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LEARNING & PLANNING TO BREASTFEED

Learn the steps you can take to prepare for your pregnancy and breastfeeding journey!

  • Create a birth plan and communicate your plans to breastfeed with your doctor

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  • ​Get prenatal care as early in your pregnancy as possible​​

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  • Talk to your doctor about your health and any medications or supplements you're taking

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  • Ask your doctor to recommend a lactation consultant​

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  • Take a breastfeeding class ​

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  • Get breastfeeding education/support from your BWPC doula!

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  • Talk to your doctor about Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) and if your family planning/birth control choice will impact your milk supply

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During pregnancy we encourage you to write a birth plan. BWPC developed a birth plan to use as an example. Check out BWPC's Birth Plan here at bit.ly/BWPCbirthplan

Create a Birth Plan: 

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Learn about BWPC's Birth Plan Framework

Black and white infographic titled "Your patient - Black Birthing Persons" with a Black pregnant woman smiling with her child and additional text
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Consider adding the following language in your birth plan for an easier start with breastfeeding.

  • "I  would like skin-to-skin right away after giving birth"

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  • "I would like to breastfeed right after birth and receive support from a certified lactation consultant"

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  • "Please do not to give my baby pacifiers, sugar water, or formula, unless it is medically necessary"

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  • "I would like to room-in with my baby after birth so I can breastfeed often"

During pregnancy your provider will recommend screenings for birth defects and genetic syndromes and for some serious infections. Watch the BLACK Doula Consortium recording with Dr. Valencia Walker to learn about screenings during and after pregnancy. 

Important screenings during pregnancy:

After you give birth:

Steps you can take to get your breastfeeding experience off to a good start:

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  • Cuddle with your baby skin-to-skin right away after giving birth if you are both healthy.

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  • Breastfeed as soon as possible after giving birth.

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  • Ask the hospital staff not to give your baby pacifiers, sugar water, or formula, unless it is medically necessary.

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  • Let your baby stay in your hospital room all day and night so that you can breastfeed often.

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  • Ask for a lactation consultant to help you.

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  • Try not to give your baby any pacifiers or artificial nipples until he or she is good at latching on to your breast (usually around 3 to 4 weeks old).

Get to know your baby's hunger cues: 

Babies are born with the ability to communicate. They use cues to show parents what they need. When your baby is hungry, they may:

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  • Keep their hands near their mouth

  • Bend their arms and legs

  • Make sucking noises

  • Pucker their lips

  • Search for the nipple 

Black woman breastfeeding her baby

Learn About Breastfeeding Positions

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