Top 5 Breastfeeding essential products you need right now!
It's always exciting to shop and prepare for a new baby!
As a doula, not only do my clients ask my opinion on the best newborn baby products, but they also teach me about the latest gadgets, newborns, pregnancy, and postpartum products that make parenthood a little easier!
Now with that said, I am not a fan of buying every single thing under the sun! There are so many things you can buy that; honestly, you won't need it. When I was pregnant with my first baby, I loved going window shopping- but walking into places like Buy Buy Baby was just overwhelming!
I was excited and wanted all of the things, but I am not rich, and I didn't want to feel like I needed every single something I saw, so it was vital for me to find those essential for me. I don't necessarily consider myself to live a minimalist lifestyle; however, I am very much a minimalist in how I parent;
the less, the better. Focus on the essentials.
The less the clutter, the better, so I will keep this series of lists short.
For those of you expecting a new little babe, I will be sharing my list of favorite baby products to help you on your journey.
To start, I want to share my top 5 breastfeeding essential products.
Breastfeeding is hard-, and sometimes we need an extra hand, pump, or a comfortable nursing bra to get us through, help us succeed at our goal, whether that's to breastfeed for six months or two years. I've attached my affiliate to the products mentioned to make shopping easier. #CommissionsEarned
Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage
One thing not suggested enough in the many lists of breastfeeding tips is finding a local IBCLC ( international board-certified lactation consultant). This is the highest level of certification any person can achieve in the area of human lactation. It's a good idea to find one early before you give birth so that if you run into issues, you already have someone you can call for assistance.
The second thing is educating yourself ahead of delivery, familiarize yourself with the terms and common conditions that come with breastfeeding. When I was studying for my doula certification, I came across the book "Latch."
I wanted to learn more about breastfeeding so that I could better serve my clients. This book was excellent., It was an easy read and very informative. I recommend this to any mama who wants to breastfeed. I wish I had read this book before I had my babies. Although I was successful in breastfeeding, I encountered some challenges that could have been prevented if I had only known better and taught help. You want to breastfeed, buy this book; you will be so happy you did!
2. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
This Item has become popular over the last few years and for a good reason! The Haakaa is a fantastic tool to add to your baby bag! It's easy to store, lightweight carry, and is used as a light suction to catch the milk opposite of the breasts your nursing or pumping with.
It's a little bit of a learning curve to use, so it will come in handy to get ahead of time to learn how to properly suction the rim of the haakaa to your breast for best results.
That milk caught by the haakaa can be stored to use later. No milk wasted! Believe me when I said that the phrase "crying over spilled milk" is a REAL thing! LIQUID GOLD its called; Breast milk is precious and should be treated as such! Get yourself a haakaa!
3. Enovoe Organic Bamboo Breastfeeding Pads
I was an over producer with both of my babies; it is both a blessing and a curse!
It was great not to worry about not making enough milk for my babies, but the contact choking and puking of my newborn were not fun at all!
Neither was the excessive leaking. Some mamas leak milk, and others don't. There are different ranges of normal. Leaking or not, it doesn't give you an accurate indication of whether or not you are making milk.
Your milk production takes time to regulate out, so it is the beginning; it helps have a set of cloth breastfeeding pads. These are the same ones I used, and I loved them! They were comfortable to wear while sleeping and wearing throughout the day. It was so easy to throw them in the wash after use.
I tried the disposable pads and just hated having trash full of breast pads, and on top of that, they were itchy. I felt less wasteful using these.
4. Nipple Cream
Changes are you told someone that you wanted to breastfeed, and either you received great encouragement and support, or you received resistance and every horrible breastfeeding "gone wrong" experience.
listen- I want nothing more than to help you succeed at your goal (whatever that is.)
Just like with your birth, it will do you no good to take on the next person's trauma and experiences, good or bad as your own. Your baby will be yours and experience yours and yours alone!
Yes, breastfeeding challenges, but it is equally, if not more rewarding, and beneficial!
Nipple cream is essential- because if you happen to run into issues with sore, cracked nipples, this will most likely occur with the first week or two of breastfeeding, and the last thing you should be worried about is heading out to the store to pick up nipple cream. I know I said only five products, but I felt it necessary to mention these two nipple healing salves depending on your need.
This cute little purple bottle is easily accessible and works well! Keep in mind that this is not an "organic product," but its still a great choice if that doesn't bother you!
If you are looking for something a little closer to nature, then get the Motherlove nipple cream! It is organic, plant-based, and lanolin-free, unlike the lansinoh lanolin nipple cream option! Use either cream paired with your breast milk ( breastmilk is healing for broken skin and sore nipples), and you are good to go!
5. Bedtime Nursing Bra
Confession time! This product was terrific; I wore it and still do, from time to time.
It is so comfortable and made nighttime feeding a breeze. No clips or uncomfortable straps to manage in the dark and while asleep.
I am very top-heavy, so bras in general, when my boobs are full of milk, were not the most comfortable. For those late nights when you can barely open your eyes, this was amazing to slip my bra to the side and let baby latch!
I highly recommend getting 2 of these! I even wore them throughout the day when at home and shamelessly still wear them from time to time, although my breastfeeding journey ended over a year ago! They are just that comfortable.
me wearing the sleep nursing bra while pregnant with my second baby!
What do you think about this list! I hope apart from the list you feel encouraged and more knowledgeable. that is my goal! What other product would you add to this list?
Anything you would take away?
Would love to hear your thoughts!