Preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy: complete guide + expert IBCLC advice

Preparing for breastfeeding before your baby arrives is one of the best ways to ensure a calm, confident, and comfortable start. In this comprehensive guide, co-written with Mariama Seugnet, IBCLC Lactation Consultant, you’ll discover all the keys to understanding lactation, anticipating your baby’s needs, choosing the right nursing lingerie, and creating a supportive environment from the maternity ward onward.

1. How to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy?

Preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy offers several benefits:

Preparing breastfeeding for your baby: benefits from birth

• Better immunity thanks to an effective lactation start
• Easier establishment of the attachment bond
• More efficient feeds from the first hours

Preparing for breastfeeding: tips for the mother

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Smoother milk let-down
• Lower risk of cracks and engorgement
• Increased confidence from the first feeds

Expert tip: “Preparing during pregnancy helps anticipate difficulties and start breastfeeding in a more natural and calm way.” — Mariama Seugnet, IBCLC Consultant

2. Understanding lactation before birth

From the second trimester, your body produces colostrum, a milk rich in antibodies. Some women notice slight leakage, others do not. Both are perfectly normal.

Why it matters

• Knowing about colostrum production helps understand breastfeeding physiology
• Allows you to anticipate milk volume changes and let-downs

Comfort tip: During pregnancy, choose soft, stretchy, wire-free lingerie that adapts to breast changes and prevents compression of the milk ducts.

3. Preparing your body and mind for breastfeeding

Do you need to prepare your breasts during pregnancy?

No, nature takes care of everything. During pregnancy:

• Breast volume increases
• Areolas darken
• Montgomery glands naturally moisturize nipples

Breast size does not affect milk production.

Identifying your nipples

Some nipples may be flat, retracted, or inverted. Noticing this can help anticipate positions or protective measures, but there is no need to stimulate them before birth.

Expert tip: The baby latches onto the areola, not just the nipple. Learning the correct latch is more effective than early stimulation.

Get informed and trained

• Specialized breastfeeding books: Instinctive Breastfeeding. Biological Nurturing by Suzanne Colson, Breastfeeding for Dummies by Evelyne Mazurier, Muriel Mermilliod, Carole Hervé
• Podcasts: Boob Boobs, Milkshaker
• Workshops with an IBCLC consultant or midwife
• Parent support groups

Create a supportive environment

• Prepare a quiet breastfeeding corner with chair and pillow
• Keep water within reach
• Practice breathing or relaxation a few minutes daily

4. The essential role of the co-parent

The co-parent is not just a spectator:

• Comfortably settle the baby
• Encourage and support
• Observe hunger and satiety cues

A reassuring presence allows the mother to focus on feeding and strengthens the parent-baby bond.

5. Getting informed about the maternity ward

• First breastfeeding: immediate or after care?
• Skin-to-skin: prolonged or not?
• Nighttime organization: room or nursery?
• Available support: IBCLC consultant, midwife?
• Specific practices: bottles or pacifiers from the start?

6. Choosing the right nursing lingerie

Absorbent lingerie

Ideal for managing let-downs and small leaks.

Wire-free postpartum bras

• Soft and stretchy
• Easy one-handed opening
• Multiple hook rows

Versatile pieces: pregnancy → breastfeeding

Avoids buying multiple sizes and adapts to volume changes.

Product tip: Mama Hangs absorbent bras and postpartum lingerie offer comfort and practicality from the first weeks.

Discover our absorbent nursing bras →

7. Breastfeeding maternity bag checklist

• Absorbent nursing bra
• Comfortable bralette (wire-free)
• Nursing pillow
• Leak pads
• Soft pajamas with easy openings
• Nipple balm
• Skin-to-skin wrap

8. Golden rules for the first hours of breastfeeding

Preparing during pregnancy is not only about knowing your body and breastfeeding positions: it’s also about understanding what happens in the first hours after birth, as they greatly influence breastfeeding success.

Here are essential tips from Mariama Seugnet, IBCLC consultant to support you from the first hours with your baby. These recommendations are designed to reassure you, build confidence, and help you start breastfeeding calmly and naturally.

1. Prioritize immediate skin-to-skin

Skin-to-skin contact stimulates oxytocin, which promotes prolactin and milk let-down. It also regulates the baby’s heart rate and temperature and helps them instinctively find the breast.

2. Encourage frequent feeds

Feed every two hours, or every 1.5 hours, regardless of birth weight, to stimulate milk production and establish a good sucking rhythm.

3. Alternate breasts at each feed

Alternating breasts ensures balanced stimulation and complete breast drainage.

4. Ensure a good latch

The baby should take nipple + areola, mouth wide open, lips flanged, regardless of position, to feed effectively and avoid cracks or pain.

5. Use breast compression if needed

Breast compression helps deliver extra milk, stimulates sucking without startling the baby, and improves milk intake and weight gain.

6. Pain is not normal

Persistent pain during feeds is abnormal. Consult promptly to check for tongue tie, muscle tension, or poor positioning. Early correction leads to a smoother breastfeeding start.

7. Stay hydrated

Drinking about 2 liters of water daily is recommended for maternal comfort. It does not directly affect milk quantity but helps you feel better during breastfeeding.

8. Breastfeed even if birth doesn’t go as planned: C-section

A C-section is not a barrier to breastfeeding. Most of the time, breastfeeding is possible, whether the C-section was planned or emergency.

If first skin-to-skin and welcome feed are delayed, it’s not lost: as soon as the mother feels well enough, increasing skin-to-skin moments is very beneficial for bonding, oxytocin release, and lactation initiation.

After a C-section, the key is to choose positions that respect maternal comfort and avoid pressure on the scar. Positions like “rugby hold,” side-lying, or other supported postures often allow pain-free breastfeeding.

9. Consider a breast pump (optional but useful)

A breast pump can help if:

• the baby is tired
• latch is not optimal
• nipples are sore
• additional stimulation is needed

It is recommended to try the pump before birth to become familiar with it. You may also prepare a syringe, silicone spoon, or small container to give expressed milk if supplementation is needed, without always using a bottle.

9. FAQ on preparing for breastfeeding

Should I prepare my breasts before birth? No, the body prepares naturally.

How to choose a nursing bra? Soft, stretchy, wire-free, one-handed opening, adaptable to volume changes.

Is skin-to-skin essential? Recommended, always beneficial, and supports oxytocin production.

Is pain normal? No. Persistent pain indicates latch, positioning, or tension issues.

Can I breastfeed after a C-section? Yes, with adapted positions if necessary.

When should I use a breast pump? If the baby feeds poorly, is tired, nipples are sore, or additional stimulation is needed.