BEFORE BIRTH

Many mothers assume breastfeeding will come naturally and give little thought about "preparation". We expect our health care providers to be able to answer our questions and concerns with breastfeeding, but sadly our doctors and nurses get virtually NO training in breastfeeding, or breastfeeding management, and the information they do have is often sadly outdated and/or inaccurate. This often results in early termination of breastfeeding. To help avoid this you can try the following:

While you are pregnant, learn as much as you can about breastfeeding through reading books, articles and other information specifically related to breastfeeding and breastfeeding management. A recommended reading list is located at the bottom of this page, as well as a link for books to avoid.

Locate and meet (if possible) an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) that will be available to you after you have your baby, both during your hospital stay and in those early days and weeks at home.

Check to see if you have La Leche League (LLL) in your area, and if so, do attend at least a couple meetings prior to the birth of your baby.
Visit breastfeeding support bulletin boards on the internet, such as Parentsplace.com and Breastfeeding.com for information, feedback and support from other breastfeeding moms.  

Don't hesitate to call your lactation consultant or local LLL leader if you have breastfeeding concerns or questions, even prior to your baby's birth.

BABY'S BIRTH & YOUR HOSPITAL STAY

You may feel overwhelmed with all the information to remember about breastfeeding, but it really doesn't have to be so "complicated". Here are a few links with information on how to start and end breastfeedings which may help to make things easier for you:

http://users.erols.com/cindyrn/1.htm

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/goodstart.html

http://www.parentsplace.com/expert/lactation/basics/gen/0,3474,10141,00.html

http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/tips_new.html

AT HOME WITH YOUR NEWBORN

Sometimes everything seems to go well at the hospital, but once home everything seems to "fall apart". Try to remember that breastfeeding is a learning experience, it almost always gets better with a little time, and the first six weeks are often the most challenging. Try to set a goal of nursing for at least the first eight weeks of your baby's life. This gives you time to get beyond the usual "problem spots", and gives your baby the best possible start in life.

The following links will provide you with information to help you through these first few days at home:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/FAQnursefreq.html

http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/enoughmilk.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBNovDec94.html

http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/schedules.html

http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_images_latchon.html

http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_images_positioning.html

RECOMMENDED READING LIST

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, LLL

The Nursing Mother's Companion, Kathleen Huggins

Nursing Mother, Working Mother, Gayle Prior

So That's What They're For, Janet Tamaro

Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding, Eileen Behan

Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing, Sheila K. Kippley

The Breastfeeding Book, Dr William and Martha Sears

Mothering Multiples, Karen Kerkhoff Gromada

Mothering Your Nursing Toddler, Norma J. Bumgarner

These books can be purchased at most local bookstores, or ordered from various sites on the internet, including the following:

BOOKS TO AVOID

http://www.promom.org/bf_info/stinkers.htm

Sources for above information include, but are not limited to:

Breastfeeding Answer Book
Breastfeeding & Human Lactation
Milk, Money & Madness