Getting Ready for Baby: Preparing to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your new baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continuing to breastfeed for the first year and beyond, as long as it is beneficial for both mom and baby. In addition to the many health benefits, breastfeeding, unlike formula, is convenient and free. For most new mothers, breastfeeding quickly becomes an easy and natural part of their day. However, it can be a little tricky in the beginning, so it makes sense to be prepared.

Educate Yourself

While you are pregnant is a great time to learn about breastfeeding. Websites like breastmilk.com can offer support and answer all of your breastfeeding questions. You may also want to attend a local La Leche League meeting. At an LLL meeting you will find other breastfeeding moms as well as knowledgeable and supportive leaders.  LLL meetings are a great place to learn about breastfeeding and make new friends!

Stock Up

All your really need to breastfeed is yourself and your baby, but there are some other things that are nice to have. Consider purchasing some of these items:

• Nursing bras - a must for convenient nursing, especially in public.
• Nursing shirts - nice to have, but a loose shirt that can be pulled up, or a blouse with buttons work fine too.
• Breast pads - to absorb leaking breast milk and help protect sore nipples.
• Nipple Cream - helps to relieve sore nipples during the first few weeks.
• Breastfeeding pillow - a special pillow to help keep your newborn positioned properly.
• Breast pump - especially if you are planning to return to work
  

Make  Space

Creating a special place to breastfeed is a great gift you can give to yourself and your baby. You will need a comfortable place to sit, pillows, blankets if the weather is cold, and a place to put anything you might want while nursing, like a book or the TV remote. You might also want a small table for a glass of water or a cup of tea.

At the Hospital

Fortunately, today babies are no longer sent to a nursery and rooming in is the default. This makes early breastfeeding much easier. Ideally, you will want to breastfeed your baby within an hour of his or her birth. If you are having trouble, a nurse can probably help.

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