Preparing for a Smooth Breastfeeding Experience Before Baby Arrives
Your baby’s due date is approaching rapidly and you’ve already made the decision that you’re going to breastfeed. What can you do now to ensure you can meet your breastfeeding goals?
Learn about breastfeeding. This seems pretty intuitive but lots of moms, including me, spend more time on planning for the birth than breastfeeding. Attend breastfeeding classes – as many as you can find – to hear how to get started breastfeeding, what is normal and when to call for help. Purchase a quality breastfeeding book written by a reliable source, such as La Leche League’s Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Made Simple by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, or The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman. The Internet is an excellent source for information, but it’s also an excellent source for misinformation, so be careful. Check out the resource list on my website for lots of links. Kellymom is an excellent online resource, as is La Leche League. If you have friends or family who enjoyed breastfeeding, ask them what they think helped them succeed, and what they might have done differently. The more you know about what’s normal, the more confident you will feel once your baby is in your arms.
Surround yourself with a supportive team. It takes a village to raise a child, so it’s important your village is filled with people who are supportive of your decision to breastfeed. If your husband or family members don’t agree with your choice, seek out local support groups and spend time with others who share your goals. Ask your pediatrician what (s)he suggests to parents who might encounter struggles with breastfeeding: Does (s)he push them immediately to formula, or does (s)he urge them to supplement with pumped milk as needed and get breastfeeding help from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?
Use the resources available. Of course, this starts with knowing what resources are available, because the worst time to try to find help is when you need it! Who can you call for help once your baby is born to help you get started or fine-tune your technique? If you’re having your baby in a hospital, ask about the hours and days the hospital offers lactation support. Most hospitals provide a list of resources that includes pump rental sources, support group information, and contact information on area IBCLC’s who can meet with you at your home or their office, or you can search for help by zip code here. Insurance companies are required by the Affordable Care Act to cover the cost of breastfeeding support! Anyone on AHCCCS is automatically qualified for WIC and free breastfeeding support from WIC breastfeeding peer counselors, who are supervised by IBCLC’s. La Leche League offers free breastfeeding support by phone and monthly support groups all over the Valley. The State of Arizona offers free 24-hour breastfeeding support by phone at 1-800-833-4642.
Choose a quality pump to fit the job. You may want to pump your milk for a variety of reasons, and choosing the right pump for the job is important to your success and comfort. Choosing the right pump for the job is essential because breast pumps cannot be returned. As of August 1, 2012, your insurance company is required to provide you with a breast pump, but it might not suit your needs, so call or email an IBCLC for guidance if needed. For example, if you are expecting more than one baby or if your baby can't breastfeed right after birth because he's early or in the NICU, you will need the power of a hospital grade rental pump to protect and establish your milk supply.
Burning questions? Call an IBCLC – most will be happy to answer general questions over the phone free of charge.
