Breastfeeding can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Many moms worry about pain, low milk supply, or if their baby will latch correctly.
These are real concerns—but the good news is, there’s a lot you can do ahead of time to make things easier.
Preparing before your baby arrives can increase your confidence and help you avoid common challenges. A little planning goes a long way.
This guide covers 18 practical ways to get ready for breastfeeding.
Each one is simple, doable, and designed to help you start strong!
Education and Mindset
1. Take a Breastfeeding Class
One of the best ways to prepare is to take a breastfeeding class. These classes are often available at hospitals, birthing centers, or online. Many are taught by certified lactation consultants who know how to explain things clearly.
In a class, you’ll learn the basics—how to help your baby latch, how to know if they’re getting enough milk, and how to spot and solve common issues. You’ll also learn feeding cues, different nursing positions, and what to expect in the first days and weeks after birth.
Partners are encouraged to attend too. It helps them understand how to support you when you need it most. A class can turn confusion into confidence.
2. Read Reliable Resources
There’s a lot of breastfeeding information online—but not all of it is accurate. Stick with resources recommended by professionals like lactation consultants or pediatricians.
Look for books like The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League or Latch by Robin Kaplan, IBCLC. Trusted websites include:
- La Leche League International (www.llli.org)
- KellyMom (www.kellymom.com)
- The CDC’s breastfeeding section (www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding)
These sources are evidence-based and easy to follow. They cover everything from milk supply to pumping and returning to work. The more you learn now, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel later.
3. Understand the Benefits of Breastfeeding
Knowing why breastfeeding matters can keep you motivated when things get tough. Breast milk is packed with nutrients and antibodies that help protect your baby from illness. It supports healthy growth and brain development.
For you, breastfeeding helps your body recover after birth. It can lower the risk of certain cancers, help with bonding, and may even support emotional well-being.
Breastfeeding isn’t just a feeding method—it’s a powerful connection between you and your baby. Understanding the benefits helps you see the bigger picture when challenges come up.
4. Set Realistic Expectations
Breastfeeding is natural, but it’s also a skill. Most moms need time to get the hang of it. And that’s okay.
Your baby may not latch perfectly right away. Your nipples might feel sore. You might doubt if you’re making enough milk. These things are common in the beginning.
Go in knowing that it’s a process. Give yourself room to learn. Mistakes and setbacks don’t mean you’re failing—they’re part of the journey.
Being mentally prepared for ups and downs helps you stay calm and confident. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep going, one feed at a time.
Physical Preparation
5. Talk to Your OB or Midwife
Before your baby arrives, have a clear conversation with your OB or midwife about your breastfeeding plans. Let them know you want to breastfeed and ask about any health factors that might affect it. Conditions like diabetes, previous breast surgery, or certain medications can influence how breastfeeding goes.
Your healthcare provider can offer guidance or refer you to a lactation consultant if needed. Early communication helps you get the right support from the start. It also ensures your care team knows your goals and can help protect your ability to breastfeed during labor and delivery.
6. Check Your Breasts
Take some time to examine your breasts before birth. Look for signs like flat or inverted nipples, which can make latching more challenging. If you notice these, don’t worry—there are ways to prepare and manage them.
Some moms use nipple shields or do specific exercises recommended by lactation consultants to help stretch the nipple. Knowing about these issues early means you can get advice and practice techniques before baby arrives. This can reduce stress and help you feel more ready.
7. Practice Hand Expression
Hand expression is a simple skill that can make a big difference. It means using your hands to gently squeeze milk from your breasts without a pump. Learning how to do this before birth can prepare you for the first few days when your baby might need extra help feeding.
Hand expression can relieve engorgement and help collect colostrum—the first, nutrient-rich milk. It’s also useful if your baby struggles to latch or if you need to build a small milk stash. Practice now, so you feel comfortable using this helpful tool later.
8. Avoid Using Harsh Soaps or Creams
Your nipples need to stay healthy and soft for breastfeeding. Avoid washing them with harsh soaps, alcohol-based wipes, or scented creams. These can dry out or irritate your skin, making breastfeeding uncomfortable.
Instead, use warm water to clean the area gently. If your nipples do get sore or cracked after birth, talk to a lactation consultant about safe treatments.
9. Stock Up on Nipple Cream and Breast Pads
It’s a good idea to have nipple cream and breast pads ready before your baby comes. Nipple cream, especially those with lanolin, can soothe sore or cracked nipples. Use it as needed to keep skin comfortable and protected.
Breast pads help absorb leaks and keep your clothes dry. This can prevent irritation and make you feel more comfortable during the day and night. Having these supplies on hand means you’re prepared to manage common breastfeeding discomforts right away.
Create a Supportive Environment
10. Choose a Baby-Friendly Hospital or Birth Center
Where you give birth can shape how your breastfeeding journey begins. Look for a hospital or birth center that follows the “Baby-Friendly” guidelines. These facilities support immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth and help you start breastfeeding within the first hour.
They also have trained staff to assist with latching, answer questions, and avoid practices that might interfere with breastfeeding—like routine formula supplementation without medical need. Ask your provider what breastfeeding support is offered where you plan to deliver.
11. Find a Lactation Consultant Before Birth
Don’t wait until there’s a problem to find help. Look for a certified lactation consultant (often labeled IBCLC) during pregnancy. Ask your OB, midwife, or pediatrician for recommendations. You can also search online through directories like ILCA.org or your local hospital’s website.
Having a consultant’s contact information ready means you won’t be scrambling for support during those emotional first days. If issues come up—like pain, latching problems, or supply worries—you’ll know exactly who to call. That peace of mind is worth it.
12. Talk to Your Partner or Support Person
Breastfeeding may be something only you can physically do, but support from others makes a big difference. Talk to your partner or support person about how they can help.
This might include bringing the baby to you at night, helping you get comfortable, or offering water and snacks during long feeds.
Encouragement matters too. A simple “You’re doing great” can go a long way when you’re tired or unsure. When your support team knows what to expect, they can step in with care and confidence.
13. Connect with a Local or Online Support Group
You don’t have to go through this alone. Breastfeeding support groups can be a lifeline, especially in the early weeks. Hearing other moms share their stories—good and bad—can help you feel understood and less isolated.
Check if your hospital offers a weekly breastfeeding group. Look for local meetups through La Leche League, community centers, or mom groups. Online groups, like Facebook communities or forums, are also great places to ask questions and get quick advice.
Being part of a community gives you a place to learn, vent, and stay motivated!
Plan for the Postpartum Period
14. Learn About the First Hour After Birth
The first hour after your baby is born is important for breastfeeding. This is often called the “golden hour.” During this time, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact helps regulate your baby’s temperature, breathing, and heart rate. It also encourages their natural instinct to nurse.
Ask your care team to delay routine procedures, like weighing or bathing, until after this bonding time. Try to breastfeed during this hour if possible. Early feeding helps your baby learn to latch and signals your body to start producing milk.
Even if things don’t go as planned, knowing what’s ideal helps you ask for it when the moment comes.
15. Prep Your Home Breastfeeding Space
Set up a cozy, calm spot in your home where you’ll nurse most often. This could be a corner of your bedroom, the living room, or wherever you feel most relaxed. A supportive chair with pillows, a nursing pillow, and a soft blanket can make a big difference in comfort.
Keep essentials within reach—like a water bottle, snacks, burp cloths, nipple cream, and your phone or a book. Night feeds will be easier if everything is in one place.
You’ll spend a lot of time nursing in the first few weeks. A well-prepped space makes the experience less stressful and more comfortable.
16. Prepare for Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts
Cluster feeding is when your baby nurses very frequently for several hours, usually in the evening. It’s normal, especially in the early weeks. Growth spurts also happen around 7–10 days, 2–3 weeks, and again later. During these times, babies feed more to boost your milk supply.
This can be exhausting if you’re not expecting it. You may feel like you’re nursing non-stop. That’s okay. It won’t last forever.
Knowing this ahead of time helps you stay calm. Let your partner know these phases are coming too, so they can support you with patience and care.
17. Understand Milk Supply Basics
Milk supply works on demand and supply. The more often your baby nurses or milk is removed, the more milk your body will make. Skipping feeds or supplementing early without need can reduce your supply.
Watch for hunger cues—like rooting, sucking on hands, or fussiness—and feed often. Don’t wait for your baby to cry. Crying is a late hunger sign.
Frequent nursing in the early days builds a strong milk supply. Trust your body and your baby’s cues. If you’re ever unsure, a lactation consultant can help you understand what’s normal.
18. Know That It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Breastfeeding can be challenging, even when you prepare. If you’re in pain, your baby isn’t gaining weight, or you’re feeling overwhelmed—reach out.
Help is available through lactation consultants, support groups, or your baby’s doctor. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you care enough to get the support you need.
No one expects you to do this alone. Many moms need guidance at some point. The sooner you ask, the easier things usually become. You and your baby are learning together—and support makes that journey smoother!
Conclusion
Preparing for breastfeeding before your baby arrives gives you a real advantage. The more you know and plan now, the more confident you’ll feel later.
Stay flexible. Every journey is different. Challenges may come, but they don’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
Be patient—with yourself and your baby. You’re both learning.
With the right support, good information, and a little practice, breastfeeding success is absolutely within reach!
Goodluck and we’re certain you are destined to be a great mama!
