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One of the most significant factors in bonding with your newborn is having a good breastfeeding experience, if you plan to breastfeed. This article outlines ways to ensure you have the "right stuff" in place before the birth, which will help to make the breastfeeding experience as positive as it can be, and prevent unnecessary obstacles to bonding.
When you first enter the world of breastfeeding, there are so many things to know about the process, it's amazing that breastfeeding hasn't become a specialty in medicine, producing a "lactologist," for example. Although it would be ideal to have this sort of practitioner to turn to, in the real world, s/he doesn't exist.
As a result, breastfeeding women today need to establish a team of practitioners they can turn to for breastfeeding information, help with lactation, and "troubleshooting." This boils down to seeing a trio: a lactation consultant (discussed next), a good general or family doctor for your baby (in a large urban area, this would most likely be a pediatrician) and your own primary care physician (who may also be your baby's doctor). You should have the names and phone numbers of this trio prior to delivery to ensure the best care possible for you and the baby. If a problem arises soon after birth, for example, it can take some time to make an appointment to see one of these practitioners, time you may not have.
In Search of a Lactation Consultant
A lactation consultant (LC) is the equivalent of a breastfeeding "midwife." These consultants are women trained to help new mothers learn the 
technique of breastfeeding, provide information about breastfeeding, and to help solve problems that arise during breastfeeding. These problems range from positioning and latch difficulties to advising on nutrition, first baby solids, and even contraception. Many certified lactation consultants are nurses and/or certified nurse-midwives who have obtained their LC status by taking post-graduate degree courses and writing an exam. When they pass the exam, they earn the initials "I.B.L.C." which stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. This degree must be renewed every five years thereafter. In some cases, LCs have a masters of science degree without a nursing degree, while several primary care doctors and some specialists are now matriculating to become LCs, too.
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