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By Betsy Harvey, RN, CMH lactation consultant

Breastfeeding protects babies. The first milk is liquid gold. Colostrum is very rich in nutrients and includes antibodies to protect your baby from infection, colostrum also helps your newborn’s digestive system to grow and function. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your baby’s life.

If you’re planning to breastfeed, there are some things you can do in your last month of pregnancy that may make the process easier. Keep in mind that feeding your baby is a learned skill. It takes patience and practice. For some women, learning to breastfeed can be frustrating and uncomfortable. If your baby is born early or you have certain health conditions, it may seem more difficult. The good news is that it can get easier and support for breastfeeding is available.

Here's how to get ready:

Get your breast pump.
Most health insurance companies cover the cost of breast pumps. Insurers usually require a prescription from your OB-GYN and may cover only certain pump models.

The last month of pregnancy is the time to do your research, make sure you have your prescription and order your breast pump. Most pumps have limited-time warranties, so there’s no reason to use up that time by ordering the pump any earlier.

Choose a lactation counselor.
Hospitals, birth centers and WIC offices have lactation counselors that help moms get off to a good start. Many communities also have peer-based groups like the La Leche League. The month before birth is the time to choose a lactation counselor and to check into health insurance coverage.

Most insurers cover lactation counseling but you need to know who is in your network. Next, identify the counselor you want to work with and find out how to make an appointment.

Talk with your OB-GYN about breastfeeding challenges and ask if you have any health conditions that could make it harder.
If you’ve had challenges with breastfeeding in the past, or if there’s anything you’re worried about, this is the time to discuss it with your OB-GYN.

There also are certain medical conditions that make it more likely that a woman will have difficulty with breastfeeding. Having a history of diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome, for example, increases the risk of having a low milk supply.

Plan for skin-to-skin contact right after delivery.
Holding your baby directly against your bare skin right after birth is called “skin-to-skin contact.” Ask about how this is done where you’ll be giving birth. In CMH, this is done with moms whenever possible. Skin-to-skin contact helps establish the bond between mom and baby. It’s also one of the first signals to your body to start making milk.

Free up time for breastfeeding.
You can free up more time for breastfeeding when your baby is here by doing some household prep in this last month. Stock your freezer with meals now so you don’t have to do a lot of cooking later. If friends and family ask how they can help, suggest they make some freezer meals for you.

Breastfeeding success isn’t defined by how much milk you make.

Betsy Harvey, RN, is a board-certified lactation consultant who works at Columbia Memorial Hospital.