Breastfeeding your first baby didn’t go the way you’d hoped?
If that’s how you’re feeling, you’re not alone. Many parents come into a new pregnancy carrying questions about what happened last time – and what they want to be different.
It’s common to feel a mix of hope and uncertainty. You might be thinking about trying again, or wondering if it’s worth it. You might be unsure what would help things go differently.
The good news is that every breastfeeding experience is unique. Your body, your baby and your circumstances will be different this time.
With more experience, information and support, many parents feel more confident with their next baby.
I didn’t have enough milk last time
You might have felt worried about your milk supply with your previous baby. Perhaps your baby seemed unsettled or wasn’t gaining weight, or you were told they needed top-ups.
It can help to know that your body grows more milk-making tissue with each pregnancy. Many mums find they make more milk for later babies.
Breastfeeding works on a supply-and-demand basis. As milk is removed from your breasts (by your baby or by expressing), your body makes more. The less milk is removed, the less you will make. This can happen because of not enough feeds, feeds being spaced out or introducing formula top-ups. But in the early days, it’s not always easy to see what’s going on at the time.
Learning about how breastfeeding works, and having support around you, can help you feel more confident about building and maintaining your milk supply this time round.
It hurt too much
You might have found breastfeeding painful with your previous baby. Sore or cracked nipples or mastitis can make feeding feel overwhelming.
Sore nipples are a common challenge, especially in the early weeks. But pain isn’t something you just have to put up with. Often there’s a reason for it, and with support, things can improve. In many cases, pain is linked to how your baby is attaching to the breast. If your baby isn’t able to take a big mouthful of breast, your nipple can become squashed or rubbed during feeds.
If pain was part of your experience last time, you might choose to seek support early with your next baby. Having someone watch a feed and talk things through with you can help you feel more confident about what’s happening and what might help.
We stopped breastfeeding earlier than I wanted
You may have started breastfeeding and things seemed to be going well, but it didn’t last as long as you’d hoped. Stopping earlier than you expected can happen for many different reasons.
Sometimes babies receive formula top-ups, and over time this can affect how much milk your body makes. If this was part of your experience, you might find it helpful to explore ways of balancing this while supporting your milk supply next time.
For some families, starting solids changes how often babies breastfeed. Learning more about different ways to introduce solids may help you feel more confident about continuing to breastfeed alongside solid foods.
You may have had a baby who seemed to refuse the breast for a time. This can feel worrying in the moment, but with guidance it’s sometimes possible to understand what’s happening and find ways to encourage your baby back to the breast.
With more information and support this time, you may find you have more options, and things feel different with your next baby.
Looking ahead this time
Many parents find it helpful to start thinking about their next breastfeeding experience during pregnancy, especially when they’re feeling well and have some space to reflect. Here are some ideas you might like to explore:
Call the Breastfeeding Helpline
Talk through your previous experience with a breastfeeding counsellor and reflect on what felt challenging or important to you.
Attend a breastfeeding workshop
A Breastfeeding Education Class or online Breastfeeding Preparation Session, with your partner or support person, can help you both feel more prepared.
Explore ABA membership and support options
Connect with ABA’s Virtual Village, offering online support, live sessions and member-only resources you can access wherever you are.
Prepare a breastfeeding plan
Like a birth plan, this can be a way to think ahead about what matters to you, and how you might respond to common challenges if they arise.
Save the Breastfeeding Helpline number (1800 686 268)
Having the number handy can make it easier to reach out if something doesn’t feel right. You can call from home or even from hospital. Our counsellors are available 24/7.
We're here to support you.
Many women find their next breastfeeding experience feels different, even if things were challenging before. If you’d like support, encouragement or just someone to listen, we’re here for you.
‘With my second baby I faced so many of the things I had with my first — a poor latch, lack of exposure to breastfeeding in general, nipple damage and infections, nipple shields, mastitis, an inability to express a lot of breastmilk ... but with the support of the ABA I am so proud to say that, with my second baby, I achieved all of my breastfeeding goals...
...When it all got too much and I was really struggling, I reached out to my new ABA mum friends and they gave me the advice I needed to get through the next feed, then the next. I made it 15 and a half months of breastfeeding! I am incredibly proud of that, 5 weeks with my first child to 15 months with my second is an incredible difference! I know that past breastfeeding experience is no indicator of future breastfeeding experiences and that with the support of the Australian Breastfeeding Association, I was to able to achieve more than I ever thought possible. I will always be thankful to everyone at ABA who gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to have a much nicer breastfeeding experience the second time around.'
© Australian Breastfeeding Association June 2026
Your guide for navigating the first 72 hours with your newborn. Free for Virtual Village members.
The first 72 hours - eModule
