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The most important thing you can do to prepare for breastfeeding is to learn all you can about it. There are many good books that discuss breastfeeding exclusively. They range from "how to" manuals to those that discuss the benefits and the more technical aspects of breastfeeding.

You should discuss your decision to breastfeed with those who are important to you. It is much more difficult to succeed if your husband, parents, or children don’t understand why you want to breastfeed your new baby. A young child may be concerned that his new brother or sister is actually hurting you. Your other children may become jealous of all the attention you are giving the new baby. Preparing them for what’s to come will make it easier.

Some men become jealous of the new baby, and breastfeeding may make matters worse. Discussing your decision ahead of time is one way to lessen the feelings. Making the father a participant in routine baby care is important.

Learning the Techniques of Breastfeeding

There are still many misconceptions about breastfeeding. Many women find it frustrating if they don’t breastfeed easily and instinctively-they don’t realize that they need to learn the best way to breastfeed. Years ago, women would learn breastfeeding techniques from their mothers, older sisters, and other women who were breastfeeding. This isn’t as likely to happen today. Chances are reasonably good that your mother did not breastfeed you, so she can’t readily help you with your own breastfeeding.

Classes in breastfeeding techniques are available. Organizations such as the La Leche League offer support and encouragement for women having problems with breastfeeding. If you should experience remember that the treatment for most breastfeeding problems is to continue breastfeeding. Rarely does stopping help the problem.

Getting Started

Most women are now offered the opportunity to breastfeed their newborns shortly after giving birth. Unless you are so exhausted from the delivery that you can’t stay awake, you should try nursing your new baby as soon as possible. Often this is done on the delivery table. Don’t be discouraged if your baby isn’t interested-remember that he has been through a tough and tiring process, too. He may be too worn out to be interested in feeding. Don’t take this as a rejection. Some women’s breasts don’t seem to have milk in them right after the delivery; don’t be discouraged-your milk will come in. Feel free to ask questions of your doctor or obstetrical nurse about breastfeeding. Very few new mothers cannot breastfeed. Most who feel they have to discontinue just give up to soon. As mentioned before, the best treatment for most breastfeeding problems [for example, blocked ducts or insufficient milk supply] is continuing to breastfeed.

When you start, your nipples may be a little sore. This is natural; they aren’t accustomed to this type of work and need some time to "toughen up."

Breastfeeding and Your Diet

You need about five hundred calories a day more than your pre-pregnancy intake if you are breastfeeding. These additional calories, plus the calories from the three to seven pounds you stored in pregnancy for lactation, supply enough calories to make milk.

Once you reach three to seven pounds above your pre-pregnancy weight [including two to four pounds for the weight of your lactating breasts], let your weight be a guide to the number of calories you consume each day. Your activity level and the amount of milk you are producing for baby will affect your weight.

In addition to extra calories, your breastfeeding diet should include extra protein for milk production, more calcium-rich foods, more vitamins, and more fluids than your normal diet. Here are some simple guidelines:

• Continue to take your prenatal vitamins [unless your doctor tells you otherwise].
• Drink more milk than when you were pregnant [drink about five glasses a day]. If you have a milk intolerance problem, calcium supplements may be necessary. Let your doctor advise you on this.
• Eat a balanced, good quality diet.
• Pay special attention to fluids, making sure you drink enough to quench your thirst.
• Avoid junk foods and "empty" calories.

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Using formula means you need bottles, nipples, and other paraphernalia. There’s really little difference between plastic and glass bottles except that glass bottles are more breakable. What size you select is also a matter of convenience. Some parents find special bottle/bottle liner systems handier.

Nipples come in many different sizes and shapes. Some are promoted as being "more like mother" because of their shape. What’s really important is not what the nipple looks like in the package, but how it works when your baby is sucking on it. If you find a nipple that meets your baby’s needs, stick with it.

You may wonder if it’s necessary to sterilize your baby’s bottles and nipples. If your water supply is safe and clean, there’s no need to sterilize or boil bottles and nipples. Clean them with hot, soapy water and then rinse and thoroughly dry them. Some mothers put the bottles in the dishwasher.

Mixing and Storing Formula

With the concentrated and powdered formulas, water must be added before use. Except when told otherwise by your doctor, never add more formula than the instructions say. Over-diluting formula on a regular basis leads to malnutrition.

If your water supply is clean and safe, there’s no need to boil the water before adding it to the formula. As a general rule of thumb, if you can drink the water without problems, so can your baby. If you have concerns regarding water quality, check with your local water or health department, or discuss your concerns with your baby’s doctor.

If you just mix one bottle of formula at a time, you can just add cold tap water to the powder, mix it well, and feed your baby. In areas with fluoride in the water, you won’t need to give your baby supplemental fluoride. Avoid using hot tap water-it has a greater tendency to pick up lead from plumbing.

Mixed or open formula can be safely kept refrigerated for twenty four hours. If you are traveling, the most convenient form is powdered. You simply add water and you are ready to feed your baby. You should be extremely cautious, however, if there is any question to water quality-for example, an camping trips or in foreign countries.

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