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10 Breastfeeding Must Haves Every New Moms Should Have
Breastfeeding can be tough, what with all the common breastfeeding problems like cracked nipples, insufficient milk, and engorged breasts most nursing moms face. However, it doesn’t have to be.
Breastfeeding can be a fun time for nursing moms with the right knowledge and breastfeeding must haves.
I experienced a few of these breastfeeding problems with both my kids and I remember one time when I almost declined breastfeeding as I stared at my nipple that was almost split in two, remembering the pain I felt each time I put my daughter to suck.
I wish I knew then what I know now about helpful breastfeeding must haves that can make this bonding time between a mother and her child much more relaxing for both of them.
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Here are
10 Breastfeeding Must Haves to Make Your Life Easier
1)Breastfeeding Pads
First on the list are breastfeeding pads. These are a must-have and will save you a ton of embarrassment as the days go by. Some nursing moms start out with breast milk that isn’t enough to meet their baby’s needs. However, as your baby continues to nurse on demand, your breast starts to work according to your baby’s feeding and sucking cues to produce more milk. It could end up producing so much milk that sometimes, you’d have to put these pads in to keep this excess in check.
These pads come in all sizes and styles and will keep you dry as you leak between febeings. Since most moms also leak when they hear their babies cry or when it’s closer to feeding time, having these pads on or around at such times will save you the uncomfortable wetness and the not-so-pleasant odor of stale breast milk on clothes and the skin produced after a while.
2)Nursing Bra
Another breastfeeding must haves worth considering is the nursing bra. Your regular bra won’t do at this time because, for one, you will notice they no longer fit, since your boobs have got bigger.
A nursing bra comes equipped to hold this extra weight and also offers support to your ligaments.
The nursing bra is also necessary as it comes designed in a way that makes breastfeeding easy. No longer do you have to pull down one half of the bra to feed or pull it sideways since most come with a flap that can be easily lifted.
3)Breastfeeding Pillows
While a breastfeeding pillow can’t exactly be termed a breastfeeding necessity, it does come with its benefits.
Breastfeeding pillows help you place your baby at the right angle and height for your breasts, saving you neck, back, and shoulder pain from slouching to meet your baby.
It also aids in latching, preventing cracked nipples (a sort of mini hell on earth).
Breastfeeding pillows come shaped in a way that they fit perfectly into your body, acting as a buffer between you and the baby, which is great if you had a c-section.
The best thing with these pillows is that they have other uses outside breastfeeding, as they can be used as baby support as your baby grows or for your personal use as a neck support pillow.
4)Breast Pumps
This was literally a lifesaver for me after the birth of my first child as I had difficulties with my breastmilk supply.
Low breastmilk supply affects 10 to 15 percent of nursing mothers, however, thanks to breast pumps, affected mothers can still meet their baby’s breast milk needs.
There are a few types to choose from, from the manual to the electric, each having its pros and downsides.
The manual breast pump is portable, which means it can fit into your bag or backpack and be used just about anywhere. The fact it works without electricity makes it all the more so.
However, if you are looking for speed when it comes to breastmilk pumping, then you are better off with the electrical breast pump. The electric breast pump pumps from both breasts at the same time, making you collect more milk during the same time.
5)Comfortable Clothes
Comfortable clothing is one of the breastfeeding must haves you want to have stocked before you even deliver.
Your body has just gone through one of the most rigorous activities known to man and you are going to ache and be recovering for a while. You want to go for clothes that are very comfortable as your body heals at this time.
Some comfortable clothing for such a time includes
- Nursing tank tops
- Button-down t-shirts
- Loose-fitting gowns and tops (these can still be trendy if you want)
- Leggings
- Maternity nursing pajamas
6)Breastmilk Storage Bags
Breastmilk storage bags will come in handy for storing breast milk, so you don’t have to use up all you expressed or throw the rest away.
Since expressed breast milk lasts quite long:
- Up to 3 hours at room temperature
- 3 days when refrigerated
- And up to 6 months when frozen
Over time, you’ll find being able to store breastmilk offers you some flexibility; you can plan your life and get a little more free time when you have enough breast milk stored. It would be easy to run a quick errand to the supermarket, knowing your baby would be well-taken care of.
7)Postnatal Breastfeeding Vitamins
Postnatal breastfeeding vitamins are also important to ensure your baby gets all the nutrients and vitamins she needs to develop.
Try as you might, you may not be getting all you need from your daily meals, and these vitamins will help fill in the gap (and then some!).
Most also come with key nutrients for moms, giving you the nutritional support to stay healthy and heal faster.
8)Breastfeeding Journal
The first time I heard of a breastfeeding journal, I didn’t think it would be of any importance until I got presented with one as a gift.
This little, unimportant-looking book made it easy to keep track of my baby’s feedings and other milestones as he grew.
I could also keep track of immunizations and doctor’s visits and being the scatterbrain that I sometimes am, this helped a ton.
9)Guide to Parenting and Breastfeeding for Dads
Breastfeeding might come naturally to you as a mom, especially as the days go by or if this isn’t your first, but dads sometimes need a little help.
Seeing all the items there is to know as well as all the breastfeeding benefits and terminologies can be a little confusing to some new dads, so you want to carry him along, and what better way than arming him with a parenting and breastfeeding book and that explains all he needs to know.
Dads can study this at their own time and pace to keep abreast with you.
10)Baby Diaper Bag
Another must have for nursing mothers, especially if you are going to be hitting the town a lot.
A baby diaper bag is like a home away from home and makes each outing comfortable for you and your baby.
It essentially will contain all you will need for breastfeeding, one or two changes of clothes, as well as your personal items.
Your baby diaper bag of choice should be large enough that it can comfortably house all you’d be needing for each trip, but not so large, it takes all of your strength to carry.
Some moms opt for a breastfeeding bag with a lot of pockets, that way they can put things in different parts and know where each item is at each point in time.
Other Breastfeeding Must Haves You Want to Include in Your Purchase
These next set of breastfeeding must haves have their own use and it doesn’t hurt to have them:
- Burp Cloth
Burp clothes come in handy if your baby lets out a lot of spit when she burps. They keep your clothes clean, giving you less laundry to worry about
- Breastfeeding Covers
Breastfeeding covers are also important if you are going to be breastfeeding a lot in public places.
Some moms see no problems with this, but if you are a shy mom or would want a little more privacy, then this cover cloth can offer you that.
They are typically made from soft fabric that allows your baby to breathe and are also designed in a way they can be adjusted to cover you, but still keep your baby slightly uncovered.
- Milk Lactation Supplement
These supplements will boost your milk supply if you aren’t lactating as you should.
Most of the more common ones include herbs, teas, medications, and even cookies (fenugreek, fennel, blessed thistle, alfalfa, and milk thistle).
- Alcohol Detection Test Strip
Alcohol intake while breastfeeding is strongly discouraged since some of it (around 2%) gets into the breastmilk. Since a baby’s system is not equipped to metabolize alcohol as quickly as an adult’s continuous exposure to alcohol produces short and long-term effects in the baby like taking in way less milk during the first four hours and having their sleep patterns disrupted.
Although not definitive, long-term effects of alcohol in infants point to neurodevelopmental problems.
Alcohol peaks 30 minutes to an hour after it is consumed and remains in the system for up to two hours. Women who take up to two glasses find it remains in their system for up to five hours.
- Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer is not exactly a must-have, however, it is practical to have one. It will keep you sane, especially if you need to feed your baby in the middle of the night!
It works fast and heats the milk at the right temperature without overheating (great since breast milk loses its composition, especially vitamin C when overheated).
They are also portable and come in handy if you need to take a vacation or warm-up. your baby’s food outside the house.
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