Starting your breastfeeding journey hospital to home

At the hospital

• Get an early start. Babies are born ready to breastfeed and show extra eagerness to suck during the first two hours after birth; the sucking reflex is at its most powerful about 30 to 60 minutes after birth. So plan to breastfeed as soon as you can, assuming you and your new arrival are up to it. But don’t stress if it doesn’t happen right away — my fifth baby was in an incubator and I couldn’t feed him till day 4. So I pumped until he was well enough to come out and onto the boob. Before then I would express and my milk would be going in through a tube. 
• Work the system. Hospital nurseries are busy places, so it’s not surprising that staff can be quick to calm a fussy baby with a bottle. But breastfeeding from the get-go helps stimulate your supply. So when it comes to breastfeeding your baby if you decide to try nursing exclusively dive in from the start. Explain your preferences to the staff.
• Talk to a lactation consultant. Before you leave the hospital or birthing centre, you might be able to schedule a visit with one or take a class so an expert can observe you feeding your baby, make sure you're on the right track and check that your baby is getting enough milk. If you don't see a consultant, feel free to ask for one; she can also offer tips on caring for nursing breasts and expressing milk, along with literature to take home — so don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions.

When you get home

• Find a comfy quiet spot. Until breastfeeding becomes second-hand, you’ll need to focus during feeds. So get settled in an area with few distractions and low noise levels.
• Get comfy. Settle in a position that’s comfortable for you and baby: on the sofa in a chair or in bed, either propped up or lying down. If you’re sitting up, a pillow across your lap helps raise baby to a comfortable height and prevents baby from putting pressure on an incision site if you’ve had a caesarean. Prop up your arms as well, since trying to support baby on your own can cause arm cramps and aches.
• Quench your thirst. Have a good bottle you can keep topped up at all times — by your side to replenish fluids as you feed. I always loved a station set up in a couple of rooms with snacks so I didn’t have to move mid feed. 
• Practice, practice, practice. Your supply is tailored to your baby’s needs in those first few days of life, and those needs are minimal and usually easily filled by colostrum. So consider those early feeds "dry runs" — a chance to perfect your technique while your milk supply builds up. Keep the rehearsals going once your milk comes in too.
• Switch sides. Start each feeding on the breast that baby didn’t nurse on , on the last feed, I normally would always offer both breasts on each feed, so would start on the breast that didn’t fully drain. Babies tend to have a preferred side/a boob you prefer to feed from. As easy as to May feel to just offer up that side more than the other may lead to mastitis on the other or even low supply if left too long. 
• Keep it up. You might be tempted to stretch out the time between feeds, but try to resist: Milk production is influenced by the amount of time and duration on the breast, especially during the first few weeks. Cutting down on frequent demand, cutting sessions short or letting baby sleep too long between feeds, especially during the day, can quickly sabotage your supply.
• Soothe chapped skin. Lanolin is pretty good nipple cream or coconut oil can also help ward off cracked or chapped nipples — and keep you breastfeeding comfortable. A nipple shield can also help with any early day pain. In between feeds you can also use sliver shields which help heal cracked nipples. 
• Give it time. Keep in mind that baby is a nursing rookie, and you are too (if this is your first time or even if it isn't since all babies are different). You both have a lot to learn before you’re in sync, even if you’ve successfully nursed another baby before.
• Keep your cool. We can sometimes Feel little overwhelmed. But tension can inhibit let-down of milk. So if you’re feeling on edge just before a feed, try to chill out with a few relaxation exercises — maybe the same ones you used during birth: take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, listen to music. Your baby will likely be relaxed by your vibes, too.