I have been breastfeeding for 12 months, I exclusively pumped while our baby spent her first two months in the NICU, and once she came home, I switched to nursing full-time.
There was always uncertainty about whether she’d be able to nurse due to the condition she was born with. With that in mind, feeling pain from a C-section, being hooked to a magnesium machine, and with my newborn receiving assistance in the NICU, there was little strength left in me to pump around the clock with the hope of nursing in the future.
Speaking to lactation consultants or women who view breastfeeding and nursing positively will make all the difference, so I highly recommend doing that. You can also join breastfeeding support groups on Facebook or in person, to see that you aren’t alone, and to hear what is working best for other moms.
Since I have been breastfeeding for about a year, I thought I’d share my favorite nursing essentials in case it is helpful for you!
7 Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for you and your baby, and here are seven that helped me understand breastfeeding better:
- Breast milk has antibodies to protect your baby against infections and allergies.
- Breast milk helps build a strong immune system for your baby.
- Helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size.
- Protects against various risks to the mother.
- Breastfeeding naturally soothes your baby.
- Establishes trust between the baby and the mother.
- Breastfeeding can be done anywhere without needing other supplies.
My 9 Breastfeeding Must-Haves
I have learned a lot over the past year, so here are the breastfeeding essentials that made the entire process easier for me. I hope they help you too!
1. Nursing Pillow
I love the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow the MOST. I initially purchased a regular nursing pillow that lacked back support and had no strap making breastfeeding so complicated. Once I got this pillow I was able to nurse easily! The extra-thick cushion keeps the baby aligned and secure on a firm surface. The My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow is a game-changer and the back support is a lifesaver. Personally, this has been my most important item for nursing.
2. Hospital Grade Pump
I mentioned above that I exclusively pumped while our baby was in the NICU. Because I was spending 10+ hours a day at the NICU, I used the hospital’s Medela Symphony PLUS Breast Pump which worked extremely well for me. At home, I tried other pumps, but none worked for me, so if you encounter the same issue, ask at the hospital and perhaps you can rent one as well. I had no idea this was possible, but it SAVED me so I wanted to share it.
Get this Manual Breast Pump that is very handy, does not require batteries, is inexpensive, and fits in a handbag. If you are an overproducer and need to relieve pressure, this manual pump can help you. It’s also a great option if using an electric pump is putting strain on your nipples or causing you excessive pain.
3. A Comfortable Bra
Early on, I purchased these Maternity Bras, which I used throughout my pregnancy, and then for nursing once our baby came home.
This Crossover Nursing Bra is AMAZING. It is very comfortable and the design makes nursing easy – I love it.
Regarding pumping bras, I never found one that I liked or would recommend.
4. Nursing Pads
I still use these Nursing Pads around the clock and prefer them over the thicker pads. As a breastfeeding mom, finding light nursing pads was crucial for comfort. They are extra absorbent, discreet, gentle on sensitive skin, and essential for breastfeeding moms.
You may also want to get Hot & Cold Pads. They are a great option for pain relief.
5. Nursing Shawl
If you will be nursing, and plan to take your baby everywhere with you, then you will find this nursing shawl incredibly useful I cannot live without mine, and use it everywhere.
The fabric is breathable for the baby, lightweight, discreet, and elegant.
6. Nipple Cream
This Nipple Cream was my favorite during my first trimester, I especially applied it before showering to protect sensitive nipples. This cream is lanolin-free, non-greasy, and hypoallergenic.
I also purchased this popular Earth Mama Nipple Butter that I consistently applied right before and immediately after nursing my baby. This butter is fantastic for moms who will be exclusively pumping or nursing. Apply the butter to the flanges before your pumping session, or apply it to your nipples post-nursing session for relief.
7. Scoop Neck Tops
These scoop-neck tops have made nursing significantly easier for me. The material is light and comfortable, and due to the neckline, it can easily be pulled down. Plus, these neutral tops go with everything.
Everything I wear these days is nursing-friendly, and these tops are not but are perfect for nursing. I’ve purchased a ton these past years and sized up during my pregnancy.
8. Button Front Pajamas
You will want pajamas that make nursing super easy. My favorites are the Modal Long PJ Set from Eberjey and this pajama set from Target.
9. Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets
I LOVE these blankets. During my baby’s first 6 months, my constant concern was keeping my baby warm while breastfeeding. I came across this set of three cotton blankets that come in the perfect size, and are machine washable.
These blankets became an instant favorite and have held up really over the last year. I primarily used them to cover our baby, but you can use them in many ways.
Breastfeeding & Sleeping
I was listening to a podcast by Erica Komisar recently, where she explained that babies under the age of 1 should not be sleep-trained:
When babies cry, they need their mother, when they cry, they are scared, when they are in distress, if you don’t respond to their distress, all you are teaching them is that the world is an unsafe place and you are an untrustworthy attachment figure, and they go into life believing that. And they carry that into their relationships, and the future, and they feel lonely and alone. The absence of mothers in children under the age of three, impacts their mental health going forward.
Learning how to help a baby fall asleep requires time, patience, and love. I did not sleep-train our baby and preferred nursing her to sleep – a less emotionally stressful approach. I did not have a night nurse and opted to handle everything myself.
The first four months were not the easiest because babies must be fed three times per night. Once my baby was 4.5 months old, she started sleeping ten hours per night, from around 9:00 PM until around 7:00 AM, and she still does. Being patient with her at the beginning has paid off 🙂
Here is what helped me the most:
- Feed your baby every 2.5 – 3 hours to ensure they get all the calories they need during the daytime. Download the Srout Baby Tracker to your phone. This app will help you track your nursing sessions – I can’t live without it, it’s amazing.
- Use the Ollie or Dreamland Sleep Swaddle. We tried five swaddles, but none worked as well as these two. Our baby was not a big fan of having her arms tucked in, so we mostly used them as a sleep sack, and having both options was important. Once she grew out of them, we switched to this sleeping bag from KYTE, and have been using it daily since then.
- Use the Nanit Sound and Light Machine. I find this machine useful for three reasons: the digital clock, the soothing sounds, and the customizable light. We use the sound of waves during her daytime naps and at night. Hatch has this popular machine too.
- Have a bedside crib. The baby should sleep in the same room as the mother for at least six months. Having this crib that starts as a mini crib has been awesome as a nursing mom. If I extend my arm while lying in bed I can touch her and it’s great. If she wakes up while I am sleeping she sees me by her and remains there calmly.
Not all nights are the same, babies will cry at night while teething, require extra nursing sessions while going through growth spurts (please keep this in mind), or wake up randomly if the room is too cold or hot.
Once your baby is older, you can try placing the palm of your hand on your baby’s belly or chest, to soothe and help them fall back asleep. Sometimes this works, others it does not, and that’s okay.
How to increase breast milk naturally?
I increased my water intake significantly and stopped drinking tea. I do not think that there is anything out there that increases your supply.
Your milk supply depends on how often you nurse or pump your breasts, so it is recommended that you nurse or pump every 3 hours.
Why you should never pump longer than 30 minutes?
Pumping for longer than 30 minutes will damage your breast tissue. Most pumps have built-in timers that stop the pump at 30 minutes.
This is my favorite nursing shawl
A final note!
Between not being able to hold or see my baby when she was born, having a baby in the NICU for weeks, exclusively pumping and then exclusively nursing, and having no additional help once our baby came home, it was not the easiest.
Everything in life requires effort: school, university, a new job or position, a sport, and even a new hobby. I feel that it’s the same with breastfeeding and nursing.
Once the baby starts solids, the nursing sessions are drastically reduced from 12 sessions per day to 4 per day. That’s where we are now at – it went by FAST!
I wanted to mention that I took a daily 6-hour break from pumping while exclusively pumping, from midnight until 6:30 AM. Both my body and my mental health needed it. This did not seem to impact my supply.
I am happy to share my experience if it is helpful to you!
Feel free to message me or leave a comment below.
What are your breastfeeding favorites?
See more of my motherhood posts, or read about my surgery, birth story, and baby registry favorites here.
If you are looking for maternity dresses for your pregnancy announcement or baby shower take a look at this post, or return to the blog.
