This post is all about the BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIALS YOU ACTUALLY NEED.
I am so excited to write this post because I had no idea what I needed when I started breastfeeding. There were so many items I just bought so and used as time went along and different situations come up. But, after spending hundreds of dollars, I realized other moms like myself breastfeed and do not know what breastfeeding essentials are worth buying while they breastfeed.
If this is you, you can count on a breastfeeding essentials list that will help you save time and money throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Breastfeeding can feel so overwhelming in itself, and you do not want to wait until the week you go back to work or need to go shopping to start buying what you need. You want to be prepared and have all of your breastfeeding essentials beforehand if you are planning to breastfeed.
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Here are the breastfeeding essentials that share what you will need and when you will need it!
Breastfeeding Essentials List
1. Nipple Shield
If your baby is having trouble latching in the first week of being born, you may find that a nipple shield is helpful for the first month or so to help them develop a proper latch. You do not need to feel guilty about it, but every woman’s breast is different. These shields will help the baby get their proper latch so that they can get all the milk they need. Most babies struggle in their first week, so you will want to use the shield if your baby shows signs of struggling with feeding. If you are working on their latch, it will take time, and every mama is uncomfortable in the beginning. You just need to find what position works best for you.
2. Haakaa
The Haakaa will be your biggest game-changer. You can use this the day you get home from the hospital. It is a pump that suctions to your breast. You will want to put it on the other breast that the baby is not using at the time. If you need to, you can wait until the baby has a good latch after one week. Then, when you get in a better hang of everything you can use the Haakaa. Breastfeeding takes time.
This post will answer more questions about how long you should breastfeed your baby and what to expect when you get home from the hospital. But, the Haakaa helps catch wasted milk because you always have a letdown from the other breast that the baby does not drink milk from. Rather than losing that milk, you can store it right away for when you go back to work or even a date night!
You can find out more about how I stored enough milk the week I started school after having ZERO OUNCES OF MILK STORED in this post.
3. Nursing Bras
When looking for a nursing bra, you want to invest in at least three that will open up with a clickable latch so that you can easily nurse at home or in public. Nursing bras are also helpful when you need to pump at work or wherever else you may be. The first two months of nursing can feel so overwhelming, so you may not get to all of your loads of laundry, and to be out of a bra would be super frustrating. You may find that you leak or did not get to your laundry in time. So, having three nursing bras is the perfect amount so that you can switch them out.
4. Disposable Nursing Pads
There are two types of pads that you can use. If you want to be minimal, you can buy washable nursing pads. But, I always used the disposable pads and switched them out whenever they were wet with milk. Again, adjusting to your baby’s latch, and trying to get into a system when you are first nursing is hard. A huge pack of disposable pads will simplify your life especially in the early stages of breastfeeding.
5. Nursing Pillow
When you first start breastfeeding, you will realize that it can take a little while to get comfortable. Yes, you will need a nursing pillow to help find that perfect position while you are at the hospital, at home, in your rocking chair, and trying to nurse. These pillows are different than your pillows from home.
Nursing pillows lay your baby’s body in such a way that you can find that perfect position for your baby to nurse. You want to make sure you use a pillow that is firm enough for your baby to latch on to you from your couch, bed, or rocking chair. Yet, still soft enough that it can feel soft and comfortable for your baby.
6. Nursing Tops
If you can wear a nursing top, these are game-changers for the first three months for sure. I even packed one in my hospital bag because breastfeeding is all about convenience! Just as you have a bra that quickly opens up, you can find some everyday tops that lift and help you nurse or pump while you go shopping or are at work.
7. Prenatal Vitamins
If you are not still taking your prenatal vitamins, you should honestly take them while you breastfeed. Your diet may not include all the nutrients needed for your baby. I took prenatal vitamins after pregnancy and the entire time I breastfed. Even in their first year or until they take their vitamins would be helpful for their cognitive growth and everyday living. These raw prenatal vitamins have double the nutrients in comparison to most prenatal and are my favorite. When I purchase them, I buy them in bulk so they are sent to my house every 3 months and I never run out!
8. Nursing Covers
Once you start going out in public, or when people come over to visit you will want a nursing cover. Around two nursing covers will work just fine so that you can switch them out to wash them. If you want to be safe, you can buy three nursing covers. I have used them while we were at a restaurant, at the store, at church, and at a family member’s house. Buying a nursing cover is definitely useful!Nursing aprons make it easy to pump at work or in your car, I have used one many times as well as a cover.
9. Electric Breast Pump
Once you get the hang of breastfeeding, hopefully after a week or two. Three weeks is okay too, you will want to be sure to use your electric breast pump. You can pump just before your baby’s feeding. But, put the milk from one breast in a bag maybe with another 0.5 – 1 ounces from the other side and store the rest of the milk. Storing your milk right away will ease the stress of returning back to work. You will be glad you started storing milk much earlier!
Learn more about the difference between a manual vs electric breast pump in this post to help you choose the best pump for you!
10. Breastfed Baby Bottles
Let me just say there is a difference in formula fed baby bottles and breastfed baby bottles once. The goal is to emulate the breast while you are not physically nursing your baby. If you are adding formula to your breastmilk, use the breastfed baby bottles because you want them to eventually get used to solely breastfeeding.
There are a few great bottles for breastfeeding you can learn more about in this post. But, having at least four to six bottles will help for after you pump. Having bottles will get your spouse to help, and make it easy to go back to work. Having less makes it easier to clean and more efficient for your busy days because at the end of the day all of the bottles need to be washed. Dapple soap is a great plant-based soap with ZERO chemicals that is safe for your baby to use + come in travel sizes too.
11. Night Light
When your baby cluster feeds at three weeks, six weeks, nine weeks, twelve weeks, and sixteen weeks, you will find that you are probably up at night to feed the baby. Having a nightlight so that you don’t fall, spill milk, or can tend to your baby. Trust me, it will make your time breastfeeding so much easier with a nightlight beside your bed. I used one the entire time I have breastfed for almost two years.
12. Therapy Packs
If you find that your breasts are filled with milk or you have mastitis, you will want a heating pad to relieve the milk or a cooling pad once you release the milk if you are sore. These therapy packs can be cooled and heated for your breasts and relieve the pain you feel! They are not something you need right away, but you can have them quickly shipped if this is a problem you run into.
13. Lactation Cookies
At the beginning of breastfeeding, there is a chance your milk is not coming in, and you need to increase your milk supply. You can do this with your electric pump, but if that is too overwhelming, there are cookies you can have that help increase your supply. Or, you can use powder that can be mixed into a shake so that your milk comes in a lot fuller and quicker. You do not need to buy these right away, but you can if you are worried your milk may not come in as much. There is no way to tell beforehand, but you can still be aware and prepared.
Hopefully, you have found all of the actual breastfeeding essentials you need so that you can have a successful breastfeeding journey with your baby. I breastfed for almost two whole years and loved every minute of it. Breastfeeding is hard in the beginning but gets so much easier once you get the hang of it! Hang in there mama!
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