1. A good nursing bra - Okay, so I said that the only "essentials" that you needed were a boob and baby but I should have added this to the mix. A good bra, breastfeeding or not, is something that people take for granted I think. A good bra can make a world of difference and it's one of those cases where you should feel comfortable getting a proper fit {with a professional if your sizing has recently changed} and worth the extra money. Don't go to Target and buy the same size that you bought 10 years ago even though your body does not resemble that of 10 years ago. Go to a store that has knowledge in the lingerie area and get a proper fitting then try on as many different types/styles as your time allows, you might be surprised in what you find more comfortable/practical that you hadn't considered before.
I personally love love love the Bravado! New Original Nursing Bra above all others. I have big bazooms and when breastfeeding I prefer not to have an underwire because I fear mastitis like none other and whenever I can cut down on the chances of getting it I take it. I like the fit, material, and style. It's easy to use and comfortable and a very very decent price. Doesn't get better.
2. A pump - There are a few different reasons to pump but for me it comes down to just two: to help establish milk production in those first weeks and to get a break once in a while {while Cheyenne gets a chance to feed the baby via bottle}. Since I don't have to worry about pumping enough to feed baby while I leave for work {one of the perks of being a stay-at-home mom} I don't need an hospital grade pump. If I did, then personally, I would rent one from the hospital instead of paying the outrageous prices for one {most all rent them out nowadays, if that sounds good for your situation give your hospital a call for prices}.
I use a few methods depending on why I'm expressing milk in the first place. With Amelia we had a bit of trouble getting into the swing of things {long story for another post} so I really relied on the help of pumping to keep my milk supply up while we were learning the ropes. Hand expression is actually much more helpful than it sounds and there is an excellent link here that was an invaluable resource for me. I used hand expression a lot in the first month after breast feeding but before pumping or in the between feeding times.
After hand expression I would use either my Lansinoh double electric or my Lansinoh manual pumps. Both have their pros and cons but if I absolutely had to just pick one I would honestly go with the manual. Again, this is in part because I do not have the issue of needing to pump enough to be able to work 8 hours a day - if that were the case then I don't think the manual would cut it.. I personally prefer the manual because I'm more efficient when I pump one breast at a time since I'm able to massage any ducts that may need some help and {I know it sounds crazy} but the double electric kind of makes me feel like a cow at a dairy farm whereas the manual just makes me feel like human mom gettin' her pump on.
As for brands I will say that I used Medela at the hospital after I had Amelia and at all meetings with my lactation consultant and that for the double electric I did prefer it to the Lansinoh. If I had my registry with Amelia to do over again I would put the Medela on it instead of the Lansinoh. However, the Lansinoh manual pump is perfection, no hand cramping like you would expect and the pump feels natural and comfortable.
3. A nursing pillow - This is so not essential at all, a few of your own pillows off the bed can totally work, but it is nice to have if you need the extra support or if {like me} you've had a c-section and need some cushion between the weight of baby and your incision. I got the Boppy from my registry with Amelia and in all honesty I didn't like it at all for the purpose of nursing pillow. It was great for propping Amelia up before she could sit on her own and it was great for tummy time {we now use it as a butt cushion on the wooden rocking chair}. Everyone is different and each body works differently and I know plenty of women who used and loved their Boppys. I however, have a short torso and big boobs and was healing from surgery and the Boppy just didn't work for me.
A friend suggested the My Breast Friend pillow and that worked much better for me but still wasn't exactly what I was hoping for {a bit too stiff and flat}. This time around I'm giving the Gia nursing pillow by Simplisse a shot as it seems to address the very things that I did and didn't like about the two previous pillows. I've "tried" it {by pretending to breastfeed one of Amelia's dolls} and it seems to be an improvement. I'll give you an update once Alice is here and I'm able to give it a proper go.
4. Soothers - This is a category that covers a few things and honestly anyone that's pregnant should give this section a read through since all mammals that give birth experience the discomfort of engorgement {when your milk comes in} whether or not you choose to breastfeed and these things can be helpful no matter your decision. On the low/cheap/easy/handy end of things lets start with that tip that I shared with my cousin {I learned this from my lactation consultant} wet a diaper {you have a baby now so I assume you have diapers around} and stick it in the freezer. Once it's nice and icy use it in place of a cold pack - it'll bring the swelling way down very quickly and it easily conforms to the shape of your breast no matter the size or shape. When my lactation consultant first introduced me to this {she had a mini-freezer in her office for this very thing} I was so relieved physically and shocked at how easy it was that I almost kissed her and actually shed a tear of gratitude {of course those crazy hormones right after you have a baby could have also been a culprit}. This is one of those tricks that's great for any woman going through engorgement whether she plans on breastfeeding or not.
I also really really like Soothies pads by Lansinoh for those times when you want to be out of the house {because while the diaper trick may be amazing, inconspicuous it is not}. I've yet to meet a mom that used Soothies and didn't sing their praises.
As for creams, I like the Motherlove Nipple Cream vs a lanolin cream purely based on textural issues. I tried a few different creams and they all pretty much worked with the same amount of relief but I like that the Motherlove has a less sticky/greasy feel to it.
One last thing that I like, and this one really goes into the category of "nice to have but not essential", are the Booby Tubes by Earth Mama Angel Baby. They can be either cooled in the fridge to help with swelling {though I never thought they got cold enough for my liking} or can be thrown into the microwave for a minute, once warmed you can put them in your bra shortly before feeding to help with letdown in those early weeks when your mind and body are working to get into the swing of things
5. Supplements - Having gone through a struggle with milk production I can honestly say that I hope none of you have to deal with it as well. It's a pain in the butt and when your hormones are crazy the feeling of not being "right" just feels awful.
With Amelia I had to spend quite a bit of time with the lactation department at our pediatrician's office talking with consultants and doulas to help get things on track. After a while we were smooth sailing but in those first 8ish weeks I had to take supplements in addition to what felt like round the clock pumping and/or nursing sessions.
I was told to take Fenugreek pills {3 at a time 3 times a day} and drink Mothers Milk tea {though I was told if I could only get one then to most definitely get the Fenugreek as it's more potent than the Mothers Milk tea}.
If you're having issues with milk production please check with your doctor/midwife/L.C. before taking these supplements. I have never taken a pre-med class in my life let alone have a Ph.D. and I do not know what your medical records entail so please do not start using supplements that I suggest without talking to the proper people first. I only mention these here because they helped me and if your situation is similar then it's worth bringing the use of them up with your personal doctor.
6. Nursing cover - this is another non-essential that is nice to have if you're of the more modest mind-frame. Personally I like them for those times when I'm at a restaurant or with family members that I know aren't exactly comfortable with displays of breastfeeding or just when I'm in a situation that calls for a bit of modesty. I like the nursing covers by Bebe Au Lait but honestly a simple swaddling blanket can be a just as good of a stand-in if you don't want to add the extra thing to your shopping list.
7. Books & resources - While breast feeding seems like it should be a no-brainer totally obvious thing, you have to keep in mind {at least with your first child} that you've never done this before and neither has your baby. There may be bumps in the road. In preparation gather as much help as you can, read books, take classes, locate a lactation consultant or doula that you feel comfortable with and perhaps contact the Le Leche League and/or a new mothers group through your hospital for support. It also helps tremendously to have your partner on your side and up to date with all of the info that you've collected.
I personally got an insane amount of help from the following: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk, The Stanford University School of Medicine, the amazing lactation department at Pediatric Associates of the Northwest, the New Mothers group at Good Samaritan Hospital, and of course the constant love and support {even when I wanted to throw in the towel} of my husband.
If you're expecting a baby, just had one, or plan on having one in the future I hope that you found something useful here. As always if you have nay questions about anything that I have written about please feel free to email me or leave a comment in the comment section and I'll answer as best as I can as fast as I can.
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