How to Prepare for Breastfeeding
By: Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC
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So you’ve heard about breastfeeding and you think you want to try it. What now? Throughout this blog, we are going to review some tips and tricks that will help you prepare for breastfeeding in your last couple months of pregnancy.
Get your pump and other essentials
Even if you are planning on exclusively breastfeeding, go ahead and get your breast pump before your due date. Most insurance companies will cover part, if not all, of the cost of your pump. You can check what pumps are covered directly with your insurance company or online at The Lactation Network. You may end up needing your pump sooner than you expect, so having it cleaned, sanitized, and ready-to-go can make the first use a smoother experience. Read through the instruction manual to get a general idea of how to use it, so you will be prepared before you need it. Buy a few nursing bras and one pumping bra. A nursing bra has a flap on front which opens up, so that you do not have to remove your whole bra to breastfeed. A pumping bra has slots in the front for your pump flanges to fit into to make pumping hands-free. A pumping bra is essential to be able to hands-on pump or multi-task. Some moms find wearing a robe with a nursing bra around the house in the early days is the best way to have quick, hassle free access to breastfeed.
Plan Ahead
Make freezer meals or have a friend set up a meal train. Put together a nursing cart where you can keep supplies like your pump, Haakaa, snacks, water, burp cloths, nipple cream, such as Lanolin, and even a few special toys you might set aside for an older child to play with while you nurse your new baby. Consider which family members and friends might come over to help with housework or cooking after the baby is born. If you do not have people close by who can support you, consider using a postpartum doula, if this is a financial option for you. Put together a hospital bag with any necessary breastfeeding supplies, such as Lanolin and nursing bras. The hospital should be able to provide you a pump, if this is needed, so you can leave yours at home.
Do Skin-to-Skin Right After Birth
See if you can find out your delivery hospital’s policy on skin-to-skin. If possible, try to do skin-to-skin immediately following your baby’s birth. There are many benefits of skin-to-skin for both mother and baby. For the mother, benefits include less bleeding, lower stress, and an increase in breastfeeding confidence (1). For the baby, immediate skin-to-skin helps calm, regulate temperature, and reduce crying (1). Skin-to-skin also stimulates the hormones needed for breastfeeding and can encourage the baby to feed.
Make a Birth Plan
Having a plan written up that you can give to your providers at the hospital can help get breastfeeding off to a good start. Try to breastfeed your baby for the first time within an hour after birth. Let the staff know you want to do skin-to-skin immediately and ask the staff not to give your baby a pacifier, formula, or sugar water, unless it is medically necessary. If your baby does need supplementation, consider using an alternative feeding method to a bottle, such as a syringe or spoon in order to limit the use of artificial nipples. Have your baby stay in your room around-the-clock, so that you are available to breastfeed on-demand.
Learn How to Hand Express
According to Le Leche League, in order to hand express, you need to “press, compress, release” (2). Start by holding your breast in a C-shape, slightly away from your areola. Then press straight back toward your chest. Next, compress your breast between your thumb and fingers, moving them slightly forward. Release the compression without removing your hand from your breast. Repeat and occasionally move your hand to another spot on your breast. Think about moving around your breast like a clock to ensure you remove milk from all of the milk ducts. You can practice this at home before you have your baby, but be sure to wait until later in your pregnancy, around 37 weeks. If you want more support on this, take our Breastfeeding Basics course or schedule a prenatal lactation appointment.
Talk to Your OB-GYN
Tell your OB-GYN you plan to breastfeed and discuss your health history to see if there are any underlying issues in your history that might make breastfeeding difficult. PCOS, thyroid problems, diabetes, and obesity can all play a role in breastfeeding. You can also discuss all your current medications with your OB-GYN and be sure they are all safe in breastfeeding.
Choose a Lactation Consultant
Some pediatrician offices have a lactation consultant or you can find someone in private practice. Knowing in advance who you plan to work with if you have any problems can relieve some stress when issues do arise. Many lactation consultants - including us - offer prenatal consults to discuss your health history and give general breastfeeding advice. If your OB-GYN identifies any issues in your health history, a lactation consultant can help you make a plan for how to best feed your baby. If you would like to speak to someone today, you can make an appointment at www.milestonesnutrition.com/lactation.
Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC is the lactation consultant Milestones Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition in Cary, NC. Natalie specializes in empowering lactating parents during their breastfeeding journey, while helping to minimize any breastfeeding difficulties. Schedule an appointment today.
Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2022