How to Prepare for Breastfeeding, Because It Doesn’t Always Come Naturally

Breastfeeding is natural, so it must be easy, right?! While some breastfeeding parents – the lucky ones – seem to latch their baby from day 1 with ease, for most parents, breastfeeding takes work. It’s helpful to prepare for breastfeeding and to have a plan if you find you are struggling with breastfeeding.

By Kerry Lett, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLC

Breastfeeding is natural, so it must be easy, right?! While some breastfeeding parents – the lucky ones – seem to latch their baby from day 1 with ease, for most parents, breastfeeding takes work. I have found that most moms describe their breastfeeding experience as a mixed bag of emotions. They feel it is rewarding and beautiful, but, at the same time, hard and a commitment.

 

So while I agree that breastfeeding is technically natural – in most cases, I also believe that calling breastfeeding “natural” can mislead parents to think that it will come naturally. However, breastfeeding, like many things in life, is a skill that needs to be learned through practice and often with additional help and support.

If it is determined that you cannot breastfeed, know that you are entitled to your feelings and you can still give your child all of the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.

How to Prepare for Breastfeeding

So you know that breastfeeding is most likely going to take some work, but you are willing to put in the effort. What now? 

 

  • Get your pump and other essentials. Even if you are planning on directly breastfeeding, go ahead and get your breast pump before your due date. We know even the best laid plans can fall short and you will find a moment when you are so glad to have your pump for the freedom it can bring. Most insurance companies will cover part, if not all, of the cost of your pump, so be sure to check what pumps are covered by talking directly with your insurance company or searching online at The Lactation Network.

 

  • Make a birth plan. Work to create a birth plan that you can give to your providers at the hospital to get breastfeeding off to a good start. I recommend letting the staff know that you want to exclusively breastfeed and do skin-to-skin immediately after birth and ask that they not give your baby a pacifier, formula, or sugar water, unless it is medically necessary.

 

  • Set-up a prenatal lactation consultation or a breastfeeding class. I know that it may seem like you have a lot of things to do in order to prepare for your baby, but I highly recommend scheduling a prenatal lactation consultant with a local IBCLC, especially if you have any underlying health issues that may make breastfeeding difficult, or purchasing or attending a breastfeeding class. This will give you the opportunity to start learning the skill of breastfeeding in order to get breastfeeding off to a great start and overcome any initial obstacles.

 

  • Schedule a postpartum lactation consultation ahead of time. Why wait until you have a problem before you schedule a lactation appointment? Just like visiting the OB/GYN or primary care doctor, having regular check-ups can help you catch an issue before it becomes a problem and allows you to be proactive. Even if this is your fourth baby, all babies are different and your breastfeeding will likely be different as well. This is why I recommend scheduling a postpartum lactation consultation while you are still pregnant, so that you have one less thing to worry about once your little one arrives. Trust me, future you will be grateful!

How to Respond If Breastfeeding Isn’t Going According to Plan

If you are struggling with breastfeeding, it can feel frustrating, overwhelming, and upsetting. There are many people that cannot breastfeed or struggle with breastfeeding for a variety of reasons, including medical conditions that affect breastfeeding, improper latch, tongue & lip ties, and prematurity – just to name a few.

 

Start by reaching out to your local IBCLC for support and guidance. They will be able to watch a breastfeeding session, assess how everything is going, and provide recommendations for next steps. If it is determined that you cannot breastfeed, know that you are entitled to your feelings and you can still give your child all of the nourishment they need to grow and thrive. You also can still enjoy all the warmth and comfort by bonding with your little one during bottle-feeding sessions, snuggle times, babywearing, skin-to-skin, and daily activities. And most importantly, you are still a great parent!

 

If you are looking for more breastfeeding support, schedule a prenatal or postpartum lactation appointment today at www.milestonesnutrition.com. You also can purchase our online, on-demand course, Breastfeeding Basics, to help you prepare for breastfeeding.

Kerry Lett, MPH, RDN, LDN is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Public Health who is passionate about helping growing families navigate life and achieve all of their milestones along the way. She works with women who are trying to conceive, pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum and children to help manage medical conditions, tackle picky eating, and establish a good family relationship with food. With an overload of nutrition information available, Kerry understands how difficult it can be to know which foods are best for you and your family. Kerry owns a private practice called Milestones Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition.

Spread the word

  • Comments are closed.
  • Medical Disclaimer: All content found on the HER Health Collective Website was created for informational purposes only and are the opinions of the HER Health Collective experts and professional contributors. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.  If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.