Preparing to breastfeed
You have already taken the first steps in preparing to breastfeed by searching out information like what is provided on Breastfeeding-Questions.com
Two of the most important people during the first weeks you are breastfeeding are your partner and your mother.
Your partner, especially if a man, may not have explore their feelings with regard to your breastfeeding. They may have only linked breasts with sex and now they will need to understand the new role your breasts will have. Good communication with your partner before the birth will help you have a firmer base of support. Some of the areas you may wish to discuss with them are:
- the benefits of breastfeeding to your new child and to you as a mother
- the ways your partner can offer support, practically and emotionally
- how your partner can get close to the baby when they don’t have the ability to breastfeed
- how will your partner feel about your breastfeeding in public
Your mother can be a great source of support especially if you yourself were a breastfed child. She will probably want to participate as much as possible with your new child as it will bring back fond memories of when you were much much younger. If your mother will be playing an active role in your life you may find that the same list of areas you discuss with your partner are also appropriate to cover with your mother.
Prenatal breastfeeding classes are a great way to help you when preparing to breastfeed. You will generally find classes offered at the hospital or the local La Leche League. Check with your doctor or lactation consultant if you have trouble finding resources. Classes can either be a single day or run over several weeks and will generally cover the following:
- physiology of breastfeeding
- importance of correct positioning
- discuss expectations, hopes, and fears regarding breastfeeding
- breast milk expression
- breast milk storage
- role of the partner
- opportunity to meet mothers who may have already started breastfeeding
Professionals are the last part of your informational and support network you’ll putt together as you are preparing to breastfeed. This is generally because persons like a lactation consultant play a stronger role after your child is born. It is good to have spent the time meeting with varios people to see who best meshes with your personality. There area also a few reasons to involve lactation consultants and other professionals before the birth:
- if you are expecting twins (or more)
- if you have inverted nipples
- if there is a high chance of cesarean section during birth
- a good chance the child will be born prematurely
- if you had difficulty breastfeeding a previous child
Preparing to breastfeed is all about gating thee information, having conversations, and building your support network.
