As a new mom, you will face many challenges but breastfeeding won’t be one of them when you are done reading this. Breastfeeding is hard! From my personal experience, it isn’t as easy as it seems. It took me over three months to get the hang of it. However “my pain is your gain” I created the ultimate breastfeeding essentials for first time moms to help ease your journey.
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1. Breast compress
Earth Mama booby tubes or Bamboobies soothing therapy pillows are great products to use. When warmed in the microwave it can help with milk let down, relieve clogged milk ducts and mastitis, and encourage milk flow.
If refrigerated the cold helps with pain and swelling from engorgement. Another alternative can be to wet a small towel and place it in warm water or place the soaked towel in the refrigerator.
You can purchase the Earth Mama booby tubes HERE or Bamboobies soothing therapy pillows HERE.
2. Nipple cream
Nipple creams or balms help relieve cracked and sore nipples by moisturizing. These creams are safe to be consumed and can be repurposed as salves to put on your lips, hands, elbows or even a baby rash.
I give the Motherlove nipple cream as a baby shower gift to all new moms because this works wonders to soothe cracked nipples.
Another great soothing balm is the Earth Mama Organic Nipple Balm.
You can purchase my favorite one online HERE or in the baby aisle where the feeding supplies are located.
3. Nipple shields
Nipple shields are a unique and amazing tool to help the discomfort and pain of nursing. They are made from silicone and without BPA which means it’s safe for you and the baby to use.
You just place the shield on the nipple and latch the baby on. It is as simple as that.
These were extremely handy to have when my son had his tongue tie.
4. Pain reliever
Tylenol or Advil helped relieve the pain and are safe to take while nursing. Please consult your medical provider before taking any medications.
5. Nursing Pads
As soon as your milk comes you won’t be able to control your “leaky faucets” which inevitably some days you will leak more than others.
Therefore I suggest you protect yourself with the Lansinoh Disposable nursing pads. This product does an amazing job of soaking up the milk and not showing up on your shirt.
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6. Nursing Bra
Your boobs will look amazing but will be super sensitive and you will feel super uncomfortable.
A great nursing bra is one without a wire like the Motherhood maternity nursing bra. I loved using them because they felt really comfortable with my engorged breast.
You might want to consider buying a hands-free pumping bra like Lupantte Adjustable Breastfeeding Bra.
It will save you from holding up the pumping machine by hand and instead have the hand-free experience to do what you want instead.
7. Breast Pump
A breast pump is a must if you are going to breastfeed for a while. The benefits of having one are
- To ease engorgement
- Produce more milk
- Days you need to be away from the baby
- When you get sick
It doesn’t matter if you get a manual or an electric pump both are super helpful. It is definitely easier to have an electric pump which I used the Dr. Brown’s Customflow electric breast pump. This pump was affordable, lightweight, easy to use, and had different setting for the milk flow.
Depending on the breast pump you purchase you might need additional accessories like
- Breastmilk storage bags
- Valves
- membranes
- tubing
So make sure you do your research on the pump you want to use and what accessories you will need.
8. Bottles
Bottles are another essential that you need. Even though you are going to breastfeed it is a good idea to have some for instances that you are not going to be physically near your baby or just need a break.
The Comotomo bottles are unique and an excellent choice to use. They are made to resemble a woman’s breast and helps the baby with nipple confusion.
The material the bottle is made out of is silicone which means it is easy to clean. Also Dr. Brown’s bottles are amazing as well.
9. Nursing Cover
Kid’s and such have a fantastic nursing cover. It has a rigid neckline for you to view your baby and a sewn-in burp cloth.
The material is made out of 100% breathable cotton. This cover is great for an outdoor outing and when the baby needs to eat.
10. Nursing pillow
The Boppy original nursing pillow is what I preferred to use. It made nursing a little easier.
You can also use the pillow in different ways such as tummy time and sitting baby up. They even make different cover patterns that are so adorable.
11. Water and Snacks
Always have water and snacks around. You will definetely be hungry all the time.
A great way to help stay hydrated is to use a waterbottle with reminders like this one.
12. Lactation Consultation
At the beginning of my breastfeeding journey, I struggled a lot and I wanted to give up. I decided to give it one last shot by going to a lactation consultant at The Lactation Foundation.
This changed my everything. The consultant was able to find the reason why I was having so much pain and gave me solutions to my problem. I was able to successfully breastfeed my son until he turned two years old!
I highly recommend going to a lactation consultant to all new moms who are wanting to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding essentials for the new mom resource to check out are
Read next >>>>Breastfeeding Tips for the First Time Mom<<<<
I’m glad you took the time to look through the ultimate breastfeeding essentials for first time moms.
As a new mom these items helped me go through the hard times of nursing and I know they will help you as well.
But if breastfeeding doesn’t work out for you this isn’t end all be all, give yourself grace and just remember as long as your baby is fed and thriving you are doing an amazing job!
Let me know if these products worked for you. You can DM on instagram @lorenasvida or sign up to my newsletter and email me!