Preparing for breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be learned and although it is natural, it is not necessarily instinctive. It’s not easy for everyone but if you can get past the first few weeks it usually becomes very easy.

It is vital to allow completely unrestricted breastfeeding in the beginning as this will stimulate your breasts to produce milk. This takes between 2-4 days (sometimes longer following a traumatic and/or caesarean section delivery) depending on how frequently you put the baby to the breast. This is called: ‘the milk coming in’.

Your midwife or health visitor will be able to give you support or you can contact a breastfeeding counsellor from a voluntary organisation. The major ones are:

The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 020 7813 1481

The Breastfeeding Network: 0870 900 8787

NCT Breastfeeding Helpline 0870 444 8708

La Leche League 020 7242 1278

What You Will Need

The short answer is none (breasts being the only essential equipment!), but most mothers will find the following to be useful:-

• disposable or washable breast pads
• at least three well-fitting maternity bras
• a tube of nipple cream (in case you get sore nipples)
• a breast pump