Hey, Mama.
If you’re pregnant and wondering what breastfeeding is really like, pull up a chair (preferably a comfy one with good back support — trust me, your spine will thank you later). As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, a NICU nurse for over two decades, and a mom of three who all nursed until they were four (yes, four!), I’ve lived every phase of the milk-drenched rollercoaster.
And if I could go back and whisper in my own first-time-mom ear, here’s exactly what I wish I knew before I latched that tiny human on for the first time.
1. The Emotional Side Is Real (And It’s Not Just Hormones)
No one prepared me for the identity shift that hit when I realized my body wasn't just mine anymore. Breastfeeding cracked me open — emotionally, spiritually, physically. The oxytocin highs are real. So are the moments you feel touched out, vulnerable, or like a 24/7 human pacifier.
But guess what? That emotional messiness is normal. It’s part of the bond-building magic. Breastfeeding isn’t just nourishment. It’s connection, comfort, and a new kind of fierce love you grow into.
2. Breastfeeding Is a Skill — Not a Reflex
Yes, it’s natural. No, it doesn’t always come naturally.
Latching, positioning, milk transfer — this stuff takes practice. You and baby are both learning. Be patient with each other. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.
And please know: if it hurts, something is off. Pain is a red flag, not a rite of passage.
3. Your Prenatal Lactation Visit Is a Power Move
If I could rewrite my pregnancy checklist, I’d slot in a prenatal visit with an IBCLC right between packing the hospital bag and washing tiny onesies. Why? Because learning about milk supply, latch techniques, and what’s normal before you're sleep-deprived and googling at 2 a.m. makes a huge difference.
It’s not just about information — it’s about building a relationship with your lactation expert before the pressure is on. Preventing problems is easier than fixing them.
4. You Don’t Need a Whole Baby Store’s Worth of Gear
Let’s be real — you don’t need a closet full of gadgets to breastfeed successfully. A good pump (if you’ll be separated from baby), comfortable nursing bras, breast pads, and some cozy setup for feeding is plenty to get started.
Simple is sustainable. Most of what you really need? You already have: a body that works and a brain that’s willing to learn.
5. Evidence Is Important — But So Is Ancestral Wisdom
Yes, there’s solid science behind lactation — and as an RN and IBCLC, I value evidence-based care deeply. But I also know that not every answer lives in a textbook. Our mothers, grandmothers, and the long line of women before us breastfed with instinct, community, and wisdom — and that knowledge still matters.
Trust your intuition. Respect your body’s cues. And seek advice from people who see you as the expert on your baby — because you are.
6. The Health Benefits Aren’t Just for Baby
We all hear about antibodies and immunity for baby — and that’s huge. But breastfeeding is good for you, too. It reduces your risk of breast and ovarian cancers, helps your uterus contract postpartum, and may even lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
It’s not just a gift to your baby — it’s a gift to yourself.
Final Thought:
If you’re prepping to breastfeed, you’re already doing the most important thing: caring enough to prepare. You’re not expected to know everything, and you don’t have to do this alone.
Surround yourself with support. Book the prenatal consult. Call the IBCLC. Join the mom group. Cry when you need to. Laugh as often as possible. And feed that baby from your body with pride — whether it’s for three days or three years.
Breastfeeding isn't a test. It’s a relationship.
Welcome to the Milk Drunk Club, Mama. You belong here.
