Are new mums struggling with their maternal health?

Breastfeeding is often presented as a natural experience, but for many mums it comes with physical, emotional and practical barriers. New research by Munchkin reveals the pressures many UK mums face while breastfeeding. The study surveyed 1,000 parents across the UK, including 767 mums who are currently breastfeeding or have done so in the past. The data shows that half (48%) of breastfeeding mums experience challenges, and just 15% continue feeding for the full first year of their baby’s life.

Nearly half (49%) of mums stop breastfeeding due to complications, including low milk supply, latching issues, pain and discomfort, or medical problems like mastitis. For many others, the difficulty is more psychological. One in five (18%) say they stop because they lack confidence or are unsure whether their baby is getting enough milk – a concern that was particularly common among younger mums, with 33% of those aged 16 to 24 saying they felt uncertain about milk flow.

Common struggles ranged from practical to emotional. A third (34%) said they lacked energy, 26% faced emotional challenges, 25% had difficulty with milk flow and 24% struggled with latching, often dealing with multiple issues at once. For one in five mums, the challenges they faced proved impossible to overcome.

Aston spoke to midwife and author Marley Henry.