journeys.
Enter Our Breastfeeding Month Giveaway
Now through August 31, you can enter to win an incredible prize pack of breastfeeding necessities from our partners. Here’s what you could win & how to enter:
What You Could Win
One lucky winner will receive the ultimate feeding support bundle, including:
Kindred Bravely – $100 gift card
Dr. Stephanie’s For Moms –
• Milk Miracle Gummies
• Milk Miracle Hydration Drink
• Magnesium Chewables
• Clean Energy Drink MixSimple Wishes – $250 credit
A Domani - Breezy Short Sleeve Pajama Tee and matching New Favorite Pajama Shorts
Nursing Queen – $150 gift card
How to Enter
Like this post.
Follow @themotherchapter
Follow all giveaway partners: @kindredbravely; @drstephanies; @mybabybuddha; @zomeepump; @simplewisheshandsfree; @adomanisleep; @nursingqueenclothing
Tag 3 mom friends in the comments
Entry limited to one daily entry. Giveaway ends August 31. Winner announced September 2.
Our Must-Read Breastfeeding Stories
Breastfeeding Made Me Feel Comfortable in My Body for the First Time
While adjusting to breastfeeding may take time, for this mom, nursing her two children—14 years apart—helped her build confidence in her body and see it as powerful and strong. She explores how it’s become a significant part of her motherhood experience.
I Didn’t Make a Breastfeeding Plan—And That Made All the Difference
Everyone asks about your breastfeeding plan—but what if you didn’t have one? In this honest, grounded essay, a mother of four shares how letting go of expectations gave her the freedom to fully experience breastfeeding on her own terms. From the quiet joy to the hard parts no one talks about, she explores how this open mindset not only shaped her feeding journey, but how she continues to show up as a mom today.
I Love Giving My Daughter Breast Milk—But I Hate Nursing
This mother shares her experience with the distinct differences between breastfeeding and nursing. She opens up about the anxiety around nursing and her journey to realizing the true depths of the nursing relationship between a mother and baby and normalizing utilizing formula in your feeding routine.
Three Little Words Impacted My Breastfeeding Journey—But I Proved Them All Wrong
In those first few days (or weeks), many nursing moms wonder: Why is breastfeeding so hard? After a nurse made this new mom worry about her ability to nurse, she persevered, found solutions, and now has enjoyed both of her breastfeeding journeys with her sons.
Feeding Without Shame: Why Combo Feeding Was the Best Choice for My Mental Health
In this deeply personal essay, a pediatric dietitian reflects on the physical and emotional challenges she faced while breastfeeding her three daughters. From emergency C-sections and recurrent thrush infections to the guilt of low milk supply and the shame of needing help, she shares how combo feeding became a powerful tool for healing. Her experience reshaped not only her motherhood journey but also her professional approach.
What Is Milk Sharing—And Who Can Benefit from It?
A doula shares the basics of milk sharing and how many parents can benefit from it. Sharing what it is, where you can donate or receive and how to remain safe in the process can help mothers consider milk sharing as a viable option.
Feeding My Baby Felt Impossible Until I Found My Tribe
Raise your hand if you’re pumped in a random bathroom or closet—and wonder why no one is talking about the challenges of being a breastfeeding and working mom. This mother can relate—and in this essay, she recounts her struggles with breastfeeding and her emotions during this time.
Share Your Breastfeeding Experience
The journey of feeding your child is a complicated and complex experience during the postpartum period. It’s also not unique to first-time mothers—much like every pregnancy is different, so is every feeding experience.
Did you love breastfeeding? Hate it?
Did you find the lactation support you needed—or did you feel alone?
Did you feel judged by not continuing to breastfeed or introducing formula?
Did breastfeeding bring you closer to your baby?
Or something else?