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My Slightly Chaotic Life

Balancing Life, Children and Chaos

Parenting, Pregnancy

Breastfeeding Essentials

May 18, 2018 Comments : 5

Wondering what you need to make breastfeeding a success? Do you struggle with breastfeeding your baby? Find the essentials for a successful breast feeding journey here. | Breastfeeding | Baby | Feeding essentials |
Wondering what you need to make your breastfeeding journey successful? Struggling trying to get breastfeeding to work. Check out this article on the essentials to make your breastfeeding journey easier and more successful. | Breastfeeding | Breastfeeding Essentials | Breastfeeding Tips | #breastfeeding #breastfeedingtips #breastfeedingmoms

I know what you’re thinking; not another breastfeeding essentials blog post but hear me out first before you close out of this post. Everyone has a different perspective on what is essential and I had no clue what would be important the first time around and overlooked quite a few things the second time around. I will just say I attempted to breast feed both my children. I really gave it a good effort before resorting to pumping including meeting multiple times with the wonderful local lactation consultants.

Despite this my son never got the hang of it and I ended up exclusively pumping to give him breast milk for a year. My daughter struggled with transfer issues early on and I had resigned myself to exclusively pump for her as well. Then magically, one day, a light switched on in her and she started actually breastfeeding and breastfeeding well. I continue to go back and forth with pumping and having her nurse and it has been working for us. So whether you are a mom to be, first time mom, second time mom or someone looking for a baby shower gift, here are the items I found to be essential to have while breastfeeding.

This post may contain affiliate links, see my full disclosures HERE

A really good pump

I have the Spectra S2 and love it. With my son I had the Medela and had some issues with it. Keep in mind that was 6 years ago and I am sure they have made advancements in their pump since then. The Spectra is a hospital grade pump with a closed system so no more milk backing up in the tubing, YAY! These reasons and the stellar reviews were what led me to chose this advanced breast pump. Since using it I have found that it is pretty complicated with all the settings but a simple you tube search (thank you you tube) you will find how to use the pump to it’s full ability. Make sure you check with your insurance policy first because many health plans now cover the cost of certain pumps.


Spectra S2 can be found HERE ! Check it out and read the reviews. It is a really good pump.

Coconut Oil

Yes, coconut oil. I used this in place of the typical nipple cream at the recommendation of some very knowledgeable post-partum nurses. Those first few days will feel like a little gremlin is attacking your nipples while both you and they learn how to perfect the latch. Your nipples will be sore, raw and sometimes even bleeding. (Isn’t motherhood amazing?) I liked the idea of coconut oil because it is all natural and has a multitude of healing properties. Go with what feels good for you whether it be coconut oil or lanolin.


The coconut oil I used can be found by clicking on the image above!

A Boppy

I love my boppy.. It not only helps provide support while you maneuver your baby to the best position on your breast but it can also be used later on to help the baby stay propped up when they have better head control. The cover is also washable which is great since your precious little bundle will eventually vomit on it or pee on it.


The nice thing about the boppy is that you can find different covers you like. Click the image and browse through the options!

Nursing pads

I personally never thought that I would leak. It took about 7 weeks before I started leaking when I heard my baby cry or when I was feeding from the opposite side. Hell, just thinking about my baby was enough to trigger a let down. It was certainly quite embarrassing when this happened for the first time while out in public and I was wearing a army green t-shirt (there was no hiding the leakage). These just discreetly tuck in your bra to help catch whatever leaks out. I have both the washable ones and the disposable ones. I like that the disposable ones have a sticky side that sticks into your bra to avoid sliding. The reusable ones are nice because they are washable and well because they are environmentally friendly.

My favorite are linked above by clicking the picture.

Another important product to have are cooling pads for when your nipples become raw and tender. These help relieve some of that soreness. My fav can be found HERE.

Haakaa

I had never heard about this nifty little contraption that helps catch the let down on the opposite side you are nursing from until the girls in my Facebook pregnancy group raved about it. Obviously I would never use this in public but it is perfect for home use to help build up a milk stash if need be. It suctions onto the opposite breast while you are nursing and voila milk collects in this.

Haakaa silicone breast pump can be found here.

A supportive bra

Nursing bras are great but make sure you get a supportive nursing bra. What will feel good for you will depend on your chest size and bra preference. So when you find one you like get a couple.

Milk storage bags

These are super important to have on hand if you have an over supply and are pumping and storing milk. The first few days home I completely forgot about these and was scrambling to get some since I had so much milk that needed to be stored and nothing to store it in safely.

Click the image to be linked to breast milk storage bags.

Bottles

If you end up being like me and either exclusively pump or switch back and forth a bottle with a nipple that mimics a relay breast is essential. My daughter prefers the bottles that feel like the real thing. We also like using bottles for anti colic because gas and babies do not make a happy combination.

These are my favorite bottles currently.

Nipple Shield

This was my secret weapon and changed everything when I began to use it. After a while, your nipples become a mess. Mine were cracked, bleeding and I was ready to give up. Popped this little guy on and it seriously changed the breastfeeding game. If you have never used one, get one now and try it out. Your nipples will thank you.

Breastfeeding can be so hard especially on the new mom. Make sure that you grab some of these breastfeeding essentials to make your breastfeeding journey that much easier.

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Comments

  1. Lynneah says

    May 18, 2018 at 5:14 pm

    Great list! I would also add to buy some disposable nursing pads for over night when baby doesn’t wake up as often. I leaked through my washable ones so fast! The disposable ones tend to hold more milk leakage!

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    May 18, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    Super helpful! I’m still undecided about breastfeeding but I love knowing the must haves if I do choose that route.

    Reply
  3. melissa says

    May 20, 2018 at 4:23 am

    great post! very helpful, I wish I was able to breast feed both of my kids until atleast one. Sometimes plans don’t always work the way you plan it.

    Reply
  4. Hannah says

    May 20, 2018 at 6:14 am

    I breastfed my daughter too and I would have to agree with your list! I am expecting our second daughter in August so it was helpful to be reminded of these things :-). Hannah from http://www.womanontheway.com

    Reply
  5. Chelsae says

    May 20, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    I heard so many great things about the Hakka but I never got it! This is a great list. I also used a little nursing night light that clipped onto my nursing bra in the middle of the night. It was perfect because I didn’t have to use my lamp.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Danielle. I'm a mom, wife and ED nurse. I love sharing my honest take on being a mom, traveling with kids and lifestyle content.

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Any other Winter Warriors out there? #ad You know, Any other Winter Warriors out there? #ad You know, the ones who drink iced coffee even in the coldest of weather? @dunkin is here to support all those Winter Warriors out there with their selection of iced coffee! If you’re out in the snow and drinking an iced coffee this winter, make sure to tag #dunkinwinterwarrior on your post!
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.
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#maineliving #mainetheway #icedcoffee #icedcoffeeaddict #momstyle #momlifestyle
Supporting my postpartum body with @beli.baby Pren Supporting my postpartum body with @beli.baby Prenatal vitamins. 
Not only are the essential prior to conception and during pregnancy; they are essential to keep the body healthy after pregnancy as well. 
I have openly shared my previous miscarriages before finally getting pregnant with Chloe. This is why I decided to check out the Beli Women Prenatal vitamins to help with my own personal fertility and boost my chances of a having a successful pregnancy. The Beli Women Prenatal vitamins are formulated with powerful ingredients that can boost fertility and conception as well as  improve egg quality. As an older mom, this was especially important to me. During pregnancy, the Beli Women Prenatal can protect baby’s brain and spine, help reduce nausea, and then support postpartum recovery and breastfeeding.
And as a busy mom having the ability to order and have them delivered to your door monthly makes it that much easier for me to remember to take them. 
What are you doing to support your postpartum wellness? #belibaby #postpartumbody 
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.
.
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#postpartumwellness #postpartumjourney #pregnancylife #mombod #momof3 #pregnancyjourney
A little day off morning routine that for once was A little day off morning routine that for once was not pure craziness. 
Things that help me get out the door in the morning on time is getting up before the kids, having clothes picked out the night before and making sure their bags are packed for daycare and school. 
Mornings before work are a completely different ballgame. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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#morningroutine #morningvlog #dayinthelife #dailyvlog #momof3 #motherhoodunfiltered #dailylife
Not exactly sure how I am going to survive the tee Not exactly sure how I am going to survive the teen years with this one. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 
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I wonder what it must be like to go through life w I wonder what it must be like to go through life without a care in the world 😂 I guess this is where we balance each other out; me being the ball of anxiety and him being calm. Anyone else’s marriage or relationship like this? 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#marriagehumor #marriedlife #funnyreel #anxietyproblems #marriagegoals #husbandandwife
I can’t even move the wrong way without feeling I can’t even move the wrong way without feeling it the next day. Not sure how I have come to this point in my life. 
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#parentingmemes #funnyreels #momhumor #newreel #tiredmom #relateable #adultlife
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