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I winged it. The only thing I would do differently is I would research lactation consultants and see one within your baby's first week. I saw 2 in the hospital but they were very busy and all they really did was throw a nipple shield at me. I would find one not related to your hospital who you can see either in your home or in their home/office.

I took a class that was useless. The one thing I wish I had done to prepare was read about all the things that could go "wrong" (e.g., forceful let down, plugged ducts, etc.) and learn to recognize the signs and how to deal with it before I was in the midst of it all. I also wish I had researched lactation consultants I could call in case I needed it.

The nurse in the hospital will show you how to nurse. Ask lots of questions and be sure to see the LC at least once in the hospital! The first 6 weeks kind of suck, but if you make it past then it's a breeze! Super convenient and a great way to bond with baby.

I winged it and it was fine.

I would recommend preparing for it. I didn't know much going into it and I thought it would all come naturally. Probably a naive first-time-mom thing, but I truly did just think I'd figure it out. Now, in hindsight, I wish I had known more about the signs of pain that I shouldn't ignore and brush off as normal. I devoured this book as I worked through pain and the emotional journey of breastfeeding.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Nursing-Mothers-Companion-Edition/dp/1558327207

I hope you have a great experience though! Just try to learn about some of the things that can go wrong so you are prepared if faced with them. Thrush, plugged ducts, etc.

I read up on it but nothing really prepares you for it except for actually doing it. You learn on the job. The only thing you should prepare yourself for is that it can be very hard and painful for weeks. After you get the hang of it, its super easy though and enjoyable. But those first few weeks....they're tough.

I'd watch youtube videos of a good latch beforehand. With DD1 I didn't have any pain until the damage was done (I was on pain mess post c-section) and I spent a few weeks with cracked nipples. DH joked that she preferred her Breastmilk served rare. It was very difficult to continue nursing. It wouldn't have taken much more for me to quit.

I agree with the PPs that having an LC's contact info in advance is smart. I'd recommend having nipple ointment and soothies ready to go too.

BFing was very uncomfortable in the beginning and I was definitely not prepared for that.

@SerenaSF: if you are committed to breastfeeding, you should prepare. I don't know a single person that winged it that ended up having a good breastfeeding experience.

I highly recommend taking the breastfeeding class at the hospital (and taking DH with you). I learned a lot about the mechanics of bfing and it was helpful for my husband and I to learn a good latch vs a bad latch. It also prepared my husband to be a supportive partner because he had a better understanding of the process.

Yes, the hospital likely has LCs on staff, but they are generally only there during business hours M-F, so if you deliver in the middle of the night or on a weekend, you may not get the help you need.

@SerenaSF: Just wanted to add, I totally winged it and maybe I got lucky but we have had a great breastfeeding relationship and still going strong at 11 months. I went into it with the attitude of we'll see what happens. I set small goals (because at the beginning it's rough!) I said 6 weeks first because that's when milk supply regulates. Then, I developed forceful let down so I said okay I'll try it until 12 weeks. Once I got to 12 weeks it was smooth sailing. Then, when I went back to work and was pumping I gave myself a 6 month goal. Each time I met a goal, I just set a new one. Then when she switched from a nanny to day care in the fall, I was really committed for the immunity aspect. Good luck!

I read one book (the one sweetooth recommended), and then I just asked the nurses at the hospital lots and lots of questions while I was there. They were very good about checking to see if she was swallowing, checking latch, etc. I also specifically asked to talk to an LC while I was there, and had her double-check everything too. Before I left, I also got some samples of nipple cream and gel packs since I was already hurting a little. By the time we got home, I felt pretty confident. I read kelly mom alot in the early days too.

I read up a little on it and watched a couple of you tube videos but honestly it's one of those things that you just have to do to get it/figure out what works for you. Having said that, I didn't "wing it," since I had a ton of latching issues at first. I saw a lactation consultant for the first several weeks, who really helped us start our bf journey.

I agree that being prepared for the things that can go wrong would be helpful. I had no idea that I would be in toe curling pain for the first six weeks at every feeding, and got books from the library and spent lots of time on kellymom. I did take the hospital class which was somewhat helpful and I asked lots of questions of the nurses and LCs. If you get a book or two from the library and peruse kellymom about what to be ready for, I think that is probably prepared enough.

I went to a class offered at my hospital prior to having my first child. The most helpful thing about the class was that my husband came with me (most people had a partner there). I had done other reading and research beforehand, but it was REALLY helpful to have him understand ahead of time how hard this was going to be and how much I would need his support. It made me feel like even though I was the one doing all the feeding that he was an active participant because he knew how he could be helpful. Having him present when the LCs visited us in the hospital was also important. You already have enough on your shoulders as a new mom and it's so much easier when both partners can be involved in feeding.

I would read up on it - blog posts, kellymom.com, personal stories, books, ask LCs or doulas... things about supply/demand and how breastfeeding works, how long to nurse each side, average amounts newborns drink, the struggles people faced when breastfeeding, understanding pumping and where that fits in with breastfeeding, the different breastfeeding holds, GROWTH SPURTS (a lot of moms give up during prime growth spurt time bc they think their supply isn't enough), etc.

I was more worried about breastfeeding than the newborn stage bc everyone told me how hard it was, so read up a lot on it while pregnant and it helped manage my expectations a lot. It's helpful just to know what to expect, what's the norm, etc.

@SerenaSF: I think it would be great to prepare somewhat, even just from a book. But, if you'd rather not I think its fine to wing it. Just put a local lactation consultants ph number in your phone before you go into labor. And do not hesistate to call them early and quickly if you run into any difficulty.

I agree with watching YouTube videos about latching. This is what saved me! Kellymom.com is also a wonderful resource.

I think it depends on your learning style. If you can read a bunch of stuff that is fairly abstract and understand it and apply it later, then I would read up! But if you are a learn as you go or hands on kind of learner, you might as well wait. Either way I would familiarize yourself with how your pump works if you have one, and how milk production (supply and demand) works, but don't worry so much about the "how to" unless you are someone who can absorb that info before you actually do it. I am a hands on learner, and even though I read about it ahead of time, I still had no clue what I was doing haha

I winged it. It was freaking hard, but I have been breastfeeding for the last 32 months!

My only advice would be to stick it out for the first 6 weeks. Obviously there are exceptions, but generally, one you make it to 6 to 8 weeks of breastfeeding, it's smoother sailing after that. Those early days are HARD.

ETA: i did see an IBCLC after my babies were born to help with specific feeding issues.

There was a BF component in my childbirth class, but it really didn't do much other than explain the mechanics and what could be expected. I would recommend seeking help from a nurse or LC as soon as your baby arrives. Some women and babies get it right away and don't have problems, it works "naturally". Others don't -- I was one of those. But the problems we had weren't ones that would have been covered by a BF class (tongue tie, flat nipples, poor/shallow latch), we really needed experts to help troubleshoot and even then it was VERY difficult. You just really can't be prepared for it until it is in front of you.

In my opinion, there is only so much you can prepare. It's like trying to explain sex to a virgin. It's really different once you are doing it.

I would check in with your hospital to see if they have a dedicated LC on staff you can meet with right away. If they don't, see if any of the PP nurses are specially trained. If not, think about having your own LC either come to hospital or come to your home a day or two after you get home. Starting off on the right foot is crucial. They can do a lot of damage in the first few days before you even realize it and it is a beast to heal a nipple issue because of the constant use in the beginning.

I took a class and asked my doctor some questions but I wish I had prepared more. I have an inverted nipple that I wondered about but I had no idea what it meant and how difficult it could be to deal with (there's varying severity). This time around I'm going to at least try breast shells prior to delivery.

I also would have done more research on using my pump. I thought I had until my return to work but the hospital had me start day 1... And tongue tie research since we had to make that decision in the hospital.