It sounds so easy when others talk about breastfeeding, but is it really that easy and what should you do to make it comfortable? In this article, midwife Sara Dellner shares her top 7 breastfeeding tips to increase your chances of successful breastfeeding.

Should you breastfeed or bottle-feed? It's a question many pregnant women are asked at the end of their pregnancy. It may sound so easy, but not everyone has a choice. Breastfeeding can be difficult and challenging for many, and it can also be mentally tough. Especially if you went in with a vision of breastfeeding only to discover that it wasn't as easy as you thought. If you have decided to breastfeed, it can therefore be good to go into it with lowered expectations of yourself so as not to be disappointed if it just doesn't work out. But if you want to give it a go, we'll give you a few useful breastfeeding tips along the way.

Breastfeeding tips

• Breastfeeding in a relaxed and harmonious environment
• Listen to your baby's early signals of when they want to breastfeed
• Have realistic expectations about breastfeeding, it takes time but it usually gets easier, hang in there!
• Sleep when the baby sleeps and get help from people around you for other chores
• Keep food and drink close by - breastfeeding requires energy!
• Lower the demands on yourself, breastfeeding is a full-time job
• If possible, try to stretch your chest and shoulders regularly - an investment to avoid stiffness and sore muscles from one-sided breastfeeding positions

Remember - if you try it and still feel like it's not working, let it go! We can only do our best and being a mom is challenging as it is.

Read more about breastfeeding HERE.