Breast milk is one of the best things you can give to your new baby. With my first baby I had such high hopes for breastfeeding and learned very quickly that it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. He struggled to latch on and eventually ended up in the NICU because he had lost weight and got very jaundiced. Fortunately I had some great support and even though I couldn’t breastfeed I still found ways to give my baby my breast milk. With my second child, she was totally different. She LOVED to breastfeed and in fact wanted to do it every hour. This was a challenge all in itself but again thanks to the advice and helpful tips from some of my friends I found some products to help make breastfeeding and pumping an easier process.
With Baby #3 coming in just a few weeks I have already started to plan out the essentials that I need for breastfeeding. There are so many great products out there to help moms with breastfeeding so I have come up with 4 Must have products for breastfeeding moms that are sure to make life easier.
4 Must Have Products For Breastfeeding Moms
Breast Care Essentials Set
Your body goes through so many changes during pregnancy and after you give birth. One of those changes is the sensitivity in your breasts as your milk starts to come in. One of the main reasons that women give up on breastfeeding is because it can be very uncomfortable, if not hurt, the first few weeks. That’s one of the reasons I put the Breast care essentials set on the list of must have products for breastfeeding moms. This set will help you during those early days of breastfeeding. Inside the essentials set you will find 2 thermopads that have 2 different uses. One is to warm and stimulate your milk flow. The second is to cool your breasts giving them some soothing relief from the discomfort you might be feeling.
Next you will find 12 day-time breast pads and 6 night time breast pads. Each will help you stay dry and comfortable. These breast pads are individually wrapped so you can easily put them in your purse or diaper bag and not worry about anything getting on them. And last but not least is a Washable pouch which includes a bra clip inside to help you remember which side you breastfed from and a feeding diary. All of these items are essential in helping you stay comfortable during those first couple of weeks of breastfeeding.
Manual Breast Pump
There are going to be times when you are out and about and you need to pump. It’s not always feasible to carry around a heavy electric breastpump and that’s why I recommend the Philips Avent Manual Comfort Breast Pump. This pump is lightweight and portable and with it’s compact design you can easily store it in your diaper bag. The suction from the pump gently stimulates milk flow and you can pump anywhere, anytime. Inside the box you will find the Express Breast pump, a sealing disc and a Philips Avent natural bottle and newborn nipple. Everything you need to pump is right at your hands. And since there are only a few pieces with this pump it makes it so much easier to clean.
Even if you have an electric pump I would still recommend having a manual pump as a backup. Here in Oklahoma we have frequent storms in the spring months which means the power can go out for hours at a time. With a manual pump I know that even without electricity I can still pump if I need too.
Breast Milk Storage Bags
When I pumped the first time I didn’t realize how much milk I would produce. Thankfully someone had given me some breast milk storage bags and this helped me to neatly and safely store all of my breast milk in the freezer. Philips Avent Breast milk storage bags are great to have on hand. They help you to easily store, freeze and protect that precious liquid gold. The bags have a secure, leak proof and double zipper that makes sure your breast milk stays inside and not leaking everywhere. They are also pre-sterilized.
Avent Disposable Breast Pads
I mentioned a little bit about disposable breast pads with the Breast care essentials set. But I feel like these are so important that I want to mention them again. As long as you breastfeed, milk is going to leak from your breasts. And even for a short time after you stop. It’s part of having a baby, an annoying part but something that all postpartum women will experience. That’s why I highly recommend you stock up on quality breast pads. There is nothing worse than leaking milk through your shirt. It’s annoying, gross and embarrassing. So to avoid that situation be sure to get some Philips Avent Disposable Breast pads. These breast pads are heavy duty and will help to soak up any milk that may come out. They have pads for both day and night.
So there you have it. My 4 Must Have Products For Breastfeeding Moms! I’d love to hear some of your suggestions on products that may or may not of helped you while you were breastfeeding. Leave me a comment below. Also be sure to check out some other Baby Must Haves here.