Breastfeeding Prep: What You Need to Know.

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Before I gave birth to my first son, I spent my pregnancy focused on one thing: labor & birth.  Would it hurt?  Will my epidural work?  Will I have to have a c-section?  Am I going to poop while I’m pushing?  (Please no, please no, please no!)  I went to a popular Mom’s site and spent my days reading the posts, reading birth stories, trying to learn everything I could about it.  I read What To Expect When You’re Expecting and The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy.  I knew that I wanted to nurse my baby when he was born, but I was so worried about the pain of labor and birth that I didn’t take the time to really learn about nursing.  I only nursed him for a few months, falling into typical ‘booby traps’ along the way.  Right after he turned one, I found myself pregnant again, and I vowed that it would be different.  And it has been – my little dude is a little over 13 months old and we’re still nursing!  How did I do it?  How did I set myself up for success?

I read books that focused on nursing like The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding.  I spent time with Mama friends that were actively nursing their children and asked every question that I possibly could.  I asked my OB and pediatrician to help and support me.  I made a list of IBCLCs in my area that could help me and saved a few La Leche League leaders’ numbers in my phone.  I never made it to a LLL meeting during my pregnancy, or a breastfeeding class, but if you’re able to?  GO.

The keys to preparing yourself to nurse are simple: education and support.  If you don’t have a solid support system readily available to you, find one online.  The Breast Idea, KellyMom, Best For Babes Foundation, La Leche League, even our Milk Smart Mama Facebook page – full of women to help and encourage you along the way.  Go into it with the confidence that you will succeed and have the basic knowledge to recognize any problems you may be experiencing and you’re golden.  Welcome to the Sisterhood – we’re excited that you’ve joined us!

Cheers!
- Katie
katie@milksmartmama.com
@MilkSmartMama (Twitter)