Congrats, you have decided to provide the best possible nutrition for your baby!

The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding your baby for 6 months, with breastmilk being a main staple of nutrition for one year and beyond as long as mom and baby are comfortable. Breastfeeding offers short and long-term benefits for mom and baby- let’s begin by reviewing a few of these positive impacts.

Though breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby, it does not always come naturally. It is a new skill to learn. Not everyone’s goals look the same. Not everyone’s journey looks the same, but we follow three basic rules for breastfeeding. 

Where it all begins

The wonderful thing about building a breast milk supply is that you can trust your body to start doing the work! During pregnancy your body begins preparing to nourish your baby. You may notice that your breasts grow, and the darkened skin around your nipple (called the areola) may get larger and darker. Your breasts might start to leak colostrum, which is the first milk your baby will receive.

Nipples and breasts come in all different sizes and shapes. Your unique breast shape and size rarely affect whether breastfeeding will be successful. Great news! Your baby has no nipple expectations!

How milk is made

Once the placenta is delivered the hormones in your body will shift to milk production mode. In the first few days you will continue to produce colostrum. As days go on the sugar, fat, and water content increases, thus increasing volume. You may notice that your milk gets thinner and whiter in appearance. Soon your body will switch into supply and demand mode, meaning the more milk you express, the more you make. 

How to get started

TAKE A CLASS
Contact your OB/GYN’s office and local hospital or birthing center to see what classes they offer. 

READ
There is a lot of good material out there. Check out The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding from the Le Leche League International or Nancy Morbacher’s Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Laws for Nursing Mothers. 

WATCH SOME VIDEOS
If you are a visual learner you will love these videos at First Droplets.

FIND YOUR SUPPORT PEOPLE
Reach out to your friends and family who have nursed or are currently nursing. Find a local mom’s group or breastfeeding support group like the La Leche League. Online forums can be helpful or harmful, so proceed with caution and always consult a professional before making any healthcare or feeding changes. 

SEEK PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Speak with your OB, Pediatrician’s office, and hospital to see if they have Lactation Consultants on staff. Call your insurance company to see what they cover for lactation support in the postpartum period. Research local private practice Lactation Consultants.

CONNECT WITH A RELIABLE ONLINE SOURCE
Follow Let’s Chat Lactation on social media and contact us with any questions by filling out our Contact Us form. We are certified lactation specialists on a mission to bring joy to your breastfeeding journey. Learn more about us here.

Providing breast milk for your baby can be both rewarding and challenging, but rest assured that you are choosing the best nutrition for your baby. The health benefits of breast milk are unmatched. Trust that your body will do what it is designed to do, and if you hit any speed bumps along the way, reach out to your support people. 

Be sure to follow Let’s Chat Lactation for reliable support and guidance as you navigate the ups and downs of your unique breastfeeding journey.

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