by Rhianna Suttie-Gunson

Created on: October 30, 2008   Last Updated: April 05, 2010

Ultimately breastfeeding is a skill. One that mother and child will learn together in the first few weeks of the baby's life. For some it is natural and just seems to happen, and for some it feels like a battle. Unlike our animal counterparts human babies don't always just latch on, they often need assistance and support. However a well prepared and confident mother can be breastfeeding with ease and comfort in no time at all.

Here are a few tips that first time feeders may not have thought about

* Breastfeeding actually hurts.
At least for the first few days, possibly even weeks. This is one of the best kept secrets that few professionals ever admit to. After all, with the developments in formula and the convenience of bottles who needs any discouragement to breastfeed? Many a feeding mother will testify though that even if your child is properly attached and all is as it should be the initial sessions can bring great pain.

Which when you think about it is not all that surprising. Nipples are one of the most sensitive areas on some women's bodies and all of a sudden they are engulfed by sucking lips what seems like all day every day.

If you haven't already been introduced to lanolin or an equivalent nipple care cream, rush out and buy a tube now. Your nipples are about to undergo some serious sucking action. Not only that if the baby has difficulty attaching properly it can cause damage and even more pain. Lanolin is a great natural product to prevent and treat the cracked, dried nipples that torcher many breastfeeding women.

* Your breasts are going to grow big and get really heavy. They will also get rock hard at times and ache like nothing you have ever felt before.
Make sure you purchase comfortable and well fitted maternity bras. Perhaps even treat yourself to a professional fitting session to ensure you are getting the most out of your bra. The right bra is one of a breastfeeding mother's best friends. The others being the aforementioned lanolin cream and the super comfy tops that allow easy access for junior without exposing your breast to all present.

Of course babies are not always predictable and chances are you will need to breastfeed in public on more than one occasion. Not exactly the most relaxing scenarios, but thankfully breastfeeding is widely acknowledge as the preferred method of diet for at last the first six months of life, and rarely is the breastfeeding mother noticed these days. However pulling you neck line down rather than lifting you

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