How should I prepare for breastfeeding?
There’s no doubt that breast is best for
your baby. So anything you can do to prepare for breastfeeding while you
are pregnant is all to the good. Try these tips to be sure of getting a
beautiful breastfeeding relationship started from birth:
Whether you think about it or not, your pregnant body is preparing itself for breastfeeding. That's one reason your breasts get so much bigger during pregnancy. Your milk ducts and milk-producing cells are developing, and more blood goes to your breasts than before.
Breast size has nothing to do with the ability to breastfeed successfully. Even if you stay small-breasted, you'll still be able to feed your baby all the milk he needs.
- Talk to other mums who are breastfeeding, or who have done it before.
- Read up as much as you can. Our breastfeeding area contains lots of articles that can help you.
- Contact local breastfeeding support organisations. See our A-Z directory of organisations.
- Try to attend a breastfeeding class or a preparation for breastfeeding session, some time during your pregnancy. These classes are offered by many hospitals and by the National Childbirth Trust as part of their antenatal classes.
Whether you think about it or not, your pregnant body is preparing itself for breastfeeding. That's one reason your breasts get so much bigger during pregnancy. Your milk ducts and milk-producing cells are developing, and more blood goes to your breasts than before.
Breast size has nothing to do with the ability to breastfeed successfully. Even if you stay small-breasted, you'll still be able to feed your baby all the milk he needs.
Do I need to toughen my nipples or do anything else before I breastfeed?
No you don’t need to do anything, the
hormonal changes going on in your breasts during pregnancy are
preparation enough. You don't need to use creams to soften your skin
beforehand or express colostrum either. In particular, don't rub or scrub your nipples, this will only hurt you and make breastfeeding difficult.
The best preparation for breastfeeding is getting your partner to support you in your decision to breastfeed. This will help you and your baby to get off to a good start. You are more likely to breastfeed for longer if your partner is well-informed and supportive.
It will also help to have plenty of skin-to-skin contact with your baby when she is born. Skin-to-skin contact has been shown to increase the length of time that mums breastfeed for.
Even if you need a caesarean birth, you can still hold your baby against your skin soon after the birth with some help from your midwife. Your baby may wriggle to your breast and feed, or she may only smell, lick or nuzzle your breast. All these things will help you and your baby get breastfeeding off to a great start.
The best preparation for breastfeeding is getting your partner to support you in your decision to breastfeed. This will help you and your baby to get off to a good start. You are more likely to breastfeed for longer if your partner is well-informed and supportive.
It will also help to have plenty of skin-to-skin contact with your baby when she is born. Skin-to-skin contact has been shown to increase the length of time that mums breastfeed for.
Even if you need a caesarean birth, you can still hold your baby against your skin soon after the birth with some help from your midwife. Your baby may wriggle to your breast and feed, or she may only smell, lick or nuzzle your breast. All these things will help you and your baby get breastfeeding off to a great start.
Read More - http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breastfeeding/preparingtobreastfeed/
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