Today, I want to talk about products that I’ve found to be life savers for me. In a previous post, I spoke specifically about breast pumps (check it out here), but if you plan to breast feed to breastfeed, there will probably be a few other items you need to have on hand.
Now, I am not making a single penny from recommending any of these products. But I’ve spent (& wasted) a lot of money on things that helped & were useless, so I want to share what I’ve learned & what I love with you.
Breast Feeding Supplies
Ok, now that we’ve talked about the breast pump & my preferences, let’s talk a little about other breast-feeding supplies.
1. Lanolin Nipple Cream- Yes, get a tube. It lasts FOREVER, but is like magic, especially the first couple weeks. Be warned, it will get grease stains on everything, so use caution. That said, use it every time, before you think you need it. Trust me. Don’t wait until you need it or you will cry & your boobs will bleed. Pack it in your delivery bag, keep it wherever you keep your phone & chapstick, reach for it often.
2. Nipple shields- Only if necessary! Don’t purchase them & plan to use them. If baby struggles to latch, a lactation consultant can get you a pair in the hospital after delivery. Nipple shields are a useful tool. But baby can also become reliant on them & not nurse well without them later. It
can also hurt your supply, as some babies don’t empty the breast as well with the shield. Basically, know that the tool is out there is it’s needed, but plan to skip it unless necessary.
3. Nursing Pads- Maybe. You probably can wait until after the baby is born to determine if you will need them. I never have, but I have also struggled with low supply, so it’s never been an issue. However, there are disposable & washable options available, so if you need them, there’s an amazing variety out there.
4. Breast Milk Shells- These are really cool & something I discovered with my last kiddo. Ideally, they can be put in one bra cup when you’re nursing on the other side, so that when you milk lets down, none is wasted & collected instead. I have friends that wear them all the time in their bra instead of nursing pads, so that no milk is wasted. I’ve never had leakage to try them this way, but a wonderful option.
5. Breast Cool/Heat Pack- These were my best friend. I particularly like the Lansinoh brand, as it didn’t get too freezing cold or have sharp edges after being in the freezer like some other brands I tried. Get 2 or 3 sets of them. I have one set I will warm & then the other two rotate in the freezer.
6. Breast Pump Bra- I’ve had a hard time with these working well for me. I always end up spilling milk or not getting a good seal. I suspect it is a very much a trial & error sort of endeavor… We all know bras have different fits & boobs have different size. But if you try one that works well, I think it’s worth the investment for sure!
7. Haakaa Pump- I debated including this with the pump post instead of here, but I don't really feel like this is a "pump" Essentially, you suction cup it to the breast, to provide continuous suction. It can be another option to use on one breast while nursing on the other side. In fact, this is when I had the most success with this device. However, I had WAY too many issues of the baby knocking it off while nursing & spilling milk everywhere. As a breastfeeding mom, you will find that this kind of spilled milk will indeed make you cry! I include it here as it is something than many moms & patients I have talked to swear by. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me.
Nursing Covers
Ok, so I am well-endowed & private, so for nursing covers have always been a must for me. That said, you don’t HAVE to have a cover at all. I think it’s a totally personal decision.
There are a few options out there, depending on what you want. The first is like an apron meets a sheet. It works well & provides good coverage. Pay attention, as the actual cover size can vary widely & come in a variety of thicknesses.
Another option is a stretchy, infinity scarf type option. I do like this as it’s something that is easy & readily available. Plus, it seems to be a little more controlled for keeping everything covered as it can go around your entire body, preventing a gust of wind from blowing it up like the previous one is always at risk of doing.
Or, you can just use a muslin swaddle blanket! They actually make little clips to attach around your neck if you desire, or you can tie two corners around your neck like a giant bib. I love the muslin swaddle blankets & use them as everything. Nursing cover, spit up rag, light blanket for baby, diaper changing barrier, etc. They’re light, fold up tiny & I always have a couple in my diaper bag. It’s really all you need, if you’re looking to keep it simple or save money.
Nursing Bras & Clothes
I do recommend nursing bras. Get a couple, then buy more later if you know you will use them. They aren’t cheap, so don’t spend a ton on having 10 or 12 then end up not breast feeding, or whatever. But get a couple to take to the hospital with you.
Also, I bought a nursing pajama gown & robe set, that was a jersey material that I LOVE. Pack it in your delivery bag. It’s comfy, the robe can be used as a cover in the hospital, it’s lightweight & spectacular. Do expect that you will probably bleed all over it in the hospital, so plan to get a dark colored one & don’t invest a lot in it.
Last, get a couple nursing camis or even some tanks that can be worn as undershirts. I didn’t learn this until nursing my second baby, but once I did it was a total, “duh” for me. When I breastfeed, I lift up my shirt, pull down the bra. But that meant my midriff also exposed, which I was not a fan of. If I had an undershirt, I could pull up the shirt, pull down the cami & bra, so that I was still totally covered (other than the boob), even without a nursing cover.
Sling
I am 100% pro baby-wearing, as much as possible. I worried about it with my oldest so much, I didn’t want to carry her all the time, I worried about spoiling her… Then I had my 2nd & carried him as much as I could. It makes life easier & baby more content. Baby wearing is something I’ll talk about later, but if you’re curious, do some research about the 4th trimester.
Anyway, look for a sling you can breastfeed in! Lots of moms are much more talented than I & can hands-free breastfeed in a traditional baby sling. I envy their magic, but it is a skill I have not mastered. Slings can be pretty inexpensive & come in a variety of designs & cuts. Find a baby store & try some out.
However, I stumbled across the Baby K’Tan at a midwifery conference & totally fell in love. It has become my favorite baby carrier for newborns & even I am able to breastfeed hands free. I’m talking, nurse the baby while emptying the dishwasher, folks. It’s magnificent! They come in different sizes, so check out the measurements, but it’s something I highly recommend. This is my go to instead of a traditional sling, so if you’re uncertain about your skills & the sling option, check this out.
Bottles
If you pump at all, or ever will be away from your infant, you will need some bottles. With my oldest, I was super picky about bottles. I wanted a wide lid & shorter nipple to more closely mimic a natural breast. Then my second refused all bottles & would just go on a hunger strike. With my third, I went for simplicity & ended up using Medela bottles that went with my Medela pump. My most recent, again, was picky & I went through several brands before discovering he liked Avent.
I share all this to say… doing some research about bottles is fine. I know many people love Dr. Brown’s for their colicky or gassy babies. We’ve not ever used them, but they are a highly recommended option. In my own experience, my two picky babies were those that we waited to offer bottles to until after 2-3 months old. My babies that took anything were exposed to an occasional bottle of breast milk from a very early age.
Certainly, there is some benefit to having a bottle design that mimics the breast more closely. There are issues that can arise over nipple confusion from offering a bottle instead of breast too often, as well as a host of other challenges with supply, etc. That said, I share this mostly to say, it shouldn’t be a high stress decision. Do some research, ask your friends, but for me, the most important thing was availability. Could I pick up the bottle at a local store if I went to family’s house & forgot to pack a bottle? Or would I have to order it from a specialty store in France? These practical issues are as important as the science behind the bottle’s design.
You will also need breast milk bags to store milk. I have always used the Lansinoh brand bags, as they are inexpensive & don’t leak like some other brands I’ve tried. However, be aware that they’re markings for amount are totally inaccurate, so just ignore that. I like to freezer them flat, then they store wonderfully in a neat row in a Ziploc bag standing up.
So, I know this post was long, but I hope you can learn from my experiences & that this will help you. There are so many gadget & doodads that are now available, but these are the ones I have used & loved or not. For experienced moms, what are other products you would recommend? Or those that you would skip?
As always, love to you all!
Until the next adventure.
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