Why you should prepare for feeding your baby before they arrive
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You’re pregnant - congratulations! You’ve made a birth plan with every detail you can imagine. But what about after?
Many people who plan to chest or breastfeed their baby don’t prepare for it. It’s natural, right? You can just wing it and see how it goes.
I’m sorry no.
It is definitely a natural thing to do, however it’s not always easy! Remember, your baby is brand new to the world too and it’s a learning curve for both of you - even if it isn’t your first child.
Here’s how I'm preparing to feed Baby #2 (as a CLC who exclusively pumped by choice for my first):
This time I want to nurse and pump for my baby. Your plan might differ from mine depending on how you want to feed yours!
I’m going to measure my nipples.
Yes last time I exclusively pumped - I used a 24mm flange for the first few months then actually measured and it turned out I was a 19mm. This time might be totally different so I will measure again, about a month before the due date. This gives me time to buy flanges and have it all cleaned and ready to go.
2. Get a manual pump/hand pump.
Hand pumps are easy to use and a lifesaver if your battery pump dies! Some people even get better milk output with a hand pump than an electric. I like and have the Medela Harmony. I inspected it the other day and found the little yellow o-ring was missing, so I’ll definitely need to replace that before the baby comes.
3. Get a good quality primary pump.
The pump I used last time was good, but the company started sending me formula advertisements and discount codes which I didn’t like. So this time I’ve chosen the Youha ‘The One’ double electric pump as my primary. I also have an Eonian Care (Australian version of the Baby Buddha - literally exactly the same except it’s pink and has pretty average customer service) which is an excellent portable primary pump. I haven’t decided if I will buy the Baby Buddha 2.0 yet.
I’ll also have wearables for when I want or need them, because life doesn’t have to stop just because you’ve chosen to pump.
4. Bottle teats
I’m choosing a bottle teat to start with that supports Baby’s orofacial development and a nursing relationship. My number 1 choice is the Pigeon SofTouch. There are other brands too that have the same sort of shape (triangle) like Lasinoh. Pigeon is easily accessible in Australia.
Pace feeding is essential when bottle feeding an infant, for both protecting the nursing relationship and avoiding overfeeding or causing gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. A Ceres Chill
The only thing I regret about my Ceres Chill with my first baby is that I didn’t get one way sooner. Keeps your milk at fridge temp for hours. I will have it ready to go beside the bed for if/when I need to pump overnight. No need to get out of bed to put the milk in the fridge! The plan is to nurse overnight but I prefer to be overprepared. I have an affiliate link for Ceres Chill here for 10% off and a small commission to me.
6. A hands free nursing and pumping bra
I want one that does both (no changing clothes when I need to pump thank you very much) and the hands free part is non negotiable. I am not holding up pump flanges for even two minutes if I don’t have to. It also needs to suit my style and be comfortable. I dress for comfort rather than style. The Davin and Adley Amelia cami or bralette is my go to! It fits firmly, it’s not too feminine (although it can definitely be feminine if you want it to be), it holds up very well. Use the code MILKROUTE at Davin & Adley for 10% off all their products (with commission to me). They also have some very pretty bra options if that’s more your style.
7. Antenatal colostrum collecting/hand expression.
I won’t need much but I want some just in case. I’ll start around week 35-36 (with my OB’s go ahead - I say week 35 because if I get severe cholestasis again, that’s generally the week baby needs to come. Read my birth story from Baby number 1 here if you like!).
If you want to collect colostrum too, I have a handy guide available - click the image below - it’s the what, why, who, when and how of colostrum harvesting, all the way to how to store and feed it! And yes, I recommend colostrum harvesting even if you are planning to feed formula.
And whether or not I actually get any colostrum out (not everybody does) learning to hand express is an invaluable skill that’s best learnt before the baby is here in a stress free environment.
8. A local lactation consultant
Because even CLC’s need help. I need someone who aligns with my values that I can see in person or virtually for problems that might come up.
9. Meal prepping
I’m making lots of freezable meals ready to heat and eat for after baby gets here. My wife’s going to be exhausted too so why not make it easier for all of us. Meals for us look like:
Pasta bakes or lasagne (think: bolognese, pumpkin + leek etc)
Dal (there’s so many different kinds)
Curry (I make curry paste and freeze it then it’s ready to go when we want to make it for example my favourite goan fish curry or Thai yellow)
Pies (hand pies/pasties - our favourites are Jamaican or African meat pies)
Enchiladas
Dumplings
I’m also a fan of prepping proteins. Example crumbed chicken breast, chicken pieces ready to go for a stir fry or curry, batch cook dried beans and lentils and vacuum seal into packets ready to go.
Snacks are a hard one for me though - comment with freezable snack ideas!
And that’s my plan!
Can I help you with yours? If you book an antenatal consultation with me (that is, before baby arrives!) we will go through:
How and when to start off after birth
Latching and positioning
How milk supply works and how often you should be feeding
What is normal and abnormal (infant behaviour, nappies, weight etc)
Troubleshooting common issues
How your birth experience can affect feeding your baby (vaginal, caesarian, epidural, fluids)
Your history of breast/chestfeeding and how it went
Tools that might be helpful (I will teach you hand expression)
Flange sizing and pump basics if pumping is relevant for you
Safe preparation and feeding of infant formula if relevant for you
Book a consult with me by clicking here or on the button on the top right hand of this page!