Did you all know that there is a whole week every year dedicated to celebrate breastfeeding? Yep, August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week! In honor of world breastfeeding week, I thought it would be beneficial to talk about something very important to expecting moms – how to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy. Breastfeeding is a topic that people around the world get together to celebrate. There has been plenty of evidence in recent years that supports the fact that breastmilk is the best and most natural way to feed a baby. Don’t be deceived if you are a new mom. Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean that it’s easy. Breastfeeding is hard work, and for many moms, there is a learning curve in the beginning. Not every breastfeeding journey is long and “successful” (which is ok too!), but there are plenty of ways to set yourself up for success. Check out these 6 ways to prepare for  breastfeeding during pregnancy. 

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Why should you prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy?

Before my son was born, I had every intention of breastfeeding him. I knew that it wouldn’t be a piece of cake, but I figured that it would come naturally and I could figure it out as I went. Our breastfeeding journey was short-lived and not at all what I expected. If you’re interested, you can read more about that here. 

Fast forward two years. Before my daughter was born, I knew better what to expect. I was determined to work hard to nurse my second baby. I knew that I had a good support system in place, and I knew that I would need to ask for help from the beginning. We are now 4 months into a great breastfeeding journey. We’ve had hiccups, but I knew where to turn for help. It really made the biggest difference in our breastfeeding relationship. 

So if you want to be as prepared as possible, here are 6 ways to prepare for breastfeeding while pregnant. 

Take a breastfeeding class

I’ll be honest, this is one that I never did. At the hospital where I delivered, the birthing class was strongly encouraged. The breastfeeding class on the other hand was more casually offered. It felt much more optional, so I skipped it. During my second pregnancy, I had every intention of taking a breastfeeding class. I just never made one fit into my schedule. I am sure that taking a class before I had my first baby would have made a huge difference in my breastfeeding knowledge going into motherhood. 

Check with you hospital or birthing center to see where you can find a breastfeeding class in your area. 

Read Up

Since I wasn’t able to take a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant with my daughter, I asked a couple of LCs that friends trust for reading recommendations. This book by La Leche League was the number one choice from the LCs and other moms in my area. It’s been around for a couple of generations now and has so much knowledge packed inside. 

There are even troubleshooting and hand out pages in the back. I’m not giving this one up until I know that I’m done needing it for a reference! 

Stock up on Supplies

There are a ton of posts out there about what you need for breastfeeding. The real truth is that all you need is a baby and a mama. That being said, there are things that will make your life easier. Get a few comfy nursing bra, some breast pads, and nipple butter (this organic one from Earth Mama is my favorite). I also HIGHLY recommend getting a Haakaa. It’s great for helping to stimulate your supply and save a little extra milk in the beginning. 

Check out a LLL meeting 

Want to see breastfeeding in action? Have questions? Just hoping to meet some local moms? La Leche League is the place to go! Check out their website to find a meeting in your area. These meetings are a great chance to learn from lactation experts and other breastfeeding moms at the same time. 

Ask for advice 

The key to success in motherhood – don’t be afraid to ask for help! If you have any friends who have breastfed babies, ask for advice. I’m sure they have plenty to share. If you don’t have friends who have breastfed babies, see the suggestion above and find some new friends at a meeting! 

Have a support plan 

Know where you will turn first when you have questions or need help. 

For me, I had three main sources in mind – the lactation consultants at the hospital where I delivered, Kelly Mom (a blog full of researched and cited advice on all things breastfeeding!), and a local Mom support group. I was always ready when I ran into any trouble because I had places to turn. 

Once Baby’s Born 

There is only so much you can to do to prepare for breastfeeding while pregnant. Every mama, baby, and breastfeeding journey is different. 

After you have your baby, start the foundation for your breastfeeding relationship as soon as safely possible. Try skin to skin contact and latching whenever you’re ready. Take advantage of your nurses or midwife. If you give birth at a hospital or birthing center, they likely have lactation consultants on staff. Use them! Ask questions, have them check your latch, and find out if they are available for you to call if you need help after you go home. The first few days can set a great foundation for breastfeeding. 

I hope these tips on how to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy will help you feel a little more at ease about learning to feed your new baby! Remember to take it one day at a time and use the resources that are available to you. Best of luck with your nursing journey.