Getting ready to breastfeed

Breast milk benefits your pēpi (baby) because:

• it is all they need to eat and drink for the first 6 months
• it means a healthier pēpi who gets fewer colds, tummy bugs, infections and allergies
• it protects them from dying in their sleep
• it helps you and your pēpi form a close bond which is necessary for emotional wellbeing throughout their life.

Breastfeeding also benefits you because:

• it gives you a chance to rest while you are feeding your pēpi
• it helps you to feel close to your pēpi
• it saves you time and money
• it may reduce your risk of some cancers and bone disease.

Breastfeeding NZ video

'Breastfeeding. Naturally. Chapter 1: Preparing for Birth' is a video on the health benefits of breastfeeding and how it helps protect form infections, and planning for breastfeeding.

Preparing for birth — YouTubeexternal link

Many pregnant women think about breastfeeding and wonder if they will be able to do it. Often they say they will do it if they can. Almost all women can breastfeed.

Ways you can prepare for breastfeeding include:

• getting support from whānau and friends
• watching others breastfeed
• practising breastfeeding positions
• going to pregnancy and parenting classes, or a breastfeeding class.

Consider hand expressing your colostrum (first milk) during the last few weeks of pregnancy and freezing it for your pēpi after birth. As well as having some extra milk ready for your pēpi, you will learn how to hand express which will come in handy during the first week or two after the birth.

You may be recommended to express colostrum during your third trimester if:

• you have diabetes in pregnancy
• you are having a planned caesarean birth
• you have high blood pressure
• you have had low milk supply with a previous pēpi
• your pēpi is not growing well (either small or large for their gestational age).

Ask your midwife for an expressing kit and information about when to start, reasons to stop, and guidance on storing your expressed milk.

The Joy Series Video 3 — Antenatal hand expressing from 36 to 38 weeks — YouTubeexternal link

If there are breastfeeding or parenting education classes in your area, these can be very helpful.

Learning about pregnancy, birth and parenting — Ministry of Healthexternal link

You could also join a breastfeeding support group such as La Leche League.

La Leche Leagueexternal link