How to Series Part 2

How to Prepare for Breastfeeding

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Step 1 Order a pump through your insurance 

I ordered mine with Medela. Fill out a questionnaire and see if you are eligible. 

Step 2 Clean and sanitize your pump parts

Follow the directions that come with the pump. I boiled and then washed the parts the first time before using. Subsequently, I only washed. 

Step 3 Buy supplies

• Breast pillow or boppy

• Nursing bras/tanks/shirts

• Creams and gels

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Shop Earth Mama

• Milk freezer bags

• Hands free pumping bra

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• A pumping bag

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• A  multi-purpose cover up 

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• Nursing pads

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Click to shop Project Nursery

• Handheld pump 

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• Breast bottle

We used a bottle shaped like a breast for when I went back to work. Our son had difficulty with regular bottles, but took to this one extremely well. 

Step 4 Take a class

Sign up for classes at your local hospital and research La Leche League near you to join support groups and classes for after Baby is born. 

Step 5 Practice relaxing techniques 

It's important to practice relaxing techniques now, so when your baby comes you can learn to relax your mind and body for your let down to happen. 

• Massage
• Meditation
• Aromatherapy
• Essential oils
• Soaks/salts/bubble baths
• Yoga
• Prayer

Step 6 Get excited for baby! 

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​Lauren Barrett was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now lives and works in North Carolina. She is a high school teacher of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by her son's naptimes, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. She loves her faith, running, visiting MLB stadiums with her husband, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending she would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, James, and son, Henry.