Prepare before your delivery
Learn about breastfeeding. Take a breastfeeding class, read a book, or check out the online breastfeeding resources below. It’s important to start breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, and preparation can help you be ready. Don’t wait until after you give birth to learn How to help your baby latch, how often to breastfeedor how to increase your milk supply.
Tell your healthcare provider that you want to breastfeed. Discuss any breast surgery or injury you may have had. If you take supplements or medications, talk to your healthcare provider about treatments that can work with breastfeeding.
Get to know your maternity hospital or maternity centre. Take a tour or class. Ask about the hospital’s breastfeeding policy to ensure your delivery team can help you achieve your breastfeeding goals.
Connect with your partner, family and friends. Your partner, family and friends can play an important role in helping you to breastfeed. Before your baby arrives, share your decision with them. They can provide support and encouragement.
Learn the first steps to take after giving birth
You can take steps immediately after birth to help get breastfeeding off to a good start. Many hospitals support this practice, and it’s always OK to ask the hospital staff for help.
Practice skin to skin care. Skin-to-skin time right after birth can help your baby find its way to your nipple. This practice also helps your hormones start making milk. Be prepared to feed your baby approximately every two hours at first.
Breastfeed as soon as possible after birth. This will help you establish your milk supply.
Avoid formula in the hospital when possible. Remind the hospital staff that you want to breastfeed so that the staff will not bottle feed or supplement your baby with other fluids unless medically necessary.
Ask your baby to spend the night with you. Leave your baby in your hospital room all day and night. This will help you learn your baby’s feeding cues and breastfeed often. It is possible that your hospital can do routine newborn examinations right in your room.
Ask for help. If you have trouble getting one good lockif you are concerned whether your baby is getting enough milkor have other concerns, ask the hospital staff for help.
Know who to ask if you need help
Know what resources are available in your community if breastfeeding problems arise after you have been discharged from hospital. Your hospital may offer breastfeeding support after you leave the hospital. If you are enrolled in WIC, contact your local WIC clinic to ask how you can get breastfeeding support. WIC is Special supplementary nutrition program for women, infants and children.
Talk to friends who have breastfed.
Consider joining a support group. Ask your hospital or pediatrician if they know of breastfeeding support groups or resources in your community.
