Breastfeeding for the First Time? Watch THIS Before You Start 🍼

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EP 102:

💛 If you're pregnant and planning to breastfeed—but low-key freaking out about how it all works—you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down everything I wish someone told me before I breastfed for the first time. This is your no-fluff guide to understanding what to expect in the first 24 hours, how to avoid the most common mistakes, and how to get your baby to latch without the tears and stress.

This episode was voted on by YOU in a recent poll, so I know you’re ready for the real talk!

✨ What we cover:

• The biggest myth that sets new moms up to fail
• What breastfeeding looks like in the first 24 hours
• Colostrum vs milk: what’s normal?
• Signs of a good (or bad) latch
• Red flags that mean you should ask for help
• Why prepping before baby arrives can change everything

👶 Want to take this prep to the next level?
 Check out my Bump To Bundle Blueprint—your full guide to birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding (made just for pregnant first-time moms).

🎥 Plus: I’ve linked my Breastfeeding Made Easy playlist so you can binge more support after the episode.

Links Mentioned:

SNAG YOUR FREE RESOURCES - DOWNLOAD THEM NOW!
 👜Get Your Hospital Bag Packed in the Next
60 Minutes. 
https://www.birthprepacademy.com/hospitalbag

👀Binge watch my popular episodes & get caught up here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_yZHFxI0Ibq0F9E3IA2pjE__ZQNoCeIT

👀Watch This To Learn More About Cluster Feeding: https://youtube.com/live/Tb1BICD_2XY?feature=share

Let’s Connect:

• Instagram 
• YouTube
• Website 

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
Here to discover things likewhat to expect in childbirth,

(00:27):
how to prepare for your birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.
if you are planning tobreastfeed and feel totally

(00:48):
clueless, then this might be themost important video for you to
watch before your baby getshere.
I'm talking no fluff, nojudgment, just real talk from
someone who's helped hundreds offirst time moms get through
that.
What the heck am I doing moment?
And it's not just because I'm adoula, it's also because I'm a

(01:12):
mom, so I've been there too.
And actually this episode camestraight from you.
I asked in a poll which topicyou wanted next, and
breastfeeding for the first timewon by a landslide.
So if you voted, thank you.
This one's, especially for youtoday, we're diving into what

(01:33):
really happens in the first 24hours.
I'm also gonna talk about how toavoid the most common first time
breastfeeding mistakes and thenumber one thing I wish someone
told me before I latch my babyfor the first time.
And if you want that next levelprep, I'm also gonna tell you

(01:54):
how you can get your hands on myBump to bundle blueprint, which
is my signature course to helpyou with birth and
breastfeeding.
With that being said, let's getinto it.
Okay, so let's start with thebiggest myth that I hear from
first time moms, and that isbreastfeeding is natural, so it

(02:15):
should come naturally, right?
Ugh.
That myth sets so many women upfor heartbreak.
Here's the truth.
Breastfeeding is a learned skillfor both you.
And your baby.
Let me say that again.
Breastfeeding is a learned skillfor both you and your baby.

(02:36):
Yes, your body is amazing.
Yes, it's designed to feed yourbaby, but that doesn't mean that
it's gonna be easy, especiallyfrom day one.
It takes practice, it takespatience and some strategy.
So if you're feeling nervous ortotally unprepared, relax.
I got you.

(02:56):
You are certainly not alone andyou're not gonna do it wrong.
You just need to know what todo.
You are new at this.
Alright, so now here's what noone tells you about those first
few hours after birth.
Your baby may not latch rightaway.
I know it's crazy, right?

(03:18):
But that's the truth.
Your baby.
Might just lick or root aroundand fall off to sleep and you,
you might be overwhelmed,exhausted, or in shock from
birth.
That dreamy golden hour moment.
It's beautiful when it happens,but it can also be a bit

(03:39):
confusing.
So here's a pro tip.
I want you to ask for help withthat very first latch.
Don't wait.
Nurses can be in and out andworking through a lot of things
as they are caring for both youand your baby.
That first feed needs to reallyset the tone, so don't do it

(04:01):
solo while your baby's screamingor.
When you're wondering if this ishow it's supposed to feel, I
want you to engage your support,your nurse, your midwife, your
provider.
Engage another professional whocan help you with that very
first latch to really show youhow it's done and how things

(04:23):
will likely go, as you arelearning during that learning
curve.
Alright, now.
Here's the line I want tattooedon your brain.
So if you don't take anythingelse away, please take this
away.
So tune in for me.
That is milk supply is based ondemand.

(04:45):
Let me say that again.
Milk supply is based on demand.
Say it with me, mama.
The more your baby nurses.
The more milk your body willmake.
So don't panic if your babywants to feed constantly.
That's actually a good sign.
Alright, now let's talk aboutexpectations.

(05:08):
Your baby's stomach on day one.
Let's start there.
It's actually the size of acherry.
That's why just a few drops ofcolostrum are totally enough,
especially in the first fewmoments and days after you give
birth.
Your milk usually will increaseanywhere from day two to day

(05:32):
five, and when it does, youmight feel a little warm.
Your breasts may feel sore, andthey will likely be a bit
engorged, feeling like balloonsalmost.
So here's a pro tip.
I want you to feed your baby.
Often in the lactation world, weactually say eight to 12 times

(05:53):
in a 24 hour period is totallynormal, especially for a
newborn.
It keeps milk flowing and ithelps to prevent any clogged
ducts.
So I want you to feed often.
And yes, cluster feeding is areal thing.
I have a live where I talkedabout it in detail.
I'll try to remember to link itbelow.

(06:14):
So please be sure to check thedescription box.
It's not your baby beingdramatic.
Cluster feeding is not likethis.
Oh my goodness, my baby isn'tgetting enough.
No, it's your baby telling yourbody, Hey, let's level up this
milk supply.
So it's actually a good thingalright, So let's talk about the

(06:37):
thing that makes everyonequestion if they're doing it
right.
Is it normal if my nipples hurt?
A little.
Tenderness is normal toe curlingpain.
Not so much.
We don't want that at all.
So here's what a good latchlooks like.
Your baby's mouth should be wideopen.

(06:58):
The lips should be f flanged outlike a fish.
The chin should be deep intoyour breast and you should see
more of the areola on the top,then on the bottom, and here's a
pro tip, bring your baby to you.
Not the other way around.
Line up, tummy to tummy and tiltbaby's head back a bit to get a

(07:21):
deeper latch and please don'tsuffer in silence.
If you need help, I want you tohave a lactation consultant
number on call preferably, butif not, reach out to your
provider so that you can reallyjump in and assess whatever
problems you're having earlyenough so that you don't become

(07:43):
discouraged and discontinuebreastfeeding, which happens
more than you know.
Okay, so let's pivot a minuteand just talk about what to do
if something feels off, andespecially if you don't know if
something is normal.
Here are a few red flags.
First up, baby is feeding, butnot making enough wet or dirty

(08:06):
diapers, that's a red flag.
So if they're, if you're puttingthem to the breast often, but
you're not really getting verymany wet or dirty diapers, then
that is a red flag.
Also, clicking sounds, theyshould not be making sounds or
dimpling cheeks or if they havea very shallow latch so they're

(08:26):
not opening wide.
Those are all things to look forand if you see those, I want you
to engage a professional.
Also cracked bleeding or scab,nipples.
Your nipples may be a littletender in terms of having the
baby feed often at the breast,but they should not be cracked.

(08:47):
They should not be bleeding andthey should not be scabbed.
You should not be in pain whenyou are feeding your baby.
Also, if your baby is too sleepyand not waking up for feeds,
that's also a red flag and youshould be engaging your
provider.
Now, let me slow down and justtalk to you a bit to hopefully

(09:10):
help to keep you going even ifyou start off and things get a
little rough.
Here's the truth.
I wanted to quit breastfeedingvery early on.
I was sore.
I was exhausted and convinced Iwas doing everything wrong.
The only thing that kept megoing.

(09:31):
Was knowing that I wasn'tsupposed to do it alone, and
that getting help wasn'tfailure.
It was smart.
So here's your reminder.
You don't have to wait untilyour baby's born to get ready.
In fact, the best thing that youcan do is to prep now.
That's why you're here.
That's why you're watching thisvideo.

(09:52):
So kudos to you if you want todo a deep dive to prepare for
your birth and your baby rightnow, then I want you to consider
bump to bundle blueprint inside.
We'll talk about labor and birthand breastfeeding that.
Actually makes sense.
It's everything I wish I hadwith my first, and it's designed

(10:15):
just for you.
I want you to take a look in thedescription box so that you can
get started today.
Now, we've talked all aboutbreastfeeding and I hope this
has put your mind to ease interms of whether or not you can
do it.
The answer is yes and how to besuccessful at it, especially in
those first few days.
But if you're like, okay, buthow do I get ready for birth

(10:39):
two.
Don't worry.
I got you mama.
Just watch my how to prep forbirth, like a boss playlist.
It's right here and it's listednext.
It's gonna break down exactlywhat you need to feel confident
in control and ready to walkinto that delivery room like the
boss that you are.
So I want you to start there.

(10:59):
Get empowered and know thatyou've got this mama, and I've
got you.
All right.
I'll see you inside of theplaylist.