A quick search on google or Pinterest will lead you to an absolutely overwhelming number of posts and articles about breastfeeding. Feeding your baby is such a huge part of motherhood, and it is something that many moms struggle with. Of course breastfeeding is a wonderful and natural thing that most mothers can do, but that doesn’t mean that it will come easily or feel natural in the beginning. Every mom and baby are different, so everyone’s feeding journey is different. It takes some trial and error to find what works best for you, and learning from others is a great way to learn what to try. Here are 10 things that I wish someone had told me about breastfeeding. 

Please note – I am not a medical professional. This post is solely based on my personal experiences with breastfeeding. If you are worried about your health or baby’s, please reach out to your doctor. 

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Here are 10 things I wish someone had told me about breastfeeding.

1. Take the class! Read the books! 

This is something that seems to be viewed differently in America than it is in other countries. Here in the US, birthing classes are required or at least strongly recommended with a hospital birth, but breastfeeding classes are seen more as optional. I ended up skipping the class because it wasn’t convenient with our schedule and I figured that I would learn about breastfeeding as it happened. The truth is that knowledge is power. The more prepared you are, the better your chances to succeed. 

One key resource that made a huge difference for me was the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. It is huge and dense with a lot of information inside. This book has been around for decades because the information inside is tried and true. 

If you are looking for more resources to learn about breastfeeding, check out this post here. 

2. Educate your spouse

Just like with birth, your spouse will be your biggest support person with feeding your baby. Make sure that he/she is also educated in breastfeeding. Take the class together or share books and articles. There are many ways that a partner can support a breastfeeding mother. Talk about this, and have a plan ready. 

3. Cluster feeding is normal 

I gave up on nursing with my first baby after just a few tries. He would finish a bottle quickly and then be happy for another couple of hours. When nursing, he would be latched for up to 45 minutes and then want to nurse again shortly after. I now know that he was cluster feeding, which is part of how babies ask your body to make more milk. Cluster feeding is normal early on, and is important in establishing milk supply. Frequent feedings are common with a newborn and then again when baby hits a growth spurt. As long as your baby is gaining weight and is satisfied between feedings, this is all totally normal. It may feel like all that you do is nurse baby at some points. Take advantage of the snuggles and know that you are doing a great thing for helping your baby grow. 

4. Supply is key 

Milk supply seems to be the biggest make it or break it for most moms. There are so so many posts floating around about how to increase milk supply. The truth is that the best way to make more milk is to take more milk. Nursing, snuggling with baby, and pumping are the most effective ways to increase supply. How do you know if you have a good milk supply? If you have a  happy growing baby, you have a good milk supply. Trying for more than that can lead to oversupply – including problems like clogged ducts and mastitis. 

4.5 Haakaa! 
This little silicone breast pump was a game changer for me! It was a great tool in helping me to establish a milk supply without creating an oversupply. I would use it on the opposite side from nursing baby to collect a couple of ounces of milk. It provided just enough relief to stay comfortable and just enough extra milk to help my milk supply really come in. I also used it after I took a shower for the first month or so. The warm water is good for encouraging milk production, so a lot of moms will leak then anyway. You can snag a Haakaa from Amazon or add it to your baby registry. 

5. The dreaded second night

The second night in the hospital with my daughter was exhausting! She just wanted to nurse all night. At one point, a nurse took her to the nursery just so that I could sleep for an hour. It wasn’t until a few months later that I ran across a post about Baby’s Second Night. Apparently this is a common occurrence! Baby is just looking for comfort from mom, and it’s a great time for bonding. I just wish someone had warned me. 

6. Babies don’t need much to start/A little colostrum goes a long way

I think this little piece of information would have made a big difference with my first breastfeeding journey. About 12 hours after I delivered my son, a nurse told me “your baby hasn’t eaten anything, and it’s been 12 hours. We should give him a bottle.” Since I didn’t know any better, I listened. Instead of continuing to try to nurse, she had me give him a bottle and pump to try to get my milk to come in. I was just seeing drops, and thought that wasn’t enough. The truth is that those drops are super nutrient-dense colostrum. That is all that baby needs in the beginning. It is enough to get baby a little bit of nourishment and encourage him to nurse. That is the best way to get your milk to come in. 

7. Remove more to make more 

As I mentioned above, you can read all the tricks to boost supply that you want. The simple truth is that the more milk you take out, the more milk your body (in theory) will make. Some moms do struggle with low supply, and a lactation consultant can help with other suggestions. In most cases, the easiest way to boost supply is to feed or pump more frequently. 

8. Feed the baby, not the freezer

This one simple phrase changed my outlook on building a freezer supply. Please don’t feel discouraged by seeing pictures of freezers full of breast milk. You don’t need that. If you are going to be away from your baby, you will likely be pumping. That milk will then feed your baby for the next day. Your freezer supply only needs to be a backup stash. It’s ok if it never becomes an impressive quantity of little plastic bags. 

9. Look for duck lips 

Getting a newborn to latch right can take a little practice – both for mom and baby. A nurse in the hospital told me to check for duck lips, and it really helped! Have a nurse or lactation consultant help you latch in the hospital. Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable in the beginning, but if it really hurts, you likely need to make some adjustments. 

10. Make friends with your LC 

Before you leave, make sure to get comfortable with that lactation consultant. They are a great resource for you even after you go home. Ask about a contact phone number and if they hold office hours. Having someone that you have already met in your corner will make it easier to call and ask questions. Remember, it’s their job to help you out! 

Bonus Point – You are not alone! 

Any mom who has breastfed her baby for any amount of time has struggled at some point. It’s hard work. You are doing an amazing thing for your baby by even considering breastfeeding. Whether your journey lasts one minute, a few days, a couple of weeks, a handful of months, one year, or beyond, you did a great thing for your baby. 

If you need help, advice, or encouragement, find someone to reach out to! 

Alright moms – what is something that you wish someone had told you before you tried breastfeeding? Drop a comment below.