Breastfeeding is a remarkable and deeply rewarding experience for new mothers. However, it can also present challenges and uncertainties along the way. The key to a successful and fulfilling breastfeeding journey lies in adequate preparation, a positive mindset, and acquiring the essential knowledge. 

In this featured article, we are delighted to have our founder, Erin Deger, share her personal experience to guide new mothers on how to prepare themselves for a successful breastfeeding experience within the crucial weeks after birth. Erin's insights and expertise will serve as a valuable resource, empowering mothers to navigate this beautiful yet demanding aspect of motherhood with confidence and ease.

Join us as we delve into some of Erins practical advice, valuable tips, and emotional support necessary to establish a strong foundation for breastfeeding success. Let Erin's guidance pave the way for an enriching and fulfilling breastfeeding journey, ensuring both mother and baby thrive during this special bonding experience. 

Discover easy read secrets to nurturing a successful breastfeeding journey below and embark on this incredible chapter of motherhood fully equipped and empowered. 

• Plan ahead: Educate yourself about breastfeeding during your pregnancy. Don’t leave it as an afterthought. Read books, attend a breastfeeding workshop, listen to podcasts or talk to other mothers who have breastfed before. Learn about the various positions and techniques that can help you breastfeed successfully, the common pitfalls, how to overcome them and understand the full benefits of breastfeeding that coexist for you and your baby. 

• Talk to a lactation consultant: Before giving birth, meet with a lactation consultant to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about breastfeeding. They can provide you with the right advice to help you succeed.

• Communicate your breastfeeding goals: Ensure your family and friends are informed of your breastfeeding goals and ask for their support. You may like to invite them to help you with household chores or a meal train in the first few weeks after birth so that you can focus on your healing, bond and breastfeeding.

• Self-advocacy is critical when it comes to breastfeeding: In order to ensure the privacy, safety, health, and well-being of both you and your baby, it's important to trust your natural maternal instincts and assert your own boundaries. This may require setting clear, firm limits with relatives who may not be supportive of your breastfeeding goals or prioritising alone time to bond and learn the necessary skills together in peace and privacy. Remember, your instincts are powerful and trusted allies in this journey, and it's critical to honor them and prioritise your own needs and those of your little one above all else.

• Practise skin-to-skin contact: This involves holding your baby, skin-to-skin, immediately after birth and as often as possible during the first few weeks (and months). Skin-to-skin contact aids in regulating your baby's temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and facilitates your breast milk production by increasing that feel good milk making love hormone, oxytocin. 

• Early initiation: It is highly recommended to initiate breastfeeding early, preferably within the first hour after birth, when your baby is most alert and receptive to nourishment. This timely initiation not only establishes a strong bond but also provides your baby with essential nutrients that strengthen immunity and promote healthy growth, providing the best possible start in life. 

• The hospital bag essentials: Don't wait until the last minute to think about your hospital bag’s breastfeeding essentials. Begin planning your hospital bag well in advance to ensure you have everything you need, for the ‘just in case’ moment.  This should include comfortable nursing bras for easy access, washable organic breast pads for comfort and protection, natural nipple balm for sore nipples, a breastfeeding pillow for optimal positioning, an antenatal colostrum kit to collect + administer your liquid gold, a milk shell collector to savour let down and unexpected leaks, and a breast pump if you plan to use one. 

• Take care of breast hygiene: Always practise good hygiene habits, including washing your hands before touching your baby and your bosoms and keeping the nipples clean and dry between feeds is essential for optimal breast health. 

• Baby-led feeding: Recognise and respond to your baby's instinctive hunger cues, such as mouthing, bobbing of the head or hand-to-mouth movements, instead of following a strict feeding routine.

• Master your latch and relieve engorgement: A proper latch is crucial for your baby to feed effectively, but engorgement can make this difficult. To ease the process, try hand expressing or briefly pumping some milk to reduce breast fullness, making the nipple softer for optimal latching. Engorgement can also negatively impact milk flow, however applying cold packs between feedings can help reduce pain and swelling. If you do experience discomfort from engorgement particularly in the very early days postpartum, practise the application of manual lymphatic drainage massage. The ABM Mastitis Protocol amendment now recommends MLD as an effective technique to relieve engorgement, minimise inflammation, reduce pain, and encourage healthy milk flow. To help with this technique, Mammae has you covered with our award-winning Bosom Ritual Elixir Breast Massage Oil, purposefully designed to prime your breasts to make lymphatic massage easier and more effective.

• Set the mood: Create a soothing, quiet, and comfortable ambiance in your home to breastfeed, and make sure you have a comfortable chair or feeding pillow to feel supported. Soft lighting, gentle music, affirmation cards, aromatherapy mist can all contribute to a peaceful atmosphere. 

• Have essentials within reach: Organise a breastfeeding station nearby with all the essentials such as nursing pads, burp cloths, nipple balm, and water for hydration. Having these items easily accessible will minimise disruptions and allow you to focus on relaxation and feeding your baby. Remember, finding the right setup may require some trial and error, so don't hesitate to make adjustments based on your own personal preferences and comfort needs.

• Nourish yourself and nourish your baby: A balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals is crucial for healthy milk supply and nutrition for both mother and baby. Opt for a meal train organised by friends and family, or seek support from a lactation consultant or nutritionist to create a personalised meal plan suited to you. Remember, nourishing yourself is just as important as nourishing your baby.  

• Less stress and more rest: Stress and exhaustion can negatively affect your hormone levels needed to produce milk. Read that again and let it sink in! Postpartum rest is monumentally essential for optimal milk supply, hormonal balance, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. It is not just about getting enough hours of sleep in, it also includes minimising the triggers of stress, avoiding overstimulation, and taking time for self-care activities that promote relaxation, such as meditation and gentle yoga. 

• Overcome early challenges: Breastfeeding takes practice, self-compassion and patience. Don't be discouraged if you encounter difficulties at first, this is to be expected. Keep pushing through mama and don’t give up on yourself or your baby. Support and assistance is available to you, you just have to ask.

• Don’t give up: I urge you to know that every mothers breastfeeding experience is unique. It is essential to recognise that experiencing a range of feelings, including confusion, frustration, and even self doubt is entirely normal. Breastfeeding can be extremely challenging in the early days, weeks and even months ahead. Remember, to be kind to yourself mama. Trust in the process, and have patience and perseverance. With preparation and seeking support, I truely believe you can overcome any obstacle and succeed in your breastfeeding journey. You’ve got this mama!  

VOTED BEST MATERNITY BRAND 2023 

At Mammae, we aim to set a new holistic standard in the care for breastfeeding mothers around the world. We work in partnership with expert practitioners to provide comprehensive care throughout your breastfeeding journey. Our aim is to compliment their expertise by offering mothers a range of specialised, multi award-winning products that ensure your comfort, safety and success.