'I Kept Trying': New Mom Ashley Tisdale Gets Candid About The Struggle & 'Pressure' Of Breastfeeding

Since becoming pregnant last year, Ashley Tisdale has highlighted the highs and lows of the journey on her blog, Frenshe. And while she knew how difficult labor would be, she never expected something like breastfeeding to be as "hard" as it actually is.

"I think there’s this pressure around the subject of breastfeeding, and that those who do it are the best moms, but that’s not true," she noted, revealing that her breastfeeding struggles with daughter Jupiter began on her first day at the hospital in March, as the baby wasn't latching.

"I kept on trying, even though I could tell Jupiter was frustrated," she admitted. "This made me upset because I just wanted to have a good experience with feeding her for the first time."

By day four of Jupiter's life, Tisdale decided to use a breast pump and then feed her the milk via a bottle, which luckily, Jupiter "loved."

However, it was in that moment that the new mom realized "that maybe breastfeeding isn’t meant for us."

The Disney Channel alum explained that she didn't enjoy the pumping process, especially since it prevented her from "being in the moment with Juju and enjoying my first weeks of motherhood."

"At that point, I turned to my husband [Christopher French] and said, 'I feel like we’re striving and not thriving with this breast milk situation,'" she recalled. "I was determined to make it work, but all I truly cared about was Jupiter having a good experience with feeding and getting the best nutrition."

Tisdale then decided to use formula instead.

"The thing about formula is that you still have that same special moment with your baby that you do with breastfeeding. You’re still looking into your baby’s eyes, whether it’s with your breast or a bottle," the actress pointed out. "I know it’s super popular right now to post an Instagram picture of you breastfeeding, but what about the other moms who don’t have that experience? The moms who try it, and it just doesn’t work out?"

After doing some research alongside her husband, the pair decided to start feeding their little girl Enspire formula.

"I felt great knowing that there was another option out there for us. And Jupiter loves it, which makes me the happiest!" the High School Musical star gushed. "So, it might not have been an easy ride from the start, but I’m glad we found something that’s trusted and works for us!"