Becoming a mother is one of life’s most profound transitions—and along with the flurry of emotions, advice, and new routines comes one of the most important decisions you'll make in your baby’s early life: how to feed them.

Breastfeeding is often portrayed as instinctive and effortless, but many mothers discover that the early days can be physically challenging in ways they never expected. While the benefits of breastfeeding are widely discussed, the difficulties, like painful latching, engorgement, blocked ducts, or mastitis, are talked about far less openly.