Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself or have used myself. All opinions here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links: if you use these links to purchase a product I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for stopping by!
Breastfeeding is one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs I have had as a working mom of five. There are so many different products out there and it can be very overwhelming, especially if you are a first time mom and even for seasoned mamas. Having the right supplies and products can help decrease stress and lead to a rewarding and successful breastfeeding experience. Given that I have breastfeed all five of my children some with more success than others, I thought it would be helpful to come up with a list that would help take the guesswork out of picking or registering for breastfeeding products. Before we get into the products just a bit about my breastfeeding journey. I was able to breastfeed 3 of my children successfully to age 12 months. The other two for 6-9 months. Every mom’s journey and goals are different but hopefully with some of my fails and successes I can help you be successful too. I am also a full-time working mom so I have had the “pleasure” of pumping at work and have experience the hardships of managing a milk supply while being away from my baby most of the day. Without further ado and not in any particular order here are some products I have found to be particularly helpful in my breastfeeding journey.
TIP: If you have a flex spending account (FSA), check with your plan administrator…ALL of these products should be covered by your FSA. I know I used mine for all of these.
- Milk Catcher: HAAKA: I found this product to be extremely helpful. When breastfeed baby on one site you can use this to manual suction to your other breast to catch the let down from the breast your baby is not nursing from. As lactating mamas we want to save every drop possible and this helps to do so. I particularly prefer the version with the beveled bottom and the lid so your liquid gold doesn’t accidently get spilled.
- Disposable Nursing pads: Nursing pads come in handy when not nursing your baby to prevent any leakage on your clothing and hopefully prevent embarrassing public mishaps. I mostly used disposable versions but the reusable washable type would work too!
- Nipple cream: Lanolin nipple cream. Okay so you will read over and over that breastfeeding should not hurt. Well personally I think that is a misnomer. The initial weeks of breastfeeding were always painful for me until my skin surrounding the nipple or nipples themselves could adapt to nursing. It is really uncomfortable and downright painful to be honest, but your body will adapt and it can be smooth sailing from there. So having said that I would buy a small tube of lanolin this will go a long way. I never really used most of the larger sizes and after a few weeks you most likely won’t need any at all. TIP: The hospital usually has sample sizes for you to keep. Take a few of those home and you most likely won’t need to purchase any.
- Nursing Bras: Initially I would get just a couple of nursing bras. Remember your breast will most likely be much larger with nursing and a full milk supply. So once you are established you can purchase more to add to your collection. Also keep in mind that you will be wearing these for the length of your breastfeeding journey, so it is important for them to be of quality and comfort. I have purchase one or two sleep bras ones as well. I can link a few that I have tried, but bras are very user specific so if you have a brand you like you may see if they make a nursing version. TIP: Sleep with a sleeping nursing bra with disposable pads inside to help prevent leakage on sheets and bedding.
- Milk Storage Bags: Most nursing moms like to keep a stash of frozen milk for those times we need to get away. Storing extra milk will help take away some anxiety associated with being away from your baby for a few hours. I mostly stuck with the Lansinoh milk storage bags for cost and quality. I found this brand to be pretty reliable, in terms of easy to close and tight closer without leakage. I have used other brands as well but continued to return to this brand.