10 things you can do in pregnancy to support your breastfeeding journey

🔑 Learn how often babies nurse, and find a way to track it. I give my clients a 12 day guide, beyond that you can download an app to help you keep track.⁣
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🔑 Explore your breastfeeding preferences (pacifiers, supplementing, donor milk).⁣
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🔑 Learn hand compressions - this technique can be helpful throughout your entire nursing journey. ⁣
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🔑 Source a silicone breast pump like the haakaa - I recommend that everyone get one of these! They are affordable (only ~$20) and useful whether you plan on exclusively breastfeeding (EBF), pumping occasionally, pumping for the short term, or even pumping exclusively. ⁣
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🔑 Learn about establishing your milk supply - it takes about 2-3 weeks and there are lots of things you can do to boost it. ⁣
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🔑 Learn breastfeeding positions - even practice with a doll.⁣
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🔑 Find resources (a doula, IBCLC, La Leche League leader etc.) that offer enthusiastic and non-judgmental support. ⁣
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🔑 Get more familiar with your chest. Are your nipples protruding, flat or inverted?⁣
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🔑 Learn from others who have been successful (family/friends, podcasts, etc.)⁣
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🔑 Source a nursing pillow or some throw cushions, and put together a couple ‘nursing stations’ in your home⁣
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Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it will ‘just come naturally’. ⁣
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Surely there are more than ten things you can do...feel free to add tips in the comments section 👇🏾⁣