Of the many things that make being a new mother challenging, one is certainly the issue of breastfeeding. On the one hand, it’s presumably a completely natural and intuitive process that mothers both human and animal have been engaging in for, well, ever. But on the other hand, it can be fairly complicated, especially when you’re new to it.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are already vulnerable times for women due in part to the hormonal fluctuations accompanying pregnancy and delivery, as well as the sleep deprivation of the early postpartum period. Now, fears about the health of an unborn child or an infant and the consequences of preventive measures, like social distancing, have added more stress.

The process of recovering from birth is just as important as the pregnancy itself for the health, happiness, and growth of both mother and child. We have to start talking about a mother’s needs during postpartum and beyond. So here’s a guide to how you can survive your fourth trimester.