How to Prepare to Breastfeed

Wondering how you can prepare to breastfeed your baby? Here are the breastfeeding supplies you may want to get before your baby arrives.

 

Breastfeeding is quite the controversial topic these days. Whether you choose to do it or not, someone will have something to say about your choice. Back in December, I confessed my true feelings about breastfeeding. I am not one to criticize anyone for their decisions – so take note that this post isn’t anything but some tips for a new mom who wants to BF. 

How to Prepare to Breastfeed

Taking a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant never appealed to me. How could I learn to breastfeed without already having 1. breast milk and 2. a baby to feed?? Once I delivered Annabelle, I literally called for the lactation consultant in the hospital as soon as they told me it was time to nurse. If you’re going to breastfeed, don’t be afraid to ask for help! The lactation consultant was my hero. I honestly had no idea what I was doing when it came to BF, just that I wanted to do it.

With that being said, don’t be afraid to have your husband stick around during these consultations. Brandon became a pro at how the baby was supposed to latch, how to wake her if she fell asleep during a feeding, and how I should hold her in case I forgot. He was quite the handy helper after the lactation consultant left me on my own to nurse.

Don’t be afraid to use nipple shields for breastfeeding

I was so excited that I didn’t have any issues the first day that I nursed Annabelle. Then she started mashing my nipple downwards against the base of her mouth with her tongue and I developed quite the painful cut on my left side. I heard of nipple shields from a friend who used them because she had small nipples and her baby had trouble latching. I didn’t know that these lovely plastic nipple shields could be used to protect you from a baby with a strong tongue. I bought them a week after I got home from the hospital and they were life changing. After two days of using them, the baby was latching on quickly, correctly, and staying latched on the entire feed.

Drink water. Eat a lot of food.

Breastfeeding takes a lot out of you – so make sure you eat a lot and drink more water than you think is normal. The reason that moms who breastfeed may lose their baby weight more quickly than others is because breastfeeding requires an extra 500 calories a day. I noticed that while my appetite increased after I delivered, my body weight decreased. This is not the case with everyone but it can happen. All breastfeeding Moms need energy, so make sure to fuel and hydrate your body.

Prepare Your Nursing Bra

Speaking of nighttime feedings, after two weeks of wet tank tops and bras, I invested in disposable breast pads. I tried using washable pads, but they would be soaked within an hour and I went through all three sets that I owned in just a few hours. I have found that the disposable pads seem to hold more leakage than washable cotton pads. You can also fold them down with your bra during a feeding and let the extra milk that drips out of baby’s mouth collect on the pad. A lot of milk seems to spill out of Annabelle’s mouth. I started tucking a burp cloth in my bra and under A’s chin to soak up the extra milk.

A nursing bra is a must.

Buy a nursing bra that is comfortable – because comfort outweighs style! I found my favorite bra after buying four various kinds and asking for recommendations from friends. Now I own the bra in three colors and plan on getting a few more!

What kind of tips do you have to offer first time breastfeeding Moms?!