You nursed your first baby so successfully that you could do it in your sleep (literally). So when you found out that another was on the way, you may have been more than confident that you would find your mommy-baby nursing groove with ease. That is, until you found your nursing sessions to be pretty painful, and learned that what you were experiencing is called breastfeeding agitation, and is a real thing. Although you may not be comfortable talking about your feelings with others, there are ways to cope with breastfeeding agitation while you make the best decision for you and your family.

According to La Leche League, breastfeeding agitation affects approximately a third of breastfeeding moms. It is especially prevalent in moms who are tandem nursing a newborn and toddler. Most women who have experienced breastfeeding agitation will tell you that the feelings they get are difficult to put into words, but will admit that the emotional and physical pain they experience are extremely hard to manage. Not only are they uncomfortable, they may be left feeling guilty about not wanting to nurse their own child.

It's important to know that breastfeeding agitation has no bearing on how you feel about your child, and is instead the result of hormones. Try some of the tips on this list to help get you through this uncomfortable period, and give yourself a break.