The best products I have found that I think every mama should have on hand
*May contain affiliate links
Hey mamas! I wrote before about how tough breastfeeding can be to get started, but there were a few items that I couldn’t live without when I was getting the hang of it and still love them today. I legitimately use these products daily and wouldn’t recommend them to you otherwise– I can’t be bought, bitch. Click the link below the image to shop my recommendations.
1. Brest Friend Pillow
My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow with Extra Slipcover, Blue Bells
I use my Brest Friend Pillow every day, I couldn’t live without it. The reason I love this brand in particular is because it clips around your waist, which allows for greater support of your baby and he won’t slip between you and the pillow. You will be surprised how quickly a tiny baby gets heavy, not to mention the stress it puts on your wrist, arm, and nerves when holding him up. The foam pillow also features head supports built in to keep the baby’s head elevated above his stomach, helpful in reducing spit up. I would definitely get an extra slip cover, because… you know… milk. There is even a handy pocket off the front to keep water or your phone, but I mostly just stick my breast pad in it! Speaking of…
2. Lansinoh Absorbent Breast Pads
Lansinoh – Disposable Nursing Pads, 100 count, 2-
Since you are breastfeeding, you will be leaking. And it can be a lot, to the point where your bra and shirt are wet and you’re thinking WTF HAPPENED in the middle of the night. Sorry sister, it’s the price of feeding another human. I can’t go without wearing breast pads. I originally went for the earth friendly wash and reuse pads, but they didn’t provide enough protection. If you leak a little bit they might be okay, but the Lansinoh pads hold an ungodly amount of milk. Like your mind will be blown. I’ve never leaked through. And I suggest a two-pack, you’ll go through them almost as fast as diapers.
If you want to try the washable pads, I had ordered the organic kind below. They wash well and get softer as you wash them. Just make sure your nipples are dry before putting them back on or else your skin will stick, and peeling them off hurts like a bitch. I would also buy two sets of these, you can go through them quickly in a day and then have to wash and dry them. At least the wash bag is included!
Since nipples were brought up…
3. Lansinoh Nipple Cream
Lansinoh HPA Lanolin 1.41 Oz (2 Pack)
A lifesaver to prevent dry and cracked nipples, this cream is seriously worth investing in. I usually apply it once a day after feeding or pumping. It’s all natural, hypoallergenic, and you don’t have to wash it off before feeding baby again. Again I’m showing you a two-pack to save you some cash. I keep one by my pump and one in the bathroom for after showers. Or keep one in your diaper bag and one in the nursery. Trust me, the time to think about getting cream isn’t after your nips are sore AF from breastfeeding. Just trust me ok?
4. Philips Avent Thermal Gel Pads
Philips AVENT Thermal Gel Pads, 2-Pack
For some reason– and I hope its not just me–boobs can get really hot after breastfeeding, especially if your baby is into cluster feedings. Like literally hot to the touch. Cool those bad girls down with these gel pads. I love them because they can be heated or frozen. Heat to help stimulate milk production and let down, freeze to stop it. If you read my breastfeeding post linked above, then you know I only use them to freeze the f out of my boobs so I can get a break and sleep milk-free while my husband bottle feeds Baby T once a night. The downside of these is that if you have really big boobs they don’t cover the entire thing. I usually use both on one side at a time, unfortunately. But, I still can’t live without them.
5. Breastmilk storage
Medela Breastmilk Storage Solution
I’m very blessed to be an over supplier of breast milk– although sometimes when my boobs are hard as Pam’s bad implants from milk backup it doesn’t feel like a blessing. Anyway, sometimes a girl’s just gotta pump. And trust me, that pumped milk is like liquid gold–you won’t want to just dump it! I like this storage kit because it has a variety of options for storage, as well as a handy fridge caddy. Use the bags or small tubes to freeze or refrigerate milk, and use the big bottles to refrigerate for daily use. The cool thing about the big bottles is that the lid has a built in day tracker so you know when you pumped. Just pop it up and spin to the right day, then push down to lock in place. The bags allow you to write the date, time, and amount of milk stored. You can always order more bags, but this is a great starter kit.
Until next time!
Surviving and thriving in the (sur)reality of motherhood. 