As a new mother approaches the end of her pregnancy there are many things that cross her mind. The nesting instinct starts to kick in and the mother worries about preparing for her baby, arranging the clothes and gifts that caring friends have bought and passed down, purchasing the crib, or stroller, or bouncy chair. The question that inevitably comes to mind is whether or not to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to comfort and feed your baby. Babies crave physical contact and it makes them feel more secure and warmed. But besides being a lifestyle choice it is also an important health choice. The milk that a mother produces for her baby is filled with antibodies that help protect the baby from germs, illness, and even SIDS.http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/benefits/

The available infant formula that one can find on the market today does not come close to matching the exact chemical makeup of human milk, especially when looking at the cells, hormones, and antibodies that fight disease. Babies that are breastfed take advantage of the wonderful things in their mother's milk and have a lower risk of dealing with certain health problems including ear infections, asthma, obesity, stomach viruses, diarrhea, and diabetes. The women who breastfeed also have several advantages. Studies have shown that these women have a lower risk for type II diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression.http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/benefits/

There are also great savings when you breastfeed as well in both time and money. You can satisfy your babies hunger in the time it takes to find a private place or a comfortable position. There are no nipples and bottles to sterilize, and no formula to warm. By not depending on formula as the main source of the baby's nutrition, the breast feeding mother can save between $1,160 and $3,915 per year. Another benefit is that you always have the baby's food with you, there is no running out at inconvenient times, and no late night formula runs to the store.http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/benefits/

"While breastfeeding is cited as the best way to feed your baby, there are many misconceptions about this special relationship between infant and mother". Even though breast feeding is natural, it is not just instinctively known. It is a learned skill that both mother and baby must learn. Breastfeeding takes practice and both mother and baby have to adjust to the learning process.http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/setting_yourself_up.html

Regardless of the factors that contribute to the mothers choice of how to nourish her baby, once the decision is made to breastfeed the next question that arises is how to go about getting ready to breastfeed and how to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding.

There is a common misconception that the nipples need to be "toughened up" in preparation for breastfeeding. You do however, need to prepare to breastfeed. As the body readies it's self to give birth you should notice some small pimple-like protrusions around the areola, the darker area around the nipple. These are called Montgomery's glands. These glands secrete oil that fights bacteria, lubricates and softens the skin, and adjusts the pH balance of the area around the nipple. Nature has made everything that you need to breastfeed so avoid washing the nipples with soap, as it removes this beneficial oil and may dry the tissue, causing it to crack — a daily rinsing with warm water is all that's necessary. Scrubbing the nipples as once advised, "to toughen them up", but it may cause pain for the mother during breastfeeding. The baby can sense this and this bonding experience may become an uncomfortable situation for both mother and baby. A small amount of soreness in the nipples may occur as you and baby become adjusted to each other, but your nipples will adjust as they need to.http://www.babycenter.com/404_should-i-try-to-toughen-up-my-nipples-for-breastfeeding_2601.bc

Remember, the amount of milk made by your breast does not depend on the size of your breast or its shape. Rather, the amount of milk made depends on how often your baby nurses and how effectively the milk is removed from the breast. The more often the baby is nursed, the more he stimulates the production of milk.

For breastfeeding the only equipment you really need are you, the baby, and good food to help you keep your milk production up. However there are certain things that make breastfeeding a little more comfortable for both you and baby.

• Nursing Bras: Nursing Bras are specially built bras that have a latch at the top of the cup that allows the cup to be opened for easier access. There are many different types of bras that range from very decorative to utilitarian. Some have underwires and some do not. Some breast feeding specialists recommend against underwires as they may constrict the milk ducts which may cause flow problems and mastitis. Do not purchase nursing bras until you have established a milk supply. The size and shape of your breasts will change dramatically until you settle into a breastfeeding pattern. Bras that are bought easy on may seem to big after the milk production is established. Buy bras that are comfortable and made of good quality that will withstand many washings.

• Breast pads: Sometimes with a baby cries or starts to nuzzle the mother, the mom will automatically let down her milk and start to leak. Breast pads that are slipped into nursing bras will help to alleviate the embarrassing wet spots that may appear on a blouse or shirt. These may be found in any grocery store baby section or a specialty shop.

• Nursing pillow: Although not a necessity there are several available nursing pills that help support the baby, put the baby in the correct nursing position, and allow you to relax and enjoy the nursing experience. These may be found on line but the best place to purchase may be a baby specialty store where you can actually touch and feel the pillow to see if it is right for you.

If you are planning to pump your milk for your baby there is more equipment you might need. This is handy for the mother that may be going back to work but still wants her baby to benefit from her milk. It may also allow the baby's father to participate in feeding once in a while and encourage his bonding experience with the baby.

• ■ Breast Pump: This is needed if you do not want to express your milk by hand. They come in many different models and can be either manual or electric.
• ■ 2-4 feeding bottles to store the expressed milk
• ■ Sterilizing equipment for the pump, bottles and teats: This can be a pan with hot water or and run through a rinse cycle with the dishwater on the hottest setting.
• ■ Brush for cleaning the bottles and teats: These usually have two different sized scrub brushes on each end, one for the bottle and one for the nipple. They are very handy to have.
• ■ Soap to clean the bottles and nipples
• ■ Bibs
• ■ Bottle warmer
• ■ Storage bags, if you are going to freeze your milkhttp://www.mothersbliss.com/life/breastequip.asp

Women may notice that as their pregnancy progresses, the nipples and the darkened area around the nipple called the aerola, will become larger and darker. This is thought to perhaps help in guiding your baby to the nipple. Each nipple will have 15 to 20 openings that allow the milk to flow through. As the baby nurses the action of the tongue and jaw creates a suction that allows the milk to flow down and out to the baby. The sucking of the baby stimulates the nerve endings in the nipple. This in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to release the hormones prolactin and oxytocin which cause the milk to be made and enable the let down of the milk to occur. When the baby latches on it will take the entire aerola and the nipple into its mouth so that the teat will reach all the way to the back of the baby's throat. The baby's tongue will completely cover the gums and teeth and protect the breast while the baby nurses. A woman will feel different things when the milk starts to flow. She may feel a sudden thirst, a tingling sensation, and/or milk may leak from the opposite breast.http://www.babies.sutterhealth.org/breastfeeding/bf_production.html

Flat or inverted nipples don't spell breastfeeding failure — it's just that your nipples are of a different shape. A nipple is only a truly flat nipple if it does Not become erect when stimulated or when cold.http://www.007b.com/breast_anatomy.phphttp://www.babycenter.com/404_should-i-try-to-toughen-up-my-nipples-for-breastfeeding_2601.bc

Prolonged soreness or pain during breastfeeding is not normal and needs to be addressed by your doctor or a lactation expert as quickly as possible to resolve the issue. Most soreness is caused by improper latching on of of the baby. Do not be afraid to ask advice and tips from other mothers that breastfeed. Most women will not be offended and are glad to help. Your local La Leche League is also a good place to start for information and help. The nurses at the hospital when your baby is first born are often also helpful but do not allow them to interfere with your breastfeeding or give your baby formula unless it is medically advised.