Most women dream of breastfeeding their baby, and when they become pregnant, they begin preparing for this amazing process and moment. However, in practice, it doesn’t always go as dreamed, and women may face a lot of difficulty feeding their baby, and without psychological preparation and emotional support, they may give up easily.

That’s why, by following a few procedures even before the baby is born—preparing the breast and following breastfeeding tips after birth—it can be enough to overcome difficulties. Of course, these tips need to be put into practice along with the mother’s desire to breastfeed and her persistence.

How to Prepare for Breastfeeding

First, let’s be honest: it’s not very easy to start breastfeeding, and it takes a lot of persistence to succeed. That’s why preparing your breasts for breastfeeding is inevitable to make this moment truly amazing. For women who believe that, when the baby is born, simply offering the breast will make everything beautiful and incredible, start preparing yourself psychologically as well.

Until your breast becomes accustomed and the baby learns the correct latch, you might feel pain and discomfort and, in some cases, even experience nipple injuries. This is when you need to bring out your inner lioness, letting your desire to breastfeed and nourish your child keep you determined and committed to overcoming this obstacle. Some give up at the first step, introducing bottles as soon as they feel pain and giving up on breastfeeding.

Pain happens due to lack of preparation of the breasts and also from an incorrect latch by the baby, who should be able to grasp almost the entire areola, not just the nipple as many think. The baby’s mouth should be wide open to achieve a proper latch, and the position should be comfortable for both.

That’s why, preparing in advance is always the best option! Knowing what to do in the moment, as well as preparing your breasts for breastfeeding, is the best way to avoid pain, wounds, and major discomforts that could make you give up on this big dream.

What to Do During Prenatal Care

The first and biggest step to preparing for breastfeeding and succeeding actually starts during prenatal care, by learning what your nipple type is and what can be done to prepare it. Many women, using the excuse of having flat or inverted nipples, simply do not breastfeed without even trying, or at the first twinge say it is impossible.

This situation can change if you start preparing during pregnancy and even ask your gynecologist for advice. You can check if your nipple is inverted by gently pressing the areola about 3 centimeters; if your nipple is normal, it will protrude outward, if it is inverted it will retract.

And the first tip for this is the use of plastic breast shells that are designed specifically for this purpose, to project the nipple outward. These shells should be worn starting during pregnancy to prepare for after childbirth, so that the nipple is already more shaped and prepared for the baby to latch.

Bra and Sun Exposure

The second very valuable tip is to use an appropriate bra for this stage. During pregnancy, breasts tend to grow more and become sensitive, so it is best to use more comfortable cotton bras, with greater support and to avoid padded bras and underwires that might hurt.

One option is maternity bras, which can start to be used at the beginning of the third trimester and can help you get used to them, since you’ll be wearing them for a long period. The third essential tip for maintaining breast health — and, best of all, it’s free because nature provides it — is sunlight.

During pregnancy, the expectant mother should expose her nipples to sunlight for 15 minutes, making sure to choose the right times: before 10:00 am or after 4:00 pm. Sunbathing the nipples will strengthen them and help prevent cracks and fissures during breastfeeding. For those who can’t be exposed to the sun, there’s a second option: use a 40w lamp and stay 30 centimeters from the nipple, doing this also for about 15 minutes.

Massage

The fourth tip, also highly recommended by doctors, is breast massage, which is also very good for those with inverted nipples and can be started from the fourth month of pregnancy.

The breasts should be stimulated one to two times a day, with both hands holding each side of the breast, applying pressure until you reach the nipple, about 5 times for the same procedure, then repeat another 5 times, now with your hands above and below the breast. This helps make the nipple more prominent and facilitates the baby’s latch.

Care for your breasts is also recommended, such as not using soap or other products to wash your nipples during pregnancy and not using moisturizers on this area.

Do not scrub the nipples in the bath with sponges or dry with towels, and do not force milk out with your hands before birth. The nipple area should be gently washed with only water during pregnancy and delicately dried. By following these recommendations correctly, your nipples will be strengthened for when breastfeeding begins.

A good vegetable sponge can help to toughen up the breasts to avoid cracks. Just use it on the breasts in the shower every day. Lanolin-based ointments are also a good choice. Talk to your doctor about which is best. These ointments are perfect because they don’t even need to be removed before breastfeeding and help in the healing of the first days’ wounds.

At the Maternity Hospital

The maternity hospital will certainly assign a nurse or speech therapy professional to assist during this first phase. The baby’s latch is fundamental for the milk to come in, or at first, for breastfeeding colostrum. This colostrum is very rich in antibodies, a true natural vaccine that the mother’s body provides to the baby.

Although colostrum is not rich in fat, it really is a very important “little water” for the baby, as it helps prevent diseases right in the first days of life. This antibody-rich liquid is the first thing that comes in the breast after childbirth.

Colostrum is produced by stimulation of prolactin, the hormone responsible for breastfeeding in the woman’s body as soon as she gives birth. Although it may seem insufficient in the first two days after birth because the baby constantly asks to nurse and seems unsatisfied, insisting is fundamental to stimulating milk to come in more quickly.

Feeding all the colostrum is very important for the baby—never forget this. Avoiding formula at this stage is the best secret. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive on-demand breastfeeding!

Breastfeeding Positions

Breastfeeding position is the key for mothers to successfully feed their babies, because in the correct position, the baby will be able to latch on in a way that does not hurt the breast, causing injuries and wounds that, many times, lead to giving up breastfeeding.

To breastfeed correctly, the baby must latch on with a wide open mouth, leaving no spaces for air to enter and should not make any noise except for the sound of swallowing milk. Otherwise, the baby will not feed properly, leading to hunger-driven irritability and wounding the mother’s breast.

There are several positions considered correct for breastfeeding that, in addition to being comfortable, help achieve a perfect latch, leaving the baby full and the mother satisfied to do it calmly.

The most commonly used and perhaps most comfortable position for feeding is for the mother to be sitting and the baby lying in her lap horizontally (head slightly above the rest of the body), with her arms holding the baby.

A great option for the baby’s room is a nursing chair used in this position. For older babies, this is a very comfortable position. The baby is placed with legs open, sitting facing the mother’s body, and sucks peacefully this way.

There are also positions for the latch and breastfeeding for both beginners and those more experienced who still have difficulties. The best and most commonly used position for proper feeding is facing the breast with the baby’s tummy against the mother’s tummy, the famous face-to-face position.

The closer, the better the breastfeeding. In this special position, the baby can feel and hear the mother’s heartbeat—their favorite sound in the womb.

An unusual but very effective position is the football hold, an ideal position for mothers with very full breasts and engorged milk (engorged breast). The baby is held as if to wash their little head, a new technique taught in maternity wards. At this time, the left arm holds the baby to feed from the left breast, and the right arm for the right breast.

The elevated position, the straddle position, is ideal for babies who have reflux, and can be used for babies of all ages. The baby is placed sitting on the mother’s leg as if truly riding a horse—this keeps them upright, helps ward off sleep, and aids milk flow to the stomach.

Choose the best breastfeeding position for you, always remembering that breastfeeding while lying down is also an option. The myth about ear infections has been disproven, so take advantage of it. Be very careful in this position not to let your breast cover the baby’s nose and prevent them from breathing.

Another breastfeeding position that’s very comfortable for both is lying in bed. The mother lies on her side and the baby lies next to her, sucking comfortably. However, a word of warning for mothers who end up falling asleep with their babies in bed: this can be dangerous for very young infants, as the mother could roll over and accidentally hurt the baby, so be especially careful. Standing up, the mother holding the baby by the back and legs can also breastfeed safely.

A great tip for all positions is arm support: holding the baby up can strain the mother’s arms, so the more support for the arms, the better—resting them on a pillow or proper nursing support. A good tip is a nursing pillow and a place where the mother can lean back firmly, especially in the first days after delivery. The latch is the most complex part for those seeking advice on how to breastfeed correctly. The baby should latch perfectly to get the most out of the feeding, making sure they work to suck and also stimulate more milk to flow.

There’s also a technique for removing the breast from the baby’s mouth so that the mother does not get hurt. Just place your pinkie finger in the baby’s mouth and gently pull. Never pull your breast away without this help—you could injure or even crack your nipple, and believe me, it hurts a lot. To help adapt to breastfeeding, those seeking tips on how to breastfeed should prepare even before the baby is born.

If you have found another breastfeeding position that works well for you and your baby is feeding properly without injuring you, why not continue? Breastfeeding is not just nourishment; it’s a moment of mutual affection, love, and above all, a unique time between mother and child. Therefore, it should be done in whatever way is most comfortable for you both.

What to Do When You Can’t Find the Ideal Position?

If you can’t find the right breastfeeding positions, on top of the mother’s emotional stress, she can suffer from back pain, injured and very full breasts (because they are not being emptied as they should) and the baby may not gain weight and cry wanting the breast all the time because they’re not being properly fed. Try to always keep your back supported as well as your arms. To help, use pillows and nursing cushions. Remember: bring the baby to the breast and never lean over them.

If you have doubts and are struggling, seek help from a breastfeeding specialist. Nowadays, there are professionals who help mothers with questions and those who cannot breastfeed as they should or dreamed of. Milk banks provide this service for free, even over the phone. To find the nearest milk bank, their phone number, and for directions, visit LOBALE. Consider becoming a donor—premature newborns will be grateful.

How to Eat During Breastfeeding

During the breastfeeding phase, it is normal to hear people complain that they feel much hungrier. This happens because the whole body is working 24 hours a day to keep up the production of breast milk at full speed, so due to the huge energy expenditure, increased appetite is inevitable. Women who breastfeed feel hungrier! But eating well is essential to ensure milk that is full of important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals essential for the baby’s nutrition.

But in addition to vitamins, breast milk can also carry substances that cause gas for the baby. Certain foods, such as high consumption of beans, broccoli, and cauliflower, as well as soft drinks, can even cause colic. That’s why choosing the right foods for this stage guarantees the absence of pain for the baby. A proper, balanced diet during breastfeeding also brings several benefits, such as:

Making the baby’s digestion of milk easier
Supplying all the vitamins and nutrients needed by the body
Helping to lose weight when healthy foods are consumed every three hours
Preventing the risk of anemia in the mother

What You Should and Should Not Eat

You should remove foods containing caffeine, such as chocolate or soda, and alcohol from your diet to avoid colic in babies. Try replacing coffee with tea or drastically reduce your intake.
Herbal teas not recommended are carqueja, ginseng, and angelica.
Avoid fatty foods, fried foods, processed meats, and industrialized foods that offer no nutritional value.
The only fats considered healthy are plant-based, such as those from olive oil, nuts, or avocado.
Prefer sautéed, grilled, or raw vegetables.
Fruits with edible skins are also excellent sources of vitamins, such as apples, pears, guava, persimmon, or tomato.
Grilled chicken and fish are good sources of protein.

Nothing prevents the intake of red meat, however, this can be reduced to twice a week in smaller portions and give preference to lean meats.

Cow’s milk should be avoided due to the risk of allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk protein if introduced too early. Breastfeeding mothers should seek new calcium sources from dairy products and even soy-based juices enriched with this vitamin. Light foods such as cereal bars can be a good alternative, as well as fruits, as they facilitate bowel movement and are excellent sources of energy.

It is believed that beans, cabbage, and eggs cause gas in the baby and are thus linked to the onset of colic. It’s worth consulting a pediatrician to check the truth of this information, but observing what might make your baby fussy can help avoid future trouble. Natural juices and coconut water are great substitutes for soft drinks and fizzy drinks, as these expand the stomach and contain a lot of sugar, which can also cause colic in children. In addition to hydrating, coconut water and natural juices help the production of more milk. Paying attention to fluid intake is also crucial for good milk production—diet is not the only thing that must be watched. Drinking 2 liters or more of water and natural juices a day helps a lot. Some doctors evaluate the need for supplementation in addition to diet during breastfeeding, as some women lose a lot of weight and need extra help.

How to Overcome Difficulties

For mothers who believe that having a flat or inverted nipple means they can’t breastfeed, know that this is not true. Today, breastfeeding preparation can begin even before the baby is born, and for those who have this kind of nipple, there are some ways to help, such as silicone breast shells that can be used during pregnancy inside the bra. Talk to your doctor about which follow-up is appropriate. The silicone shell has a ring that gently presses the nipple, projecting it outward.

If you don’t want to use the shell, you can do a manual exercise. With your fingertips, gently pull to shape the nipple. This should be done about 5 times a day, yielding satisfactory results for mother and baby. Another precious tip is sun exposure, which will toughen the nipples and help prevent painful cracks during breastfeeding. After these tips, the much-anticipated moment will arrive: breastfeeding. Believe it, breastfeeding is wonderful, but in the first few days of adjustment—even for experienced mothers—you need to be persistent and hang in there, as nipples become very sensitive and the pain from very full breasts can be intense. The best breastfeeding tips to overcome difficulties and successfully feed your baby thoroughly and satisfactorily are:

Rest during each of the baby’s naps, especially in the first weeks. You need to feel good and be available at each feeding, including at night.
Drink a lot of water and liquid foods such as soup, juices, teas, and gelatin.
Eat more nutritious foods, especially fruits, vegetables, and greens.
Find the most comfortable position for breastfeeding.

Unfortunately, women do not have a meter in their breast to know how much the baby has nursed or how much milk is inside. Therefore, the recommendation is to always offer the fullest breast, alternating so both are emptied and produce equal amounts of milk. Allow the baby to nurse until satisfied. You’ll know you’re breastfeeding correctly when you see your baby gaining weight and growing as expected. But always remember: milk production depends on a set of factors that only the mother can control: excess sleep, poor diet, and nervousness all totally affect breast milk production.

Photo: marki1983

Key Information Box:

Most women dream of breastfeeding their baby, and when they become pregnant, they already get ready for this process and such an amazing moment.
First, we have to admit, it is not very easy to start breastfeeding and a lot of persistence is required to succeed.
The first and biggest step to prepare for breastfeeding and succeed already starts during prenatal care, knowing what your nipple type is and how to prepare it.
And the first tip for this issue is the use of plastic shells, which are designed precisely to project the nipple outward.
The maternity hospital will certainly assign a nurse or speech therapy professional to help in this first phase.

Breastfeeding Tips – How to Prepare, Positions, and Nutrition