Preparing for First-time Breastfeeding

Breast feeding, it’s not just about giving your baby the vital nutrients and anti bodies he or she needs to grow healthily, it’s about the bond, the closeness you develop as you nurse them in the early hours of the morning, last thing at night or simply sat on the sofa watching daytime TV.

Most mums make it look easy, but the reality is that most will have found it difficult or uncomfortable at some point in those early weeks.  So is there anything you can do to prepare yourself and your body?

Learn as much about breastfeeding as you can – talk to other mums, your midwife, read books or take a class.  Type breastfeeding into You Tube and you’ll find a plethora of videos giving tips and advice.

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. But breast size has nothing to do with your ability to nurse successfully: For example, it's not true that smaller-breasted women make less breast milk. 

You don’t need any specific products to breastfeed, but a good nursing bra will comfortable and provide the support you need for your enlarged breasts.  It will also be easy to undo for quick access for feeding.  Take a peek at our Next Generation Seamfree Nursing Bra which claimed Gold in the recent Practical Parenting and Pregnancy Awards.  At Emma-Jane we also have a range of lovely nursing tops that includes an ultra-soft bamboo top, that don’t expose your whole breast while feeding.  Great for about the house and easy for layering now the colder moths are kicking in.

Disposable breast pads are a must.  Every woman leaks milk from time to time and a pad prevents any embarrassing leakages.

If you’d like your partner, a family member, friend or childminder to be able to help you feed your baby, but don’t want to give formula, then a breast pump allows you to express and freeze (for up to one month) your milk, which can then be given to the baby in a bottle.

Finally, many women also find a feeding cushion useful.  This horseshoe shaped cushion wraps around your stomach, allowing you to position your baby closer to your breast when sat upright.  However, a pillow also does the trick.

Talk to your midwife about the best cream to relive sore nipples and consider buying a cold pack to fit inside your bra to relieve swollen breasts.  A traditional remedy is to use cabbage leaves – try them – you might just be surprised.

Most importantly, enjoy the experience... it will give you memories you’ll treasure forever!