Preparing to Breastfeed

Yes, breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn't mean that it is always easy. Without education and support, many women end their breastfeeding experience earlier than desired out of frustration or confusion regarding common, fixable problems. While you anticipate the birth of your child, it is important that you also prepare yourself for the incredible experience of nursing your child, should you desire to breastfeed. There are many steps that you can take during pregnancy to not only increase your knowledge of breastfeeding, but also to create a support network and instill confidence in both you and your partner. Below are some ideas of how to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy...

• Get some time with ladies who have nursed successfully and ask them to share their nursing story with you. Chances are they all went through ups and downs during their time nursing. Soak in their wisdom and learn from their experiences.

• Create a contact list of ladies who have had successful nursing experiences and keep it handy. Speaking with and/or meeting up with these ladies after the baby is born will be SO helpful and encouraging for you. When times get tough with nursing, you will likely feel exhausted, frustrated, and ready to throw in the towel. This is when your support network comes in! There is nothing more encouraging than a friend who has been there and can support you during a tough time.

• Attend a breastfeeding class. While nursing is a completely natural thing, it doesn't always come as naturally as we may have thought it would. The more knowledge you have going in, the less scary it will be when you begin and the easier it will be to recognize and correct problems that you may experience in those early months of breastfeeding. Also, bring your husband to the class! Dads need to understand what nursing is all about - what to expect, how it works, and how they can love and support you during your time breastfeeding. Numerous studies have shown that the stronger the support system is at home with regards to breastfeeding, the stronger the chances are for continued successful breastfeeding.

• Read up on breastfeeding through books, blogs, and articles. The more you know the less fear you will have and the greater your chances of continuing to breastfeed despite intermittent challenges.

• Hold off on the pump purchase. Rather than drop the big money on a pump that you may or may not need, wait until you have started breastfeeding to make that decision. For some woman, they are able to self express their milk and find that they never end up using their pump. Woman who find themselves pumping only occasionally may not need an expensive double electric pump, but may be able to get by with a small manual pump or single electric pump. For woman who find that they are going to be pumping quite frequently, they will likely need a double electric pump. If you decide that you would like to purchase a pump but are unsure as to what kind, find friends who have various models and ask if you can borrow theirs for an afternoon to try it out. You may also choose to look into renting a pump for a short period of time when you will need it most, or simply to try it out before purchasing one.

• You may choose to wait before purchasing a nursing cover. Again, see if you can borrow a few different kinds from friends before making a decision. The most popular type of cover is the apron-style cover, but many women find that they loathe them after only a few uses. There are some great new covers coming out that are less bulky and provide more coverage than others. Covers can be very useful in certain situations (such as on a plane), even if you do not care to wear them in other public places. Wait to see what you need/like, or buy one early...just make sure that you keep your receipt in case it doesn't work for you. *Keep your eye out for a review that I am currently writing for a great cover called the InfinityMOM!

• Scout out spots that you could nurse in public in frequently visited places (nursing room at church, dressing room at Target, etc.) Having this already planned out ahead of time will take away some of the anxiety or stress you may have when going out on those first few outings with your baby.

• You may choose to purchase a nursing pillow to help with the positioning of your baby during breastfeeding sessions. Some women are comfortable with simply propping up bed or couch pillows while others like the added support and ease of a nursing pillow. Two of the most popular brands are Boppy and My Breast Friend. See if you can get your hands on a few different types ahead of time to try and/or read up on reviews of various nursing pillows to help you determine which will be best for you. You will also want to make sure that you have at least two covers for your pillow, as they will get dirty.

• Create a spot both upstairs and downstairs where you can nurse. You will not want to be climbing up and down stairs every time you need to nurse. Find a few spots around the house that provide ample support and are comfortable enough to sit or lie down in for extended periods of time.

• Stock the cupboard with easy to eat snacks that you can munch on while nursing. No matter how smoothly your breastfeeding experience is going, those first few weeks with baby can be exhausting. It is incredibly important that you are getting proper nutrition during this time, both for the care and repair of your own body, as well as your baby's. Having things available that are easy to eat will make it much simpler and less stressful for you to achieve those goals.

• If you don't already have one, purchase a water bottle. I suggest ones with straws or camel-baks so that you only need one hand free to drink. Trust me, you will be taking this thing with you everywhere, so make sure that you like it!

• Stock up on quality breast pads. I suggest ones that are made from hemp or cotton as they are washable (cost-effective), more comfortable than disposable pads, and easier on your skin.

• Purchase some hydrogel pads that you can freeze/refrigerate. You can purchase these at places like Target or on Amazon. Some popular brands are Lansinoh, Medela, and Ameda. These will feel heavenly while you and baby are establishing your breastfeeding rhythm.

• Write down the contact information for any local breastfeeding resources in the area and have it handy. Some examples are: lactation centers, breastfeeding groups, la leche league groups, etc. Check facebook for local breastfeeding groups and resources, as well.

• Wait to go on a nursing bra shopping spree. While it seems tempting to stock up now, you will want to postpone this task a few months. Buy a few inexpensive looser sports bras or other stretchy bras that you can easily lift to expose your breast. Your breasts will fluctuate in size quite a bit during the first few months of breastfeeding as your milk supply changes to meet the demands of your baby. Bravado makes a great nursing bra that is comfortable, easy to use, and provides more coverage than a sports bra (it can be purchased on Amazon).

What are some other tips that you have for nursing moms-to-be??

#breastfeeding