Logo - The Possums baby and toddler sleep program.

the possums
sleep program

find essentialsbrowse the programabout the programspeak to dr pamaudiologin / sign up

search for articles

  • preparing before birth
  • when you're pregnant and preparing

Pregnant and preparing to breastfeed: a guide to the Possums resources

Dr Pamela Douglas28th of Sep 202413th of May 2025

x

Being ready - or as ready as you can ever be

"... Moving through a land of wonders wild and new." Introduction, Alice in Wonderland

"The journey to motherhood is an odyssey of epic proportions, and every woman who undertakes it a hero." Susan Maushart, The mask of motherhood 1997

There are some things you can't ever truly prepare for in life. Breastfeeding is one of them.

It's difficult when you're pregnant to think much beyond the birth, which is normal. But it's good to have effective help ready, by your side or at your fingertips or on your device, if you find that life has suddenly dropped you into the middle of … OMG, having a baby who needs to be fed and things aren't going smoothly!

Just the materials in the mini-program called When Baby Comes Home will be enough to prepare you for breastfeeding. It starts here.

Other resources which help you prepare for breastfeeding

Here are links some other Possums Breastfeeding & Lactation resources which help prepare for breastfeeding.

Being ready for a busy mind and discombobulating body shape changes

Does it help to express colostrum before the birth and when would you use it?

When you've had breast surgery or nipple piercings

Do you have an inverted nipple?

Prepare to be physically comfortable when you're first breastfeeding

What are the best kind of breastfeeding chair and cushions? When you're worried your nipples might be 'flat'

The size of your breasts doesn't predict how much milk you'll make

Why giving women lists of feeding cues can make breastfeeding go worse not better

How to help your breasts make plenty of milk

x

Finished

share this article

Next up in when you're pregnant and preparing

Be ready for discombobulating body changes and a busy mind

x

Relate to the lived-in, hardworking female body (including your own) with profound tenderness and respect

This is a time of such tumultuous physical (and psychological) change - growing a baby, birthing a baby, feeding a baby from your breasts!

Humans have distinctive anatomic features, given to us by stable genetic codes crafted through millions of years of evolutionary history, created first by our ancestral vertebrates, then the primates.

Yet within the contraints of the basic human form, we are amazingly anatomically variable. Our bodies and breasts as women are incredibly diverse. You can find out more here.

Are you able to practice celebrating the shape of your own unique and precious body? Can you cultivate a deep reverence and tenderness towards her, towards her imperfections, scars, and unique shape or sculpting, as she does her powerful, life-giving, transformative work?

Many of us have learnt to...

more articles in when you're pregnant and preparing

  • 4

    minute
    read

    Be ready for discombobulating body changes and a busy mind
  • 2

    minute
    read

    Giving birth: what can I do to be ready? Dr Sarah Buckley, Karen McClay (Calmbirth) 2020 Baby May 2021
  • 1

    minute
    read

    Support for breastfeeding, baby sleep and attachment. Karen McClay Australia, The Calmbirth Conversation 2021
  • 10

    minute
    read

    Things parents need (or don't need) to buy when they are expecting or have a baby. Dr Pamela Douglas May 2022
View full article list
Possum sleep program logo

the possums
baby & toddler
sleep program

about the programfind essentialsspeak to dr pamaudiocode of ethicsterms & conditionsprivacy policyFAQs / help
Dr Pam logo

© Dr Pamela Douglas 2025

visit drpam.baby for more programs