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Breastfeeding always seemed super nerve-wracking to me. I knew that it was important and beneficial for the baby but it scared me. Both my mom and sister struggled with breastfeeding some of their babies. I was so nervous that that would be me. I did not want to fail and not be able to provide for my baby. Through my journey I discovered certain things that helped make breastfeeding a little easier.
When I had my first I was not too sure about what I should get when it came to breastfeeding. I had never done it before. Even asking friends and family that had babies didn’t even cross my mind! I got the essentials and did ok. But when it came to my second I looked into items more closely and the things that other moms swore by. These items changed my life!
- Spectra S2 Breast Pump
This is the best breast pump ever! I love how little it is and how quiet it is. Easy to use. I just watched a couple of youtube videos on the best way to use it. I have had family members that have started with another breast pump and switch to this one. They have said they wished they got the spectra to start with. Plus it has a night light built into it for late night pumping or feeding sessions! I have had mine with both of my babies and it still is going strong!
- Haaka
This is an item that I did not know about with my first and I wish I had. It is a little suction cup that you attach to one boob while you feed your baby on the other boob. During your let down (when your boob fills with milk) it catches all the milk that leaks out, happens every single time. I built up a freezer stash on the Haaka alone that first week or so before I started pumping extra. I still use it in the mornings when I am extra engorged from the night. I love it because I can make sure that my breasts are fully empty to avoid clogged milk ducts.
- Breast Pads
You will absolutely need breast pads. I use disposable ones because they are softer on my nipples. I tried using the washable ones but when I would use breast cream it would dry to the cloth and then rip my nipples. It was awful! You leak every single time you feed. Especially the first couple months when your breasts will fill up every 3 hours on the dot. Save your bras and clothes and wear these. They are comfortable and I don’t even notice them.
- Breast compresses
These were also a discovery I made with my second. I kept getting clogged milk ducts which lead to mastitis 3 times! (that’s another story). But these compresses are amazing! They heat up in the microwave so you can put them on when you have a clogged milk duct. Or if your engorgement (breasts get very big and uncomfortable before they figure out what your baby needs) is horrible they freeze for cold relief. Seriously the best!
- Nipple Cream
This is a must for new breastfeeding moms. Your nipples will get raw and sore for the first month of breastfeeding. This cream is safe for babies and will relieve the nipple pain. My first one I didn’t start using it right away and my nipples became cracked and bled. But with my second I started using ASAP and it made all the difference. I did not have to deal with nearly as much pain as I did with my first. Breastfeeding hurts and this definitely relieves some of the pain.
Breastfeeding is HARD!! It is so hard. Those first couple of weeks it just is hard. But then all of a sudden it gets easier and both you and baby figure it out. These are the items that made my breastfeeding journey easier. They are so worth it and now I even make this as a basket for my new mom friends.
Remember that breastfeeding is a journey. You are not going to get it day one and that is ok. There are so many people there to help you. Make sure to take full advantage of the lactation consultant at the hospital. Get all the tips you can before going home and figuring it out on your own. Reach out to friends and family that have new babies and ask them for help. Mamas have to stick together! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I will answer to the best of my knowledge! Most importantly remember that you got this! You already grew that baby inside you! This is just one more thing that you are made to do!
Thank you so much for this post! Would love to hear more on your mastitis story. I have not gotten it but I have gotten thrush which was quite the experience, and would likes to avoid mastitis as much as possible.
Also would love to hear your pumping schedule, when you started and how often you would pump. Did you pump so you could go back to work?
Loving your blog! Looking forward to more posts!
An article on my mastitis will be coming soon! Thank you for your kind words! I EBF my babies since I am a stay at home mom. But in order to build a stash I pump before I go to bed and then in the mornings after the first feeding. This built up my supply fairly quickly and I think it would work great for Mamas returning to work.