Breastfeeding is more than just a set of breasts and a baby – there are countless nursing products available on the market to help you breastfeed successfully. Some products are very useful, while others are more of a gimmick. How, then, do you go about choosing which products are best for you? We’ve compiled a list of great essentials that we are think are must-haves for many nursing moms. Motherhood can be overwhelming, as can the market of baby goods, so consider utilizing some of these products to help simplify your nursing life.
Five Wishes Pumping Bra
Any pumping mom knows that being tied to the pump for 15-30+ minutes at a time can be tough when juggling a new baby. Whether it’s pumping at work or when you’re home to get a feeding break, being hands free is convenient and optimal. Moms rave about the Simple Wishes Pumping Bra, a bra with open fronts around the nipple area for flanges to conveniently rest in. This allows moms to engage with their baby, type on their laptop, or even prepare meals if their pump is portable.
Gel Packs
These great products are soothing to help relieve mom from engorgement that often comes as your supply is evening out. Many products will also be freezer and microwave safe, allowing you to relieve nursing pain with heat and help stimulate a let down. Though there’s no such thing as easy breastfeeding, gel packs certainly help.
Car Adapters for Your Pump
If you’re a traveling mom who needs to pump on the go, having an adapter for your pump for use in the car is a great way to multi-task. Pair it with a nursing cover, and you can pump while you’re on your way to and from work. It is extremely convenient and saves a lot of time for many moms.
Portable Cooler with Ice Pack.
This is a great purchase for any working mom in tandem with the car adapter – consider purchasing a small, quality cooler with a fitted ice pack that you can store your milk in when you don’t have access to a fridge. This helps give peace of mind that your milk will stay at the proper temperature, and it is convenient for keeping your pumped bottles stored in a single location.
Breastfeeding Friendly Apparel
Ever thought about the logistics of unzipping the back of a dress to nurse your baby, likely every two hours? Breastfeeding moms everywhere will tell you that at this point in their lives, they prefer practicality to fashion.
With today’s many options, though, moms can have both! There are many great retailers on the market who offer maternity clothing, thereby making it easy for every individual woman’s style to select clothes that work for her taste and budget. Consider purchasing practical staples such as nursing tank tops that can be layered under other shirts. Some retailers also make nursing blouses and dresses.
Spare Pump Parts
Every pumping mom knows that sometimes a membrane tears or falls down a drain. Don’t be stuck without a backup plan. Make sure that you always have a spare set of every pump accessory, because you never know when you’ll need it in a pinch! This also includes breast milk storage bags if you’re a mom who is saving her milk for a freezer stash.
If you’re on a budget, be sure to price compare at major retailers such as Target, Amazon, Babies R’ Us, and more. These simple but important nursing accessories are sure to help simplify your life and increase your chances for breastfeeding success!
Breastfeeding Accessories are not always a must but can make life more easy and allow for more time to do other things, what was your number one breastfeeding accessory that you could not go without?
