Preparing While Pregnant

gantandjessica

Hi Ladies, I plan to breastfeed our first child in August. My mother claims her milk never came in, so I am nervous that I will have a similar experience. Is there anything that you can do to better prepare your body for breastfeeding while pregnant? Thanks!

kjsmith9

I think the best thing you can do is to educate yourself!  Maybe your Mom's milk didn't come in, but that is VERY rare.  Maybe she only tried for 3 days and then gave up.  My milk didn't come in until the morning of day 5 (and I think that makes some Mamas really nervous).

I really liked this website for basic information...

And I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding while pregnant (and read a lot of it again in the early weeks while I sat in my chair and nursed all day long haha).

Good luck!

Chichigo

You can't do much to prepare your body while pregnant, but you can educate yourself as PP suggested. You can also discuss breastfeeding with your OB, and include it in your birth plan if you have one/discuss with nurses once you are admitted.

My recommendations for what to do at the hospital: 

Ask for immediate skin to skin (baby on your bare chest).

Delay things such as vitamin k, eye ointment, bath,weight,  etc at least an hour to give baby a chance to nurse. Observations for APGAR can be done while you hold baby.

Request no pacifiers or bottles are offered unless you request them.

Baby rooms in with you.

Some of these suggestions may not work if you or LO have complications. Your SO or family member can do skin to skin if you are unable, and if LO can't breastfeed ask for a breast pump to se expressed breastmilk instead of formula.

And of course, request a lactation consultant. Good luck!

Valancyy

I agree with PP's.  I read all the books I could find on breastfeeding.  I mostly checked them out of the library, but I bought a couple.  My favorite was "Breastfeeding Made Simple:  Seven Natural Laws." 

And let your baby nurse as much as he/she wants.  They nurse A LOT at the beginning. 

gantandjessica

Great!! Thanks, all!!

eves1989

Learn about the birth process-by reading books or watching videos online..
Find a pedi and LC.
Talk to veteran moms about birth, delivery and baby care.
Know what to do when labor starts.
Decide who will attend the birth-your DH, mom and other family members? close friends?
Pack your bag-.I think hospitals have this list of what things to bring. The earlier you pack, the better so you still have plenty of time to think what else to bring.

fusionbride

I honestly think the most helpful thing would be to cook a bunch of freezable meals, stock your freezer and pantry, and buy a seriously awesome water bottle (I loved my Camelbak eddy)

eating enough good, healthy food and drinking enough water are super key to good supply and something you can prep for ahead of time