Breastfeeding Essentials- From an Experienced Breastfeeding Mom of 5
You read that title correctly. I have five children and I have breastfed all of them. Each child and each experience were vastly different from the other.
They were all exclusively breastfed for different amounts of time too. My first nursed for 6 months, my second nursed for 9 months, my third only nursed for 3weeks before I pumped for 9 months, my third nursed for 15 months, and I am currently 3 months into nursing my fifth.
Through all of these experiences I have found the tried-and-true items that I continue to go back to and stock up on when I begin another breastfeeding journey.
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When my milk comes in I have the flash flood of engorgement like most women. This usually occurs around day 2 after birth for me. Unlike most women, I get a severe case of engorgement caused by third-spacing of fluid around the ducts in my breasts. My engorgement gets so severe that no amount of nursing my baby or pumping gives me much relief.
*This article is based purely on my own anecdotal personal experience and should not be taken as professional medical advice. Please only use my recommendations after speaking with your own medical provider.*
The items that due help relieve this build-up of fluid are:
1.Ibuprofen–
Around the clock. The third-spacing in my case of engorgement is caused by swelling. Ibuprofen or Motrin is an anti-inflammatory medication. For those 5-10 days of engorgement, I take as much Ibuprofen as I can according to the doctor’s orders in my discharge instructions.
2.Lansinoh Ice packs–
I use these ones and these ones, both have been very helpful for this. I use ice packs for 20min after each feed or pumping session. This was recommended to me by my Lactation Consultant. It helps to also relieve the swelling.
3.Warm packs-
These are the McKesson ones I received from the hospital that worked, but these Bamboobies reusable ones are clutch. I love these ones and I’m sad that I only just got them this breastfeeding journey because they would have been useful for my past children too. These also can be used for cold therapy too.
4.Pump-
Now this is going to be different for everyone. I used the Medela Pump In Style that lasted 3 babies and 2+ years of multiple times a day use. It was retired after my 3rd baby, but I would still recommend it for a mother who is planning on pumping for work or exclusively. After I became a SAHM and had exclusively pumped for 9 months with my third, I decided not to get a new electric pump. I swore off pumps altogether until the engorgement was so bad, I had to find relief and so I used the Medela manual pump that I received from the hospital. It was and still is exactly what I need to pump 1-3 times a week.
*Also a little bonus tip for those of you who find pumping uncomfortable on your nipples: Sometimes it might be that you need to grease them up a bit. I use this coconut oil on the flange and it makes it sooo much less uncomfortable.
5.Breastmilk Storage Bags-
I like the Lansinoh ones. I’ve used them for 7+ years and they don’t leak, are dependable, easy to use, and just a great purchase.
6.Lacti-Cups –
These aren’t so much for relief as they are for convenience. I have bought a few different types and brands, and these are my favorites. They don’t leak, they don’t smoosh your nipple, they are easy to pour, and easy clean. Seriously these are awesome when you’re leaking like crazy and want to make a passive stockpile of milk. My sister caught 100+ ounces in like the first month nursing just from these alone. I also love how discreet they are.
My Regular Every Day Items
1.Night Light–
This product may not seem necessary, but my sister got it for me when I was pregnant with my last baby and I have used it every day since. It is incredibly useful for those late night feeding sessions. You can turn it on with a double tap to the top. It has an intuitive dimmer feature where you only have to hold a touch to the top. There is a timer, you can change the color of the light, and other features too. I love this light and it would make a great gift. It’s also very durable for when your kids steal it out of your room and play with it like a football.
1.Nursing bra-
Okay this is one thing I struggle with. I have these 3 nursing sport bras that I have been living in since baby #2 in 2017, but they have been discontinued and are wearing out. I did get these ones from Amazon with my last baby. They are annoying to wash because it has removable pads and so they get all balled up in the wash and are a pain to reinsert. This Auden one at Target with sewn in nursing pads is awesome and I wear it all the time, it has become a new favorite.
2. Lansinoh Nursing Pads–
I have used a wide variety, but these are consistently my favorite. They stay dry and they stay in place. I have used generic in the past and some have been comparable, but others were a waste of money, so I prefer to stay with the tried and true.
3.Boppy Pillow–
The Boppy pillow and I have always been besties, but with my current baby I use a thick down-feathered pillow for my everyday nursing sessions. I do, however, keep the Boppy in my car to use when I’m out and about to nurse in the car and it works perfectly for me.
4.Affordable nursing dresses-
I have this Smallshow dress from Amazon in three different colors and prints. It is flattering, modest, and comfortable. I definitely recommend them. I also bought this Bearsland nursing dress and love it.
5.Nursing Cover-
The nursing covers that I like are the ones that have the wire window that you can see the baby for latching, like this one.
If you’re looking for some amazing Motherhood books to read while you’re nursing your babies take a look at some the books I have listed in this article here.
Items I will never use again and wish I hadn’t bought.
1.Haakaa– I know, I know… everyone loves the Haakaa. I don’t. I tried multiple times, watched a lot of videos, even asked advice from my LC, but never liked it. It was painful and really distorted my nipple. I don’t recommend it.
2.Haakaa Breastmilk Collector– I bought this with the Haakaa and thought I’d like them. I was wrong. They are incredibly bulky and very difficult to pour. Absolutely not.
3.The Kindred Bravely Nursing Sports Bra– This one I might also receive flack for, but I also kind of hated it. It was really nicely made, and I like the feel of the material, but… it had removable pads, the band underneath kept on riding up, the straps were uncomfortable, and it was pain to get on and off when I was engorged. It was a pretty expensive nursing bra for something I won’t use.
4.My Breast Friend Pillow– This one was uncomfortable for me and was not convenient. I found the waist strap very stiff and uncomfortable, the “the back support” gave me no support, only pain. And I wasn’t able to get my baby any closer to breasts for optimal nursing positioning.
*I will add one caveat to this one because my sister, who has an actual autoimmune back condition that causes debilitating back pain for her, uses this pillow and she finds in incredibly support and is able to nurse her babies easily and more comfortably with it.
If you’re looking for some great Mother Podcasts to listen to while you nurse, check out this fantastic list of some of the best Catholic Mom Podcasts you are sure to enjoy!
Like I said at the beginning, every baby, every nursing journey, and even every mother is going to find items that are helpful for them. These were the ones that worked for me. I hope you find these products useful.
If there are any items that I forgot to put on my list, let me know in the comments.