Five Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

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Breastfeeding can come with a learning curve for new mothers and their infants. Many mothers encounter challenges that make breastfeeding more difficult without proper support and preparation. To help new moms get ready to breastfeed and have success, Debbie Hutchison, RN, IBCLC, a Registered Nurse Lactation Consultant at St. Elizabeth, offers some advice and support.

Key Takeaways

• Breastfeeding can take practice, and many new parents benefit from education, reassurance and hands-on support.
• Taking a breastfeeding class before delivery can help you understand the importance of good latch, feeding cues, sore nipple prevention and signs to watch for to confirm baby is taking plenty of breast milk and growing well.
• Short-term goals such as providing colostrum or breastfeeding until returning to work or daycare can make the experience feel more manageable.
• St. Elizabeth certified lactation consultants support families with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, donor milk or combination feeding.
• Parents can call a St. Elizabeth lactation consultant at (859) 301-2631 for breastfeeding support.

1. Educate Yourself

Debbie suggests pregnant women take advantage of local breastfeeding classes taught by certified lactation consultants (IBCLC). St. Elizabeth offers a free online breastfeeding class as part of its childbirth class. The class is convenient and gives you the chance to ask questions and address concerns on a variety of lactation issues. You can also review breastfeeding resources at St. Elizabeth for additional support before and after delivery. In addition, take advantage of reliable online resources, such as La Leche League and the Infant Risk Center.

2. Get Support

“Before the baby is born, share your desire to breastfeed with family and friends, especially the ones who have enjoyed breastfeeding or were successfully breastfed themselves,” recommends Debbie. This builds an established network of supporters that can share tips to build confidence and encourage you along the way.  Be aware of differences in culture and changes in parenting philosophy from generation to generation.

3. Go One Day at a Time

“Set simple breastfeeding goals, such as giving colostrum for your baby’s immune system, or breastfeeding until your baby goes to daycare,” Debbie advises. “Short-term goals often lead to long-term success and bonding that lasts a lifetime.” It is important to remember that any amount of breastfeeding can provide meaningful benefits for you and your baby and can offer unmatched health benefits. Remember these helpful tips for your breastfeeding sessions:

• Utilize a small table beside your favorite chair to help hold your phone, remote, water bottle or your favorite book. This way when your baby gives you feeding cues, you can quickly get settled.
• Remember that babies often latch easily when they are just waking up.
• Babies typically need diaper changes after a feed, so an easy way to track feeds and output is by stacking 10 diapers at the beginning of the day. In the evening you can recall the diaper count without having to make a notation on paper or your phone. Typically, infants have four stools daily by day four of life until they are one month of age, which is one indicator that your infant is nursing well. Frequent infant weight checks are the best indicator that babies are breastfeeding well and are reassuring as infants go through growth spurts.

4. Take Care of Yourself

It may take a few weeks for you to find your groove. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself during this time frame. Here are a few self-care goals to keep in mind:

• Taking a nap when your baby sleeps.
• Eating when you are hungry.
• Taking a multivitamin as prescribed by your physician. Discuss medications and supplements with your physician to ensure they are compatible with breastfeeding.
• Staying well hydrated. (Always keep a cup of water close by.)

Remember that while a healthy diet is important for general health, you do not need to adopt a specific diet for breastfeeding. “Your body will make the perfect breastmilk even if you do not eat a wide variety of foods,” says Debbie.

5. Rely on Your Lactation Consultant

While lactation consultants teach breastfeeding classes and provide education in the hospitals, clinics and private practices, their job extends far beyond the classroom. “At St. Elizabeth, we spend time with mothers to help teach them how to be successful. Breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to call a lactation consultant for help with latch concerns, feeding questions and breastfeeding observations,” explains Debbie. St. Elizabeth Lactation Outpatient Services include free infant weight checks daily from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., including weekends and holidays. St. Elizabeth offers free breastfeeding consultations on the phone and in person by appointment to those who deliver at St. Elizabeth and those who deliver elsewhere.

To learn more about breastfeeding support, pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care at St. Elizabeth, explore our breastfeeding resources and maternity care page on our website.

Medically reviewed by Debbie Hutchison, RN, IBCLC, on 7/23/2026.