Are you ready to start your breastfeeding journey? Now, let’s talk about six things you will need for breastfeeding. Are you wondering why you need “things” for breastfeeding? Well, breastfeeding, especially for new moms, can be confusing, tiresome, messy, and painful.
However, there are products available in the market that help deal with the common breastfeeding issues and make the mother as comfortable as possible while feeding her child. Mostly, expecting mothers remember to buy a nursing pillow and nursing cover.
Both are very helpful for breastfeeding. The nursing pillow helps support the baby on your lap, propping him up to more comfortably reach your nipple. This will provide good latching support. Many breastfeeding issues arise due to improper latching.
Nursing cover, on the other hand, offers privacy. It makes you comfortable while feeding your baby in public places. Even then, new mothers face many issues related to breastfeeding. Low milk supply, leaking breasts, cracked nipples, pain etc. are only a few of them.
But when done rightly, breastfeeding can be a very fulfilling experience, it is one of the most satisfying times for both the mother and the baby, and helps bond them closely. The bond that is forever.
6 Things You Will Need For Breastfeeding
You can find many products in the market, which helps alleviate the pain and combat the issues related to breastfeeding, thereby making the experience of breastfeeding easier and making you comfortable throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Here are 6 essential products to have on hand during your breastfeeding phase.
1. Nipple cream
Breastfeeding is the bonding time of mother and child. However, it isn’t all sunshine and roses until your baby gets used to nursing with a proper latch. Poor positioning and improper latching can result in cracked and dry nipples, which makes breastfeeding exceptionally painful.
Nipple crème is an excellent solution to fight off pain and irritation of cracked and dry nipples. Nipple cream is a specially made medicated cream exclusively for breastfeeding mothers.
Applying nipple cream helps to soothe cracked nipples, moisturize the areola, and keep the skin around the areola from turning stretchy. However, there are some factors you should not overlook while buying a nipple crème for breastfeeding.
You should make sure whatever things you apply on nipples causes no harm to your baby if they ingest it. Therefore, make sure the nipple crème you choose has organic or natural ingredients.
Never use alcohol-based creams or those with numbing properties. The elements that bring about numbing is not at all safe for your baby. It even can lead to the numbing of the baby’s mouth. Likewise, avoid crèmes with added fragrance.
Chemical-based scents can irritate the baby’s nose, and it is not good to breathe in. Also, it may mask the smell of breast milk. You can use a lanolin-based nipple crème. Lanolin is a wax-like substance obtained from sheep wool.
It is found that besides being 100% pure, you can use it as a preventive measure for sore and dry nipples. Lanolin retains the moisture of the skin from inside. Also, it is very effective in treating sore nipples. You don’t have to wash lanolin prior to nursing as it is not toxic and is safe for the baby.
Once you choose your nipple crème, apply it during the longest gap between feeds. This will make sure the crème remains on the nipple for a long time. Also, by doing so, the crème will be almost absorbed in the skin by the time of the baby’s next feeding.
All the top brands of nipple crème claim to be 100% safe, and claim there is no need to wipe it off during feeding. But, it is always better to wipe it smoothly with a damp cloth before feeding. We are not aware of the baby’s reaction to its ingredients, so always be safe than sorry.
You can find different types of nipple creams in the market. Make sure the cream you choose is hypoallergenic, has no additives, and is safe and effective.
Three best nipple creams for breastfeeding moms are listed as under:
1. Mamaearth Nipple Butter Cream
Cost: Rs. 500 (50 ml)
Features:
If you are a vegan or allergic to wool, you might be looking for lanolin-free nipple cream. Mamearth nipple buttercream is Lanolin-free and is made from Organic Calendula, Cocoa, and Shea Butter. It has no artificial fragrance and is safe for both mom and baby. Buy It Here
2. Mothercare It’s Your Body Pure Lanolin Cream
Cost: Rs. 799 (75ml)
It is made from 100% lanolin. It’s fragrance-free. This cream is hypoallergenic and is apt for sensitive skin as well. The cream feels light, cool, and refreshing to apply. It is absorbed by the skin easily, and does not require to be washed off before feeding.
3. Mother Sparsh Nipple Buttercream
Cost: Rs. 240 (25 grams)
Mother Sparsh nipple buttercream carries all the goodness of Shea butter, Turmeric, and Virgin coconut oil. It is the best cream for the painful nipples. It is fragrance-free and free of parabens and chemicals, and is safe for mom and baby.
2. Breast pump
You may need a breast pump if you have an oversupply of milk or want to store breast milk so that someone else can feed your little one when you are away. If your baby is not nursing well, breast pumping breast milk will help to boost and maintain milk production.
Breast pumps can be manual or electric. Electric pumps work more efficiently for many mothers. However, choose the breast pump based on your individual need. You have to consider some factors while buying a breast pump.
You have to make sure flanges, the plastic part of the breast pump that put over your breast, fit well. The pump sucks the nipple into the flange to express the milk. If the flanges fail to fit well, pain or abrasions may happen while you pump the breast milk.
Usually, a breast pump comes with a standard-size flange. However, if you find one with your breast pump uncomfortable, you should go for a different size. Likewise, choose a well-known and widely available brand. This will ensure easy replacement of breast pump parts, if needed, without havocking your pumping schedule.
Breast pumps evolved much in the past few years as the demand increased significantly. Breast pumps designed to fit closely on the breast under the bra are the new ones in the line.
Here are two different types of best breast pump available in the market, its salient features and cost.
1. Nature Bond Silicone Breast Pump
Cost: Rs. 1199
NatureBond Silicone Breast Pump extract breast milk manually using pure natural suction pressure. Its smooth and soft silicone design ensures comfort during breast milk extraction. The silicon used in these pumps is BPA Free and FDA Approved.
It is easy to use and handy. The Circular Flap is softer and larger and hence will give the best cupping effect. The unique design of this manual pump ensures customized suction force.
The pump is designed in a way that the thickness of silicone material varies across the pump. Dual rings are placed at pressure points. By squeezing the pump body at various positions generates different suction force.
2. Philips Avent Single Electric Breast Pump
Cost: Rs. 8,590
It has a unique “no lean forward” design. After starting the gentle stimulation mode, you can customize the pressure according to your need and comfort level. There are three modes of suction pressure – low, medium, and high.
This product is durable, and you can find replacement parts in a regular store. Many reviews of this product emphasize the same three points. It is extremely comfortable, easy to use, and worth the money you spend.
3. Nipple shields
A nipple shield is one of the main things you will need for breastfeeding. Especially if you have inverted nipples, your little one will have trouble with good latching.
Nipple shields are also helpful if you have common breastfeeding problems like cracked and bleeding nipples.
A nipple shield is a very thin, soft piece of rubber or silicone that covers the areola and nipple. It has small holes in the tip of the nipple area that allows the milk to come through. When the baby suckles, she gets the milk but the nipples do not come in contact with the baby’s mouth.
Here are some factors to be taken into consideration while buying a nipple shield. First of all, remember if not put on correctly, a nipple shield potentially affect breastfeeding. Nipple shields come in different sizes, and it is important to wear the right size.
If the part of the nipple shield that covers the areola and the nipple fit properly into your baby’s mouth, consider you are using the right sized nipple shield.
A nipple shield is a helpful breastfeeding device if you are facing certain issues that hinder breastfeeding. Using a nipple shield when you don’t need it can lead to serious breastfeeding problems. Always buy it if your doctor or lactation consultant recommends it.
After every use, wash it in cold water, then in soapy hot water. After this, rinse well with lots of water, drain, dry, and store in a clean, covered container.
Never wear nipple shields for the entire feeding sessions unless your lactation consultant instructs you to do so. This is because if the baby gets accustomed to nipple shields, the little one will refuse to feed without it. This situation should be avoided.
You can find nipple shields online or from stores that sell baby and breastfeeding products. Here are some top nipple shields you can consider buying:
1. Chicco’s New Nipple Shield Silicone
Cost: Rs. 579
This nipple shield protects sore nipples, relieve pain, and let you breastfeed even with flat nipples. These nipple shields are designed to give maximum skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby.
2. Pigeon Nipple Shields
Cost: Rs. 400
Pigeon nipple shields make breastfeeding trouble-free, in case you have a painful sore nipple. It is PBA free. It is available in three sizes. The nipple shields are made from soft silicone that is ultra-thin and transparent and comfy on sensitive skin.
4. Therapy pads
Breast Therapy Pads are designed for breastfeeding moms to provide fast relief from common breastfeeding challenges. It can be either used as a cold pad or hot pad.
If you’re breastfeeding and have sore or cracked nipples, wearing a therapy pad under your bra after freezing them for some time can provide you instant relief from pain and discomfort. You can also alleviate soreness and engorgement during weaning by using therapy pads.
Likewise, in case you contracted mastitis or get plugged ducts, you can put them on your breast after putting them in the microwave for a few seconds. It will give you fast relief from pain.
Here are some top therapy pads for you
1. Lansinoh TheraPearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy Pack
Cost: Rs. 2695
This can be used in three ways. It can be used in cold therapy to relieve the engorgement of breasts. You can also use it in hot therapy to alleviate the pain and discomfort of mastitis. Besides, these uses pads also have exceptional use.
It’s the only product of its kind that is able to work with a breast pump. If you use this pad prior to pumping, the pad encourages let-down, thereby reducing pumping time noticeably.
2. Philips Avent 2-in-1 Breast Care Thermo Pads
Cost: Rs. 2,111
This product is excellent for stimulating and soothing breasts before and after feeding. It comes as a pack of two gel pads and two soft sleeves. You can use it cold or warm.
You have to freeze the thermo pads for 24 hours if you want to use them cold. Remember to use thermo pad sleeve while using a cold thermo pad. A cold thermo pad is excellent to soothe engorged breasts.
For hot thermo pad, immerse the pads in hot water for ten minutes. Remember not to boil water or put the pad in the microwave.
5. Nursing bra and pumping bra
Nursing bra makes nursing possible without unfastening the bra. Nursing bras come with special cups that can be clip down, fold-down, or pull aside for quick and single-handed access.
Nursing bras are made of breathable fabrics like cotton. The nursing bra comes with wide straps. Therefore, it put less pressure on the shoulder, thereby, reduce the chances of shoulder and neck pain.
Pumping bra, unlike the nursing bra that exposes the breast for feeding a baby directly, comes with a slit over the nipple area designed to hold the flanges of your breast pump firmly.
Make sure you are buying the right size while choosing the bra. Here are two products for your reference
1. Medela Easy Expression Hand Free Pumping Bra
Cost: Rs. 3,680
It comes in three different sizes – Small, Medium, and Large. It is ultra-soft and made with 85% stretch nylon. This pumping bra goes very well with all leading brands of breast pumps. Many working mothers prefer this pumping bra because it is very comfortable to wear and easy to move around.
2. Enamor MT02 Non-Padded Wire-free High Coverage Bra
Cost: Rs. 569 – Rs. 895
Enamor is one of the top brands that sells excellent nursing bras. The double-layer cotton stretch cup ensures great support and full coverage and helps to avoid sagging of the breasts. It comes with a front clasp that can be operated with one hand that makes nursing easier.
6. Nursing pads
This is one of the important things you will need for breastfeeding, especially if you are having an oversupply of milk. Oversupply can bring about leaking breasts, thereby wetting your top wears. Here comes the role of nursing pads – the sanitary pad for breasts.
Whenever the breast leaks, the nursing pad will absorb it and not let it reach the bra and your clothes, saving you embarrasment. There are disposable and reusable nursing pads.
There is a wide range of both disposable and reusable nursing pads on the market for you to choose from. Both have their own benefits. While the disposable pads offer convenience, the reusable pads are more economical.
Here are some top nursing pads available in India
1. Pigeon Breast Pads Honeycomb
Cost: Rs. 449 (36 Pieces)
Pigeon breast pads are soft and comfortable to wear. Honeycomb lining enables to spread milk evenly and trap excess milk quickly, also breathable layer and leak proof coverage ensure you and your clothing protected, you can stay dry and always feel confident. You can buy them here.
2. Nature Bond Disposable Ultra-Thin Nursing Pads
Cost: Rs. 1,064 (120 pads)
This is one of the top disposable nursing bras. The pad offers quick absorption and has more surface area than any other average disposable nursing pad. Every nursing pad comes with 2 adhesive strips. This makes sure the pads remain in place. Each pad is individually sealed in a waterproof wrapper.
Now you know the most important 6 things you’ll need for breastfeeding. Happy breastfeeding!