As a first-time mom, breastfeeding can be hard. Although it’s a natural thing, it doesn’t always come naturally.
There’s latching and positioning baby, and even the dreaded lack of supply. It can really make you want to give up!
Wasn’t this supposed to be easy?!
Now, in an effort to fully disclose, this article contains affiliate links. This means if you purchase something, I would receive a commission. For more information, see my disclosure page.
With the right tools, education and resources breastfeeding can be a LOT easier.
Absolute MUST-HAVES for breastfeeding
1. Milkology Breastfeeding course
This course is hands-down the best resource to invest in for breastfeeding. Stacey goes in depth on all your questions about breastfeeding as well as things you would never have thought to ask.
2. Breast pads
When you are breastfeeding, your boobs will leak. That is why breast pads are ESSENTIAL breastfeeding must haves.
It will help save your shirts from some rather unpleasant stains, but also the embarrassement of leaking through your shirt when you are in public (no thanks!).
They make both disposable and reusable, so find what’s comfortable for you.
3. Nursing Tops
Breastfeeding means a lot of whipping your boob out to feed your baby. To make this a little simpler, nursing tops are another must have you should consider.
4. Nursing Pillow
Breastfeeding is all about positioning baby in just such a way that they can nurse with ease. Nursing pillows will help you prop baby up to your boob to help!
5. Nursing Cover
The next breastfeeding must have will depend on the individual, but having a nursing cover will make breastfeeding in public a little less awkward.
Okay, don’t throw me under the bus for saying that!
This one on Amazon can be used as a nursing cover and also a carseat cover.
6. Lanolin Nipple Cream
Another must have you will want if you are breastfeeding is some nipple cream. This helps soothe your creacked and sore nipples!
7. Vitamins
If you want to breastfeed, another thing you will need is to keep taking your prenatal vitamins. This helps keep your supply going!
They also make vitamins especially formulated for nursing mamas, so check those out too!
8. Nipple Shield
Nipple shields won’t be for every woman, but if you have flat or inverted nipples, you will want these!
These will help baby latch on and make breastfeeding easier(ish).
I won’t sugar coat it though, breastfeeding with inverted nipples will be HARD!
9. Breast Pump
Even if you are breastfeeding, having a breast pump is till an essential.
In order to help quickly grow your supply, it’s a good idea to pump after breastfeeding.
You might not get much at first, but it will send a message to your body that it needs to create more supply.
10. Bottles
I know you probably just cringed, but there will be times when it’s nice to have some help with feedings.
Also, if you ever intend on having someone watch your baby (date nights, daycare, etc) someone will need to be able to feed your baby with a bottle.
Along with bottles, you will want a bottle brush to be able to clean the bottles! (Sorry, that’s a lot of bottles in one sentence.)
That’s really all there is to it! You might also want to have a water bottle that you can carry around with you, because staying hydrated is essential for maintaining your supply.
If you enjoyed reading this, would you mind doing me a favor and sharing it on Pinterest? Thanks so much!!
Leave a Reply