Preparing for breastfeeding

When you know a little in advance about how breastfeeding works, you are more likely to get off to a good start and to handle any challenges along the way.

Gem

How do we prepare for breastfeeding?

Swipe to get ideas on how to prepare, what breastfeeding requires, and which common misconceptions are worth knowing about.

Is it necessary to prepare for breastfeeding?

It may feel strange to focus on breastfeeding before you have even met your baby. Perhaps the birth itself is taking up most of your thoughts. But many parents later regret not having spent a little time during pregnancy learning about breastfeeding. The period after birth rarely gets the attention it deserves and those who prepare themselves have a better chance of continuing to breastfeed for as long as they wish.

Can everyone breastfeed?

Almost all women are able to breastfeed. Do not believe the myths that women in certain families have poor or insufficient milk. Breast milk always contains the nutrients your baby needs. Problems with low milk supply can often be resolved simply by breastfeeding more frequently, which helps stimulate milk production.

If you are still concerned that breastfeeding may be difficult for you, contact your midwife or health visitor

 

Does breastfeeding come naturally?

Breastfeeding rarely happens entirely on its own — it is something that needs to be learned. Over time, you will learn how to position your baby correctly, which breastfeeding positions work best for you, how to tell when your baby is full, and much more.

Your baby also needs time to learn to latch effectively. The father/partner also plays an important role in finding ways to support both mother and baby. For some, everything falls into place quickly and easily, but be prepared that it may take up to a month before you feel confident about breastfeeding.

 

How does the first breastfeeding happen?

Some babies latch well and suck effectively from the very first feed. Others need a little time after birth before they are ready to suck. Be patient and observe how your baby can, entirely on its own, search for and latch onto the nipple. When you let your baby find the breast on its own, the chances of a good latch from the start are higher.

Your midwife will help you assess whether your baby is feeding effectively and which breastfeeding positions work well for you.

The four key messages are the foundation for successful breastfeeding

Danish research shows that when you focus on:

  • Helping each other
  • Having skin-to-skin contact with your baby
  • Finding a comfortable breastfeeding position
  • Breastfeeding frequently

… you are more likely to breastfeed for as long as you wish and to ensure that your baby gets the milk it needs. This is why it is helpful to focus on these four principles when you begin establishing breastfeeding.

Watch a full video about the key principles here:

 

Or a short video about each principle:

How can you support one another?

Babies are breastfed for longer when the father/partner supports breastfeeding and sees it as important.

Sharing the responsibility is easier than having one parent manage it alone — especially if challenges arise. This is why preparing for breastfeeding together is a good idea. Talk about your wishes and expectations for breastfeeding, and try the breastfeeding quiz to test your knowledge.

 

Try the quiz: Breastfeeding is a shared responsibility

 

Who can help us with breastfeeding questions during pregnancy?

You may already feel the need, during pregnancy, to talk with someone about your thoughts, wishes, or concerns regarding breastfeeding. Both your midwife and your local health visitor are trained to advise you on breastfeeding and on alternatives to breastfeeding.

You can speak with your midwife at your appointments, and some municipalities offer prenatal visits from a health visitor, providing time to discuss your questions in detail.

Read more about where you can get help

Previous negative experiences with breastfeeding

If you have had negative experiences with breastfeeding before, it is particularly important to discuss them with your midwife or health visitor before the birth. Difficult experiences can leave emotional traces that make you anxious about breastfeeding again.

By talking them through, you may gain a better understanding of why things unfolded as they did, and you can create a plan together to help prevent similar problems.

How else can we prepare for breastfeeding?

It is a good idea to read about breastfeeding during pregnancy, when you still have time before your baby arrives. In addition to reading, watching videos, and listening to podcasts on official websites, you can also find pamphlets and books specifically about breastfeeding.

Speak with your midwife or health visitor about what they recommend, or explore suggestions from people in your network. You may also join preparatory breastfeeding courses. Some hospitals offer childbirth and parenting classes that include breastfeeding preparation.

There are also private breastfeeding courses, offered both online and in person. Choosing a course taught by a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) ensures professional guidance.

You can also learn from others’ positive experiences. Talk with parents, friends, or siblings about how they experienced breastfeeding.

Read more about getting a good start to breastfeeding:

Try the quiz: A good start to breastfeeding

 

These videos can help you get off to a good start with breastfeeding

Good to do

  • During pregnancy, consider how you would like your baby to be fed after birth
  • Seek information about breastfeeding and discuss your wishes with friends and family
  • If you want to breastfeed, surround yourself with people who have positive breastfeeding experiences
  • Talk with your midwife and health visitor about your thoughts and questions.

How much do you know about breastfeeding?

Who can you contact?

If you experience challenges with breastfeeding – big or small – do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Swipe to see whom you can contact and when.

Who can you contact at the maternity ward?

You can contact the maternity-ward staff both during pregnancy and after birth.

Before birth, your midwife is the person to speak with about the early time with your baby and your thoughts about feeding – whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. If you have had previous breastfeeding problems, you can create a plan together.

Most maternity wards also offer antenatal classes, and your midwife can inform you about these.

After giving birth, you can receive help with breastfeeding from staff on the delivery or maternity ward while you are admitted.

All parents can also contact a breastfeeding hotline at their maternity ward within the first week after birth if they need help or guidance.

You can contact your municipal health-visitor service

The health-visitor service is available to all pregnant and new parents in Denmark. After birth, you will be offered free home visits with support and guidance to help you get a good start with your baby. Depending on your municipality and your stage in the process, different services and contact options may be available.

Some municipalities offer prenatal visits from a health visitor, where you can discuss breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and preparing for life as a new family. Check your municipality’s website to see whether this is available where you live.

If you have special needs, you can contact the service to ask whether prenatal visits are offered to you.

Your health visitor will contact you and offer the first home visit. You can always call your municipal health visitor service for advice or guidance.

You can contact your GP if needed

Always speak with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and need medical treatment. In most cases, there is a medication that is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Contact the on-call doctor or call 112 in an emergency

For sudden illness or worsening symptoms that cannot wait until your GP is available, or for minor injuries, you can contact the on-call doctor – or call 1813 if you live in the Capital Region.

In emergencies, if something is life-threatening or dangerous, call 112.

Contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors

You can also contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors if you need advice or guidance. Denmark has two support organisations: Forældre & Fødsel and Ammenet. The volunteers are mothers who have breastfed themselves, and both organisations provide guidance based on the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority.

Få hjælp hos Forældre og Fødsel

Få hjælp hos Ammenet

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