I remember when I made the decision to breastfeed my first child. I thought I wouldn’t need any baby feeding products until I was ready to move my baby up to baby food. Boy was I wrong! If you want to breastfeed, there are lots of great products to help make breastfeeding easier.
My Favorite Products For Breastfeeding:
1. Breast Pads.
This was the most shocking to me. What?! My breast will leak? I had no idea until my boobs started spraying milk! I guess I should have done more reading on the breastfeeding topic! There are many types of breast pads- cloth or disposable. If you choose disposable, I suggest Dr. Brown’s Disposable Breast Pads since they are biodegradable. Breast pads work to absorb nipple moisture and prevents leakage through clothing. You will be super glad you have breast pads!
2. Nursing Pillow.
These are optional but they do serve to make you more comfy. Especially in the beginning when you are exhausted and holding up the baby to your nipple while they feed for 20 minutes every couple hours is a lot of work! Again there are many different styles so you can choose the one that is just right for you. Some buckle on and some just slip around you. I had one with a buckle but I think I would suggest one without so it could get more use later just as a pillow.
3. Nipple Cream.
Here is another one that I had no idea I would need. Nipple cream? What for? Well, I found that out when my nipples got sore and cracked. Don’t worry – it doesn’t last too long and it is worth it. There are lots of great brands and the nipple cream helps soothe and heal your nipples as they get used to the changes of being tugged on. I suggest you look for one that is all natural and paraben-free.
4. Nursing bras and shirts.
The nursing bras make things so much easier and a few nursing shirts, especially when you are new to trying to nurse in public areas, make things a whole lot easier and more comfortable.
5. Breast Pumps.
If you aren’t returning to work, you may be thinking, I don’t need a breast pump. I suggest one even if you aren’t going back to work. A handheld manual one is great for those not going back to work because there will still be times when you find your boobs are full and need to be expelled but your baby is sound asleep. I found that keeping my boobs from overfilling was important to avoiding breast infection. I also found that it is easiest to get used to a manual. I had trouble expelling for the electrical pump until I got used to the manual. I suggest an electrical breast pump for those going back to work because they are so much more efficient if you need to use one often.
6. Bottles.
If you use a breast pump, you will want bottles! There are many baby bottles with a more natural design that mimic the mom’s nipples and have a more natural flow. I used Philips Avent but there are many other good brands such as Dr. Brown’s.
7. Bottle Warmer.
You may also find a bottle warmer useful for helping the caregiver in getting the bottle just right and ready for baby.
These are my favorite products to make breastfeeding easier. I breast fed both my babies till at least 18 months and found it to be totally worth it. I hope you find my list helpful in getting what you need to prepare for your little bundle of joy.
Related Posts:
To Breastfeed Or Not? A New Mama Shares Her Experiences
Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families says
If you aren’t comfortable breastfeeding in public you will want to add a nursing cover to this list.