Why Preparing to Breastfeed During Pregnancy Makes All the Difference
By Lola Dexter, Registered Midwife & IBCLC
So much of pregnancy is spent preparing. You research prams, you wash babygros, you read about birth until you could write your own chapter on it. And yet, when it comes to feeding your baby (something you'll likely spend more waking hours doing than almost anything else in those early weeks), most people arrive into it with very little preparation at all. That's not a criticism. It's just the reality. Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things in the world, yet it is also one of the biggest challenges new parents face. What many people don't realise is that preparation before your baby even arrives can significantly shape your experience, making those early days calmer, more confident, and more successful. Here's why getting ready to breastfeed during pregnancy is so worthwhile.
1. It Boosts Your Chances of Breastfeeding Success
The evidence is clear: antenatal preparation works. Women who receive breastfeeding education before birth have higher rates of initiating breastfeeding, breastfeed for longer, and are more likely to breastfeed exclusively. The World Health Organization recommends that all pregnant women and their families receive counselling on the benefits and management of breastfeeding as part of routine antenatal care.
Preparation isn't just about reading leaflets. One-to-one support from a lactation consultant, attending antenatal breastfeeding classes, and peer counselling have all been shown to positively influence breastfeeding outcomes.
2. You'll Feel Emotionally Ready - Not Just Practically
One of the most valuable things preparation does is set realistic expectations. Mothers who weren't prepared for the emotional challenges of early breastfeeding often describe feeling blindsided when things got tough. As one mother put it: "If I had known more about the ups and downs, I would not have been so shocked when things got tough."
A balanced approach to education, one that acknowledges both the rewards and the very real challenges, including frustration, self-doubt, and the risk of postnatal mood difficulties, builds resilience and reduces the likelihood of giving up when obstacles arise.
3. You Can Plan for Those First Critical Moments
The first hour after birth is a golden window. Skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery is one of the most powerful things you can do for your breastfeeding journey. It signals your body to begin milk production, supports your baby's blood sugar regulation, and helps establish the deep bond between you both. Knowing this in advance and communicating your wishes to your birth team means you are empowered to advocate for it. Planning for an immediate, uninterrupted first feed also reduces the likelihood of your baby needing early supplementation.
4. You Can Learn the Basics Before the Baby Arrives
Breastfeeding is a skill for both you and your baby. The good news is that you can start building that skill before birth. Antenatal education covering positioning, latching, and understanding your baby's feeding cues means you'll have a foundation to draw on from day one.
High-impact topics to cover include:
How breastfeeding works (the physiology of milk supply)
Positioning and attachment
Recognising signs that your baby is feeding effectively
Understanding the risks of unnecessary supplementation
5. If Challenges Are Likely, You Can Prepare Specifically for Them
Some women have a higher risk of difficulties with breastfeeding for example, those with diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a history of breast surgery, or those expecting a premature baby. Identifying these factors antenatally and getting targeted support ahead of time can make an enormous difference.
For women in these groups, antenatal consultation with a lactation specialist, discussion of colostrum harvesting, and education about signs of adequate milk intake can all be part of a personalised preparation plan.
6. You'll Know Your Support Network in Advance
One of the most consistent findings in breastfeeding research is that support matters. Knowing who to call when questions arise in the middle of the night, your midwife, a lactation consultant, a local support group, means you're never navigating challenges alone.
Involving your partner or support person in antenatal preparation is also valuable. Studies show that when partners understand breastfeeding and actively participate in preparation, breastfeeding outcomes improve.
7. You're Giving Your Baby the Best Possible Start
Ultimately, preparation is an act of care for yourself and your baby. Breast milk provides complete nutrition for the first six months of life, protects against infections, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and supports long-term health including a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, and certain childhood illnesses. For mothers, breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
None of this means that breastfeeding must be all-or-nothing, or that those who cannot breastfeed have failed. Far from it but for those who want to give it the best possible chance, preparation is the single most empowering step you can take before your baby arrives.
Where to Start
I offer three ways to get ready before your baby arrives, both based at Rose Clinic in Bray and available at home to families across Wicklow, South Dublin and North Wexford or from anywhere online!
The Breastfeeding Preparation Workshop runs on Saturday mornings in small groups. It's relaxed and practical, covering everything from how your milk supply works to positioning, latch, feeding cues, common challenges and how to navigate them, and returning to work further down the line. There's plenty of time for questions and, honestly, most people leave feeling a lot calmer than when they arrived. Dates are running from July through October.
Antenatal Lactation Consultations are one-to-one appointments for anyone who wants a more personal space. Maybe you had a difficult feeding experience last time. Maybe you have a health condition you'd like to factor in. Maybe you'd simply like dedicated time to talk through your own situation without a group setting. These can be done at the clinic, at home, or online, whichever works best for you.
1:1 Private Breastfeeding Preparation Class these classes give you the opportunity to have everything I go through in my workshops at home or in my clinic 1:1, so I can tailor it to your specific needs.
If you're not sure which might suit you better, you're very welcome to get in touch and we can figure it out together.
Book a workshop or consultation at loladexter.com
You don't have to figure this out from scratch
Preparing to breastfeed isn't about reading every book or knowing every answer before your baby arrives. It's about having enough knowledge, confidence, and support in place so that when challenges come (and some always do, for everyone), you're not starting from zero.
Going into those early weeks with a foundation under you, and a trusted person to call when you need one, changes the experience entirely.
Lola Dexter is a Registered Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) based at Rose Clinic, Bray, Co. Wicklow. She offers breastfeeding workshops, antenatal and postnatal lactation consultations, and caesarean scar therapy to families across Wicklow, South Dublin and North Wexford. Visit loladexter.com or email lola@loladexter.com to get in touch.