Disclosure :: This post is part of a series for World Breastfeeding Week and is sponsored by Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
3 Must Have Nursing Essentials From a Veteran Mama
I remember preparing for my first child and buying SO many “essentials” that people told me I needed. I soon realized after actually having the baby that I didn’t need most of those things. It was all just extra, and a lot of it didn’t fit my needs or my baby just hated it! The same thing can be said about nursing essentials. This time I did not want to waste money on all kinds of things that might not even help me. So as I sit here almost 2 months into my third nursing journey, I made a list of my three favorite nursing essentials this go round that have made breastfeeding easier and are actually worth spending money on!!
Kindred Bravely Nursing Bra–
These sports bra are ahhh-mazing! They are so comfy to wear. They give me support without being too tight and constricting. This is especially important to me because it is summer in South Louisiana, and it is smoldering hot outside. I do not want extra material or super tight things that just make me sweat even more. I love these bras because I can wear them during the day or at night. Anytime I wear any of my other nursing bras, I immediately regret it. I have a cream one and the dark gray one pictured. I prefer the cream because it is a bit thinner but both of them are equally awesome!
Haaka-
I was introduced to this nifty thing on Instagram, and we all know that some things on Instagram aren’t really as wonderful as they seem, so I was a bit skeptical. I figured with the low cost it was worth it to try. The day my mother-in-law came in, I started using it. Essentially it suctions to the side you are not nursing on and catches your letdown so there is no milk lost. I have a huge problem with letdown, like I am constantly covered in milk, especially at night. I would wake up covered in milk with my other two children. This time I have been using the Haaka and have not had that problem. There was one day I didn’t use it and woke up in the middle of the night covered. Like I said, I have used it since the day my milk came in and within a week, I had over 100 ounces from just using it during the day. My baby is almost 2 months old and we have hundreds of milk stored without having to use a pump.
Button Up Pj’s
I bought these pajamas while I was pregnant as a treat to myself (I normally don’t sleep in pj sets), and since then I have bought three more pairs in different colors. I loved these while pregnant because they have so much stretch that they fit my growing belly until the end! I also used these in the hospital and loved how loose and comfy they were. Once I got home, I wore them daily and they have made nursing so easy! I can easily unbutton them and nurse without having to hold my shirt up, but I also don’t have to buy nursing shirts that are so expensive and not something I will wear after nursing. These pj’s are comfy, convenient, and so dang cute!
I hope my minimalistic guide to nursing must haves actually helps you and makes those breastfeeding days easier for you because we all know how trying it is to figure out breastfeeding and a new baby at the same time.
Is there anything you would add to my list that made your journey so much easier?