Many mothers don’t realize that there are a few crucial things they can do before baby arrives to make their breastfeeding efforts a success. I will outline 5 things that will help aid in stress reduction and create a happy breastfeeding relationship.

1) Create your support group:

This is absolutely essential. Even if you have read all there is to read I promise the first few days when baby is here you will have questions.

You will doubt yourself. And you will at some point feel like you are failing. This is where your support women come in. Having a woman on your side, who has been where you are and came out successful on the other side will be your saving grace. She will be there to encourage you, guide you, and help you celebrate your success.

2) Research baby’s nourishment needs:

For some women it can take up to five days before their full milk comes in. This alone can cause much anxiety, because surely baby is starving, right? Well, not really. The colostrum that is produced before your milk comes in is extremely potent and packed with all the nourishment baby needs in the first days of life. The first day they need less than a teaspoon, a little more the next day, and so on. Know ahead of time what to expect in the way of wet and dirty diapers and you are good to go.

3) Expect your nipples to hurt:

And by hurt I mean send you into excruciating, toe curling, scream out loud pain. Not all women experience nipple discomfort, but I sure did. And my daughter was latched perfectly. Everything I read said you may experience mild discomfort, but not pain. Pain meant that baby was latched incorrectly. I have not found this to be true in my experience. You may be one of the lucky ones, and I do know a few, that do not experience this two weeks of nipple boot camp. But prepare yourself anyway, just in case.

4) Throw modesty out the window:

A huge hurdle I hear so many woman talk about is trying to nurse with all of their company around. Your loved ones are so excited to see your new bundle, and want to be with you to relish in the first few days of your new baby's life. This can wreak havoc on the new modest mom's breastfeeding efforts. Either they hide out in a different room (no fun!), supplement while company is there, or they breastfeed too infrequently while waiting for the entourage to leave. All of this is so damaging and sets you up for failure. I made ALL of these mistakes my first go-around. With my daughter I let everybody know that I would love their company — I am nursing and will not seclude myself to do so — and if they were uncomfortable with that I would completely understand and they could visit at a later date.

5) Leave the free samples of formula at the hospital:

Don’t be fooled. These “free” samples are the biggest, most genius marketing campaigns ever. If you are stressed, frazzled, and doubting yourself, that free can of formula looks really good at 3am. And then again the next day, and before you know it approximately $2,000 per year is lining the pockets of that formula company. Leave the artificial breast milk at the hospital and give your angel the real thing. Trust your body, because it is all that your baby needs. You will be so proud and thankful that you did.