One very important part of preparing for your new little one is preparing to breastfeed. By preparing, you can feel much calmer and in control when the time comes, thus making it a more enjoyable and successful experience. Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to prepare.

Purchase Clothing You Can Breastfeed In 

In order to make breastfeeding easier, you should consider purchasing some clothing that are easy to breastfeed in. Thankfully, there are so many options now for tanks, tee shirts, and hoodies that are nursing-friendly. These tops have hidden slits in them that allow you to breastfeed your baby without ever having to remove any of your clothes.

These tops are so convenient when you are nursing in a public location, such as a restaurant, the park, church, etc. They can also allow you to start nursing your baby much faster, which can reduce a lot of stress for you when you have a hungry baby who wants to nurse right away. 

If you are baby wearing, these tanks can snap down for easy nursing access and make baby wearing and breastfeeding much more possible.

Sometimes being a new mom, it's harder for some to adjust to nursing in public spaces. The fears and concerns are real, and clothing that offers privacy can certainly relieve the anxiety and nerves for mothers just getting used to it. 

Make preparing for breastfeeding easier by packing your hospital bag with nursing friendly tops like this mom in her Cozy Nursing Hoodie.

Bun's Ribbed nursing tanks are stretchy for wearability during pregnancy and well into postpartum, creating coverage and comfort for nursing in public.

Visit With A Lactation Consultant 

Another great way to prepare for breastfeeding is to meet with a lactation consultant or take a lactation class before you give birth. A lactation consultant is a professional breastfeeding specialist who will let you know what to expect in terms of your milk coming in, pumping, helping your baby get the right latch for the first time, showing you how to hold your baby when nursing, and much more. They can also answer all of your questions and put a lot of your worries at ease.

Set this up at the hospital you give birth in because most of the time, a lactation consultant will come visit.  You can start breastfeeding within the first hour of giving birth and it will be essential for you to garner as much support and expertise as possible to be off to the right start. Discuss that this is part of your birth plan to breastfeed. 

Prior to this, you can attend a group breastfeeding class taught by a lactation consultant or you can choose to have a one-on-one consultation. Taking a lactation class before the baby arrives can boost your confidence and give you the much needed knowledge to prepare you for your nursing journey.  If you so desire, you could meet with the lactation consultant again after you've had your baby for even more help hands-on help with nursing your baby.  Many have mommy meet up lactation support groups that are even free to attend. 

It's just not always that easy and doesn't always come naturally for many.  Reaching out can be very empowering and even relieve potential for PPD. 

Talk With Other Breastfeeding Moms 

Some of the best advice that you can get in terms of preparing to breastfeed is from other moms. You can join a mom group in your local area, or even find one online. You could also do something as simple as calling up some of your friends who breastfeed and discussing with them some of your questions and concerns. 

Ask them what they are eating. What is their schedule. How long did it take them to get the hang of everything. 

The support of other moms can also come in handy when your baby arrives and you begin to actually breastfeed because they will be there to encourage you and help you as you begin your breastfeeding journey with your little one.

Keep in mind, everyone has a different experience. Take everything with a grain of salt and use this opportunity to be selective and gather all kinds of information to make your best judgements for what would work best for you. It's okay if someone has less than positive advice to vent to you, but then move on to the next support person that can offer more useful and encouraging words to you.

Purchase The Appropriate Supplies

There are a few different nursing supplies that you can purchase that make nursing more convenient for you and more enjoyable for you and your baby.

• One thing that you may want to consider purchasing is some soothing cream for your nipples. In fact, start now, well before you give birth!  Every time you moisturize your growing belly, do the same to your nipples.
• Well moisturized skin and nipples will save you heartache from pain and dry, cracked nipples.  Use 100% shea butter, natural oil, or lanolin. These creams are safe for your baby and you can easily spread them on your nipples after your baby is done nursing.
• If you have inverted or flat nipples, you may want to consider purchasing a nipple shield, just in case your baby has a hard time latching on. This can help them to get better suction at first and then you can stop using the shield once they have a good latch.
• A nursing pillow is a great thing for you to buy because it puts your baby at the perfect height for nursing. It also allows your arms to rest because they don't have to hold the baby up.  We would say that this is a mama must have!
• Nursing pads. Your breast will leak, so keep these handy.  Be sure you have a bra or sports bra ready as well.  Something without wires is best, to avoid clogged milk ducts and further complications.
• Call your insurance for your breast pump! Do this a month away from the due date.  Your insurance should provide the pump fully covered, but this can depend on your insurance so make this part of your to do list.
• Don't forget those game changing nursing tank tops and hoodies for ultimate ease, convenience, comfort, and style.

Summary

In order to prepare to breastfeed your baby, it is important that you purchase the appropriate clothes for breast feeding, you visit with a lactation consultant to learn more about the process of breastfeeding and what to expect, that you talk with other moms for first hand experience and advice, and that you purchase the appropriate supplies for nursing.

To learn more tips about preparing to nurse your baby, you can visit us here. 

Traveling with a baby is not always easy for a new -- or even an experienced -- mom.

Babies get fussy and cry and newborns get hungry for another feeding often within 2 or 3 hours of take off. Other people...they may not be kind, make faces, or judge you for flying with kids. If you're a nursing mom, you want to be able to nurse at the airport or in-flight, as the need arises (without stares or issues). Even if you bring pumped breast milk in bottles, you need to have a way to keep it cool and have it heated when it's time to feed your baby and sometimes security makes bringing breastmilk on a plane more difficult. 

There are many challenges!

Here's a little welcome news for you. Most airlines recognize that it can often be challenging and there are ways to make air travel a little easier for nursing moms!

Nursing Moms and Airports

Airports around the country and around the world have begun to wake up to the needs of nursing mothers by providing "lactation stations" where a nursing mom traveling with her baby can go to nurse in clean, comfortable surroundings, and a mom traveling on business without her baby can go to pump in privacy and in clean surroundings. Until now, many a nursing mother was relegated to the less than sanitary conditions of a public bathroom to nurse or pump.

Some of the airports that have stepped up for nursing moms include:

• Airports in Chicago have installed what the state's Department of Aviation call "Mother's Rooms" to accommodate nursing mothers.
• Dallas' Love Field added a room for nursing mothers directly across from a play area for kids when they revamped the airport in October of 2014.
• In December of 2014, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport added pre-security nursing stations in each of their terminals. Each of them contain a sink and a baby changing station along with comfortable seating and an electrical outlet for powering a breast pump.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport led the field in providing nursing rooms several years ago, but in 2015, they improved upon their initial efforts with the opening of two lactation stations in Terminal 1-Lindbergh designed for mothers to express milk before boarding their flights. The new rooms have a deep sink for cleaning pumping equipment and bottles, conveniently located electrical outlets, soft lighting, artwork, a baby changing stationery and comfortable seating. There are also some considerate extras such as a USB charging station, hooks for hanging coats and bags, and even a full-length mirror so you can check to make sure you're put back together before departing.

Of course, not all airports have taken steps to accommodate nursing moms -- yet. However, the tide is turning and turning fast, so it's only a matter of time before they bow to public pressure.

Breast Milk on the Plane

Most airlines say that although they can't refrigerate bottles of breast milk, they will gladly provide ice to keep it cold while in flight to your destination. Simply pack your bottles in a small insulated bag and ask the flight attendant for ice.  YETI makes pretty awesome insulated bags that work wonders for this purpose. Invest in a high quality product so you don't have to worry about melting ice or temps of your milk going down. Learn here temps on how to store your breast milk.

Some airlines will heat a bottle at your request, while others won't. It's best to ask the airline about its policy when booking your flight.

If you need to pump during your flight and want privacy, the only option is the restroom. Give the flight attendant a heads-up before you head to the restroom so he/she won't be concerned if you're in there for a while.

In-Flight Nursing with Chic Nursing Wear Choices

In general, most airlines today neither prohibit nor discourage breastfeeding during their flights, but in an effort to please all passengers (some of whom may object to the "exposure"), they suggest that you cover up as much as possible while nursing. Now, we've experienced that lots of baby's do not like being covered.  Also, the nursing apron style covers can hamper baby's airflow. You can, however, breastfeed discreetly with clothing that's designed for nursing that allows baby access to your breast without exposing too much to fellow passengers. Designed nursing wear is also great because you don't have to lift your shirt up and expose your tummy to chilly airplane air-conditioning. 

With that said, nursing wear has gone far over the years and is a great must have for the traveling mom. You can literally look super chic and comfortable while wearing a nursing tee shirt or nursing hoodie that has a "non anekantsquick, non nursing" style. There are wrap cardigans that act as perfect cover ups and easy tank tops that offer quick breast access and make breastfeeding where ever, like on a plane, easier. 

A few investment pieces, especially if you are a nursing mom on a plane or in an airport, will serve you well. anekantsquick has ideal stylish breastfeeding clothes for moms that nurse on demand and especially when on the go go go!

It's sad that any nursing mom should have to feel the need to cover up because some people are "squeamish" or plain ignorant about catching a glimpse of her (gasp!) breast, and in the end, the decision to cover up or not to cover up is yours alone. That said, ultimately choose what makes you and your little one feel best.

Tips for Making In-Flight Nursing More (Physically) Comfortable

Nursing on an airplane is not ideal in terms of comfort. Space is often cramped, there are loud announcements, and you've usually got someone sitting next to you whom you'd like to avoid bumping or disturbing (unless it's a family member). Given these facts, here are a few tips to make your flight more comfortable for you and your baby:

• Bring along a Boppy nursing pillow to help support your baby, or use your neck pillow if it is sturdy enough.
• Try baby wearing in a ring sling for breastfeeding and sleeping. This allows you to fall asleep yourself without worrying about your baby falling out of your arms. Here's tips on breastfeeding while babywearing.
• Dress comfortably. Aside from wearing a great nursing top, make the rest of your outfit as comfortable as possible. Sweat pants or yoga pants, sneakers, etc. are best for maximum comfort, especially on long or trans-ocean flights. Bun has the cutest nursing hoodies and tops that pair well with joggers and yoga pants for those longer flights.

With a little forethought, you'll find that traveling and nursing needn't be at odds with one another. Airlines are becoming more amenable to the needs of nursing mothers, as are airports -- all good news for nursing moms and their breast-fed babies!

Keep traveling and keep going mama! You're doing great!

Items we mention are pure love and non sponsored.

Shop stylish and convenient nursing tanks here.