Are you a new māmā waiting for your pēpi?

If you haven’t had your pēpi yet, remember: the more you prepare during your pregnancy, the smoother your breastfeeding journey will be. But, whether you breastfeed or not, whatever the reason, you will be the most important person in your baby’s life!

As you prepare for breastfeeding, keep in mind that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. We are all different, as are our babies, and breastfeeding may not always be a straightforward experience. Your journey may have ups and downs, trials and errors, but you and your baby will grow and learn together.

Support is key

Becoming a parent can be an overwhelming experience, so it’s important to find support when and where you need it. Every breastfeeding journey is unique, but if you do need a little extra support there are a number of options available to new māmā. 

• Talk to your LMC (midwife, OB or doctor). Discuss with them what breastfeeding means, what are the possible challenges and ways to overcome them.
• Chat with your whānau. Visit breastfeeding friends or relatives, spend time with them, watch them breastfeed, and of course, give them a hand, as needed.
• Follow BreastfeedingNZ on Facebook. They offer free support via private messages. You can ask all your questions, receive support from the lactation experts, and get your questions shared anonymously. You will be able to connect with an amazing community of māmā who have been through many different breastfeeding journeys. You will also find lots of tips and resources published daily on the page.

Find answers on the BreastfeedingNZ page

New māmā: “It’s so tiring! How am I going to manage?”

The BreastfeedingNZ Team: “Breastfeeding and looking after a new baby will take a lot of energy. But it shouldn’t be a one person job. Don’t feel shy to ask for help, and to say what you need/want to keep healthy and relaxed. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed baby will feel. For at least six weeks, your routine will evolve around baby’s feeding patterns. Interrupted sleep may affect your normal routine, so it may be a good idea to plan in advance. A good, honest discussion now with your partner and/or whānau about expectations, what help will be needed, who’s there to help, and visitors’ time, will save stress in the near future! Some may tend to be overprotective – it’s normal. But allowing whānau to engage in caring for baby will develop deep and long-lasting relationships. It will also give you time to rest. Encourage your whānau to take baby for a walk, to look after baby while you go for a walk, to bath baby, change baby, burp baby, talk and play with baby and, yes, to feed baby with stories, love and joy, while you feed them with breastmilk.”

BreastfeedingNZ member: “Try to relax and not stress too much about it (easier said than done, I know!). Bubs will feel more relaxed if you are too, so try to have a good mindset and relaxing space to feed in. Have water and snacks around at all times (I found lactation cookies and snack balls to be a good go-to). Be prepared for cluster feeding … that’s a really tough part of breastfeeding. Bubs won’t want to leave your boob, and it can be hard feeling like all you do is feed all day and night. Good luck Mumma! X”

Whatever your breastfeeding journey looks like, BreastfeedingNZ is a safe place where you will find free support and feel empowered …welcome to the community.