Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both you and your baby, and it often takes time and practice to feel comfortable. This page includes practical resources to help you prepare for breastfeeding, learn feeding and pumping techniques, troubleshoot common concerns, and know when to ask for additional help.
There is no single feeding plan that is right for every family. Our goal is to support you and your baby in finding an approach that works well for you.
You don't need to have everything figured out before your baby arrives, but a little preparation can make the first few weeks easier.
Setting Yourself Up For Breastfeeding Success (Novant Health, featuring Dr. Freeman)
Breastfeeding Tips to know During Pregnancy (Dr. Marta Perez, video)
If you plan to breastfeed or pump, it is helpful to obtain a breast pump before your baby arrives. Many insurance plans cover a breast pump as part of your maternity benefits.
Aeroflow Breast Pumps (Use this to obtain a breast pump through your insurance)
Novant Health offers several resources to help you prepare for breastfeeding and get support after your baby arrives. During pregnancy, you can take a prenatal breastfeeding class or Virtual Breastfeeding Basics to learn about feeding, positioning, milk supply, pumping, and what to expect during the first few weeks.
After delivery, Novant Health Community Baby Café offers free, drop-in breastfeeding support facilitated by a lactation professional. Families can get help with their individual breastfeeding journey, have their baby weighed, and connect with other new families. Baby Café is available to families regardless of where they delivered, and no registration is required.
→ Sign up at Novant Health Maternity Events
Some patients choose to hand express and collect small amounts of colostrum during the final weeks of pregnancy. This is optional and is not necessary for successful breastfeeding. It may be particularly helpful in some pregnancies when there is a higher chance that your baby may need supplemental milk after delivery. If you are interested in collecting colostrum before delivery, please ask us whether it is appropriate for your pregnancy and when to begin.
Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both you and your baby, and it often takes time and practice. These resources can help with getting started, positioning, feeding techniques, and common questions during the early weeks.
Paced Bottle Feeding helps slow the flow of milk and allows your baby to take breaks and respond to their own hunger and fullness cues. This technique can be especially helpful when combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Hand expression is a useful technique for removing small amounts of breast milk without a pump, particularly during the first few days after delivery. Learning the technique can also be helpful if you ever need to relieve fullness or encourage milk flow.
Breastfeeding difficulties are common, particularly during the first few weeks. You do not need to wait until your postpartum visit to ask for help. Lactation consultants can help with latch, positioning, pumping, milk supply, nipple pain, and many other feeding concerns.
Many questions come up about everyday life while breastfeeding, including nutrition, medications, alcohol, birth control, and future pregnancy. The resources below provide guidance about common considerations while breastfeeding.
Pumping and safely storing breast milk can make feeding more flexible and allow others to help feed your baby. Proper storage, preparation, and cleaning of pumps and feeding supplies help protect expressed milk and reduce the risk of contamination.
Breastfeeding doesn't always go smoothly, especially during the first few weeks. Problems with nipple pain, milk supply, engorgement, or breast pain are common and often improve with the right support. If you're struggling, please reach out to your lactation consultant or our office rather than feeling like you need to troubleshoot everything on your own.
Returning to work while breastfeeding can take some adjustment and planning. These resources can help you prepare for pumping at work, maintaining your milk supply, and understanding your workplace protections.
When and how you stop breastfeeding is a personal decision, and there is no single timeline that is right for every family. When possible, gradually reducing breastfeeding or pumping sessions over several weeks can make the transition more comfortable and give your milk supply time to decrease.
If you are weaning a baby younger than 12 months, talk with your baby's pediatrician about replacing breast milk with infant formula. If you develop significant breast pain, redness, swelling, or other concerns while weaning, please contact us.
Breastfeeding challenges are common, especially in the first few weeks, and you do not need to wait until your postpartum visit to ask for help. Please contact us if you have concerns about breast or nipple pain, milk supply, or symptoms that may suggest an infection.
Please call us if you have:
Increasing breast redness, warmth, swelling, or pain
Fever, chills, body aches, or flu-like symptoms along with breast symptoms
A painful or swollen area that is worsening or not improving
Severe or persistent nipple pain, cracking, bleeding, or other nipple concerns
Breastfeeding or pumping concerns that are not improving with lactation support
Any other breast symptoms that concern you
Contact your baby's pediatrician if you are concerned that your baby is not feeding well, is difficult to wake for feeds, has fewer wet diapers than expected, or may not be gaining weight appropriately.
→ Bradford Clinic OB/GYN – Hawthorne