How to prepare for breastfeeding for the first time

Breastfeeding can be learned and you're not alone

Breastfeeding is an age-old practice, but for many women, it is also a first experience filled with doubts, questions, and sometimes apprehension. And that's normal. Like everything else related to motherhood, breastfeeding cannot always be improvised, but it can be prepared for, gently, at your own pace, with nursing clothes Designed for everyday use. At 23 Mai Paris, we're here to guide you through this adventure with kindness, so you feel ready, informed, and above all, supported.

1. Get informed to make the first few days easier

Even before baby arrives, it's a good idea to do your homework. Not to follow strict rules, but to understand how breastfeeding works, your baby's needs, possible positions and the first reflexes to adopt.

Useful resources:

Specialized books ("L'Art de l'Allaitement Maternel", "Le guide de l'allaitement" by La Leche League...)
Podcasts, videos or articles from caring blogs
Prenatal workshops or meetings with a lactation consultant (face-to-face or online)

Tip 23MayParis: Involve your partner in the preparations! He or she will be able to better support you from the very beginning.

Book on breastfeeding by Dr. Marie Thirion

2. Prepare your body (and mind)

Breastfeeding is largely based on hormonal balance and response to baby's touch. There's no need to "harden" your breasts or massage them relentlessly! On the other hand, you can :

Body:

Wear a soft, non-wired bra
Moisturize your breasts regularly with a natural cream or mild oil
Use breast pads to prevent leaks.

Mental side:

Remember that beginnings can be imperfect, and that's OK.
Identify resource people in advance: midwife, lactation consultant, friend who's already a mother...
Visualize this moment as a progressive encounter, not a performance

3. Equip yourself to make the experience easier

You don't need to buy everything in advance, but a few essentials can really make a difference.

Essential items to bring:

A nursing pillow: ideal for relieving back strain and positioning baby correctly
Suitable nursing bras (tip: choose an extra size from the 8th month onwards)
Disposable or washable pads + cream for sensitive nipples
From nursing dresses or easy-access outfits, designed for simple everyday breastfeeding.
Possibly a breast-pump, manual or electric (depending on your project)

Bonus 23 Mai Paris Our nursing wear is designed so you don't have to choose between comfort, practicality, and style.

4. The first days: patience, trust and gentleness

The first feeds can be surprising. Baby needs to learn, and so do you. The rushes of milk, the positions, the possible pain... it's all normal. You can :

Ask for help right from the maternity ward: midwives can help you position your baby correctly
Change position if a feed is painful
Surround yourself with kindness and avoid comparisons

And above all: if things don't go as you imagined, you haven't missed anything. You're learning, and so is your baby.

In conclusion: your way of breastfeeding will be the right way

There is no universal recipe. Breastfeeding, like motherhood, is an intimate journey. Sometimes smooth, sometimes fraught with doubts, but always driven by love. At 23 Mai Paris, we are here to help you feel good about your body, your role as a mother, and your style. Discover our nursing wear collection designed to accompany you from the very beginning.

You are capable. You're supported. You're beautiful.

If you are breastfeeding, here are some of our nursing clothes that may interest you: