Read all about breast feeding

Reading up on the subject of breast feeding will be one of the best preparations you can do. You'll find invaluable insights and tips from other mums when you visit the forums, where you can also post questions of your own. You can also find information at breastfeeding organisations such as La Leche League, The Breastfeeding Network, the NCT or the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.

Find local breast feeding support

It's a great idea to source your local support organisations and pay them a visit during your pregnancy rather than leaving it until your baby is born. You can find a local breastfeeding counsellor by checking the Netmums local listings pages or contacting one of the organisations mentioned above. She will explain to you the importance of correct positioning at the breast, and describe how to encourage a good 'latch' to ensure good milk flow and to avoid sore, cracked nipples.

Eat well in pregnancy and beyond

Get into the habit of eating a nutrient-rich diet, if you haven't done so already. This will encourage good milk production, and will increase the quality of your breastmilk. Your baby won't suffer if you are not eating well, but your own health will: just as in pregnancy, your body will prioritise your baby's needs above your own, so your newborn will sap every bit of good nutrition out of you, leaving you with low reserves unless you're eating healthily.

There are no hard and fast rules about specific foods you should be eating once you're breastfeeding, and there's no need to avoid anything in particular once your baby is born, either. Try to focus on eating foods that have a low glycaemic index, such as those listed in week 5 of our pregnancy week-by-week section. as they will keep you feeling fuller for longer rather than giving you a sugar rush followed by an energy slump.

Support your breasts

It's very important to support your breasts properly in pregnancy as well as during breastfeeding. Towards the end of your third trimester, go and get professionally fitted for a couple of nursing bras. There are several different nursing bra types, including those with zip cups and those with drop-down cups, which unclip from the straps. Try operating each type one-handed and choose the one that feels simplest for you.

Supporting your breasts will not only make you more comfortable, it'll also help to prevent too much sagging after you finish breastfeeding. You can also buy sleep bras, which are made of soft cotton, for wearing in bed. Wearing one of these can make you feel more comfy at night, both in pregnancy and afterwards.