5 Common Breastfeeding Issues (and How to Overcome Them)

From caving in to bad advice to trying to force a schedule, the top five nursing pitfalls-and how to avoid them.

Though you and your husband may be thrilled at your breasts' morphing form, their fundamental, most basic purpose is to provide sustenance to your offspring. Alas, the irony is that while nursing may be the most natural act in the world, it isn't always easy.

1) Giving in to bad advice As well-meaning as your relatives undoubtedly are, they may have different ideas about how a baby-your baby-should be fed.

So educate your postpartum posse. Invite them to attend a breastfeeding class with you, or ask them to be present when you meet with a lactation consultant. Explain how important nursing is to you and that you need their support. "Once everyone understands what 'normal' is, they can relax," says Huml.

Our step-by-step guide, with photos, on how to breastfeed.

2) Assuming you can't do it You may be convinced that your barely-A cups couldn't produce enough milk to feed a newborn mouse or that your pancake-flat nipples will prevent your baby from latching on. Fear not. "Smaller breasts can make the same amount of milk as larger ones," Huml says, "although the capacity to store large amounts of milk may not be as great." That means you may need to feed more often if you're tiny up top, but your baby will get all the milk he needs.

If you're the owner of flat or inverted nipples, they can make it difficult for your baby to latch on properly. However, your nipples may extend naturally as you reach the end of your pregnancy; also, pumping immediately after giving birth often helps to draw them out.

Read More: Sore nipples, low milk supply, and other common problems

Don't despair if that doesn't work: Using nipple shields almost always solves the problem. These soft, pliable, plastic devices have holes in the tip and are worn over your own nipples, giving the baby something substantial to latch on to. If you're a candidate for nipple shields, it's important to get help from a lactation consultant.

3) Forfeiting feedings "Honey," your husband says sweetly one morning, putting his hand on your exhausted shoulder, "why don't you pump some milk today and I'll get up with the baby tonight so you can sleep?" Music to your ears, no doubt-but not a terrific plan. "If a mother consistently sleeps when her baby needs to be fed, her milk supply will drop," Harvey says.

Read More: Low Milk Supply

4) Trying to force a schedule As convenient as it would be to plan out a day's worth of feedings, a newborn doesn't wear a watch. He doesn't care if it's been 15 minutes or four hours since his last meal; when his tummy rumbles, he wants to eat. And you need to let him-if you don't, you risk poor weight gain for him and decreased milk production for you.

Read More: Don't Pass on the Pacifiers

5) Sacrificing your sanity In a perfect world, new moms wouldn't be allowed to go back to work for at least a year after giving birth. These extraordinary, people-making creatures would lounge about contentedly, tickling tiny toes and supplying milk on demand while generous volunteers assumed their unpaid chores and responsibilities. (Mothers in general would also be forced to endure daily foot massages and drink magical thigh-toning milkshakes, but I digress.)

Yes, breast milk is undeniably the best food for all babies, but if finding the time to pump is stressing you out and you decide to give your child an occasional bottle of formula, pat yourself on the back for what you've already given your baby-a healthy dose of the most perfect food in the world-and move on.

Got enough milk?

Be a milk maven Want more information to help you become a breastfeeding pro? Visit fitpregnancy.com/breastfeeding.