With our first baby we had three showers and oodles of well-wishers giving us tons of stuff. Our baby’s room was so full, we couldn’t even reach the crib! With that said, I am devoting one article to a review of helpful baby gear for nursing moms. Every mom’s situation is different and you may find that I’ve not recommended something that you found invaluable. If so, let me know! I’d love to hear your experiences!
The Breast Pump
My advice is to skip this section of the baby store all together until you really know what you need. Why? Because what type of breast pump you want or need is highly dependent on what you need it for. If you are going back to work before the baby is six months old you will want a high quality, hospital grade breast pump. If you are going back to work later, you will unlikely need such a fancy machine, but you’ll still need a good pump like a Medela or a Symphony.
On the other hand, if you think you want a pump just to store milk for emergencies or the like–you can still wait to get one. It is not helpful for you to pump right away–you will be much more effective by waiting until your supply is established. Furthermore, many women can hand-express milk and I personally would hate to spend the money if I didn’t need to.
Bottles
I do recommend getting at least one or two bottles. If you never need them, you don’t have to open them and you can always return them to get something else. On the other hand, if you really need one, you likely have a screaming infant and you’ll need the bottle right away. You can also hand express milk into a bottle if need be. (Sometimes hospitals give these away as freebies and sometimes not. It depends on your hospital.)
Formula
Don’t bother paying for it at this point. You will likely get a sample bag from the hospital with formula in it. If you plan to breastfeed you may likely never need it. If there is some type of emergency you can use the free formula. They usually give samples that would last at least a week if not longer.
Bottle “Stuff”
With bottles come all the conveniences of bottle warmers, bottle brushes, bottle sterilizers, bottle nipples etc. You don’t really need all this. Even if you plan on going back to work, it is best to find out first what type of nipple your baby will drink from. (Some babies refuse bottles. . .it is thought because the flow of milk is so different than when they’re nursing.)
Nursing Cover Up
If you find one with a stiff neck so you can peek–go for it! If not, don’t bother paying for one, you can just as easily use a blanket to cover up. While cover ups are nice at the very beginning, they are frequently more trouble than their worth once your baby gets the motor skills to lift it up. Some babies absolutely refuse to have their face covered while nursing.
Nursing clothes
While I highly recommend a pair of nursing pajamas, nursing clothes are frequently very expensive. They do not help you nurse any more discreetly than wearing a loose fitting top. When I had the twins, I used to wear a man’s tank top underneath my blouse. This way I get the same effect of a nursing shirt and it is a lot cheaper.
If you have somewhere to go where you need to look extra nice (a blouse and skirt won’t do) consider getting a nursing dress. But otherwise, it’s really not worth the extra money to buy a whole separate wardrobe.
Lansinoh & Soothies
Get them, stock them and keep them on hand! It is true, you may never need these helpful aids. But if you do, trust me, you’ll want them right then and not when you get a chance to get to the store. If you end up never opening them, give them as a gift to another pregnant mommy.
Nipple Shields
Never consider using a nipple shield without the advice of a lactation consultant. In certain situations they are helpful, but generally they hinder the breastfeeding process and make nursing worse rather than better. With that said, it’s not worth having them on hand when the baby is born.
The Sling
I highly recommend purchasing or making a sling or pouch. Wearing your baby helps increase milk production and can be a lot more convenient than lugging the stroller. You can nurse quite easily in a sling once your baby knows how to nurse. Note here I am saying sling and not baby carrier. Baby carriers are not as easy or as discreet to nurse in–despite what the box says! You can purchase a padded ring sling at most stores but you can also go online and purchase some more unique designs like the MayaWrap or a Rebozo. (Look for a future blog on baby wearing and types of slings.)
Nursing Pillow or Boppy
A boppy is a great invention–but not for nursing. It does not truly position the baby properly because it is too floppy. With that said, if your baby nurses well and positioning is not an issue, you are likely to get by just fine with a boppy pillow. On the other hand, if you are concerned about proper positioning for nursing, if you have reason to think that your baby is going to be premature or you are nursing more than one. . .opt for a pillow specifically designed for nursing. They are stiffer and wider and will help in the correct positioning of a baby.
When I was expecting my twins, I asked people with multiples what they found helpful and what they didn’t. Seek out some nursing moms, and ask which products they liked and didn’t like. Chances are, you’ll hear the same things and brands pop up over and over again. This is the best way to get the most value for your dollar and not end up with a nursery full of unused items.