Two prenatal must-dos to prep for breastfeeding your baby
“I want to give breastfeeding a shot, but we’ll see how it goes.”
It’s hard to prepare for a baby and for breastfeeding and not know exactly how it’s going to go. However, the #1 indicator of success for breastfeeding is…. SUPPORT. It’s not breast size. It’s your SUPPORT SYSTEM.
Here are two things you can do to bolster your prenatal support system, and feel more successful breastfeeding:
Take a prenatal breastfeeding class:
Build the muscle memory with breastfeeding positions. Understand what’s normal for infants in the first hour/day/week and month. Be proactive and not reactive. In the Boston area, there are great in-person group classes like Beyond Birthing (in Beverly), Stork Ready (in North Reading), or individual classes (I teach a 3 hr class in people’s homes).
2. Identify local lactation consultants and set up a prenatal consult with an IBCLC.
IBCLCs are the highest-trained lactation providers. IBCLCs are “ considered the gold standard in lactation care, the IBCLC certification requires extensive education, clinical training, and a board exam. IBCLCs are trained to handle complex breastfeeding challenges, including low milk supply, tongue ties, preemie feeding issues, and a lot more. This is the only lactation credential recognized by major healthcare institutions worldwide.” (Source: The Lactation Network).
You can search for an IBCLC by zipcode at Zipmilk.org.
I recommend doing a prenatal consult any time in your pregnancy. In that prenatal consult, you’ll meet your IBCLC and start to build a rapport with them. This makes it a lot easier to do that first visit when you bring your baby home. Many private insurers will reimburse for a prenatal lactation visit. In the prenatal consult, your IBCLC will work with you to:
identify your infant feeding goals (breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding)
review your medical history and discuss any impact that may have on lactation
reviewing steps for establishing milk supply
model breastfeeding positions
explain how to get a good latch
explain how to know if your baby is eating enough
explain how your know your baby is hungry
model how to hand express colostrum
share video and digital resources for reference
answer any of your questions
Who would benefit from a prenatal meeting with an IBCLC/lactation consultant?
Any parent who wants to breastfeed or pump (exclusively, sometimes, or just a little)
Any parent with PCOS, fertility challenges, thyroid issues, diabetes, cystic fibrosis to see how that may affect lactation
Any parent with a challenging feeding situation with other children
Written by Kathleen Stern (bio here). For more infant feeding and parent support, reach out to Kathleen at www.strongnestconsulting.com
Last updated December 15, 2025