how do i prepare myself for breastfeeding my newborn?

Answer 1

I breastfed my first son and am now breastfeeding my 5 month old and there is nothing to prepare for it other than to realize that it will hurt at the beginning and to not get frustrated with it. It takes practice, for both of you. And, if you are ever planing to go out and leave the baby...start giving a bottle at least once a day to get baby used to it, wether it is your milk or formula, it dosen't matter. Good Luck, Congradulations and good for you for deciding to breast feed, there's nothing better for your baby!!!

Answer 2

You have gotten a lot of good answers, but I want to add some.

1. Education is KEY. I just saw a show on TV and the mom had a 9lb 1 oz baby and her doctor told her that since the baby is big she will never make enough milk. Thats a bunch of bull.

Breastfeeding works on supply and demand and YES you will nurse around the clock at first but don't throw in the towel when the going gets rough because I PROMISE it gets easier! If you must, PUMP and bottle feed, thats what I must do because my breast size makes breastfeeding a juggling act.

2. Hydrate! Water all time time, and gatorade helps a lot too.

3. Find breastpads (for leakage) that you like, because some are not so great. I like the Lansinoh Ultra Soft, more pricy but worth every penny and don't rub against the breasts in an uncomfortable way or bunch up.

4. Find bras you LOVE, buy at least 3, one should be slighly larger than you are at the end of pregnancy.

5. Get a good pump, NOT a cheapie evenflo one! Medela, Avent, Ameda... all good ones.

6. Don't give up! Don't supplement unless you must. So many people supplement once, then the next bottle, then the next. That sabatoges your suuply and in the end most people who do this do NOT successfully breastfeed. If you need to give a little formula while waiting for your milk to come in use a medicine dropper or syringe to give it. Some babies will get nipple confusion/prefrence (another reason I pump) some will not.

****IF YOU GIVE A BOTTLE BE SURE TO PUMP FOR THE MISSED FEEDING! If you don't your body won't know to make that much milk and it becomes a cycle of less and less milk!"

7. Reasearch! I suggest LLL, Kellymom.com, and reading. Just because a doctor says it doesn't make it true, you would be suprised how many women fail to nurse because they listen to a misinformed DOCTORS and NURSES advice. Listen to your lactation consultant, LLL etc. The exception is when baby is not thriving/severe jaundice etc, then you do what you must and listen to your doctor

8. Relax! You can do this!

Best of luck!

Answer 3

Well... Preparing yourself. I am new mother of a 4 1/2 month old baby girl. None of the kids in my family were nursed. But I have been nursing my baby since the day she was born and no formula. Do I wish I would have attended a class? Maybe for the details such as: How long can I store milk in the fridge, how long can it last in a freezer and deep freezer, and how long can it sit at room temperature. Most of all knowing that you can't heat it up. These are things you can learn from reading, because that's what I ended up doing. If you have a friend that has nursed. That is great to. Make sure you pump if you plan on going back to work. Always make sure you have nursing pads so you don't leak and stain your shirts. Get a good pump! There are websites you can go to and see peoples comments about the product. I won't say that it's easy at first, because you feel like you can't go anywhere. I won't say that it's hard. Because I don't have to heat up a bottle in the middle of the night. It is always there and convenient. It is different for each person. Learn what you can learn about it. There are breastfeeding consultants in your hospital. Use them! Good luck to you.

Answer 4

Drink lots of water after the baby is born. Rest as much as you can. Get as much as help as you can so you can eat healthy and stay strress-free (stress isn't good for maintaining milk supply). You're going to feel like there is so much to do, but rest is really the best thing for your body and for keeping your supply up.The first couple of weeks are dedicated to breastfeeding, so don't feel that all you ever do is feed your baby or concentrate on maintaining your supply. You can take a breastfeeding class. The nurses at the hospital are usually more than willing to help you breastfeed efficiently, so ask lots of questions while you're there. Buy Lansinoah so that you can moisturize your nipples in between and after feedings to avoid cracked nipples. Use it right from the beginning before they crack. A pump is a great investment. As a beginner breastfeeder a pump can be a very good friend. You can use it to increase supply, see how much you are pumping if/when you are worried you aren't producing enough. It helps take away the anxiety. Congratulations, enjoy.

Answer 5

Make sure you read up on as much breastfeeding information as possible. That's probably the best way you can prepare yourself. Take breastfeeding classes and even get in contact with your local La Leche League. They are a great support group for breastfeeding women. They'll help you with all the challenges of breastfeeding. I put a link to their website below.

If you haven't already, make sure you eat healthy! Everything you eat will go stright into breastmilk. So now is a better time than ever to get on a healthy diet. Eliminate caffiene from your diet as it decreases your supply.

Make sure you get as much information. It is alot harder than some make it out to be and there really is an art to it. It can be very demanding as well as stressful, so be as prepared as possible. And this is purely your choice. If you don't think you can do it, don't put yourself through so much stress. And do not let anyone tell you anything negative if you decide to not breastfeed. It's solely your choice! Good luck!

Answer 6

The best preparation I made was to my mind and soul. I was and still am convinced now that breastfeeding is the best form of bonding you will ever get to do with your baby exclusively. Noone - not your mum, your husband, the nanny or your friends - can take this moment away from you, nor replace the act of breastfeeding itself. It's only between you and your baby. It will be your quiet time, your moment of peace, your own personal time to have a heart-to-heart conversation with your little baby. Everyone else is right too - it will be a little painful and uncomfortable and at times difficult. But once you see and feel that miracle of life flowing from you to your newborn... it will all feel somehow, worth it.

Answer 7

First, in case you haven't heard, its very hard. You should definately see if you can go to a breastfeeding class. Also talk to a laction consultant at the hospital when you have the baby. And make sure you have some Lanolin topical treatment (there are instructions on the box that are really useful), and start using it before the baby comes. Its difficult in the beginning, but its a really great experience. I breastfed my son for 9 months, and my daughter for 12 months (she wouldn't take a bottle). Oh thats another thing, make sure to once and a while in the beginning to switch to a bottle for a feeding. But not too much bottle feeding because then they wont want nipple. I hope that helps.

Answer 8

You can massage your nipples and gently pull on them sort of as if you were expressing, don't just pull on the nipple but the whole aerola. Just get your breast used to being handled. Now it is a bit uncomfortable at first and after a few days your nipples will become sore but it soon disappears. Around day three your milk will come in, normally the day you leave hospital, and you wont know what has hit you. Your breasts will be huge for a while until your body adjusts how much milk to make. When your milk has come in bubby will suck for a bit until the milk lets down and then they will start to gulp. If bubby is attatched correctly when they suck under their earlobe in the jaw will be moving, there also shouldn't be any noise like a clicking. They can feed up to half and hour on each side depending on how they suck. I always fed, burped, changed then swapped sides. Before your milk comes in you will have colostum, a thick creamy substance that bubby will feed on. Just make sure that when you feed they get their full meal. Sometimes they can suck and suck but you know that they are done so I just slipped my pinky finger in the corner of their mouth to unattach them otherwise you could hurt your nipples. Buy a really comfy bra after your milk has come in so you know what size you are and some good pads that don't stick to your nipples after a feed. It is not nessesary to wash your breasts after a feed as the milk that remains is good for your nipples. Really well done for choosing to breastfeed it is a wonderful experience and congratulations and all the best with you and your new bubby.

Answer 9

The best thing you can do is get a good breastfeeding book so you can have some knowledge after birth of what to expect. It is not as easy as it looks. Get some nipple cream, Medela products sells some. Apply that a couple times a day. Stay patient when baby comes if things don't go smoothly, the chances of it not going well are greater than things going well. Good luck and hang in there when it gets frustrating or painful. It gets easier and easier as your baby gets bigger.

Answer 10

I did not get a lot of information with my first born and was not as successful as I would have liked (had to start supplementing and the whole thing was over in 6 weeks). With my second baby, I read several books while I was pregnant and looked up lots of stuff on websites. I talked to my husband ahead of time and asked for his support, even if it got tough. Finally, when I did have some trouble about 2-3 weeks in...I called my best friend long distance and asked her to just encourage me. She did, I stuck with it and my baby breastfed for 9 months. She has been so much healthier than my older daughter. And it was cheaper, etc.
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