It sounds so easy when others talk about breastfeeding, but is it really that easy and what should be done to make breastfeeding feel comfortable? In this article, we provide tips to increase your chances of successful breastfeeding.

Tips for successful breastfeeding:

• Breastfeed in a calming and relaxed environment
• Be sensitive to your baby’s early signals of when they want to breastfeed
• Have realistic expectations of breastfeeding, it takes time but it usually gets easier, persevere!
• Sleep when the baby sleeps and get help from people around you for other chores
• Have food and drink readily available nearby – breastfeeding requires energy!
• Lower the demands on yourself, breastfeeding is a full-time job
• If possible, try to stretch the thoracic spine and shoulders regularly – an investment to avoid stiffness and sore muscles due to one-sided breastfeeding positions

Remember that even if you feel like you’re doing everything right with breastfeeding, that doesn’t mean it’s going to work. Breastfeeding is highly individual and it is important that you feel well while you breastfeed.