Breastfeeding is so many things. It's an amazing way to bond with a baby. It's something that most mom bodies were designed really well to do. It's something that can be a source of endless controversy: Is it OK to do it in public? How long is too long to do it?.
And if we are being honest, breastfeeding can be both amazing and really, really hard. Sometimes it can be difficult to admit that something that is presented as really simple can be so complicated, so it feels reassuring to see some really famous moms share their struggles too.
Breastfeeding challenges can include everything from low supply to painful and bleeding nipples. And while there are tons of experts and a million products for sale that claim to help solve the most common breastfeeding issues, the truth is that sometimes breastfeeding just never gets easier. There can be a lot of shame and mom judgment around struggling with nursing, so there is something really brave about celebrities who are willing to risk the wrath of the comment sections and share that they've struggled too.
Now, before we dive into these celebrity stories, we should state once again for the record: Fed is best! This is a no-judgment zone for any and all safe nursing and feeding choices.
Khloé Kardashian
Padma Lakshmi
Even when breastfeeding is going okay, it can be really time-consuming. All the hours spent nursing or pumping can lead to having to do some serious multitasking, as Padma Laksmi confirmed. She captioned this throwback photo, "Multitasking: level Cheers to all of the people helping working mothers get it done! Special thanks to my crew past and present on @bravotopchef for your love & support."
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff faced a challenge that so many moms face: when to call it quits on the breastfeeding and pumping grind. She explained her feelings in a raw and open Instagram caption: "Last week was my last week nursing Banks. My goal was to get my little girl to six months and then decide if I wanted to keep going. I enjoyed (almost) every moment of feeding my daughter. Felt so lucky to be so close to her and give her that start. I know many women are not able to and for that I am sympathetic and very grateful that I could," she wrote.
"But I needed a break. I was going to break. With the stress of a dropping milk supply and a baby that was getting bored or not caring about nursing when I was available to, I was sad and frustrated and feeling like a failure all of the time. When really I'm a badass rock star."
Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen has caused controversy around breastfeeding in the past by making comments that she thought it should be mandatory. But she's also acknowledged that breastfeeding "in the beginning can be difficult, it can hurt (the cracks, bleeding, engorgement)," which is at least keeping it real even for such a staunch breastfeeding advocate.
Kelly Rowland
One of the hardest challenges with breastfeeding can be when a mom really wants to make it work but just can't produce enough milk. That was the struggle Kelly Rowland faced following the birth of her oldest son, Titan. "I had my heart set on breastfeeding, but I wasn't producing enough milk. I got down on myself, which I think was mentally limiting my supply," she said in a 2015 interview.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian shared a breastfeeding struggle that many moms of more than one child face: balancing the time for nursing a new baby and taking care of the emotional needs of an older sibling. She shared that daughter North was quite jealous of baby Saint and even tried to prevent Saint from nursing by blocking access to Kim's lap! Kim eventually figured out some tricks to help, including pumping and letting North be the helpful big sister.
Ali Wong
Comedian Ali Wong has gotten a lot of attention for her Netflix specials, including one in which she performed while super pregnant. In a follow-up special called Hard Knock Wife, she joked, "Breastfeeding is brutal. It is chronic physical torture. I thought it was supposed to be this beautiful bonding ceremony where I would feel like I was sitting on a lily pad in a meadow, and bunnies would gather at my feet. No, it's not like that at all. Breastfeeding is this savage ritual that just reminds you that your body is a cafeteria now." Funny but true!
