Learning to breastfeed
Breastfeeding is natural. But it doesn’t all come naturally.
Where children grow up surrounded by breastfeeding women and frequently see babies of all ages going to the breast, they learn the process without realising. They see the positions used by mothers with newborns and how they change as the baby grows. They hear the wisdom as elders guide the new mothers to improve their milk supply or help a baby improve their latch. Small girls will mimic the maternal behaviour, while older girls learn to recognise feeding cues. As they approach their own matrescence they are guided by experienced breastfeeding mothers. And they are nurtured during the first 40 days, where they are not expected to do anything more than recover and learn to breastfeed their baby.
But in our modern world, families are much smaller and many women reach childbirth without ever really watching a woman breastfeed. There is a reason a mother and baby are part of the presentation at antenatal breastfeeding classes: they might be the first and last time to see someone breastfeed before you put your own baby to the breast!
Learning as much about how breastfeeding works as possible is probably a better use of your pregnancy than decorating a beautiful nursery. Babies don’t care about paint colours and minimalist decor but they do seek the breast within an hour of birth!
Many people are overwhelmed by the reality of breastfeeding. It is something they expected would “just happen” or that the midwives or nurses would teach them in hospital. However, learning how lactation works, how babies attach and what happens with your milk supply in the early weeks is not easy in the hours and days after birthing. Between hormonal changes, recovery from the physical impact of vaginal birth or surgery and fatigue from interrupted sleep - your brain is not in its best state to learn multiple new things.
The second trimester is a great time to begin learning about breastfeeding. Booking into a breastfeeding class well before your due date means you won’t be caught short if your baby is born early. Classes are available in person or online from organisations like the Australian Breastfeeding Association and many IBCLC lactation consultants offer classes too. Be aware these are much more in-depth than the breastfeeding content of regular antenatal classes offered by hospitals.
You will find an astonishing array of books on breastfeeding. Some are excellent but others are greatly influenced by the writer’s own opinion and experience. Our recommended reading is listed here.
There is lots of online content and, again, much is opinion and experience. Look for evidence-based content provided by specialist providers. You will find our breastfeeding articles here: The 4th Trimester and Breastfeeding Our goal is to answer the most common questions about breastfeeding and support you throughout your journey.
Joining a breastfeeding support group - face-to-face and/or online - is really important and you will maximise the benefit by engaging with the group before your baby is born. By hearing the questions mothers ask and the answers they are given, you will have a better understanding of what to expect and what can be done to resolve problems.
Finding an IBCLC lactation consultant locally and arranging a consultant before your baby is due means you will be calling upon a known person for support in the postnatal period. Although some mothers only experience minor challenges establishing breastfeeding, the current system around birth and the postnatal period can lead to issues you will need to continue working through once you return home with your new baby.
If your baby is already born, learning more about breastfeeding will prepare you for the rest of your journey. Although the newborn period is certainly demanding, there are other stages which can be challenging. Preparing in advance means you will recognise what is happening and seek help if and when you need it. Having a strong breastfeeding support network is really important, especially if your breastfeeding goals are very important to you.
Southern Natural Parenting Network is an online global village of parents who breastfeed to natural term and practice a child-led approach to weaning after two years or more. Join us on Facebook!
