Is Breastfeeding Equivalent to a Full-time Job?

Breastfeeding is a full-time job – a new survey breaks down exactly where that time goes, and why so many moms feel exhausted and unprepared along the way.

Ahead of World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August), a new survey of 2,000 mothers puts hard numbers on something new parents have always known instinctively that breastfeeding is quite literally a full-time job. Commissioned by Momcozy and conducted by Talker Research, the survey found that from breastfeeding to starting solids, the average mom spends over 91 full days feeding her baby across the first year and 39% say there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to keep up with parenting (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The 91-day reality of breastfeeding for early moms

Go to source

).

How Long Do Moms Breastfeed Each Day?

Two in five mothers think that parenting is a real job with a typical day for an early mother breaks down to four hours of playing or snuggling with baby, two hours on diaper changes, and two more on bedtime routines and soothing. Among mothers currently feeding, 43% report feeling running out of time, which is even more acute compared to 37% of moms overall.

The average mom spends three hours a day breastfeeding during the first year, and 28% spend upward of five hours. Of that time, actual nursing takes up 33%, pumping another 22%, with the rest split between cleaning equipment (16%), storing and packaging milk (15%), and planning feeding times (14%). Altogether, that’s over 23 hours a week — nearly 100 hours a month.

Is Breastfeeding Harder Than a Normal Job?

Health guidance generally advice moms initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, feeding up to 8-12 times every 24 hours in the early weeks, continuing exclusively for six months where possible. The hidden labour and exhaustion often go unnoticed, of the new moms.

Lack of sleep was their biggest struggle, with 47% saying it was the hardest part of early motherhood. Breastfeeding came in a close second at 40%, followed by bedtime routines at 32%. Meanwhile, 26% of moms said they weren’t sure they were doing things right, and another 26% worried about creating the right environment for their baby.

The Breastfeeding Goal and the Reality

Moms surveyed, the average mother planned to breastfeed for 10 months. But for the 28% who didn’t meet that goal, fed for average five months.

More than half (53%) describe themselves as “go with the flow” parents, though 40% had set strict goals even before birth. Despite the huge time demand 56% moms were committed to support their baby’s health and 43% to bond with them (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Momcozy Launches Year-Long 600 Hours of Support Initiative as New Survey Reveals the Extraordinary Time Mothers Spend Breastfeeding

Go to source).

Even so, one in six felt unprepared to start breastfeeding, blindsided most often by low milk supply (51%), emotional strain (35%), and sheer exhaustion (33%).

More than half (53%) ended up disappointed they hadn’t hit their goals — a feeling that hit first-time moms hardest (61%), though even half of experienced mothers felt it too.

By the end of their breastfeeding journey, 73% described themselves as simply exhausted, worn down by sore nipples (48%), physical fatigue (39%), and latching struggles (33%).

Many wished for more help at home — from a partner sharing chores (49%) to simply more emotional support (46%).

Despite the exhaustion, practical tools are making a real difference: 51% of moms use breast pumps, 37% rely on nursing bras, and 31% use nursing pillows to manage the daily demands of breastfeeding.

Melissa Kotlen, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Clinical Manager of Momcozy, put the findings in context:

“These findings reflect what we hear from families every day. While breastfeeding is often described as natural, that doesn’t mean it comes naturally. It requires an incredible investment of time, energy and emotional resilience, especially during the first year. When challenges arise, many mothers feel like they’re falling short, when in reality they’re experiencing something that’s incredibly common. Every feeding journey is different, and access to timely, trusted support can help mothers feel more informed, more confident and better able to make the choices that are right for themselves and their families.”

She added:

“Breastfeeding places much of the physical demand on mothers, but they should not have to manage every part of the experience alone. It’s encouraging to see that many mothers are using practical tools like breast pumps, nursing bras and nursing pillows to help navigate the everyday demands of feeding, from improving comfort and flexibility to making routines more manageable. While products can ease some of the daily challenges, they’re most impactful when paired with the right support system. Whether that’s a partner sharing responsibilities, guidance from a lactation consultant or simply having someone to reassure you that what you’re experiencing is normal, every mother deserves to feel supported throughout her feeding journey (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
NIS-Child Data Results

Go to source).”

References:

1. The 91-day reality of breastfeeding for early moms – (https://talkerresearch.com/the-91-day-reality-of-breastfeeding-for-early-moms/)
2. Momcozy Launches Year-Long 600 Hours of Support Initiative as New Survey Reveals the Extraordinary Time Mothers Spend Breastfeeding – (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/momcozy-launches-year-long-600-hours-of-support-initiative-as-new-survey-reveals-the-extraordinary-time-mothers-spend-breastfeeding-302835030.html)
3. NIS-Child Data Results – (https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html)

Source-Medindia