Preparing to Breastfeed: What Chicago Suburbs Moms Should Know Before Baby Arrives
Meet Arianne, our dedicated Certified Lactation Counselor!
You’ve prepared the nursery, packed your hospital bag, and practiced labor coping techniques, but what about preparing to breastfeed?
While breastfeeding is a wonderful natural thing, it’s also a learned skill. Many parents are surprised to discover that those early days can feel overwhelming without guidance. The good news? With a little preparation during pregnancy, you can set yourself up for a much smoother, more confident start.
As Certified Lactation Counselors who have supported hundreds of families across the Chicago suburbs, here’s what we recommend doing before baby arrives.
1. Set Up Before Baby Arrives
Some of the most helpful breastfeeding preparation happens during pregnancy. A few simple steps now can make those early feeds feel calmer and more supported.
Create Your Nursing Space
Choose a cozy, supportive spot. A chair with good back support, a side table with water (you’ll be so thirsty postpartum), snacks, burp cloths, diapers, and your phone charger. Having everything within reach keeps you from feeling stuck during long nursing sessions.
Learn the Basics of a Deep Latch
A great latch prevents most nipple pain. Three essentials:
Baby’s nose lined up with your nipple. Sounds crazy, but when they open their mouth in the gape reflex, this positions them to get the deepest possible latch.
Baby very close—tummy to tummy with you
Waiting for a wide, “gape” mouth before bringing baby up to the breast
Order Your Pump Through Insurance
Most insurance plans cover a breast pump at no cost. Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, having a pump for date nights, weekends, or returning to work is incredibly helpful. Newer pumps also include nipple-size measuring tools so you can choose the correct flange, critical for comfort and pump efficiency.
Know the Newborn Feeding Rhythm
In the first weeks, babies nurse every 2–3 hours, totaling 10+ feeds daily. You can’t fully prepare for the sleep deprivation, but knowing the rhythm beforehand helps you mentally gear up.
2. Understand What’s Normal in the First Week
Those first few days are a massive learning curve for both you and your baby. Understanding what’s normal prevents unnecessary stress.
Your Baby’s Stomach Is Tiny
At birth, a newborn’s stomach only holds about a teaspoon. Colostrum may seem small in volume, but it’s incredibly nutrient and antibody-rich. For most babies, it’s all they need until your milk transitions.
Cluster Feeding Is Expected
Especially in the first 24–48 hours, babies nurse frequently to stimulate your milk supply transition. It’s normal, and temporary. I promise. Babies are expected to loose up to (but not more than) 7% of their weight from birth.
Soreness Is Common But Not Normal.
Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. A deep, effective latch may create a gentle tugging or pulling sensation, but sharp pain, pinching, burning, or ongoing discomfort is not normal. Pain is usually a sign that baby’s latch or positioning needs adjustment—and with the right support, most discomfort can be corrected quickly.
3. Build Your Support Team Before Birth
Breastfeeding is emotional, hormonal, and often demanding. Especially when you’re healing, sleep deprived, and adjusting to life with a newborn. Having a lactation professional lined up before baby arrives gives you a trusted resource to turn to preventing the late-night Googling, and “Is this normal?” spiral.
At The Elgin Doula, our Certified Lactation Counselors provide in-home postpartum visits and personalized guidance, including:
Troubleshooting latching pain or positioning
Assessing milk transfer
Helping you recognize baby’s hunger and satiety cues
Supporting you emotionally as you adjust to postpartum life
Our support is evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored to your family’s needs.
Preparing for Birth—and Beyond
Breastfeeding can be one of the most beautiful parts of the early postpartum season, but it can also be one of the most stressful without support. Preparing ahead and surrounding yourself with knowledgeable, caring professionals can make all the difference.
At The Elgin Doula, our team proudly supports families across the Chicago suburbs—including Barrington, Algonquin, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, and beyond.
If you want expert, hands-on guidance through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, we’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Book a lactation visit with Arianne today, or learn more about our Birth Doula Package with included lactation support to see how we can walk with you from pregnancy through postpartum.
