How to Prepare to Breastfeed a Newborn
7 Ways you Can Prepare for Breastfeeding
I was cleaning out the spare bedroom today so that we can quickly turn it into a “big boy” room for Weston before the baby comes. The closet was packed with random baby things that were shoved in there at one point or another over the last two years. I found an entire bag full of extra pump parts, nursing pads, and old nipple cream. It hasn’t even been a year since I quit breastfeeding, but for some reason, it feels like an eternity. How quickly I’ve blocked out the memory of plastic breast pump flanges and milk stained nursing bras. Digging through all these things made me think about all the things I want to do to prepare to breastfeed baby number two. Nursing was such a big part of becoming a mother for me. While it wasn’t always easy or enjoyable, it was a blessing to be able to breastfeed Weston for the first year of his life, and I hope I’m able to do the same for his brother. Here are 7 ways I’m preparing to breastfeed baby number two!
Order a New Pump
Before baby boy arrives, I want to make sure I take advantage of the opportunity to order a new breast pump (for free) through insurance. While the old pump still works, it’s done a lot of work in its time, and I don’t want to risk it breaking down on me. I’m ordering my new pump through Aeroflow. They have made the process so easy for new moms. All you have do is fill out a qualification form and decide which pump you want. An Aeroflow breast pump specialist does the rest of the work for you! You can order anytime during your pregnancy and your pump will typically be delivered within 60-30 days of your due date. I’m planning on getting the Medela Pump in Style again because I absolutely loved it. You can learn more about how to pick your perfect pump here!
Create Breastfeeding Caddies
This time around, I’m going to make myself two breastfeeding caddies. I’m making one for my bedroom and one for the living room. I’m going to pack it with everything I always find myself needing when I’m nursing. I’m going to stock it with burp rags, nipple cream, nursing pads, and a haakaa (I’ll talk more about this awesome product later). I’d love to keep a couple snacks in them because I’m always starving when I nurse, but I also have a toddler so I don’t think that would work out too well. I found these cute little caddies on Amazon that are perfect for the job.
Order a Haakaa
Okay, back to the haakaa. I discovered this product after I was done breastfeeding Weston and I was heartbroken that I hadn’t heard about it before. The haakaa is a silicone breast pump that basically catches the milk the leaks from the opposite breast as you’re nursing. All you do is squeeze the haakaa, attach it to your breast, and then nurse from the other side. When you’re baby is nursing, you’ll have what is called a let down. This is when the milk starts flowing. Unfortunately, our boobs work in tandem so when one starts expressing milk, so does the other. I can’t tell you how many drenched nursing pads I threw away last time that were full of liquid gold that could have been saved. I can’t wait to try this product and use the milk to help grow my freezer stash.
Stock up on Essentials
Before baby number two arrives, I’m going to be stocking up on the breastfeeding essentials that I know I’ll need in the first few weeks. Here’s what I have on my list so far:
- A couple new nursing bras (these are my favorite… they are comfortable enough to sleep in but supportive enough to wear during the day)
- Nursing Pads
- Nipple Cream
- 3 in 1 Therapy Packs (total lifesavers!)
There are tons of products I used the first time around that made breastfeeding so much easier. Luckily, I still have everything so I don’t need to purchase them again. If you’re a first time mom, you can see my full list of breastfeeding must haves here!
Take an Online Breastfeeding Course
It might sound crazy that I would take a breastfeeding course after successfully nursing my first born for over year. However, I’ve already learned that every child is different. I was so lucky with Weston. He had a great latch, I had a wonderful supply, and we never ran into any major issues when it came to breastfeeding. I really want to be able to nurse the new baby for at least a year, so I want to make sure I’m prepared for whatever this little guy might throw at me. I’ve already enrolled in Milkology, an online breastfeeding course that covers EVERTYTHING breastfeeding. I have to admit, I’ve already learned several things that I was clueless about before! If your’e a first time mom, I can’t tell you how beneficial this course is. There is so much to learn when it comes to the ins and outs of nursing and the course does an amazing job of clearly explaining anything and everything you may need to know.
Download the Glow Baby App or a Newborn Care Log
When Weston was born, the nurses wanted us to keep track of wet and dirty diapers and nursing sessions. Of course, my statistically savvy husband found an app that would keep track of everything for us and spit out a little chart with all the information called Glow Baby. Even though we didn’t need to continue to keep track once we left the hospital, I found that the app gave me so much peace of mind. I always knew which side I had nursed from last, I always knew when he had his last dirty diaper, and I could see trends in his eating patterns very early on. When you first start breastfeeding, it can be hard to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. The best way to do so is by tracking wet and dirty diapers and making sure your little one is gaining weight. The Glow Baby App was a lifesaver in those early days of motherhood when I was completely unsure of myself. If you don’t want download another app, you can grab my newborn care log here. It’s an instant download that you can print and track feedings and diaper changes.
Mentally Prepare for the Newborn Stage
The newborn stage is hard, especially when it comes to breastfeeding. There are so many issues that can come about in those first couple weeks and you’re completely sleep deprived. I’m doing my best to remember what it was like to nurse a newborn, how awkward the feeding positions felt, the frustration of cluster feeding, and the pain of watching my husband sleep while I had a baby attached to my boob at 3am. I’m also reminding myself that it goes by so quickly. I blinked and Weston is about to turn two. Cluster feeding quickly came and went, he learned to sleep through the night within a few short months, and our nursing days were over in what felt like an instant.
Preparing to breastfeed can be tricky. The biggest piece of the equation is still growing in your belly. The best way to figure out what the heck you’re doing is to do it, but in the meantime, I hope these tips help you feel a little more prepared for the journey that lies ahead.
You can follow along with my pregnancy and crazy toddler on Instagram! I’d love to connect with you!
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