Must-haves for Breastfeeding and Pumping Mamas
- Lauren Catron
- Apr 16, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: May 14, 2021
I pumped for 18 months and nursed for exactly three years. So, while I am not an expert on breastfeeding and pumping, I do feel like I gained a few tips and tricks along the way to help make the process a little easier. With baby number two on the way, I’ve started to make a list of what I need to make sure I have on hand for round two.
Medela Tender Care™ Hydrogel Pads
This first one is something I recommend to all new mamas. When I was in the hospital with Henry, and struggling to breastfeed, one saintly nurse handed me a pack of these Medela Soothing Gel Pads and thank God she did! These Tender Care HydroGel reusable pads provide instant cooling relief as soon as you put them on. They also provide protection from chaffing in those early days when your nipples are extra sensitive and tender. They are reusable (for up to 24 hours) so after I would nurse or pump, I’d stick them on until the next feeding/pumping session.
You can buy them anywhere you purchase breastfeeding supplies. They are $9.99 for a package of four.
Price: $9.99
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
This is also one I highly recommend to new moms. I was late to the game with Henry on the Haakaa, and I wish I would have used it sooner! I was a little intimidated by it, but man, if I had used it those first few weeks, I wouldn’t have wasted so much leaked milk!
The Haakaa is a silicone pump that lets you express milk using suction. To use, simply squeeze and place on your breast and it will naturally suck milk out of your breast. I would attach it to the opposite side of what Henry was nursing on, and when I had a letdown, it would collect my milk! I would collect it throughout the day and get enough to freeze for a later date!
You can find a Haakaa pretty much anywhere breastfeeding supplies are sold. They range from about $10 to $30 depending on the version you get.
Price: $10 to $30
Nursing-friendly Pajamas
Let’s face it, when you’re a breastfeeding mama, you need easy access for your little one. I found these labor/delivery/maternity nursing nightgowns on Amazon, and while they are not the sexiest pajamas in the world (sorry Drew!), they made for easy nights! They are super comfortable, and the sleeveless arms were great for all those raging hormonal hot flashes after birth. You can find a ton of different options of nursing-friendly pajamas online. I recommend buying a few pairs to rotate through. Who wants to do laundry? And if you end up co-sleeping like we do, it’s nice to just let that boob hang out at night and not have to worry about maneuvering about too much. Sleep is great.
Price: $20 to $25
Nursing Bra
I’ll be honest with you, I have yet to find a nursing bra that I love. But the ones I did use were still so much better than a regular bra. Again, it’s all about the easy access. Nursing bras are equipped with clips on each strap so that you can unclick and pull down to quickly access your breast. With a regular bra, its easy to stretch them out if you are always pulling on them.
Pro tip #1: Get both a wired and unwired bra. Those first few weeks, you will not want to wear a wire, and when your milk comes in, you’ll need that extra support at night.
Pro Tip #2: When trying on bras, make sure it fits on the smallest clasp first. As you continue to grow and fluctuate, you will want that extra room around your rib cage.
Price: Varies
Nursing Pads
Nursing pads are lifesavers from always leaking through your bra and shirt. You can purchase reusable or disposable pads that stick to the insides of your bras to protect from leakage. They are great for when you are trying to regulate your milk and you don’t want the whole world to know you are lactating.
I bought the Target brand and didn’t have any issues. Make sure you always have a few on hand for that surprise moment at the grocery store when you hear another baby cry!!
Price: Disposable - Around $6 to $10
Washable: Around $10 to $20
Boppy Nursing Pillow
A Boppy pillow, or any type of nursing-friendly supportive pillow is a must. While they are great for helping get baby into a more comfortable position for nursing, they can also be used for a lot more! After my C-section, and dealing with preeclampsia, I swelled up like a hot pig on the Fourth of July. When we weren’t nursing, I used my Boppy pillow to prop my feet up to help with the swelling. I also used it as a support to cough or sneeze, move to a different position, and as a back support for myself.
They can also be used to help support baby during tummy time, or to elevate baby after a feeding to prevent reflux. (Supervised of course!)
Price: $40 to $60
Netflix Subscription (or Any Streaming Service)
I half-jokingly add this to the list, but in all seriousness get a streaming service!! You get bored quickly during those late-night sessions, so instead of spending your money online shopping, pay for a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu. I watched a ton of tv series during those first few months. It was nice to have something on to keep you awake during those cluster feeding hours!
Price: $8.99 to $17.99
Breast Pump (Hands-Free Options too!)
This one is kind of a no-brainer, especially if you plan on exclusively pumping. A pump is important to have if you plan on returning to work or traveling without your little one on occasion. While manual pumps are handy to throw in your purse, it’s nice to have an electric pump to help empty your breast. They are more time efficient too. I would pump twice a day at work, and I could get what I needed within about 10 to 15 minutes. I used the Medela Pump in Style Advanced and loved it. It worked efficiently and I had zero problems with it.
Many moms have mentioned using the wearable pumps such as the Willow or the Elvie. While I have not used these personally, I plan to see if I can get my hands on one for baby girl.
And it’s also extremely important to mention, you can get a free pump through your insurance company!!! I used Aeroflow Breastpumps to make the process so much easier! All I had to do was enter my information, and they did all the hard work. Once approved, they send you a link to all the pumps available to you. Some are free, some are at a discounted price. Please plan on looking into this if you plan to pump! Pumps aren’t cheap – neither are kids – so if you can save a little bit of money, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?!
Price: Varies
Hands-Free Pumping Bra
If you don’t plan on getting a wearable pump, I recommend getting a hands-free pumping bra! These bras make the pumping process so much easier. You put it on, then connect your pump, and boom, the bra holds your flanges in place, so you don’t have to hold them the entire time! That means you can do other things while you are pumping – working, reading a book, or scrolling through Facebook.
I’ve also heard of women cutting holes into old or cheap sports bras. It’s the same concept. So, do whatever your budget allows!
Price: Varies, around $30
Yeti Tumbler
This may seem like a silly expense but hear me out. When you are breastfeeding or pumping, your body needs water! You must stay hydrated – that’s one of the important parts of a good supply. I love my Yeti tumbler (I’m pretty sure I have one in every size). They keep things cold (or hot) forever! I can fill my cup with ice water, and still have ice in it the next day. It’s nice to have on hand when you’re out and about and need that drink. Plus, they are cute.
But here’s the cool part. The insulated cup can also come in handy when you are out and need to warm up a bottle. Instead of running hot water over the bottle in a dirty public bathroom, or asking a waiter to bring hot water, you can bring hot water in your Yeti! Then when you need to warm up a bottle, just toss it in the cup and it will do the trick.
Pro Tip #3: Make sure not to fill the tumbler to the rim. When you place the bottle in the cup, the water level will rise. Save yourself a mess, and a possible burn, and leave enough room!
Price: $20 to $40
What else would you recommend to moms who are breastfeeding and/or pumping? Share them in the comments below!
Enjoy!
Lauren
XOXO
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