How to Prepare to Breastfeed

During pregnancy, the woman’s whole body changes, including the breasts. In the first trimester, the breasts increase in size, get heavier, and become sensitive – that’s how nature prepares the female body for the upcoming breastfeeding.

It’s essential to be prepared for this process to avoid possible difficulties and problems in the future. Remember that every woman can breastfeed her baby. Only 3% have issues in the form of hypoplasia (when significantly reduced breast milk production due to hormonal imbalances). In all other cases, obstacles to breastfeeding mainly lie in psychological and physical unpreparedness.

Preparing to breastfeed before you give birth

To prepare for breastfeeding, the essential thing that expectant moms can do is to build confidence in themselves and their abilities. Successful breastfeeding starts with a mom believing she can do it, just like billions of other moms do. Moms-to-be need good care and gentle conditions to prevent premature birth: babies born too early have more problems with breastfeeding.

The guidelines for successful breastfeeding

Now let’s get to the practical side of things. Every woman has a unique breastfeeding experience. However, there are guidelines to help any woman prepare for successful breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding goals

Before brand-new moms even start breastfeeding, many women need to decide how long they will breastfeed their baby. Usually, those moms who set these goals are more likely to breastfeed for longer.

Take breastfeeding classes

An expectant mother can learn breastfeeding tips with great success if she gets advice from a breastfeeding specialist. Most breastfeeding problems arise from a lack of information. More often than not, such issues are corrected within one consultation. Prenatal classes help pregnant women and their partners to prepare ahead of time – before the baby is born. In addition, by getting to know a lactation consultant before giving birth, a mother can quickly get the support she needs when she starts breastfeeding in practice.

Take advantage of the first “golden hour”

The first hour immediately after birth is called the “golden hour” for a reason because mother and baby have skin-to-skin contact and spend this hour together. It is also an opportunity for the newborn to “get used to it” and show its feeding instinct: It will seek out the breast and grab the nipple itself.

Long term breastfeeding plan

Your way of breastfeeding will naturally change over time. Think ahead about what kind of baby formula or breast pump will work for you in case you can’t feed your baby for any reason and you have to pump your milk or use formula milk.

Can breastfeeding be combined with other ways of feeding?

It usually takes three to six weeks to establish a healthy feeding regimen, and it is recommended to feed your baby only breast milk during that time. However, once the feeding habit is established, you can combine breast milk with bottled formula. It is known that breast milk has many beneficial properties for the baby: it supports cognitive development, develops the immune system, and reduces the risk of middle ear inflammation. No formula can compare with the benefits of breast milk. However, if breastfeeding is not possible, parents should first visit their pediatrician. There are many formula choices, so it is worth knowing their features and the basic rules of choice. The current range of baby foods is varied. Each composition is based on the specific needs of the baby. So it is worth analyzing everything beforehand to choose the best baby formula. After all, the risk of causing an unpleasant reaction in your babies, such as colic, diarrhea, or constipation, is very high. Switching from one formula to another requires prior consultation with your pediatrician.

Prepare your partner to breastfeed your newborn

Not all men are optimistic about breastfeeding. In advance, you should explain to your partner that breastfeeding guarantees health and harmonious mental development. It is worth discussing the fundamental reasons for long-term breastfeeding with the partner in advance. The expectant mother should clarify to her partner that she will need his help and support. You can remind your partner that the baby needs to be fed somehow anyway. Either feeding method will take time, but breastfeeding will require less physical effort. The partner can provide support by changing diapers and bathing the baby, doing household chores, and just sitting next to mom and baby to enjoy the unique atmosphere that breastfeeding creates.