What Breastfeeding Products Are Really Necessary?
All what breastfeeding infants need are their mothers. In fact, many products advertised as “breastfeeding packs” are far from being helpful for nursing mothers, since they are conceived assuming mom is going to give up natural feeding in some ways and offer poor quality breast pumps, bottles and zippy cups. Before you rush to buy any breastfeeding product out there, have a look at this list and choose only what will fit your needs.
There are a few products that breastfeeding moms have used to make natural nursing more convenient, and that can actually serve to enhance rather than getting in the way of the breastfeeding relationship:
A supportive nursing bra
A good and comfortable nursing bra can help mom, especially if she is full busted, to prevent problems with plugged ducts. A good nursing bra should be stretchy and soft to accommodate different breast sizes as they change throughout the same day. It should make breastfeeding easy, with one handed access. In general, soft cup should be used instead of underwire cups. Most women find that their breasts increase by one cup size when their milk supply increases a few days after birth but then levels off within a few weeks and get back to pre mama size around the fourth month.
A good breast pump
A breast pump is not needed by most breastfeeding moms when they have the proper support and help with breastfeeding technique from the beginning. Indeed, many women breastfeed their babies without ever using a pump. However, for some moms, owning an effective pump means they will make exclusive breast milk feeding a success and avoid formula.
Get A Breast Pump That Matches Your Needs. If you’ll only need a pump for occasional use (no more than once a week), a manual pump like the Avent Isis is all you need. However, if you’ll be back to full time work or have a premature baby who you will need to pump for frequently, invest in a good hospital quality, electric double pump like the ones made by Medela. Avoid breast pumps made by companies that also market infant formula since they are usually of poor quality.
A baby sling
Owning a comfortable and ergonomically correct baby sling has proven to be a lifesaver for many families and nursing moms. Having an infant at home could be stressful and a baby sling can make things much easier. It allows holding the baby more often, reducing crying periods (crying babies tend to have more difficulties nursing and often suffer with more gas due to swallowing a lot of air) while allowing mom to get things done or take care of older kids. Swaddling or babywearing is also helpful for newborns whose limbs flail around and get in the way of a good breastfeeding latch. Also, many soft baby carriers and slings allow to breastfeed easily and discreetly, which is nice for breastfeeding out in public.
A good and inspiring breastfeeding book
An informative and inspiring breastfeeding book that mom could read before baby arrives is great to learn good breastfeeding technique and management, and refer to it if challenges arise. Some great titles are: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International and Breastfeeding, Keep it Simple by Amy Spangler.
Most breastfeeding friendly products can be listed as helpful but not crucial for every mom. A list of other breastfeeding products to consider are: a nursing pillow to support proper position, a safe and comfortable co sleeping arrangement, nursing pajamas with easy access to the breast, breastfeeding tanks and tops, washable breast pads for leaking milk, and a hot/cold pillow to treat breasts discomfort.
There are dozens of breastfeeding products available on the market. Some of them could be really helpful while others don’t deserve to be labeled as “breastfeeding friendly”. You need to evaluate your personal and family needs and choose only those items that won’t get in the way of your breastfeeding relation.
