I will be totally honest and say, yes it is a lot of hard work. But it is so worth it, once you get the hang of it. Getting the latch right is the most important part, and once you and baby have a good latch, then it will get easier. Plus, having the correct latch will help towards saving you from sore and cracked nipples. I was lucky and never had that.
The first few days are hard because you have to wait for your milk to come in, so baby is constantly on the boob and will be losing weight. don't panic, that is totally normal and supposed to happen. My son lose 1/2 a lbs. The first 6-8 weeks is the hardest part of BFing. Baby's tummy is tiny, so it fills up quickly, and since breast milk digest quickly, they get hungry quickly. They also get tired quickly, so it sometimes takes quite a while for a feed. For the first time every they ahve to work for their food, and it can wear them out. And since they are growing so much so quickly, the want to eat all the time. Evenings are the hards because babies tend to cluster feed to gear up for a longer sleep. My son would feed from 6-10 o'clock sometimes. Now, he was not sucking the entire time, he would nurse, then fall asleep, wake and nurse and so on. It just takes patience.
My son is now 4 months, and i am still fulltime BFing and I love it, and would not have it any other way. I think every mother has to find her own way in feeding, be it by breast or bottle. There is no right way, as long as you and baby are happy, the baby is feed and growing, then that is what matters most!
i wish you the best of luck. Oh and finding a Le leche group can help with any problems you might have.
