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Pregnant & planning to breastfeed, here's my top 3 tips to support you as you prepare to breastfeed your baby.
Whilst so many of us think about our upcoming birth & start thinking about how we can prepare for that, we often forget to prepare for the postnatal journey ahead of us, including feeding our baby & what that might look like for us. Whether you're planning to breastfeed, bottle feed or do a combination of both, it can be super helpful to do some prep before they arrive, there's nothing worse than having a crying, hungry baby & feeling completely uncertain about how to feed them!
I recently started training as a breastfeeding peer supporter, after breastfeeding my little girl for just over 2 years & supporting many friends on their breastfeeding journey's & it got me thinking about what my top 3 tips would be for anyone preparing to breastfeed.
Tip #1 - Watch videos of real babies latching onto real breasts
Have you ever actually seen a baby latching onto a breast? And I don't mean from a distance hidden slightly by someone's top or a muslin, I mean actually up close. Most of us haven't, and so when the time comes to feed our baby for the first time we often have no idea what a 'good latch' should look like or feel like.
You'll find plenty of helpful videos on Youtube (along with some fab real birth videos too!).
Tip #2 - Find your local support groups & specialists
And put the details/contact numbers in your phone! That way you already have somewhere to turn to if you're experiencing any issues with feeding or simply want to meet some other breastfeeding mums to share experiences with. It can be really beneficial to pop into your local support group during pregnancy to give you an opportunity to meet the leader, get to know the venue & ask any questions you might already have.
"Breastfeeding is love, nutrition and warmth all rolled into one." – La Leche International
Tip #3 - Write into your birth plan that you're preparing to breastfeed
Your birth plan doesn't have to stop at the birth part, it's really beneficial to think about those immediate hours post birth & what you want them to look like. Let your midwife know that you're planning to breastfeed, and feel confident to do so. Ask to be supported in this & request to see their infant feeding specialist if you'd like to.
And a bonus tip for postpartum... never give up on a bad day!
So many mums give up breastfeeding way sooner than they'd like or planned to, and lots of mums report regretting their decision to stop. Know that any discomfort is temporary, and seek support as soon as possible. Remember, breastfeeding is a skill that both you & your baby need to learn together.
For more breastfeeding support, check out:
Em x
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