'Exhausted, in pain': Claire Holt opens up about breastfeeding struggles

Australian actress Claire Holt has opened up about her breastfeeding struggles in an emotional Instagram post.

The Vampire Diaries star shared a picture of herself, with visible tears in her eyes and her one-week-old son, James, peacefully sleeping on her shoulder.

“This was me yesterday after struggling through a tough feed,” Holt, 30, explains in her caption.

“Exhausted, in pain, feeling defeated.”

The new mum adds she has been experiencing moments like this since her son was born, explaining she often feels as though she is “falling short.”

“Motherhood is an overwhelming combination of bliss and self-doubt,” she continues.

“I try to remind myself that I can’t be perfect.

“Thankfully this little guy is worth every second of struggle.”

The Originals star ends her post by asking other mothers: “tell me I’m not alone.”

Fellow mums have since come to the actress’s side to ensure her it isn’t unusual to feel this way – including some high-profile names.

“You’re amazing,” writes Australian ExtraTV presenter, Renee Bargh.

“He’s so lucky to have you as his [mumma].”

“Totally not alone!” adds Aussie model and mum-of-three Miranda Kerr. “Totally normal to feel this way.”

Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried has also come to Holt’s aid, divulging that as a new mother, she took two days off feeding in the first week so she wouldn’t “be scared and sad every time she [her daughter] woke up to feed.”

“It helped so much. No guilt. Just pump and bottle.

“You’re not alone.”