How to Prepare for Breastfeeding: A Guide for New Moms
Set yourself up for breastfeeding success. Our expert guide offers practical, actionable tips to help you prepare before your baby arrives.
Your Guide to Preparing for a Successful Breastfeeding Journey
This article is written with insights from the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, who are dedicated to supporting families from pregnancy through their entire feeding journey.
Key Takeaways:
Educate Yourself Early: Before delivery, learn about latching techniques, feeding positions, and what to expect in the first few days. Utilize books, online classes, and reputable videos to build a foundation of knowledge.
Assemble Your Support Team: Identify an International Board Certfied Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and confirm that your hospital offers lactation support. Your support system also includes your partner, family, and parent groups.
Prepare Your Pumping and Feeding Supplies: Order your insurance-covered breast pump, sanitize its parts, and assemble it. Create a comfortable "nursing nook" in your home with essentials like a pillow, water, snacks, and burp cloths within arm's reach.
Discuss Antenatal Expression with Your Doctor: Ask your OB/GYN if expressing and storing colostrum before birth is a safe option for you. This "liquid gold" can be invaluable if your baby has trouble latching initially.
Plan Ahead for a Confident Breastfeeding Experience
Learning how to breastfeed can feel like taking on a new job with no training, all while recovering from childbirth and adjusting to a new sleep schedule. While it's a natural process, it's also a learned skill for both you and your baby. Taking steps to prepare before your little one arrives can transform those challenging first weeks into a more manageable and confident experience. Building a foundation of knowledge, support, and supplies allows you to focus on bonding with your newborn instead of scrambling for resources. Think of it as creating a personalized roadmap for your feeding journey. This preparation empowers you to navigate early hurdles with greater ease and set the stage for success right from the start.
Do Your Homework Before the Due Date
One of the most powerful things you can do is learn what to expect before you're in the thick of it. Understanding the fundamentals can help demystify the process and build your confidence. Start by familiarizing yourself with different latching techniques and nursing positions, such as the cradle, cross-cradle, and football holds. Knowing a few options can be a lifesaver if one position isn't working for you or your baby.
It's also helpful to learn about common newborn feeding behaviors. Read about the "golden hour" immediately after birth, a key time for skin-to-skin contact and initiating the first feed. Understand infant hunger cues, like rooting, fist-sucking, and lip-smacking, so you can offer a feed before your baby becomes upset. Learning about cluster feeding, when a baby wants to nurse very frequently over a few hours, can also help you recognize it as normal behavior rather than a sign that you aren't producing enough milk. Attending a prenatal breastfeeding class, either in-person or online, connects you with experts and other expectant parents, creating a valuable community.
Build Your Support System Before Baby Arrives
Successful breastfeeding rarely happens in a vacuum. It takes a village, and you get to choose who is in yours. The most critical professional resource is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). These specialists are the gold standard for lactation care, offering clinical expertise on everything from latch issues to milk supply concerns. When you choose your delivery hospital, ask if they have IBCLCs on staff for inpatient support. At Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, we ensure our families have access to our lactation team during their stay and even after they go home, with follow-up appointments and phone support.
Your support system also includes your partner, family, and friends. Have open conversations with them about your desire to breastfeed and how they can best help you. Their role might be bringing you a glass of water, taking care of older children, or simply offering words of encouragement when you're tired. Connecting with a local or online breastfeeding support group can also provide priceless peer-to-peer advice and solidarity.
Get Your Gear Ready to Go
If you plan to pump, whether occasionally or exclusively, get your pump ahead of time. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of a personal-use electric breast pump. Contact your provider to understand your coverage and how to order one. Once it arrives, don't leave it in the box. Take the time to wash and sanitize all the parts according to the manufacturer's instructions and practice assembling and disassembling it. Knowing how it works beforehand will prevent frustration when you're exhausted and need to use it. Our team can also provide tutorials on using your specific pump model.
Beyond the pump, think about comfort. A dedicated breastfeeding pillow can make a huge difference in preventing back, neck, and arm strain. Stock up on a few comfortable nursing tanks or bras to make feeding easier. You can wait to buy other items like nipple cream, nursing pads, or breast shells until you see if you need them.
Create Your Comfortable Nursing Nook
You will spend many hours nursing your newborn, so create a space that is comfortable and functional. You don't need a special glider, but choose a chair or a spot on the couch where you feel supported. Next, set up a small table or cart within arm's reach for all your essentials. This "command center" should have a large water bottle, one-handed snacks, burp cloths, your phone and charger, and perhaps a book or earbuds. Having everything you need close by means you can settle in without having to get up or call for help. If you have other children, stock a small basket nearby with quiet activities like crayons, books, or puzzles to keep them happily occupied while you focus on the baby.
Consider a "Warm-Up" with Your Doctor's Approval
For mothers with healthy, low-risk pregnancies, expressing milk before the baby is born, known as antenatal expression, can be a great way to prepare. Starting around 37 weeks, and only with the explicit approval of your OB/GYN, you can use hand expression to collect colostrum. Colostrum is the thick, yellowish first milk your body produces, and it's packed with antibodies and nutrients. It's often called "liquid gold" for its immense benefits. You can collect these precious drops in a small, sterile syringe and store them in your freezer. Bring them with you to the hospital in a cooler. Having a small supply on hand can be incredibly helpful if your baby has difficulty latching at first or has low blood sugar, ensuring they get the best possible start.
Your Partner in Parenthood
Preparing for breastfeeding is an act of love that begins long before your baby's first cry. By educating yourself, gathering your supplies, and building a robust support network, you create an environment that fosters confidence and calm during a transformative time. Each step you take now is an investment in a smoother, more positive experience for both you and your newborn. Remember that every feeding journey is unique, with its own rhythms and learning curves. There will be wonderful moments and challenging ones, and both are part of the process. The goal is not perfection but a healthy, fed baby and a supported, confident parent. You are learning a new skill together, and the groundwork you lay today will make all the difference in the days and weeks to come.
Schedule a consultation with one of our lactation experts at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare to create your personalized breastfeeding plan today.
FAQ:
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
Look for reliable indicators like the number of wet and dirty diapers (by day five, expect at least 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 stools in 24 hours), audible swallowing during feeds, and your baby seeming content after nursing. Your pediatrician will also monitor your baby's weight gain at checkups.
When should I introduce a bottle if I plan to pump?
Most lactation consultants recommend waiting until breastfeeding is well established, usually around 3-4 weeks. This helps prevent "nipple confusion" and protects your milk supply as it adjusts to your baby's needs.
What can my partner do to help with breastfeeding?
Partners can provide crucial support by changing diapers, burping the baby after feeds, bringing you water and snacks, handling household chores, and offering emotional encouragement. They can also help with skin-to-skin contact to soothe the baby.
Is it normal for breastfeeding to hurt?
Some initial tenderness or sensitivity when your baby latches is common in the first week, but persistent, sharp pain is not normal. Pain is often a sign of a poor latch. An IBCLC can help you assess your baby's latch and positioning to resolve discomfort.
How can I increase my milk supply?
Milk supply is based on demand. The most effective way to increase it is to nurse or pump more frequently. Ensure your baby is latching deeply, stay well-hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and get as much rest as you can. If you have concerns, a lactation consultant can provide personalized strategies.
Where can I find a good breastfeeding class?
Many hospitals, including Chesapeake Regional, offer prenatal breastfeeding classes. You can also find reputable courses through organizations like La Leche League International or by searching for classes taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Do I really need to buy a special breastfeeding pillow?
While not strictly necessary, a specialized pillow is designed to support your baby at the correct height, which can prevent you from hunching over and reduce strain on your back, neck, and arms. You can also use regular pillows, but a dedicated nursing pillow often provides better, more consistent support.
