Breastfeeding is a deeply rewarding journey that offers lifelong benefits to both you and your baby. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, yet in the UK, only a quarter of mothers are still breastfeeding at six weeks. Often not fully preparing for breastfeeding ahead of baby’s birth makes this more of a challenge. This guide aims to help you prepare for breastfeeding to increase your chances of a successful and prolonged experience.
Mums cite numerous reasons for giving up prematurely – primarily poor professional guidance, inconsistent advice and lack of easy access to support. Some early planning preparing for breastfeeding can really help to increase the chances of feeding easily and for longer by:
- planning ahead – include breastfeeding as part of your birth plan
- find a source of knowledgeable support
- shop ahead for equipment – feeding pillow, breast pump
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Regardless of the duration, breastfeeding provides significant health benefits. The longer you can breastfeed, the greater the benefits for both mother and baby. Here are a few key benefits:
- Bonding: The physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure.
- Nutritional Excellence: Breast milk provides the perfect nutrition for babies, with a nearly ideal mix of vitamins, protein, and fat.
- Immune Support: Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria.
Your birth plan
It is often clear to me as I work with new parents that they have returned home after delivery, physically exhausted and emotionally spent following their baby’s arrival. Continuous contractions and delivery are incredibly hard work (hence the term ‘labour!’) and particularly if protracted, can have a real bearing on the subsequent breastfeeding journey. It is my firm belief, after 30+ years of providing breastfeeding support, that sheer post-delivery physical and emotional exhaustion are major reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than intended.
If you’re labouring at home, eat small regular healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up. Once in hospital, no medals are presented for bravery – prudent use of pain relief enables you to rest, and in some cases (injectable pain relief and epidurals) sleep while labour progresses – so many women decline it, in the belief that it may adversely impact their baby, but used wisely it can provide an opportunity to recover and recoup some energy for delivering your baby and for the weeks beyond. Being able to breastfeed successfully because you have saved some stamina for that 6 week marathon will deliver short and long term benefits to your baby, and can be a positive way of preparing for breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Challenges and Early Planning
Breastfeeding, while natural, often comes with a variety of challenges that can be discouraging for new mothers. Understanding these challenges and knowing that they are normal can help in preparing for breastfeeding, making you feel less alone in your journey. Here are some common challenges:
1. Latch Issues
One of the most common challenges is getting your baby to latch correctly. A poor latch can lead to discomfort, pain, and even nipple damage. Signs of a poor latch include:
- Persistent pain during feeding
- Baby’s mouth not covering enough of the areola
- Baby not gaining enough weight
2. Sore Nipples
Sore or cracked nipples are often due to a poor latch or improper positioning. It’s important to ensure your baby is latching correctly and to use nipple cream or breast milk to soothe soreness. Using a feeding pillow can often help with positioning.
3. Engorgement
Breast engorgement occurs when your breasts become overly full and swollen, which can be painful. To manage engorgement:
- Nurse frequently to relieve the fullness
- Use a warm compress before feeding and a cold compress after
- Hand express or pump a small amount of milk if necessary
4. Blocked Ducts and Mastitis
A blocked milk duct can lead to mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue. Symptoms include a painful lump in the breast, redness, and flu-like symptoms. To prevent and treat:
- Ensure frequent and complete emptying of the breast
- Massage the affected area gently
- Apply heat before feeding and cold after
5. Low Milk Supply
Some mothers worry about not producing enough milk. While true low supply is rare, concerns can often be addressed by:
- Nursing more frequently to stimulate production
- Ensuring proper latch and positioning
- Staying hydrated and well-nourished
6. Overactive Letdown
An overactive letdown can cause your baby to choke or gulp rapidly, making feedings stressful. To manage this:
- Try nursing in a reclined position to slow the flow
- Express some milk before nursing to reduce the force of the letdown
- Allow your baby to take breaks as needed
7. Nursing Strikes
Occasionally, a baby might suddenly refuse to nurse, which can be distressing. This is often temporary and can be due to teething, illness, or changes in routine. To overcome a nursing strike:
- Offer the breast when your baby is sleepy or relaxed
- Maintain skin-to-skin contact
- Keep trying patiently without forcing
8. Returning to Work
Balancing breastfeeding with returning to work can be challenging. Planning ahead can make this transition smoother:
- Practice pumping and storing breast milk before returning to work
- Discuss your pumping needs with your employer
- Establish a pumping schedule that aligns with your baby’s feeding times
9. Night Feedings
Frequent night feedings can be exhausting, but they are also crucial for maintaining your milk supply and meeting your baby’s needs. To cope:
- Create a comfortable nursing station near your bed
- Learn to nurse in a side-lying position for rest
- Share night time responsibilities with your partner when possible
10. Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments
Certain foods, drinks, and medications can affect your milk supply or your baby’s reaction to breast milk. It’s important to:
- Consult your healthcare provider about safe medications while breastfeeding
- Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated
- Limit caffeine and alcohol intake
Find knowledgeable breastfeeding support
Whether it’s a local breastfeeding support group or a professional 1:1 support service like my own (TheLatch.co.uk) consistent, knowledgeable advice is key to successfully preparing for breastfeeding. If you’ve never done it before, you will have little idea of the challenges that lie ahead. I provide step-by-step support to my clients from the day of birth and throughout the first six weeks during which both the skills and the physiology of breastfeeding become established. We may chat over several feeds on the same day to iron out positional or latching problems, and along the way I anticipate the babies’ growth spurts, and offer advice to deal with these.
Talking to other breastfeeding mums at a support group can help with similar issues, too. Having a source of support and the answers to your many questions, is key to relieving stress and maintaining a relaxed mindset which is so important in the process of delivering nutrition and comfort to your baby. Identify a source of support before your baby arrives, so that you know where to turn to if you hit problems. When you’re tired and emotional, it’s difficult to think straight, so have this invaluable contact noted down ahead of the point at which you may need it.
Research and shop ahead for equipment
I always provide a shopping list ahead of delivery for my clients and this is a very practical way of preparing for breastfeeding. Key items I recommend include:
- comfortable feeding pillow
- electric breast pump
You will be spending many hours over many days, feeding, so it needs to be as comfortable and convenient as possible. A feeding pillow which ties around the mother’s waist to support their baby in a favourable position, meanwhile allowing the mother to relax is critical.
Another important piece of equipment that the vast majority of breastfeeding mums will need to support nursing their babies alongside busy lifestyles, is an effective electric breast pump. I recommend use of these from the first days of breastfeeding. Their primary use – as soon as the milk comes in – is to enable mums to build up a store of breastmilk so that their baby can be fed breastmilk by partners or carers while mum is able to snatch some sleep. Later, they are invaluable in short-cutting growth spurts or boosting the milk supply by stimulating the breasts to produce more milk over a shorter time.
Trained midwife, general nurse and homeopath, Alison Lovett, has spent over 30 years supporting new mothers to breastfeed their babies. For full details of all her support services, please visit TheLatch.co.uk
