Feeding Essentials Checklist: Preparing for Breastfeeding
If you’re pregnant and planning on breastfeeding, you might be surprised to know that although breastfeeding may sometimes seem like the most convenient option for feeding your baby, it takes a bit of preparation and planning. Between learning how to breastfeed and figuring out what additional supplies you may need, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed at all of the options and opinions of your friends, family, or online. The good news is, there are steps you can take proactively during pregnancy to help yourself and your spouse become educated and informed about breastfeeding in general, AND feel prepared when the time comes for baby to arrive. Establishing breastfeeding at birth or shortly afterward can bring on a wide range of thoughts and feelings for both the mother and spouse, and for many new parents it can be a stressful experience. This checklist is intended to help you prepare as much as possible ahead of time, so that when your baby arrives you can focus on connecting with him or her, armed with knowledge, support from your friends, family and provider, and with all the supplies you may need. My hope is that this will help you feel equipped and confident embarking on your breastfeeding journey with your new baby.
What To Do Before Baby Is Born
Share your breastfeeding goals and intentions with your spouse, partner, care provider, doula, and other support people - so they can know how best to support you during your journey!
Take a breastfeeding class in your community. Many hospitals offer breastfeeding and childbirth classes, but these days especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many classes are now being offered online and in a digital format, so you have many options to choose from!
Know where to go to find lactation support in your community. It may be a hospital program or another organization of IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants). You can use this link to find one in your area.
See if you qualify to receive a free breast pump through insurance using this website. Whether you’re planning on going back to work or not after maternity leave, a good quality breast pump is good to have on hand in case your baby does need to take a bottle of pumped milk for whatever reason or another.
Make sure you have all of the supplies needed for baby AND for yourself to breastfeed comfortably at home using the checklist at the bottom of this post!
What To Do In The Hospital
Establishing breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, as long as it is medically safe for you and baby to do so, can be an important first step in your breastfeeding journey. Talk to your care provider and your doula about your wishes, and whether or not the following things are a priority for you as you begin your breastfeeding journey.
Plan to have baby placed skin-to-skin immediately following birth. Doing so creates an incredible connection between you and baby that studies show is more likely to result in a successful breastfeeding relationship.
Plan to have baby breastfeed within the first hour. One particular study done on mothers and their very low birth weight infants showed that breastfeeding within one hour increased milk output and made milk come in faster after delivery.
Plan to have baby room-in with you at the hospital for the duration of your stay. Staying with your baby as much as possible after delivery gives you ample time to bond and work on establishing breastfeeding.
Plan to ask to see a lactation consultant in the hospital. Even if everything seems to be going well, having a trained lactation consultant evaluate you and your baby while breastfeeding can help you catch any problems or issues early on.
What To Do Once At Home
Stay nourished and hydrated! Be sure to keep a water bottle near you at all times so you can stay hydrated - making milk for your baby is hard work! Not only is it important to drink lots of water, but to also enjoy lots of nourishing foods that support healthy energy levels and replenish nutrients that may have been depleted during pregnancy and birth. Many nursing moms like to keep boxes of granola bars or other shelf-stable healthy snacks around the house for a quick pick-me-up (just make sure to keep them out of reach of any hungry toddlers you might have running around!)
Accept help from others. This might be one of the most important things you can do for yourself during this time: accept the help offered to you! Accept meals, offers to clean up around the house, offers to do a grocery order - whatever it may be. This time that you’re trying to bond with your baby and adjust to having him or her earthside can be taxing in so many ways. Allow the people in your life who love you to do tasks around the house while you relax and recover.
More Essentials: Breastfeeding Supplies
Aside from all of the mental and emotional preparation, there are also some physical necessities you may want to have on hand. This is not an all-inclusive list, you may need more or less than what is listed here!
Nursing pads. Disposable and reusable varieties are available!
Burp cloths
Nipple balm. Be sure to use a balm that is safe for baby too, otherwise you may need to gently wipe it off prior to nursing.
Nipple shield. This is not necessary in all circumstances, but may be useful to help baby latch and/or to protect damaged nipples)
Nursing bras
Breastfeeding pillow
Breastmilk storage bags and containers
Bottles, if you plan on feeding your baby pumped milk at any time.
Haakaa pump. This little silicone “pump” is amazing for the early days when your supply is still regulating. Attach the Haaka to the opposite breast while you nurse to catch the letdown. You can also use it to help relieve engorgement without pumping!
PRO TIP: Many moms like to set up breastfeeding “stations” or little baskets throughout the house so that no matter where you sit down with the baby, you have all of your necessities within arms reach! Some things to add to your station: extra burp cloths, nursing pads, a nipple shield, nipple balm, a Haaka, granola bars, a phone charger, a book or your kindle/iPad, hand sanitizer and a water bottle!
Helpful Resources For Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can be difficult, and no two experiences are the same. Thankfully there are so many helpful and valuable resources available online and in-print that any mom can turn to to get the help she needs. Here are just a few of my favorites:
How A Doula Can Help
A birth and/or postpartum doula can be a source of valuable support for you and your baby, regardless of which feeding method you choose. A birth doula working with you during your pregnancy can connect you to resources and lactation consultants in your area, as well as help you create a feeding plan to take with you to the hospital, so your care providers are aware of your wishes to breastfeed your baby, and what that will look like immediately after birth. A doula may also be able to help you latch baby correctly, find a nursing position that is comfortable for you, and point you to a feeding specialist in your area should any problems arrive. A postpartum doula may even be able to provide more support postpartum, once you and your baby are settled in at home, such as taking care of light housework or meal prepping while you feed the baby and spend time skin-to-skin with baby while you wait for your milk to come in. Either way, a doula is a valuable source of support for you and your partner as you and your baby begin your breastfeeding journey.
I hope this checklist was beneficial to you! If you are pregnant and planning on breastfeeding, and feel a doula would be a beneficial for you as you plan for birth and beyond, contact me!