Preparing for Breastfeeding Before Baby Arrives

Written by RJ

Baby is on the way, and you’re likely feeling a little bit overwhelmed. Your to-do list is probably long, your hospital bag is half-packed, and your nursery is coming together nicely. But have you thought about preparing for breastfeeding yet?

The good news is that you don't have to wait until baby arrives to start getting ready. There's actually quite a lot you can do during pregnancy to feel more informed, more confident, and more equipped for those early days of newborn feeding. And we're here to help!

What Does Your Body Do During Pregnancy to Prepare for Breastfeeding?

Your body is already doing a lot of the work for you. From around the middle of your pregnancy, your breasts begin producing colostrum, often called "liquid gold." This first milk is incredibly nutrient-rich and perfectly designed for your newborn's tiny tummy. You may even notice a little leaking from your nipples during late pregnancy; this is completely normal and a great sign that your body is getting ready (though if there isn’t, there’s nothing unusual about this, so don’t worry!).

Should You Try Antenatal Expressing?

Antenatal expressing (or antenatal hand expression) is the practice of collecting colostrum during late pregnancy to have a small supply ready for after birth. It's not something every mum needs to do, but it can be particularly helpful in certain situations, such as if you have gestational diabetes, if your baby has been diagnosed with a cleft lip or palate, or simply if you'd like the peace of mind of having a little colostrum stash ready to go.

Please note: Always speak to your midwife or LMC before attempting antenatal expressing, as nipple stimulation can carry a risk of early labour. If your healthcare provider gives you the go-ahead, the Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collector is a wonderful tool to have on hand. Unlike traditional single-use plastic syringes, it's made from 100% medical-grade silicone and can collect, store, and feed all from the same container. Simply squeeze the soft silicone body to suction colostrum droplets straight from your nipple, then label and pop it in the fridge or freezer. Alternatively, you can remove the nib entirely and express directly into the collector body before labelling and storing – whichever works for you. When baby arrives, you can feed directly from the same collector; no fussing with transfers.

Get Familiar With the Basics of Breastfeeding

One of the most valuable things you can do before your baby is born is learn a little about how breastfeeding works. Things like how milk supply is established, what a good baby latch looks and feels like, and why responsive feeding matters are all worth understanding before you're in the thick of it.

Antenatal classes are a great starting point, and many hospitals and midwives offer dedicated breastfeeding education sessions. There are also fantastic online communities, lactation consultants you can connect with ahead of time, and reputable resources to help build your knowledge.

It can be really helpful for a lot of mums to know that breastfeeding is a learned skill for both mum and baby, so you don’t have to be an expert from day one (and this is true even for people on their second or subsequent baby!).

Think About Which Products You Might Need

You don't need to kit yourself out with every breastfeeding product on the market, but having a few well-chosen essentials ready before baby arrives can make the early weeks much smoother. Here are some to consider:

A silicone breast pump: The iconic Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump is one of those products that seems to make its way into almost every breastfeeding mum's toolkit. Its simple, one-piece design means there are no cords, no batteries, and no fiddly parts to lose. Just give it a gentle squeeze, attach it to your breast, and let it do its thing while you feed baby on the other side. It's an easy, low-key way to save milk that would otherwise be lost to a breast pad.

A nursing bra: This is something many mums forget to think about until they really need one! A well-fitted, comfortable nursing bra will make breastfeeding sessions (and life in general) a whole lot easier in those early days.

Nipple care: Nipple soreness is something many mums experience, especially in the early days while you and baby are both finding your rhythm. Having some nipple balm or cream on hand (ideally one that's safe for baby, so you don't need to wipe it off before a feed) is a simple thing that can make a real difference. Haakaa’s Nipple Cream is made from 100% lanolin that’s been ultra-refined, so it’s pure and safe on your skin, as well as being safe for baby! Even better, you can start using it while you’re pregnant – simply pop a pea-sized amount of the lanolin onto your nipple twice a day, rub it in, and continue on as usual!

Milk storage: If you plan to express at any point, having a breastmilk storage solution sorted in advance is a smart move. Whether that's reusable silicone storage bags such as our Milk Storage Bags (also available in the adorable Happii Bear variety!), or a dedicated freezer stash container in the form of an Easy-Freeze Tray, a little forward planning goes a long way.

Build Your Support Network

This one often gets overlooked, but it might be the most important preparation of all. Think about who in your life can support you with breastfeeding, whether that's a partner, parent, friend who has breastfed before, or a lactation consultant you can call on when questions come up (and they will!). Having someone in your corner, day or night, makes an enormous difference.

It's also worth finding out what breastfeeding support services are available in your area before baby arrives, so you're not scrambling to find them at 2am when you need them most.

You Don't Have to Have it All Figured Out

Here's the most important thing to remember: breastfeeding preparation during pregnancy is about building confidence and knowledge, not achieving perfection. Every mum's journey looks different, and whatever yours ends up looking like, the effort you put in now will serve you well.

We're always here to help. Browse our full range of breastfeeding products to find what might work for you, and don't hesitate to reach out to our team or your midwife with any questions.

You've got this!