Happy World Breastfeeding Week! Earlier this week, I shared my own personal breastfeeding journey and some very special pictures that I’d love for you to see before we talk about my must have breastfeeding products. I started breastfeeding one year and one week ago today. It was something I knew I wanted to do, but I didn’t realize how passionate about breastfeeding I would become.
These must have breastfeeding products I’m sharing with y’all today are not random things I found on the internet, but actual products that I used to help make my first year of breastfeeding successful! Many were recommended to me specifically by my lactation consultant who happens to also be my mom. Let’s jump in and see these must have breastfeeding products for a successful breastfeeding journey!
**Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no extra cost to you, I will receive a small commision if you purchase.
Must Have Breastfeeding Products
I’m going to touch on several of my favorite items that got me through the hard, early days of breastfeeding. I would call these my must have breastfeeding products for sure! You can also access my whole list with quick Amazon links if you need them!
1. My Brest Friend
The most well knows breastfeeding pillow out there is the Boppy. What many people don’t know about is how awesome My Brest Friend is! It actually circles around your whole body and clips closed. This is a great feature because you don’t have to worry about it slipping away from your body while you’re feeding baby. It also has a little pocket so you can put a water bottle or the remote in there! It actually super useful during those early days when it feels like all you’re doing is feeding your little one!
2. Bamboo Nursing Pads
My mom introduced me to these nursing pads, and they’re amazing. They’re so soft and absorbent which is exactly what you want in a nursing pad! I would wear them to bed, all day long and even when working out. The best part is that you can wash them and reuse them. I have washed mine countless times. I just drop them in the wash on delicate with Chloe’s clothes! I don’t dry mine because I want them to last as long as possible, so I just set them on top of the dryer while it’s running.
3. Nursing Scarf/Car Seat Cover
No need to worry about nursing in public and busting out a big, awkward cover. This scarf is wide enough to cover up, light weight and easy to wear all at the same time. Plus you can take it and use it over the carseat to shade baby from the sun or elements. There are tons of options out there, but milk snob is my favorite brand!
4. Manual Pump
Two words. Life saver. It’s so nice to be able to relieve the pressure when you’re engorged without having to bust out the regular pump. It’s such a process getting out the pump, setting up, getting situated and finally pumping. Plus it takes 10-20 minutes to pump on top of that. Now this is great when traveling, working or any time you’re away from your baby regularly or for an extended time. When you are at a friends house, a passenger in the car, the baby is napping or you just need quick relief, this thing is amazing.
I personally have a Medela Harmony Manual Pump, but here are a few other options that my lactation consultant recommends and friends have liked.
5. Silicone Breast Breast Pump
A silicone pump is much different than a manual breast pump I mentioned above. This type of “pump” is really more of a suction cup that you attach to your breast to pull and catch milk from the breast that you are NOT nursing on. You naturally leak milk from your opposite breast while nursing, especially in the early days. These silicone pumps allow you to gather that milk for storage later. The suction also allows it to pull a little more for you without doing any work at all. Haaka is the original brand name silicone pump, but you can find many others on Amazon. I purchased this one in particular with my second child and swear by it!
6. Soothies Gel Pads
The first several weeks your poor nipples take a beating. Your body has never done this before. Your nipples don’t know what is going on! They’re sore, sometimes they crack and you wonder if they’ll ever be okay again. The good news is that they will be okay again. Plus you can get relief! These soothies are wonderful. You can put them in the fridge and reuse them several times. It feels amazing. Trust me on this one!
7. Nursing Tank Top
There are several nursing tank tops out there, but this one by Bravado! has proven to be my favorite. I love that you can order your size based on your breastfeeding cup size! I have 3 different tanks and lived in them for the first few months. They’re comfortable to sleep and lounge in which is really all you should be doing those first several weeks. No bra needed underneath since you’re just recovering and feeding your baby!
8. Earth Mama Nipple Butter
Definitely the best and most soothing nipple butter on the market. The best part is that it’s completely safe for baby as it uses all natural, organic ingredients. Lather some on after each nursing session and there’s no need to wipe it off before the next one. It feels amazing and helps soothe and heal cracked and sore nipples.
World Breastfeeding Week
Since my mom is a lactation consultant, I was lucky to have someone close to me to help me out. I believe that her transfer of knowledge and true passion for breastfeeding babies is what has led me to where I am now! This week we put on a community baby shower at the hospital where my mom works! This is something my mom preps for all year long. She starts in September to prepare for the first week of August. I truly admire her hard work, dedication and determination. Each year has become bigger and better. I’m so proud of her and I’m even looking into following in her footsteps! Here are a few pictures from this year’s event!
If you have any breastfeeding questions, I’d love to help! Please don’t hesitate to reach out. If I don’t know the answer, I know someone pretty knowledgeable that will!
Don’t forget to pin this to your Breastfeeding board on Pinterest before you go!
What are your must have breastfeeding products?
Have a wonderful weekend y’all. I’ll be back to normal again next week!