Wondering If You Could Use Breastfeeding Support? 5 Signs to Look For
Motherhood comes with a million new decisions—but wondering if you need breastfeeding support shouldn’t be one you second guess. If you're feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or even just a little off, know there’s a line of moms in front of and behind you who’ve felt the exact same way. In this post, we’re walking through five signs it might be time to reach out for extra support—and how to find it.
Why It’s Okay (and Important) to Ask for Breastfeeding Help
So many moms power through the early feeding days thinking it’s supposed to be hard. And yes, sometimes it is. But there’s a difference between normal adjustment and unnecessary suffering. If you’ve ever found yourself Googling through tears at 2 a.m. or wondering if you're somehow doing it wrong, you’re not failing—and you’re far from the only one. Countless moms are right there with you, quietly struggling through the same questions, the same cracked nipples, the same late-night doubts.
If any of these sound familiar, it might be a sign things are more complicated than they need to be:
- Your nipples are cracked, sore, or bleeding—and you're wincing every time baby latches
- You’ve set up a pumping schedule between feeds that has you exhausted and run down
- Your baby is fussy at the breast or constantly pulling off mid-feed
- You're obsessing over whether your baby is getting enough milk
- You've been crying more than usual and can’t tell if it’s hormones or something deeper
- You’re dreading every feed but can’t bring yourself to stop
- You're combo-feeding and second guessing every bottle
These aren’t things you just have to “push through.” They’re signs that support could help—whether it’s a small adjustment or a total reset. You don’t need permission to ask for help, but in case you do: this is it. Asking for support doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It means you’re showing up for yourself and your baby.
The Myth of “Doing It Naturally”
Maybe this is how you pictured it: your baby latches moments after birth, you’re wrapped in a soft blanket with a nursing pillow propped just right, and everything clicks. A few weeks later, you're out at your favorite coffee shop, baby nursing peacefully while you sip your blissfully hot matcha, feeling like you’ve got this whole thing down.
But maybe it looks nothing like that.
Maybe there’s spit-up on the same T-shirt you’ve worn for two days. And your baby won’t latch, your body aches, and your partner is gently urging you to take a shower—but all you want is for your baby to eat and settle.
Both of these versions are real.
And if you're stuck somewhere between the two (or nowhere close to either), it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. The truth? Breastfeeding rarely feels effortless. But support can help make it feel a whole lot lighter.
5 Signs It Might Be Time to Reach Out
Struggle shouldn’t be the baseline. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through feeding. With the right support, things can get easier, smoother—even enjoyable. Here are five signs it might be time to reach out.
1. You’re in Pain—and Not Just “Getting Used to It” Pain
Pain that makes you dread breastfeeding is a sign something’s off.. A lactation consultant can help identify the root cause and bring real relief.
Here are just a few ways lactation consultants can help:
- Checking for tongue or lip ties that could be affecting latch
- Helping you find new nursing positions that ease discomfort
- Assessing baby’s latch and mouth placement
- Offering techniques to heal sore or cracked nipples
- Supporting your pumping routine if direct feeding is too painful
Breastfeeding isn’t supposed to hurt. And if it does, you deserve support that helps it feel better—quickly.
2. You’re Not Sure Baby is Getting Enough
If you’re constantly wondering about your milk supply, your baby’s weight gain, or how many diapers they’ve gone through, that’s your sign to reach out—not to stress alone.
A lactation consultant can offer clarity and peace of mind by:
- Weighing your baby before and after a feed to see how much milk they’re getting
- Helping you track diaper output and understand what’s normal
- Assessing your supply and offering strategies to increase it if needed
- Answering all the “Is this normal?” questions that keep you up at night
3. You’re Feeling Emotionally Drained, Anxious, or Disconnected
Breastfeeding isn't just physical—it can take a real toll on your mental and emotional well-being. If you’re feeling depleted, anxious, or like you’re losing yourself in the process, that’s not something you have to just accept. Support exists for this part, too.
Lactation consultants aren’t just there to adjust your latch—they’re often a sounding board, a steady presence, and can offer a ton of knowledge during a time that can feel incredibly isolating. Sometimes, just having someone listen, validate your experience, and offer practical next steps can lift a huge weight off your shoulders.
4. You’re Supplementing and Feeling Unsure
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with combo feeding. Formula, breastmilk, donor milk—it all counts. Fed is best, always. But if breastfeeding is something you truly want to do, and you’re running into roadblocks, getting professional support can make a big difference. A lactation consultant can help you navigate the balance, protect your supply if that’s your goal, and offer clarity so you’re not second guessing every bottle or decision.
5. You’re Thinking About Quitting, But Don’t Want to Yet
It’s easy to feel like the odds are stacked against you and that you’re already at capacity—but if you’re still holding onto hope that breastfeeding can work, don’t white-knuckle your way through it alone.
Latch issues, supply stress, cluster feeding, exhaustion… Does breastfeeding feel more like a mountain than a bond? If so, professional support from a lactation specialist can change everything. With the right care, you can get support that meets you where you are and helps you move forward on your terms.
What Breastfeeding Support Looks Like Near You
Breastfeeding support isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on where you live and what feels best for your family, there are different ways to get the help you need.
It might look like:
- Meeting with a lactation consultant at your local hospital
- Booking a 1:1 session with a certified specialist in your area
- Joining a breastfeeding group at a nearby community center or parenting hub
- Attending virtual support calls from the comfort of your home
-
Scheduling an in-home visit for personalized, hands-on guidance
This means that whether you’re looking for education, encouragement, or practical help, there’s a path forward—and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
How Lactation Consultants in Rhode Island (or Wherever You’re Located) Can Help
From checking baby’s latch to helping with pumping and supply, lactation consultants offer real time, judgment free solutions tailored to you. And it’s often more than new moms realize.
Here’s just some of what a lactation consultant can support you with:
- Weighted feeds
- Checking latch and positioning
- Assessing tongue or lip ties
- Tracking diaper output
- Helping with sore or damaged nipples
- Troubleshooting milk supply
- Creating a pumping plan
- Offering guidance for combo feeding
- Talking through your feeding goals
- Prepping for returning to work
- Helping you introduce bottles
- Discussing introducing solids
- Supporting you through weaning
- Checking in on your emotional wellbeing
And it’s not only the act of breastfeeding. It's also support for feeling seen, heard, and informed through every stage of feeding your baby.
At Mothers Haven, our team of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) offer postpartum feeding consultations designed to meet you exactly where you are—whether you’re feeding for the first time or transitioning into new phases like pumping, supplementing, or weaning.
We offer 60- to 90-minute in-person, in-home, or virtual visits, so you can choose what feels best for your family. Our mission is to provide the educational foundation and personalized care you need to feel empowered and supported in the days, weeks, and months after birth.
And good news: we gladly accept most major insurance plans and HSA/FSA cards, so many families pay no out-of-pocket costs.
✨ Learn more or book your visit here:
Postpartum Feeding Consultation with Mothers Haven
Some moms need one session. Others come back again and again as their journey evolves. However it looks for you, you’ll find support here.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Motherhood was never meant to be a solo act. Moms are meant to be surrounded by a village—helping hands, shared wisdom, the presence of someone who’s walked the road before.
But today, our villages look different. We don’t always step out our front door to find support waiting for us. Sometimes, we have to search a little more intentionally. That might look like joining a local mom group, reaching out to a lactation consultant, or sending a text to a trusted friend who gets it.
You’re not meant to mother alone—and you don’t have to.
Looking for Support Beyond the Boob? We’re Here.
If you’re searching for a lactation consultant in Rhode Island or curious about new mom classes, you’ll find that (and more) at Mothers Haven Collective.
We offer compassionate, evidence-based care for every stage of motherhood. From the early days of newborn fog and sleepless nights to physical recovery, mental health, and everything in between—we’re with you for the real stuff.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.
Here are just a few of the postpartum services we offer:
- Postpartum Feeding Consultations
- Pediatric Sleep Support
- Postpartum Physical Therapy
- Nutritional Support for New Moms
- Registered Nurse Home Visits
- Occupational Therapy & Feeding Support
- Maternal Mental Health Services
- Pediatric PT & Craniosacral Therapy
- Mothers Haven Moms Club