If you are new to breastfeeding, you may still have a lot of questions, especially when it comes to nursing products. Do you need special breastfeeding pillows? Nursing covers? Which bras do you need? What about nursing apparel? I’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t, and I can tell you first hand what you need to buy and what you don’t. There are tons of products out there for nursing moms and even if you buy it all, it’s more than likely you won’t use it all.
We use our nursing pillow for all types of things besides breastfeeding support. I found that it wasn’t quite the right shape or size for breastfeeding. My son was still too low and it always slid forward on my lap if I leaned back in a chair. My husband likes it for watching TV. I use it to prop up a book on my lap. It’s the perfect travel pillow! I do occasionally shove it under my elbow when my son’s head begins to feel too heavy while I’m nursing. For breastfeeding, an overstuffed pillow works just fine when your baby is very small. By the time your baby is a few months old, it’s much easier to have them sit in your lap and recline on your forearm. My advice is, go ahead and buy the nursing pillow, but don’t expect to use it for nursing very often!
What about nursing covers? Now this is a product I use all the time. Blankets make my son sweaty and he has a tendency to pull them off my shoulder, exposing me to everyone! The nursing cover I bought was very inexpensive and is easy to slip over my head. My baby can’t pull it down and it’s thin enough that he doesn’t get too hot. I also like the fact that the fabric is very stylish. It’s easy to fold up and stuff into my diaper bag. I would definitely recommend using a nursing cover or shawl.
Nursing bras are a must-have. Ideally you should have two sleep bras and two daytime bras. You need at least two of each so you can wear one while you wash the other, and believe me, you will be washing these often. My recommendation is to buy a daytime nursing bra that has a little padding in case you spring a leak. Most of the time, I actually wear my nursing bra tank top. The tank is long, so it’s great for layering, and it has a very supportive built-in bra. I can wear it under any regular shirt and essentially turn it into a nursing top. The tank covers my tummy while I lift up my outer shirt. The nursing opening on the tank is small and discreet. Most nursing tops consist of two layers and work in a similar fashion, but by wearing a nursing bra tank top under a regular shirt instead, you eliminate the third layer (the nursing bra). When your baby is hungry, it’s all about fast and easy access! I would recommend not buying a whole new closet of nursing tops and buy a really nice nursing bra tank top instead. You can keep wearing your regular clothes!
When you first start nursing, your breasts will leak a lot, so it is important to find a way to protect your clothes. When you’re going out in public, the easiest way is to wear disposable nursing pads. There are many kinds out there, and I’ve found that it really is a matter of personal preference. I have my favorite kind, but have met women who did not like that brand. There is one brand I can’t stand, but have met woman who swear by that brand. After a while, you don’t leak as much, so it’s more practical to wear reusable nursing pads that you can just throw in the wash. You can even make your own! After several months, you may not leak at all except while nursing on the other side. When I’m at home I just grab a cheap cloth diaper (the kind you have to fold and pin for diapering) and tuck it into my bra. When I’m done nursing I use it as a burp cloth and into the hamper it goes!
If you have questions about other breastfeeding products, feel free to message me!