How to prepare for breastfeeding

Congratulations are in order

Before we go into how to prepare for breastfeeding, let’s talk about all the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding.

Benefits of breastfeeding

First, there is the wonder of simply getting to know your baby. Breastfeeding allows you to spend precious moments together skin-on-skin, so you’ll both enjoy a feeling of closeness and wellbeing.

Your baby will also benefit from the many healthy properties in breast milk. Breast milk supports your baby’s cognitive development, develops the immune system, reduces ear infections and leads to fewer stomach upsets and diarrhoea.

There are also many benefits for you. For example, breastfeeding helps shrink your uterus after birth, leads to a reduced rate of reproduction related health problems, and more weight loss if you breastfeed for at least six months.

As you begin your breastfeeding journey, try to keep these benefits in mind. There might be moments when things don’t go smoothly, and it can be useful to look at the bigger picture to help stay on track.

How to prepare for breastfeeding

Now, let’s explore the practical side of things. Your breastfeeding journey will be unique because there’s no combination of mum and baby quite like the two of you, but there are preparations that every mum can take to help things go smoothly.

• Get a breast check
  The beauty of the human body is that no one pair of breasts is the same. Have a healthcare professional perform a breast check in your regular prenatal check-up to see how your breasts are developed so you’ll know of any adjustments you may need to make when you begin breastfeeding. This could help prevent latch-on difficulties when breastfeeding.

• Make a breastfeeding goal
  Many women find it helpful to think about how long they’d like to breastfeed before they begin. In fact, those who set a goal are more likely to breastfeed for longer. Try looking at all aspects of your life — from your lifestyle, to work, to how much support you have.

• Create a feeding plan
  Once you’ve made a goal, you can go about planning for your breastfeeding in the short- and long-term. This might involve thinking about the practicalities of your first moments together after birth, or how you’ll go about night feeds. It’s also a chance to think about what you’ll do if things don’t go smoothly. For instance, if you experience nipple pain, you might like to express milk with a breast pump or have nipple cream on hand so you can give yourself comfort right away.

• Make the most of the ‘Golden Hour’
  Let your baby’s natural feeding instincts kick in by spending your first hour together (also known as the ‘Golden Hour’) and getting to know one another skin-to-skin. Your baby will naturally try to crawl up your chest and begin feeding.

• Plan for the long-term
  How you breastfeed will also naturally change over time. It can be handy to think about things like the kind of breast pump you’ll need if you’re not able to be there for a feed. For instance, a manual breast pump is handy for when you’re on the go and just need something lightweight. On the other hand, if you’d just like something efficient for at work, then a single electric breast pump might be better for you.

So, who can I talk to about breastfeeding?

Now that you know the practical steps you can take to help you breastfeed comfortably, let’s look at the people who can help you get there. Support is always there throughout your entire breastfeeding journey.

• Your healthcare professional
  Use your regular prenatal check-ups to ask any questions about the changes you’re going through. No question is too small or too silly. This is new, after all!

• Antenatal classes
  As well as planning for the moment of birth, you can use your antenatal classes to ask questions about breastfeeding. It’s a great time to make a goal that feels right for you and talk to other mums-to-be about how you’re feeling.

• Lactation consultant
  A lactation consultant is someone who specialises in breastfeeding. They could be a doctor, a nurse, or a midwife. If you struggle with breastfeeding at first, you might like to ask for their support with things like positioning, latching or your milk supply.

• Apps and online communities
  You might not always have someone by your side, but you’ll find there are plenty of ways to support yourself when you’re at home too. Many mums like to use apps to track their baby’s feeds, or find support in online communities for new mums. With uGrow, our baby tracking app, monitoring how much milk you're producing is a breeze. If you’re taking advice from a website or app, be sure to check that it has a medical source.

• You’re on your way
  By thinking about why you’d like to breastfeed, planning ahead and getting to know your support team, you’re already on your way to breastfeeding success.

There’s also great power in talking about your breastfeeding experience — the precious moments, and the not so easy ones. You’ll find great support by talking regularly with your healthcare professional, family, friends and other new mums about your breastfeeding journey.