Look into breastfeeding before giving birth. Breastfeeding will require a lot of time and attention during the first weeks of your baby’s life. Knowledge will help you breastfeed successfully.
Changes in the breasts start in the early stages of pregnancy. The fatty tissue of the breasts reduces and is replaced by milk ducts. The breasts may feel tender and their size may increase.
The breasts will be ready for breastfeeding after the first trimester of pregnancy. Your breasts may start secreting small amounts of milk in the middle and late stages of your pregnancy. It is normal: your breasts are getting ready to produce milk. However, this is not the case for everyone – your milk may not start coming out until after your baby is born.
Breastfeeding can feel like a distant notion during pregnancy. However, we recommend that you look into the matter beforehand, as breastfeeding starts as soon as the baby is born and can be very intense in the early stages. A shared understanding between you and your partner, if you have one, about the start of breastfeeding and the first few weeks will help your family get started.
You can read about breastfeeding in online guides, utilise the advice provided by your maternity and child health clinic and take part in family coaching groups. Together, you should also look into the benefits of breastfeeding for your baby, the breastfeeding individual and the whole family.
At the maternity and child health clinic, we will support you according to your wishes. We offer breastfeeding counselling according to your needs and wishes. We will consider any underlying medical conditions, medications, breast surgery and prior breastfeeding experience. If necessary, we can also book you an appointment to see a breastfeeding counsellor.
When your baby is in your arms, breastfeeding and feeding your baby often become the most important things in the world. That is why we as professionals want to gently support you in preparing for breastfeeding and your upcoming everyday life with the baby in every possible way, starting during your pregnancy.
