Breastfeeding Essentials
What You Need to Start Off Right
The best thing about breastfeeding is that two of the most important things you need you already own and are completely free! However, there are a many products today that can make your experience of breastfeeding easier and more enjoyable and most moms want to know which ones make the biggest difference. Of the hundreds of products on the market for breastfeeding moms, I consider a handful “essential” in helping most new moms get off to the right start with an enjoyable breastfeeding experience.
Here are my recommendations:
Nursing Bras
Comfortable, properly fit nursing bras are essential when you are breastfeeding. Your nursing bras are more than just clothing; they are your equipment! You want to have at least two days’ worth of bras. They get dirty when you are breastfeeding and you will have to wash them every day. Some people prefer to have a third set to keep in their drawer in case they don’t get to the laundry every day.
Nursing Pads
You will need nursing pads to wear inside your bras, especially in the beginning. The pads will keep your bras cleaner and prevent you from leaking breast milk on to your clothes. I recommend getting both washable cloth pads, as well as a box of disposables. Wearing paper 24 hours a day against your skin is not a good idea, so wearing your washable pads as often as you can is your best option.
Nipple Butter/Cream
Get a good nipple cream, preferably one that is organic, Lanolin-free and has an herb called Calendula. Using organic products is important, especially wherever you put your baby's mouth. Take your nipple cream to the hospital and use it after every feeding to help prevent soreness.
Nursing Loungewear/Pajamas
Having something comfortable to wear that you can easily open for nursing will be essential. You want something that gives you full breast exposure. It is difficult to breastfeed a newborn through a small opening or having your shirt tucked under your chin in the baby’s face. You will be nursing frequently, especially in the beginning, and having something that is easy to nurse in, lounge in, sleep in and visit with friends and family will be very useful.
Breastfeeding Pillow
Make sure you get a pillow that is specifically designed for breastfeeding. One that is sturdy and is going to keep your baby up at the breast level will help you to achieve the perfect latch and position. Having a good nursing pillow with you in the hospital is very important as you first learn how to successfully breastfeed your baby.
Nursing Stool
Bending your knees higher that your hips when you are sitting and breastfeeding will put you in the right position for a proper latch and take the pressure off your lower back. Leaning over to breastfeed will strain your back, neck and shoulders. The stool will keep you sitting up straight.
Breast Pump
This will definitely be one of your most expensive purchases for breastfeeding and many moms wonder if they should wait to see how it goes before getting one. In my experience waiting is a mistake. When you are in the hospital your mature milk is not in yet and you are feeding your baby colostrum (the first milk that is expressed at birth), so your breasts are still pretty soft and that makes latching your baby easier. When you get home, around day three or four, your milk will come in. Your breasts may get engorged (very full) at this time, as your body starts making lots of milk. This can make your breasts go up one or even two cups sizes overnight! The engorgement of your breasts can cause your skin to stretch and your nipple to flatten, making it difficult or sometimes even impossible to latch your baby. You can use your breast pump as a tool to express a small amount of milk, soften your breast, and then re-latch your baby. This can happen at 3 AM and you don’t want to be stuck without it!
A Good Breastfeeding Class
Most expectant moms will prepare for their delivery by taking a childbirth class with their spouse, yet few will take a breastfeeding class assuming that breastfeeding is natural and they will learn after the baby is born. This is a common misconception and can make for a very difficult time. Having all the right products without the knowledge and skills can lead to difficulty, problems, pain and even failure to breastfeed. Take a class, read a book or watch a DVD program –preferably from a certified lactation consultant whose clients have excellent initiation and continuation success rates with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is simple, but not always easy. Preparing yourself with learning a proven method prior to your baby’s arrival will give you the step-by-step skills you will need to get off to the right start.