If you are pregnant, you may be wondering how to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy. Here are the top six things you can do to prepare for breastfeeding before your little one arrives.
Breastfeeding is a natural part of life. But if you ask a majority of new breastfeeding mommas, they might tell you that it’s one of the most challenging things they have ever had to do.
Don’t let that scare you or worry you, though. With proper preparation during pregnancy, you can easily be successful at breastfeeding and provide your baby with ‘liquid gold.’
How do you prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy? There are six ways a woman can prepare for breastfeeding while she is still pregnant, and they are:
- Educate yourself
- Contact a lactation consultant
- Pay attention to your nipples
- Put a breastfeeding plan together
- Mentally prepare yourself for breastfeeding
- Purchase breastfeeding must-haves
If you’re worried about breastfeeding after the baby is born, you have come to the right place.
Below I go into detail on six crucial steps any new mom can take while she is still pregnant to help her be successful at breastfeeding.
These tips will put your mind at ease and allow for the best nursing experience possible.
Top 6 Ways to Prepare for Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
When it comes to breastfeeding, it’s not as simple as it appears. Women can experience milk supply issues, a baby that won’t latch, and even pain.
But these fears shouldn’t stop you from providing your baby with sustenance. These top six ways to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy will help you to be successful.
Educate Yourself On Breastfeeding
Educating yourself is one of the best things you can do when it comes to breastfeeding (as well as many other areas in life). But I don’t mean Google.
Narrowing your research down to Google can leave you scared and confused – sometimes more than you were in the first place!
So, how can a pregnant woman educate herself on nursing?
First, Consider taking a breastfeeding class. You can find breastfeeding classes across the nation, whether they are in a hospital, or at a private practice.
Online classes are becoming more and more popular, too, making it even easier for pregnant moms to get their hands on quality information.
These online breastfeeding classes are super convenient and cover the same information that you’d get at an in-person class.
I took an online breastfeeding class and it really helped me to feel prepared and ready to breastfeed before my baby was born. Here is a link to my favorite online breastfeeding class.
If you’d like more information on choosing an online class vs. an in-person breastfeeding class, check out my article here.
Second, read a breastfeeding book. Breastfeeding books are also a great idea to get more information about what to expect after your baby arrives.
These books will help pregnant moms to understand better what is going on with their bodies and why it is so beneficial for their child.
This book is an excellent choice as it is loaded with information and it was recommended to me by several other moms. Here is a link to one of my favorite breastfeeding books that you can find on Amazon.
Contact a Lactation Consultant During Pregnancy
A lactation consultant is going to be your best friend when it comes to nursing. They are great resources and can help you prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy.
Lactation consultants can help you during pregnancy. They will educate you and show you different ways of nursing that are most comfortable for mom and baby.
They can also help you to successfully handle difficult breastfeeding challenges such as inverted nipples or a bad suckle from a baby.
It’s essential to find a quality lactation consultant you are comfortable with before you give birth, though.
Could you imagine struggling with a screaming newborn and not have a number to call for quick answers?
Do yourself a favor and find a good lactation consultant while you’re still pregnant as they will see you through your pregnancy and beyond.
To find a lactation consultant in your area, I’d recommend asking your midwife, OBGYN, or your delivery hospital for local providers.
You can also search for lactation consultants on Yelp, or ask a local mom’s Facebook page for recommendations.
A third option is to contact your insurance provider for lactation consultants who may accept your insurance plan.
Pay Attention to Your Nipples
Pregnant women know that their breasts seem to be continually changing — but there is far more to it than just a significant change in size.
While you might fill out your bra better than ever, you need to pay even more attention to your nipples, as specific nipple issues can cause breastfeeding problems down the road.
The three most common breastfeeding issues a woman might run into when it comes to her nipples are flat nipples, inverted nipples, or dense areolas.
These issues can make it a challenge for the baby to get a good latch. This means he or she won’t be feeding correctly and may end up cranky. These three issues can also be painful for mom.
There are several ways to combat these issues, and it’s best to get used to them while you’re still pregnant, so you’re ready to conquer nursing.
A latching device is an excellent choice for women suffering from inverted nipples. This is the kit I recommend for new moms with this issue (link to Amazon).
Nipple shields are also recommended for flat and inverted nipples as well as denser areolas. This is the set that I recommend for new moms (link to Amazon).
As far as learning to nurse with these products, a lactation consultant comes in handy once again. They can teach you and even show you how to use these for the best nursing results.
Put a Breastfeeding Plan Together
You’ve heard of birthing plans, but what about breastfeeding plans? It’s essential to put a breastfeeding plan into place to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy.
A breastfeeding plan for the hospital can help ensure your wishes are covered after delivery. Hospitals that are breastfeeding friendly will have the “Baby Friendly Hospital” designation.
If you are delivering at a hospital without this designation, a breastfeeding plan will definitely come in handy. Some nurses may try to push supplementing, pacifiers, and bottle-feeding.
Here are a few things to put in your nursing plan to support breastfeeding:
- Avoid pacifiers
- Have your baby stay in your room
- Avoid supplementing
Tips to Avoid Pacifiers
It’s recommended to avoid pacifiers for at least a month after birth, as this can cause nipple confusion, which makes it more challenging for a baby to nurse.
Have Your Baby Stay In Your Room
Most hospitals do this already, but make sure it’s known that you want to have your newborn stay in the room with you. This will help you to know your newborn’s hunger cues. You will also have more opportunities for skin to skin time.
Avoid Supplementing
Supplementing is not recommended unless it is in the interest of a baby due to medical reasons.
Good reasons to supplement would be if the baby has blood sugar issues because the mom had Gestational Diabetes while pregnant, or if the baby has jaundice, or if the baby is struggling to gain weight.
If you need to supplement, make a plan with your baby’s pediatrician for the baby to drink your expressed milk, breastmilk from a donor, or formula.
Mentally Prepare Yourself for Breastfeeding
One of the best things you can do while pregnant to prepare for a breastfeeding baby is to prepare yourself mentally.
It’s important to know that you will be saying goodbye to a full night’s sleep for quite some time, but that is normal and okay. All you can do is try to nap as much as possible and accept help when offered.
You should also understand just how much a baby needs to eat in a day. When a baby is still a newborn, he needs to eat between eight and twelve times within 24 hours.
But don’t worry if your infant feeds more than this, as this is perfectly normal. There may be periods of cluster feeding, too, where it seems like your baby never wants to get off the breast.
You shouldn’t worry if you notice your baby is feeding more than usual. If he is waking up for feedings regularly, isn’t too fussy around the breast, is content after nursing, and you can see and hear the baby swallowing while nursing, he is fine.
You should also pay attention to adequate wet and dirty diapers.
On the other hand, signs that your child might not be getting enough to eat include:
- Not enough wet or dirty diapers
- Appearing lethargic and overly tired
- Dry mouth
- Feeding for an extended period without swallowing
To try to help boost your milk supply and avoid under-supply, you should always make sure you are nursing your baby as much as possible, doing skin to skin regularly, eating enough food, and staying hydrated.
Some people swear by lactation cookies, too, which are made with breastmilk-stimulating ingredients.
Purchase Breastfeeding Must-Haves
There are a few things that every breastfeeding mother needs in her arsenal. These should be bought before birth to ensure that you are prepared for nursing.
These items include:
- A nursing bra
- Nursing pads
- A breast pump
- Breastfeeding pillow
A Nursing Bra
A nursing bra is a comfortable bra that you can sleep with. It’s specifically designed for comfort for the mother as well as convenience for breastfeeding. Here is a link to one of my favorite nursing bras.
Nursing Pads
You need these — a lot of them! A new nursing mom is susceptible to unexpected leakage throughout the day.
Whether you’re staying home or at the grocery store, the last thing you want is a soaked shirt that ends up smelling like rotten milk.
I used a few different types of nursing pads. Some were disposable and some were reusable. I preferred the reusable kind that you could put in the washing machine. Here is a link to my favorite soft reusable nursing pads on Amazon.
A Breast Pump
Not every mom needs these, but it’s nice to have. A pump is critical, though, for any mom who is planning to go back to work but wants to leave breastmilk in a bottle for when she’s away.
It’s also handy for emergencies. A pump is also great for when you want to plan a weekend getaway with your partner.
I recommend that all moms have a small manual pump on hand at all times. Here is a link to the one that I use from Amazon.
Breastfeeding Pillow
This is not critical for success as a nursing new mom, but it does make things a lot more comfortable! Try this cute nursing pillow (on Amazon).
Top Tips To Prepare For Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
Breastfeeding doesn’t have to end up being a challenge. You can prepare yourself for breastfeeding while you’re pregnant by taking a breastfeeding class, doing ample research, and getting in contact with a qualified lactation consultant.
The most important thing you can do while pregnant is to take a breastfeeding class to educate yourself. Here is a link to my favorite super–convenient online breastfeeding class.
You should also check your nipples, have a breastfeeding plan in place, prepare yourself mentally, and make sure you’re stocked on nursing pads, bras, and other breastfeeding essentials before your baby is born.
NEXT, Check Out These Articles
- Should You Take a Breastfeeding Class?
- Is An Online or In-Person Breastfeeding Class Better?
- 3 Freebies For Pregnant Moms (That Saved Me Over $900)
- What To Expect At A Breastfeeding Class
More Breastfeeding Tips
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Sources:
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827.full#content-block
https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-breastfeed/preparing-breastfeed
https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/infantfeeding/WHO_NMH_NHD_09.01/en/