Preparing for My Third Breastfeeding Journey

I’m an IBCLC. I’ve supported hundreds of families through their feeding journeys.
People assume breastfeeding must come easily to me, that I “just know” what to do.

But the truth? I actually worry more about breastfeeding than I do about birth. My recovery from breastfeeding has far outweighed my postpartum recovery. And with my second baby, it took months to get feeding off the ground. Those early days were some of the hardest I’ve ever faced as a parent.

This pregnancy is also different.
It’s high-risk, and my baby will be born via elective caesarean- a whole new set of considerations compared to my previous natural births. Colostrum harvesting feels more important than ever for us, and I’ll be sharing more about that in an upcoming post.

That’s why, as I prepare for my third journey, I want to be more prepared than ever.

Here’s what that looks like for me:

• Restocking my essentials

  Soft nighties with easy breast access for skin-to-skin, breast pads, a comfy cushion, a small toolkit for moist wound healing, and having clear plans in place for assessing and referring if I suspect tongue-tie.

• Checking my support network

  Making sure the girls are cared for and my partner Joe knows what’s helpful for me in those first few days.

• Reminding myself of the early days reality

  Cluster feeding, growth spurts, skin-to-skin, and the importance of patience for both baby and me. Also being aware that my recovery may be harder due to having a caesarean.

• Setting boundaries

  Politely but firmly preparing to protect time to establish feeding and rest time from too many visitors.

  Also setting boundaries for “helpful” but conflicting advice.

As an IBCLC and Baby Friendly advocate, I’ll always share evidence-based, commercial-free guidance, but as a mum, I’m also giving myself permission to do what works for our family.

Because preparing for breastfeeding isn’t just about the “stuff” — it’s about mindset, support, and creating space to learn together.

How did you prepare for your feeding journey? I’d love to hear in the comments.