Prenatal:

Don't worry about buying a nursing bra until after your baby is born. You won't know your exact breast size until you and your baby settle in to a nice feeding pattern. Bring an old stretched out sports bra with you to your birth, or simply go au naturel! Plan on an outing to purchase a bra once your milk has come in, or even better, buy one online! Check out www.milkface.com

Pick up a breastfeeding resource book that will be by your side while you settle in to your first few days of motherhood. You will have questions. Jack Newman has answers. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers Revised and Updated: The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solving Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America is a book by Dr. Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman. Try to read as much as you can before the baby is born, but remember that it will make the most sense once your baby is in your arms.

Attend a breastfeeding mother's group. Robyn Berman Doula Services facilitates such a group each Tuesday from 11am - 12 noon in the community room behind Uncommon Kids on South Park Street in Halifax. Visit www.halifaxdoula.com for more info, or come on by! Watch mother's breastfeed their babies. This is the best way to learn up until your own baby is born. They won't mind if you ask to take a closer look, I promise!

Immediately after birth:

Enjoy this moment! Your baby has just been born. Place the baby skin to skin as soon as he or she is born. Your baby will instantly recognize your voice, your scent, your heartbeat. Put a warm blanket over you and your baby, your body heat will keep your baby as warm as he needs to be. Give your baby time to adjust to the new environment. Keeping your baby close will comfort him and give him a chance to feel safe enough to find his way to your breast. If you want to help him along, go for it. But do not be put off if your baby simply wants to "hang out" by the breast for a while before latching on. Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth is recommended, but each baby is different and some may need more or less time, especially if birth was a difficult journey for him.

Try to have a low key, toned down, peaceful environment for your first and subsequent feedings. Your baby has work to do, and any stimulus (yes, even someone standing over your shoulder!) may become a distraction for both of you. The more relaxed you both are, the more success you will have.

Do not allow a clinical care giver to put your baby on your breast. You have confidence, you have learned, you already know your baby better than anyone else. If you need assistance ask for verbal guidance that is gentle and understanding, but insist that you want to hold your baby so that you can get acquainted and learn together.

Try to ensure a good latch, right from the start. Watch Jack Newman's First Latch video.

http://www.drjacknewman.com/video-clips.asp. Remember that the latch is asymmetrical. The baby's eyes should be looking in to your eyes (makes sense, no?!), and the baby's chin should be touching the breast tissue, not the areola. The baby's body is tucked by your body, again, asymmetrical and somewhat angled upright (you try swallowing lying flat and sideways...it's tricky!).

Your baby has a tummy the size of a marble. That means he will need to eat frequently to keep himself satisfied. Remember, your milk may not "come in" for several days. Your baby will thrive on colostrum, the gooey clear thick liquid that you have before your milk comes in. Self express (ask a professional to make sure you are doing this properly so as to not damage your nipples) so that you can see what you are giving your baby. If you have a mental picture of what he is taking as he suckles, you will have more confidence about his satiation.

While you still have colostrum, all your baby needs is a teaspoon from each side at each feeding. Do not be persuaded to use formula, water, or any other substitute unless deemed medically necessary. Also, your baby should not have restrictions on how long or how frequent each feeding is. Your baby is determining his needs by nursing on demand, restricting him in any way may affect your supply later on. Throw that watch away and just enjoy your time together.

Once your milk has come in allow your baby once again to take the lead on how much he needs. Make sure to feed your baby frequently until he is gaining weight well, but do not worry if he only takes one side per feed or if he takes both sides over the course of two hours. Each person we know eats differently (think of "ole uncle so and so" who couldn't get it in fast enough, or your mother who takes so long to eat that the rest of the family has gone off to bed and she's still on her second course). Use breast compressions to make sure your baby is getting the most from hind milk (see Jack Newman's website for more information on this).

1 Dahl, Gail. Pregnancy and Childbirth Secrets. September 2007.

Robyn Berman, CD(DONA)

Robyn Berman Doula Services