6 May 2015

Starting Your Breastfeeding Journey - Which Products?


You're pregnant and you want to breastfeed, excellent! Let's have you as prepared as possible for whatever may come your way whilst breastfeeding. There's tons of products on the market and you really don't need them all so here's a short list of some products you may want to get your hands on before your baby arrives.

Lansinoh Nipple Cream
Washable Breast Pads
Nursing Scarf/ Cover Up
Nursing Bras
Breastfeeding Pillow
Breastfeeding Friendly Clothes
Breast Pump

Now you don't have to buy everything breastfeeding but above are some of the items I've found I used most often during breastfeeding and they've definitely helped keep me going. The Lansinoh Nipple Cream is fab especially if you're a first time breastfeeding mother. Your nipples will take a bashing unfortunately but this cream is amazing and I highly recommend using it when you feel your nipples start to become tender. I used it again second time round but I didn't need it for quite so long as my nipples got used to the breastfeeding quicker this time. It can be bought from most supermarkets or chemists.

Washable Breast Pads are great and will save you money in the long run. They're comfy to wear, don't irritate, don't scrunch up like their disposable counter parts, are highly absorbent and easy to put through the wash for the next time you need them. A nursing scarf or cover up might come in handy although not essential however if you're a bit nervous about breastfeeding in public, which a lot of women are, then maybe the Loveyush Nursing Scarf might be for you. Click on the link to check out my review.

The Loveyush Nursing Scarf in Acrtion
One thing you'll definitely need is a couple of nursing bras and I'd say go and get sized maybe a week or two before you're baby is due. When your milk comes in a few days after birth your boobs will swell and you won't think they'll fit into your nursing bra however this will calm down as your baby gets the milk supply sorted so don't go up a bra size, stick with what you have as long as it's comfortable of course. For those women who have a slightly larger bust like myself I recommend Bravissimo for nursing bras. You can purchase online but it's better if you can get to a store to be measured up.

A breastfeeding pillow isn't essential either but my lord it'll save your arms from feeling like dead weights when your baby decides to settle in for an hour long feeding marathon. It's also amazing if you've had a c-section, like myself, as it takes the baby's weight and pressure off of your surgery wound. I'm currently still using my Baroo Maternity Pillow however a Nursing Pillow would probably be more suitable. There's loads of different brands out there on the market so have a Google and see if you can get a bargain.

Chilling on the maternity pillow
Again you don't have to buy specific breastfeeding clothes but making sure you have some breastfeeding 'friendly' clothes in your wardrobe will sure help. I'm still wearing a lot of my maternity tops as these are a bit bigger allowing you room and comfort to access your breasts for your baby. All I've really done is get my hands on an Emma-Jane Nursing Vest to pop on under some of my tops. It doesn't work with all my tops but it's great for the baggier ones. This vest will hide your mummy tummy and also doubles as a bra with plenty of support. I really do like this and have been wearing it loads. Next also have some nursing vests however you'll need to wear your bra underneath those ones.

I don't use a breast pump myself as frankly I'm a lazy mare and I'm lucky enough to be able to take a years maternity leave however lots of breastfeeding mums do express their milk for lots of different reasons. They may need to go back to work and still want to breastfeed so express to give it to their baby and also to keep their supply up. Some mums need a little break or maybe their partner wants to be involved in feeding or some mummy's like a little night out with the girls or a date night so expressing helps them to do this. There's also the little babies who are born prematurely but can still have their mummy's milk if she expresses. Whatever the reason there's no mad rush to buy a breast pump but if you do plan on expressing check out the Tommee Tippee, Medela and Nuby ones on the market. I'd suggest reading a few reviews before purchasing as well, just to make sure you get the right one to suit you as some aren't cheap.

Happily breastfeeding

2 comments on "Starting Your Breastfeeding Journey - Which Products?"

ghostwritermummy on 28 May 2015 at 18:12 said...

What a fab post- its always useful to have a list of tried and tested products from real mums. Thanks so much for sharing with #MaternityMatters x

The Breastest News on 1 June 2015 at 09:18 said...

Thank you ghostwritermummy :) And thanks for the great linky x

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