I believe that preparing for breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do while pregnant.
Assuming that you want to breastfeed, of course.
One of the reasons I started this blog was because of my own experiences with breastfeeding.
I had such a hard time nursing my first son that I wanted to help any new mum struggling with breastfeeding as well.
Thankfully, I was able to nurse my second child well past his first birthday.
From these experiences, I realized that there are ways to guarantee that your desires to breastfeed your baby aren’t just a dream but a beautiful reality.
You may be interested in this detailed guide on how to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding during pregnancy.
This post contains affiliate links, learn more about this, here.
Why don’t we prepare for breastfeeding?
Many mums-to-be spend ages reading up about labour and delivery. How to cope with labour pains? How not to have tears and all of that.
But the reality is that childbirth lasts a comparatively shorter time compared to breastfeeding.
For many mothers, breastfeeding lasts months or even years.
Yet, many first time mums hardly ever think to prepare for their breastfeeding journey.
The thing is, we believe that because breastfeeding is natural, it should be easy.
Unfortunately, for many new mums, this isn’t the case at all! As we’ll discuss below.
Preparing For Breastfeeding Before Baby Arrives
In this post, I’ll show you 9 important things you can do to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives.
#1. PREPARE MENTALLY
Having the right mindset
What does this mean? To be successful at breastfeeding, you need to MAKE UP YOUR MIND to breastfeed!
Not to try because trying implies that when things get tough (and they will), you’ll quit.
But to decide to breastfeed. This can make all the difference!
Be prepared to spend a lot of time breastfeeding in the early days. This is because you and your baby are still learning the ropes on this breastfeeding thing.
As your baby becomes more adept at nursing, it takes less time for him to get enough milk for a feed.
Realise that breastfeeding may come with CHALLENGES
It’s good to be aware and informed about the realities of breastfeeding (which usually seem to be a slap in the face for many new mums).
Nursing your little one will likely come with some challenges.
Issues you might encounter are a poor latch, struggling to get your baby to latch, how long feeding takes in the early days, cluster feedings, sleep deprivation, tiredness, tongue-tie etc.
It really can be a lot!
The more knowledgeable you are about these challenges, the better able you are to cope mentally!
Knowing what to expect means you won’t be taken by surprise when they happen.
Rather, you will be more confident in your abilities to feed your baby despite those challenges.
Breastfeeding Affirmations
Staying positive while you’re breastfeeding is crucial.
Especially in the early days when you may be going through a breastfeeding issue like sore or cracked nipples.
Or when you are just learning to nurse. It can be easy to give up nursing during such a time.
However, having some breastfeeding affirmations on hand can remind you that pain and stress are temporary and that nursing has many rewards.
Choosing to stay positive and believing that YOU CAN DO THIS will go a long way to help you succeed at breastfeeding your baby.
#2. LEARN ABOUT BREASTFEEDING
As you seek breastfeeding knowledge, be aware that there are lots of breastfeeding myths out there so be careful to learn from well-researched and verified sources.
For instance, someone recently mentioned that my breastfed 18 month-old was not getting any antibodies or nutrients from my breast milk at this stage.
This is untrue.
Research has shown that breastfeeding older babies has many nutritional benefits and boosts the immune system of your child.
So, if you want to learn about breastfeeding, here are some practical ways you can.
Breastfeeding Books
Books are always great resources and provide lots of value. Breastfeeding books are no different.
Some golden breastfeeding books are
- The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
- Dr Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding
- Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding
- The Nursing Mother’s Companion
- Breastfeeding Made Simple
As you read, you will begin to pick up what’s normal and what isn’t when nursing your little one.
For example, a newborn baby can nurse about 8-12 times (or more) in 24 hours.
Sometimes, they would cluster feed and it could seem like they are constantly on the boobs.
Knowing that this is normal behaviour is reassuring. Then you wouldn’t wonder if you are producing enough milk or not.
Don’t like reading?
Try Audible, you get the first 30 days FREE. Plus, you can listen while you put up the nursery.
Breastfeeding Blogs
Many great breastfeeding websites have up-to-date breastfeeding information.
My favourites are Kellymom and La Leche League International.
They’ve written extensively on breastfeeding on their websites. They also reference their sources so you know they are legit!
This blog is also a good breastfeeding resource. Other related breastfeeding blog posts are:
If you enjoy reading online, reading breastfeeding blogs and websites is a great way to learn about breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Courses
One of the best ways you can prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives is to take a breastfeeding course.
It’s easy to assume that health professionals know a lot about breastfeeding. The sad truth is that this is NOT the case at all!
Few medical professionals are trained in breastfeeding.
Those specially trained are called Lactation Consultants (IBCLC which stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant are those who have the highest professional qualification worldwide).
A breastfeeding course is usually taught by a Lactation Consultant who has received specialized breastfeeding training.
So, they know what they are talking about!
I recommend THIS great breastfeeding course: Milkology, taught by Stacey, a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).
Family and friends that have successfully breastfed
Family and friends make a great breastfeeding resource.
Ask those you are close to about issues they had with breastfeeding; their top breastfeeding tips; what worked for them, what didn’t; and what they wish they knew about breastfeeding before having a baby.
#3. PREPARE YOUR BODY
The body naturally prepares itself
Our bodies are powerful and beautiful.
From the moment you get pregnant, your breasts start preparing for milk production. You don’t have to do anything at all for this to happen.
Isn’t that amazing?!
Don’t forget to eat balanced meals as much as possible for greater immunity and to avoid unnecessary fatigue.
Check your breasts and nipples during pregnancy
It’s a good idea to examine your breasts and nipples while pregnant. Check your nipples. Are they flat, retracted, inverted? Flat, retracted or inverted nipples might make it more difficult to breastfeed.
Here’s how to check according to Healthline and I quote:
- Place your thumb and forefinger on the edges of your areola, which is the dark area around your nipple.
- Squeeze gently.
- Repeat on your other breast.
If your nipple is truly flat or inverted, it will flatten or retract into your breast instead of pushing out.
How to reshape your nipples before birth
- Use breast shells
- Stretch the skin of the areola to allow the affected nipple to protrude
- Use a disposable syringe to pull out the affected nipple
- An Evert-it-nipple enhancer or any of its variants is good and can be bought on Amazon
Knowing the shape of your nipples in advance can help you learn how you can successfully breastfeed.
SHOULD YOU TOUGHEN YOUR NIPPLES FOR BREASTFEEDING?
This is a question a lot of mums-to-be ask. They get told to “toughen up their nipples” by mums from older generations.
This is outdated advice. The simple answer is NO, you do not need to toughen your nipples for breastfeeding. Toughening your nipples involves rubbing a towel hard on your nipples to make them tough for nursing.
Doing this can remove the natural protective antimicrobial layer covering the nipples.
When you think about it, your nipples are usually so tender and sensitive during pregnancy that using a towel to “toughen them up” will only bruise them and cause a lot of pain.
Besides, with a good latch, your baby sucks the areola and not the nipple. So, ideally, your nipples should not be sore or cracked after breastfeeding.
My mum, bless her, gave me the same advice until I read somewhere that it was not needed (see why you need to read a LOT?).
So you see, toughening your nipples is not recommended and is unnecessary.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NIPPLES WHILE PREGNANT
Learn to hand express and start colostrum harvesting
When your baby is born, you may find that you need to hand express.
This may be for varied reasons. Either your baby isn’t able to latch, having a preemie baby, your baby being in the NICU or a host of other reasons.
Hand expression is a simple technique of using your hands to remove milk from your breasts. As with most things nursing, there’s a proper way to do it to get the best results.
How to hand express
- Be in a relaxed, calm, happy mood
- Start by gently massaging your breasts
- Then let your thumb and first finger form a c-shape and gently squeeze the outer edge of the areola (the dark/pink circle around your breasts) till you see colostrum or milk beaded on your nipple
- Don’t squeeze the nipples as that will make them sore and will not produce colostrum
- Repeat the process
If you are more visually- inclined, I found this short video very demonstrative and practical in teaching how to hand express.
Learning to hand express will give you the confidence needed if things do not go as planned and your baby isn’t able to latch on.
If you find your baby doesn’t latch immediately, knowing how to hand express will lessen the stress and pressure on you to nurse your baby.
It will also helpful in relieving clogged ducts and engorged breasts.
COLOSTRUM HARVESTING
Colostrum harvesting may be a strange concept to you but it’s highly recommended by many midwives and maternity health care professionals.
What is colostrum harvesting? It is the practice of hand expressing your colostrum and storing it (freezing) for your baby before birth.
It’s recommended you start from 37 weeks of pregnancy.
If you end up giving birth before 39-40 weeks, this stored (frozen) colostrum can help prevent your baby from developing jaundice.
One of the reasons I love the idea of collecting and freezing colostrum beforehand is because it really really helps to calm the mother and baby if the baby struggles to latch at first.
If your baby gets stressed because they are hungry and can’t latch on, you in turn get stressed. This isn’t helpful for milk production.
But giving your baby expressed colostrum helps to calm him down and keeps mum relaxed as well.
And the calmer and relaxed you are, the better your milk will flow. Also, you are calm enough to encourage your baby to latch on.
However, colostrum harvesting is NOT recommended for every woman.
Some categories of women for who colostrum harvesting is NOT recommended are:
- Women who have a history of threatened early labour.
- If you have a previous premature birth.
- If you have cervical problems.
- Women who have stitches in their cervix to prevent early labour.
- Women who have experienced bleeding during pregnancy.
On the other hand, harvesting breast milk is encouraged for some women in particular.
If you have gestational diabetes, type 1 or 2 diabetes, it’s advised that you start expressing and storing colostrum from 36-37 weeks.
The colostrum will help to stabilize your baby’s low blood sugar without a need for formula.
Having twins, going for an elective c-section, or having a BMI above 37? You should consider expressing colostrum before birth.
Other women that are encouraged to express colostrum while pregnant are
- Women who have had breast surgery.
- Women who are on beta-blockers for hypotension.
- Babies diagnosed with cleft lip or palate, fetal growth restriction, Down’s Syndrome or a heart condition.
- Women with hormonal disorders.
Colostrum harvesting is a great antenatal preparation for breastfeeding.
CAN COLOSTRUM HARVESTING BRING ON LABOUR?
You may be concerned about colostrum harvesting causing preterm labour.
There are mixed views about this.
Because nipple stimulation causes the release of the hormone, Oxytocin, which in turn stimulates contractions, there are some concerns that colostrum harvesting can cause early labour.
However, sex and breastfeeding while pregnant also involve nipple stimulation but these activities are considered safe in pregnancy.
If you experience any cramps or contractions when expressing colostrum, stop and speak to your midwife or doctor.
#4. PREPARE YOUR PARTNER, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Having a supportive partner is key to enjoying a successful nursing experience.
Before your baby is born, have a discussion with your spouse about your breastfeeding plan.
How long do you want to breastfeed? Do you want to exclusively breastfeed or are you happy to supplement with formula? What are your plans for returning to work?
Encourage your partner to take a breastfeeding class with you. Or read a breastfeeding resource at the very least.
This will help prepare him for what to expect, challenges that may arise and how to properly support you to meet your breastfeeding goals.
Explain to your partner, family and friends that you plan on breastfeeding and will appreciate getting their support when the time comes.
Questions like “are you sure you are producing enough milk? He looks hungry, why not top up with formula?” should be discouraged.
MY STORY: When my second son was about 2 weeks old, he started cluster-feeding. At the time, I wasn’t sure what was happening. Every evening, my son would be on the boobs for hours- nursing. He would even get fussy like he wasn’t getting enough milk. But I knew I had a good supply. Still, it was super stressful. One day, my husband suggested I top up with formula. We had struggled to breastfeed our tongue-tied first son and he didn't want to see me go through that pain again. Still, that statement upset me. To me, it meant I couldn’t successfully exclusively-breastfeed my baby which was my desire. I had a conversation with him about how his statement felt discouraging and how I needed him to believe that I had a good enough supply to feed our son. Thankfully, he understood me, apologized and went on to fully support my breasting plan. This could have been avoided if we had this talk before our son was born . Soon enough, I realized our son was cluster-feeding In a couple of days, we were back to our normal feeding pattern.
#5. GET HELP AHEAD OF TIME
Have on-hand, the phone number of a tested and trusted lactation consultant (IBCLC).
If possible, interview one before your baby’s due date. Ask friends and family for recommendations.
You may need one. The sad truth is that not all health professionals are trained in breastfeeding.
I think of the paediatrician who told us my baby’s tongue-tie would not affect his breastfeeding. He discouraged us from snipping it earlier.
It did affect his nursing and ended up being the reason I quit breastfeeding him at almost 2 weeks.
So, please, have an experienced lactation consultant on standby. One that you can call on if breastfeeding isn’t going well in the early days.
If you get this breastfeeding course, the creator, who is a certified IBCLC gives a 50% discount on her lactation consultant services.
She offers virtual consulting as well, so it doesn’t matter where you are in the world. She’ll be able to help you address your breastfeeding concerns.
Also, watch friends and family breastfeed. Look at the way they hold their babies while nursing and talk to them about breastfeeding.
Check out breastfeeding support groups. You may find some local to you that you can visit once the pandemic ends.
They are very welcoming to pregnant women.
There, you can observe other nursing mothers. You will hear them talk about any challenges they are facing. Ask questions and become more knowledgeable about breastfeeding in the process.
There are also so many virtual and online breastfeeding support groups.
Type in the local area where you live + breastfeeding support on Facebook and you are bound to come up with a few groups you can join.
You can also follow some accredited IBCLC handles on Instagram. I learnt a lot from following a couple of them myself especially @milkymamallc
#6. HOW BIRTH AFFECTS BREASTFEEDING
Research shows that mothers whose births had little to no interventions (epidurals, c-sections, forceps/ventouse assisted delivery), tend to enjoy an easier start to breastfeeding.
Thinking about this realistically, it makes sense.
With minimal intervention, your baby is usually put straight on your chest for skin to skin (at least in most NHS Hospitals here in the UK).
This helps him to do the breast crawl where he can easily attach himself to mummy’s breasts.
Your baby is not sleepy because of pethidine, he’s not whisked away on an emergency, you are not stressed. etc
All these play a HUGE role in a successful start to nursing.
To prepare for giving birth, I recommend you take a birthing class, this one is very good.
#7. BUY SOME BREASTFEEDING ACCESSORIES
A lot of women will tell you that all you need to breastfeed are your boobs.
While this is technically true, in my personal experience, a few breastfeeding accessories, make the journey much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Here are my top breastfeeding must-haves for nursing success:
- Breast pump
- Silicone breast pumps
- Breast milk storage bags
- Nursing pillow very essential
- Nursing bras
- Nursing tops
- Nipple cream
- Extra snacks
#8. PREPARE YOUR HOME
By your 3rd trimester, it’s a great idea to prepare a nursing corner in your home.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or large, a little corner in your home or room will suffice.
The idea is to make that corner comfortable for nursing.
Remember, practical is more important than beautiful. However, if you can achieve both, by all means, do.
Here are a few things you can add to your nursing corner to make it a comfortable place for you to nurse your baby.
- Comfy chair
- Stool
- Pillows
- Water
- Snacks
- Nipple Cream
- Netflix
- Phone & Charger
- Nappies and wipes
- Muslin squares
- Changing mat
#9. DECIDING ON A HOSPITAL (US FOLKS)
If you are based in the United States, choosing the place of your baby’s birth plays a big role in the start of your breastfeeding journey.
That’s because not every hospital is breastfeeding-friendly or supportive.
Here are a few tips to help you choose a hospital or birth centre where you’ll get maximum breastfeeding support.
- Choose a baby-friendly hospital
- Pick an Ob-Gyn carefully.
- Ask several questions to find out if they are pro-breastfeeding or not.
This breastfeeding course goes into much detail about questions to ask before choosing a hospital and Ob-Gyn.
IN CONCLUSION…
I hope this article helped you learn how to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives. Try not to get overwhelmed with all you have to do but take things one at a time.
You may also want to see my articles on
- breastfeeding a tongue-tied baby
- why I am not a breastfeeding failure
- 10 breastfeeding esesentials for breastfeeding success
- What you need in a breastfeeding gift basket
- 7 beautiful breastfeeding poems that new mums can relate to!
I’m praying for a successful breastfeeding journey for you and congratulations on your baby!