One common assumption many expectant mothers  make is that because breastfeeding is natural, it should be easy. While this may be the case with some, many new mothers struggle with it in the early days, which comes as a surprise to them.

So much focus goes on preparing for the actual birth & while this is of course important, you will spend a great deal more time breastfeeding than you will in labour.

With this in mind, it is a good idea to do some preparation prior to the arrival of the baby. Some ways to help you prepare include;

• Finding a breastfeeding support group such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Not only do they offer unlimited advice & support, they also have useful literature & publications &  hold regular meetings for mothers & mothers to be. They are an invaluable resource both before & after your baby arrives.Attend breastfeeding classes. The ABA hold breastfeeding classes. If you are not in Australia, your doctor or midwife should be able to recommend where you can find classes in your area.

• Attend breastfeeding classes. The ABA hold breastfeeding classes. If you are not in Australia, your doctor or midwife should be able to recommend where you can find classes in your area.

• Talk to others about their breastfeeding experiences. Positives, negatives, hurdles, successes.

• Find a medical practitioner who is not only supportive of breastfeeding but also up to date on breastfeeding research.

• Learn how a proper latch & correct positioning should look. For the first days post partum I would regularly check with the midwives to ensure that my child was latched on properly, thus avoiding damage to the nipples.

• Join your library & read as much as you can on on breastfeeding.

What you should NOT do;

• Attempt to toughen up your nipples by scrubbing them or applying creams.

• Worry about horror stories people may  share with you. Of course there are some people who have had a difficult time breastfeeding, take what they have said on board & try to be prepared, but don't assume it will happen to you.

Items to buy:

• A couple of good quality nursing bras.

• Breast pads.

• Lansinoh

• Some people swear by breastfeeding tops, I didn't find them necessary myself.

• A breastfeeding cushion can be of use. I just opted to use a regular pillow instead, so not something I would consider to be a 'must have' purchase.

After the delivery;

• Colostrum is produced by the breasts early in pregnancy & is a precursor to milk (often known as 'first milk').  Usually your mature milk will 'come in' around 2 days after delivery although this may vary by several days. Nobody told me about colostrum or milk coming in & the first I knew was 2 days post partum my newborn wanted to feed non stop.

• Feed as soon as possible after the birth.

• Room in & feed your baby as often as s/he wants (this is known as feeding on demand).

• Avoid dummies, supplementing & bottles in the early days.

• Look after yourself. Eat healthy meals, have lots of snacks & drink lots of water.

• Relax & concentrate on establishing breastfeeding in the early days. The world won't fall apart if the housework slides.

• While you are in hospital ask the midwives to check the latch & position of the baby. Learn as much as you can before you leave the hospital. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

• If you encounter any problems, seek help from the ABA, your GP, midwife, ECHN (early childhood nurse), don't try to battle it out alone.

• Have a good support system. Friends, family, partner all play a part in helping you breastfeed by offering you moral support to helping you rest in the early days.

• If you have cracked nipples, try expressing & rubbing a small amount of breast milk onto your nipples after feeding. Lanisoh applied liberally can also be of help.

• If your nipples are sore or cracked, air dry them after feeding.

• Contrary to what is often said by health professionals, even if you have a perfect attachment, breastfeeding can hurt in the early days while your nipples adjust. This pain is usually only for a few seconds as the baby attaches. It will decrease as your nipples get used to the demands of a nursing infant. 

• Drink lots of water.

• One really useful trick I found was to prepare dinner during the day. This was because both of my children were fussy from around 5.00pm to 7.00pm (this is commonly known as 'witching hour'), by having dinner prepared, I was able to focus entirely on relaxing & nursing my baby & not worrying about what other chores I should be doing.  This became a favourite time of the day for me because I had no demands other than nursing my baby.

• Feeding formula on a night will not help your baby sleep longer.

• If you develop flu like symptoms or feel a lump in your breast go & see your GP immediately. Surprisingly, even though I thought I was a 'pro' at breastfeeding because I'd successfully breastfed my first for 19 months, when my second came along I developed mastitis several times. This was nipped in the bud very quickly by seeking professional help.

• There is no set feeding pattern for newborn babies, they are all individual & have their own preferences. It is not uncommon for a newborn to feed 12+ times a day, but it won't last forever. Some babies also 'cluster feed' (lots of small feedings spaced closely together) this often happens during the witching hour discussed above, and may also happen between 2.00am - 4.00am when your milk supply is at it's peak.

• Also, there will be days when it seems your infant constantly wants to nurse. This generally does not mean it's not getting enough milk, typically it because they are having a growth spurt and their nutritional requirements are increased as a result. This usually only lasts a couple of days.

Useful links:

Australian Breastfeeding Association

Kelly Mom

Lactation Resource Centre

La Leche League