Four Ways to Ensure Breastfeeding Success

Step One: Prepare Yourself Before the Birth

While there's nothing you can do to physically prepare yourself for breastfeeding (harshly rub those nipples all you want-it won't help!), you'll want to learn all you can about nursing before you try it. You don't have to become an expert, but it will help to know a few things.

Attend a La Leche League (LLL) meeting to learn breastfeeding tips from moms who've been there, done that. LLL meetings are fantastic ways to network with other nursing moms and learn about breastfeeding resources in your area.

Read about ways to ensure breastfeeding success and watch videos of how to properly latch your baby. Popular books include LLL's "The Woman Art of Breastfeeding," and "The Nursing Mother's Companion." Keep many of these how-to reference books on hand because they contain invaluable advice you can access any time.

Bookmark a few Internet websites like Kellymom.com and read over tips for a successful start. Be a sponge--learn all you can.

Find out the number of a certified lactation consultant near you. Whether you give birth at a hospital or your home, you'll want to have easy access to professional breastfeeding help.

Even though breastfeeding is natural, it's a learned process. You'll want to have an idea of what a proper latch looks like before you have a hungry baby in your arms. Trust me, this research will pay off.

Step Two: Ensure a Proper Latch

When women experience cracked, sore nipples, it's usually because they haven't perfected their latch. The sooner you get the right latch, the less time you'll be in pain.

You'll know when your baby has a proper latch. It'll feel comfortable and you'll feel relieved of milk. A proper latch is crucial to successful breastfeeding. Without it, your baby won't take in enough milk, and since breastfeeding is based on supply-and-demand, you'll make less of it.

Have a lactation consultant (LC) or doula help with the initial latch-on. Baby should have a wide open mouth when put on the breast. If her mouth is only slightly open, touch her top lip against the nipple until she opens wide. Then pop her on. Baby should take in most of the areola-not just the nipple. You should see the pink of baby's lips and see her ears wiggling, an indication of a good suck. Listen to hear your baby swallow.

During these early weeks, it's a good idea to frequently have your baby weighed to assess progress. New moms often worry if their baby is eating enough, but if she's gaining weight and you're feeding her on demand (without letting her sleep too long without nursing), then you're doing fine.

Keep your LC close by if you need a helping hand. Breastfeeding will get much easier. Never underestimate the importance of a good latch.

Step Three: Arm Yourself with Supplies

Baby? Check. Breasts? Check. That's all you need to breastfeed, right? Right. But there are many products that, while not completely necessary, can make breastfeeding a whole lot easier.

Besides for having breastfeeding books, you may want to purchase a nursing pillow. These pillows come in all shapes and patterns and can be an invaluable tool in the early days of nursing. These pillows prop baby to the level of your breasts, with no strain on your end. Newborns love to fall asleep on these pillows while nursing to their hearts' content.

Purified lanolin nipple ointment (or a botanical lanolin-free one) can be a lifesaver when you have cracked, sore or bleeding nipples.

A few nursing bras coupled with breast pads make for convenient and discreet nursing. Breast pads keep you from leaking milk all over your clothes, which is a common experience in the early days. It's much easier to change a few soaked breast pads then to keep going through laundry.

You'll probably want a breast-pump for times you may be away from baby. Decide how much time you'll be apart when figuring out which type to buy.

Since nurslings like staying near their all-you-can-eat buffet (aka Mom), you may want to pick up a good sling so you can keep baby close while being able to walk around.

Step Four: Surround Yourself with Supportive People

Know those people in your life who aren't so enamored with the act of breastfeeding? You know, those people who are offended by babies eating nature's perfect food? Well, push their presence aside for a few months.

Instead, surround yourself with people who support your decision to breastfeed. There will be times when nursing gets difficult and you'll have many self-doubts. The last thing you need is negativity. Negative people can sabotage a breastfeeding relationship with their misguided "advice."

Support yourself. Attend more La Leche League meetings and make sure your baby's pediatrician is supportive of your decision to breastfeed. If your doctor gives you grief, go see someone else.

A supportive spouse can do wonders for your nursing relationship. If your partner isn't thrilled about the idea of breastfeeding, hand out research on how beneficial it is (and how much money you'll save by not buying formula).

Now is the time to live in a pro-breastfeeding bubble. Don't let anyone pop it.