Before Birth

Get Informed!

Maybe we've got it backwards.  Most women are well prepared for birth.  They've read all the books, talked to experts and attended classes to prepare themselves and their baby for a good, safe birth experience, an experience that only last a few hours (hopefully!).  But most women haven't spent 30 minutes preparing for the feeding and care of their infant, an experience that lasts years!

You need more than this web site to inform yourself about breastfeeding.   We are certainly proud of the wonderful information and support you can find at Breastfeeding.com, but it doesn't take the place of good books, the help of a lactation professional, or the support of a La Leche League group.  Here is where you find help:

 

Lactation Consultants

  Visit Our Directories

Lactation Consultants
Doulas
Midwives
Child Birth Educators
Counselors
 
 

La Leche League

The one and only.  Providing support to breastfeeding mothers for decades.  There is almost certainly a La Leche League group near you.

Line Up Your Support

Getting things in order will help make things easier those first weeks with your new little one.  If you don't already have a pediatrician or family practitioner, take the time to interview several to find one you feel comfortable with and who is supportive of breastfeeding.  (See "Picking a doctor")

Joining a group of like-minded parents is a great way to add to your support network.   The information you receive and friends you make often carry over into helpful support during those early years of parenting.  La Leche League International is one of the oldest and largest organizations.  You can also usually find parent groups or classes at your local community center, hospital, or YMCA.

One of the smartest things you can do to ensure you get breastfeeding off to a great start is to arrange a consultation with a Lactation Consultant a day or two after birth.   You may want to meet with her before birth as well.  A Lactation Consultant is a specialist trained in helping mothers get breastfeeding right and solving problems should they occur.  You can obtain the name of a Lactation Consultant from your local La Leche League or pediatrician's office. 

Have someone else take over all other household duties for the first several weeks after birth.  Have husband, relatives, and friends take turns being "servant for a day".  If you have older children, enlist the help of a neighborhood preteen as a "mothers helper" to entertain the children while you rest and concentrate on baby.  Hire a Doula if at all possible.  A Doula specializes in taking care of the needs of the mother.  Postpartum-care services are becoming very popular.  To see if there is a Doula in your area, contact DONA (Doulas of North America).