Surely you've prepared many things for the arrival of your little adventurer: the stroller, the crib, the clothes, the bathtub… Having everything ready is important. But what about nutrition? Will you breastfeed, or is that not in your plans? Have you thought about what you want to do? Do you have questions? When it comes to feeding, having good information is key—not only for making a decision, but also for establishing and maintaining breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is the most recommended form of feeding by experts, although if you decide it's not for you, you can always use a bottle. It is recommended to feed your baby exclusively with breast milk up to six months of age and, from there, to complement it with solid foods until at least two years old. After that, you and your child can decide how long to continue, as there is no better or worse time to stop breastfeeding. In the following article, we share recommendations and key points for successful breastfeeding. Ready?

Should I prepare myself for breastfeeding?

If you're wondering whether you need to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding, the answer is no. During pregnancy, you might have questions about what you’ll need to breastfeed, or whether it’s necessary to stimulate the breasts or prepare the nipples. None of this is necessary for breastfeeding. There is only one thing you need to do to prepare for breastfeeding: to have information.

It’s common to think that breastfeeding is instinctive, but the truth is that mothers need to learn how to nurse, understand what difficulties may arise, know what is not recommended, and identify who they can turn to for support. Why? From the 1970s to the present, in Spain, bottle-feeding culture has been gaining ground, leaving many mothers without enough references around them to learn about breastfeeding. The key, therefore, is to find up-to-date information so you can learn how to breastfeed.

You can ask your midwife or gynecologist, or consult books that are references in this field. We recommend three rigorous and engaging breastfeeding manuals: We are awesome , by breastfeeding counselor and IBLCL Alba Padró, The Breastfeeding Book , by pediatrician and founder of e-lactancia.org, José María Paricio, and A gift for a lifetime , by pediatrician Carlos González. The internet also offers abundant information about breastfeeding: websites, blogs, and profiles of midwives and breastfeeding consultants specialized in lactation can be very helpful as a first step.

What can I do to ensure successful breastfeeding?

The moments right after birth and the first days are very important for establishing breastfeeding. Having confidence in yourself will help you approach it in a much healthier way. Here are 6 recommendations that can help:

Trust in your body and yourself

You should know that your body is prepared to breastfeed: the mammary gland, which functions like any other organ in your body, has the milk production capacity. This is a characteristic of mammals, and it’s what allows our offspring to grow and survive. Isn’t it fascinating what we’re capable of?

The first hour after birth

Childbirth can influence how breastfeeding goes; therefore, if you want to breastfeed, it may be very helpful to prepare a birth plan in which you express your wishes and needs. On one hand, the expulsion of the placenta causes an increase in prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. On the other hand, the baby's suckling—especially during the first hours of life—stimulates the production of oxytocin, which facilitates milk ejection and causes the uterus to contract, thereby reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Therefore, after birth, the baby should be placed on top of you and allow him to seek your chest . After the first feeding, your baby will sleep for a long time. This is called lethargy , and it allows your little adventurer to recover from the great journey of childbirth. When he wakes up, he will continue to nurse between 8 and 12 times throughout the day and night.

Skin to skin

Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, skin-to-skin contact is always beneficial for both you and your baby. Think of yourself as your baby's home for 9 months and, when she is born, she hopes to reunite with you—her home. Your arms are the best place. Also, being in contact with you, so close, helps her stay alert to “hunger” signals.

Breastfeeding tools

In the market, you’ll find a wide range of gadgets and products for breastfeeding: nipple shields, breast pumps, creams, infusions, breast pads for leaks… They may be useful occasionally, but they are not necessary. What you will truly need to breastfeed once your little adventurer is born is support from your partner (if you have one) and your environment, and to feel as comfortable and cared for as possible. Having information in advance and relying on breastfeeding groups can be key when making decisions.

Breastfeeding positions

There are many breastfeeding positions, but usually you’ll use two or three most often. The important thing is that you feel comfortable while nursing. You can offer the breast standing, sitting, or lying down ; what matters is that the position and latch are correct and that it doesn’t cause you pain. The baby's head and your breast should be aligned; their nose and chin should be very close to the breast, and the mouth should take in the entire nipple. When the baby is sucking well, you can see their lower jaw move and their cheeks round out. Remember: breastfeeding doesn't hurt.

Breastfeeding should be on demand

A few years ago, breastfeeding schedules were common—yes, as if it were medication. The recommendation was to breastfeed every three hours. Now we know that this isn’t the case. The baby needs breast milk on demand , and that can mean every two hours, every half hour, or every four hours. Forget the clock. Each baby nurses in their own way throughout the day. They do it when they’re hungry, but also when they’re tired or thirsty. Only if your baby is sick, sleeps excessively, weighs less than 2,500 g, or more than 4,500 g, should you offer the breast at most every 3–4 hours, day and night, to prevent hypoglycemia. If you have any doubts or notice warning signs, we recommend consulting your pediatrician.

What should I do when I return to work?

Some women feel more comfortable requesting a leave of absence to delay returning to work. Others extend their maternity leave with vacation days. If you can afford it, Don't hesitate to take the time you need for your physical recovery and emotional well-being, and to enjoy breastfeeding. If that isn’t possible and you have to return at 16 weeks, you can still continue exclusive breastfeeding. You’ll need information about breast milk expression and storage, as well as a plan to coordinate the hours you’re apart from your baby with his feeds. It’s also important to make up for the “lost time” and, when you return home, allow him to breastfeed as much as he needs. Although manual expression and the breast pump are useful in these cases, there is no greater stimulus than your baby’s suckling.

What if I have difficulties with my breastfeeding?

There is no reason for difficulties to arise. Breastfeeding can be a simple and enjoyable process. However, that isn’t always the case. The most common breastfeeding difficulties are the sensation of lack of milk, concern about weight gain, and pain during sucking . If you’re unsure, we recommend consulting your midwife and pediatrician, as, if they have training in breastfeeding, they will be able to help you. Breastfeeding advisors, professionals IBCLCs and breastfeeding support groups, such as La Liga de la Leche, Alba Lactancia, or the Maternify by matrona team, are also very important, since they have up-to-date information and, in many cases, an added value: mother-to-mother support and experience. It has been proven that these profiles improve women's breastfeeding experiences. Don’t hesitate to ask everything you need—many other women have gone through the same fears and obstacles.

And remember, only you can choose the type of feeding for your baby. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, confident, and happy with your choice, whether it is breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both.