The Top 3 Things I Tell New Breastfeeding Mothers

As a registered nurse for 30 years and a lactation consultant for 25 years, I have had many people ask me what are the MOST important things I would tell a new mother who is going to breastfeed her baby for the first time. I have thought a lot about this over the years and here are 3 things I usually tell them:

1. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There can be various challenges when it comes to breastfeeding and sometimes we don’t know what they will be until they happen. Make sure you have a support network in place before you deliver so you have someone to turn to when things get difficult. Having a cheerleader in your corner can help you get through some of the hurdles. I would recommend having a lactation consultant who you trust lined up before you deliver so you can go to them about any questions or concerns about breastfeeding.
2. BREASTFEEDING IS NOT ALL OR NOTHING.  Many women start out with the intention to breastfeed and then they may have a few challenges. Some mothers have medical issues that make it difficult to create a full milk supply. Some mothers have to exclusively pump for a baby in the NICU. For other mothers, they may struggle with mental health issues. I want every mother to remember that any amount of breastmilk is beneficial - no matter how your baby will get it.  Some mothers get a full milk supply and some will have to supplement a bit. And for some mothers, breastfeeding doesn’t work out for them….and that is okay, too. 
3. YOU ARE DOING BETTER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE: I have met with thousands of new mothers in the hospital, on the phone and in person. I am amazed at how many incredible mothers there are and they don’t even know it……I guarantee you are one of them. Mothers try so hard to do the best thing for their babies, and that is enough. We all come from different backgrounds and situations and we really are trying the do the best we can with the knowledge that we have. I don’t know if I have ever helped a mother without thinking, “You are doing better than you think you are.”