Harvard Health Content API

Nearly all first-time mothers who want to breastfeed have concerns about the process, a new study finds. And those with early concerns are more likely to quit. The study included more than 500 first-time mothers. Researchers did 6 interviews with each woman. The first one was during pregnancy. The others came at 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days after birth. About 92% of new mothers reported 1 or more concerns about breastfeeding. Common concerns included breast pain, milk supply or the baby not latching on to the breast properly. Women who had concerns 3 or 7 days after birth were those most likely to quit breastfeeding. They were up to 9 times as likely to quit as women who had no concerns. Women who had no concerns at day 3 tended to be self-confident about breastfeeding and had a good support network.