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Getting Started with Breastfeeding
Most physicians and parents agree that breastfeeding is the best method of infant feeding, yet many parents choose to bottle-feed their babies or stop breastfeeding all together after a brief period of time. Frequently their choice is based upon too little information, incorrect information (also see our 26 Myths You Might Have Heard), or too little support.
If you ask any breastfeeding mother what is the one thing they recommend, they will all say...KNOWLEDGE IS KEY!! Most women are well prepared for birth. They've read all the books, talked to experts and attended classes to prepare themselves and their baby for a good, safe birth experience, an experience that only last a few hours (hopefully!). But most women haven't spent 30 minutes preparing for the feeding and care of their infant, an experience that lasts years!
In order for breastfeeding to be successful applying this same kind of preparation is important. There's plenty of help available to you and you should take advantage of the expert advice, counseling, and group meetings that are available. For example, you can:
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Talk to your obstetrician and pediatrician. They can provide not only medical information but also encouragement and support when you need it most.
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Talk to your prenatal instructors and attend a breastfeeding class. Breastfeeding classes are usually offered by your local hospital. Attending a class can be very beneficial on the fact that they provide you with an actual visual aid of proper latch-on which is critical to your success in breastfeeding.
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Read all that you possibly can about breastfeeding. The more you read the more comfortable and confident you will be when you to breastfeed your baby for the first time.
For other helpful resources see our list of Breastfeeding Resources.
Helpful Illustrations and Checklists
The following are aids that you might find helpful when preparing to breastfeed.
Build Your Support
Not only obtaining the correct information is important to successful breastfeeding, but having strong support is vital. One of the main reasons that women state that stop breastfeeding is the lack of support. The most important person when it comes to support is your significant other. Although the ending decision to breastfeed is your choice you will need his support especially when times get rough. There are men who believe that breastfeeding is a waste of time or ignorantly believe that it is a sexual thing. You can help build his confidence and support by informing him of all the wonderful benefits that breastfeeding provides. Try having him read your books and pamphlets or speak with the lactation consultant with you. Get him involved and before you know it he will be just as proud and supportive as you need him to be. For more information on what role your significant other places in breastfeeding, please read our Fathers and Breastfeeding section.
Here is a list of other ways that you can build your support.
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Talk to women who have or are breastfeeding successfully and ask their advice. Sisters-in-law, cousins, office mates, yoga instructors, fellow congregants at your place of worship are precious resources.
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Talk to members of the La Leche League or other mother-to-mother support groups in your community. La Leche League is worldwide organization dedicated to helping families learn about and enjoy the experience of breastfeeding. Ask your pediatrician for information about how to contact La Leche League.
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Talk to a lactation consultant. If you can't afford one, try speaking to someone at your local WIC office. WIC is a major supporter of breastfeeding and provides assistance for breastfeeding mothers. This includes providing working and student mothers with free or low-cost manual and electric breast pumps.
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When making the decision to choose your child's pediatrician is extremely important to select a doctor who is knowledgeable and supportive of breastfeeding. There is nothing worse than having a pediatrician who is clueless about breastfeeding (just because they are doctors does not mean the know about breastfeeding) and at the first sign of difficulty suggests that the only cure is formula.
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If you plan to return to work while you are still working, negotiate with your employer while are pregnant to arrange a pumping schedule and an appropriate place to pump.
One thing that you will need to keep in mind while trying to build your support system is that you may encounter those who are ignorant and negative towards breastfeeding. It is important that you have knowledge of your legal rights and know the many ways to handle such ignorance. Your support system are great resources for this issue.