Breastfeeding supplies
Although rewarding, breastfeeding can also be challenging at the same time. If you’re thinking about breastfeeding, working with a lactation consultant after childbirth can help prepare you for the journey. Lactation consultants offer families support with everything breastfeeding related and can help answer questions like how long to breastfeed or which breastfeeding positions you can try. In addition to added support, there are few breastfeeding essentials to have ready for baby’s arrival.
Breast pump
Breast pumps are essential for breastfeeding and there are many benefits to having one when breastfeeding. They give women the ability to pump breastmilk and use them for feeding at another time and minimize discomfort by regularly expressing milk and preventing breast engorgement.
For parents with their baby in the NICU, breast pumps ensure your child gets the benefits of your milk without having to traditionally breastfeed. For mothers that can’t breastfeed at all, breast pumps make it possible for other families to donate milk to support families in need.
Breast pumps can be purchased online but Children’s Minnesota also offers a loaner program to new parents who need a hospital-grade pump as well. There is a lot to consider when choosing which one is best for you, but some things to consider are how comfortable a pump is, its portability, cost and ease of use.
Nursing pillow
Nursing pillows are great for breastfeeding because they can help with comfortably positioning your baby and make it easier for them to latch for feeding. Even if you’re not breastfeeding your baby, they can also be great for bottle feeding or propping your little one up during tummy time.
Although nursing pillows can be a great tool, it is still important to keep in mind that they are not safe for babies to sleep with, and babies should not be left unattended with one.
When deciding which nursing pillow to buy, consider things like the size and firmness of the pillow, cost, material, ease of cleaning and cost. If not all, it is important to choose one that meets most of your needs.
Lanolin nipple cream
Breastfeeding can cause nipples to be dry and sore, but using a lanolin nipple cream after breastfeeding or as needed can help with moisturizing and soothing any discomfort, protect your nipples and promote the healing of cracked or damaged nipples. Finally, the best part about lanolin nipple cream is that it is safe for babies. It does not need to be washed off before breastfeeding.
Lanolin nipple cream can be bought at pharmacies, drugstores and online retailers. When deciding which one to buy, we recommend choosing a brand that is 100% pure lanolin with no fragrance or ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin.
Nursing pads
Breast milk leakage can be common after childbirth, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Nursing pads are great for absorbing breast milk leakage as they are small absorbent pads that can be worn inside a bra. They can be used as often as needed and are widely available to buy at pharmacies, drugstores, and online.
Breastfeeding bra
Breastfeeding bras or nursing bras were designed to support women breastfeeding. These bras have cups that can be easily unclasped to allow easy access to breastfeeding. They are also great because they accommodate the changes in breast size and shape during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding cover and tops
We can’t always plan for when we need to breastfeed, which is why breastfeeding covers and tops can be useful for women having to nurse in public as they were designed to provide privacy, convenience and comfort.