Preparing for Your Feeding Journey Before Your Baby Arrives
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring plenty of questions about how you will feed your baby. Taking time to prepare before birth can help you feel informed, confident and ready for the early days of parenthood.
At The Little Latch Company, we provide personalised antenatal feeding support to help you understand your options and prepare for your baby’s arrival. Our experienced team of midwives, lactation consultants and infant feeding specialists offer evidence-based guidance, practical advice and reassurance, helping you feel empowered to make informed choices that are right for your family.
As IBCLCs, we can provide support for any situation, from everyday concerns to the most complex feeding challenges.
Whether you are planning to breastfeed, bottle feed, express or combine feeding methods, we are here to support you without judgement.
Why Prepare Before Your Baby Arrives?
While feeding is natural, it is also a learned skill for both you and your baby. Understanding what to expect before birth can help reduce uncertainty and build confidence during those first few weeks.
Our antenatal consultations provide practical information and realistic expectations, so you feel better prepared for your feeding journey. We focus on what matters most to you, answering your questions and helping you develop a feeding plan that reflects your individual circumstances and preferences.
Every family’s journey is different, and our goal is to help you feel supported, informed and ready for whatever lies ahead.
What We’ll Cover During Your Appointment
Our personalised antenatal feeding appointments can include:
- Understanding how breastfeeding works
- Preparing for the first feed after birth
- Recognising feeding cues and responsive feeding
- Positioning and attachment techniques
- Hand expressing colostrum during pregnancy, where appropriate
- Expressing and storing breast milk
- Bottle feeding safely and responsively
- Combination feeding options
- Common feeding challenges and how to manage them
- Building confidence and knowing where to access support after birth
Every consultation is tailored to your needs, ensuring you receive advice that is relevant to you and your baby.
Colostrum Harvesting During Pregnancy
For some parents, expressing colostrum before birth can be beneficial, particularly where there may be medical reasons why additional milk could be helpful in the first few days after delivery.
If appropriate for your pregnancy, we can provide guidance on:
- When to begin expressing
- Safe hand expressing techniques
- Collecting and storing colostrum
- Transporting stored colostrum to your birth setting
- When antenatal expressing may not be recommended
We will always discuss whether antenatal colostrum harvesting is suitable for your individual circumstances before making any recommendations.
Preparing for the Early Days
The first days with a newborn can feel overwhelming, especially if feeding doesn’t go exactly as expected.
During your appointment we’ll discuss what is normal in the early days, including:
- Your baby’s feeding behaviour after birth
- How milk production changes
- Recognising signs that feeding is going well
- Understanding newborn weight changes
- When to seek additional support
- Looking after your own wellbeing while feeding your baby
Having realistic expectations can help you approach feeding with greater confidence and reduce unnecessary worry.
Why Parents Choose The Little Latch Company
Trusted Support Before Your Baby Arrives
- Qualified Midwives & Lactation Specialists
- Evidence-Based Antenatal Feeding Advice
- Personalised One-to-One Consultations
- Breastfeeding, Bottle Feeding & Mixed Feeding Support
- Colostrum Harvesting Guidance
- Practical Preparation for Life with a Newborn
- Compassionate, Non-Judgemental Care
What Our Clients Say
As first time parents they didn’t make you feel stupid for not knowing everything. They made us feel more informed. I also like the fact that if you chose not to have the division you would be part refunded- something not alot of places offer. Thanks Ladies!
Their knowledge in the field of babies, lactation, and feeding is truly exceptional. Every piece of advice they gave was thoughtful, evidence-based, and tailored specifically to my son’s needs. They didn’t just resolve the immediate issue — they also guided me through feeding support and even recommended other procedures he might benefit from, which showed how deeply they care about long-term wellbeing rather than quick fixes.
Most importantly, they have such a calming presence. Whenever I felt worried or unsure, they reassured me with kindness and confidence, and that emotional support meant the world during a stressful time. Their gentle approach with my son was beautiful to witness, and it was clear they treat every baby as if they were their own.
Their service is absolutely worth every penny we spent, and I am beyond grateful for everything they’ve done for our family. If you’re considering support for your baby, you truly could not be in better hands.
They booked us in within 24 hours which was great, they also came out to us in our own home. This made us and baby really comfortable. They brought all their equipment with them to carry out all the checks.
They were also very particular with hygiene and infection control. They washed their hands and used gloves, all equipment was sterlisied.
Would definitely recommend them to everyone!
Thank you for your knowledgeable support at short notice. I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to continue exclusively breastfeeding our baby and enjoy the unique special bond with our baby girl that this brings.
From the outset, she demonstrated exceptional clinical expertise and empathy. Her thorough assessment of our baby’s feeding difficulties and clear explanation of tongue-tie and its implications were both reassuring and informative. She created a calm and supportive environment, allowing us to feel confident in the decision-making process.
The frenulotomy procedure was carried out with professionalism and sensitivity. They ensured we were fully informed about the procedure, its risks and benefits, and post-procedure care. Her gentle approach and attention were deeply appreciated.
Paula was always very approachable and we were grateful for the positive impact this had on both our baby’s wellbeing and our overall feeding experience.
We felt fortunate to have had Paula as part of the team that provided us with such high-quality, person-centred care.
Resources & Advice
How Do I Know If My Baby Has a Tongue-Tie?
If you are struggling with feeding your baby, you may have started to wonder: “Could my baby have a tongue-tie?” Tongue-tie is something many new parents hear about, particularly if
How Should I Prepare for Feeding My Baby During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can feel like one long list of things to prepare! You choose a car seat, wash tiny clothes, pack your hospital bag and perhaps spend hours wondering which pram
Why Won’t My Baby Latch? Understanding Breastfeeding Difficulties in the Early Days
One of the most upsetting experiences for a new mother can be holding your newborn close, wanting to breastfeed, and finding that your baby just won't latch. You may be