3 Things you need to know when preparing to breastfeed

Having had two very different breastfeeding experiences with my girls and in my work supporting new mums I have learnt a thing or two.

Mainstream antenatal courses seem to miss some key information out and many mums feel unprepared for the reality of learning to breastfeed. Some brands of courses even avoid covering bottle feeding and combination feeding despite that being the goal for so many mums. This can lead to all sorts of complications.

Here's 3 things I wish all mums knew when preparing to breastfeed:

•  You will need support whilst getting the hang of things. Make sure you know where your local feeding support groups and weigh in clinics are. Check our my list of the Dorking breastfeeding support groups here! Consider joining a mums group that supports feeding - there's plenty of time for sensory classes when the baby is bigger! I co-host a weekly circle for new mums in Dorking called The Mamas Nest.

• Trust your instincts! In your antenatal classes you'll be encouraged to advocate for yourself, to speak up and question things. But somehow we become passive after having our baby and we lose all our confidence. Sometimes the experts are right but sometimes YOU are your baby's expert and your instincts are right. Ask your partner to help you if need be. This part of parenting never leaves you and you'll do this for your child forever!

  
  

• True Combination Feeding is tricky! Most mums I support aim to combination feed but most antenatal courses won't cover it. I do! It's important you understand how milk production works. I see lots of mums saddened that their breastfeeding journey ended too soon. Email me and I'll share my FREE Mini Guide to Combination Feeding.

  
  

What did I miss? If you're learning to breastfeed now, what do you wish you knew?

Rose