I’ve breastfeed all three of my children. My first two, just over three years each and my third, we’re gong on 9 months and hoping to continue as long as we both want! These are my must haves for a successful breastfeeding journey.
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Hydration
Tons of water and drinks with electrolytes, such as coconut water, Bodyarmors, or Liquid IV packets. Hydration is very important.
Nourishment
You need to eat adequately to produce adequate breast milk. It takes more calories to produce breastmilk than it does to grow your baby! On average, breastfeeding mothers need an extra 300-500 calories a day to maintain a good milk supply. If you haven’t read my postpartum essentials post, I highly recommend having meals ready ahead of time so you can rest as much as possible. These meals will also help ensure you eat enough for healing and for your milk supply. Also, having high-calorie snacks available for in-between meals is essential.
Knowing How to do Manual/Hand Expression
Sure, you can always use an electric or manual pump, but knowing how to hand-express breast milk is super important. Whether it’s relieving engorgement, helping to get your milk to let down, or expressing some milk for your baby to consume with a spoon or bottle, knowing how to hand express is so beneficial.
Here is a link that explains hand expression very well and includes a link to a video at the bottom.
Nursing Bra
You can breastfeed without one. I nursed my oldest for three years without a nursing bra, but I will tell you, nursing bras are game changers and make it so much easier! My favorite is the Kindred Bravely Sublime Nursing Bra. I truly believe a good nursing bra will help extend your nursing journey!
Breast Pump
If you are returning to work or will have other people feed baby, you’ll need a good breast pump.
I currently use the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free and it’s been my favorite pump so far! Insurance companies will now provide you with a breast pump. I got a pump with my last two children through Aeroflow. The Medela Freestyle listed above was one that you have to pay a little extra for through Aeroflow but there are plenty of completely free, insurance covered pumps on Aeroflow you can get.
Pumping Bra (if pumping)
Having a pumping bra to pump hands-free is a must. I didn’t have a pumping bra with my oldest and I don’t even know how I made it through a whole year of pumping for her while I worked. If you plan to pump due to returning to work (or for whatever reason), go ahead and get a pumping bra with all your other baby essentials. My favorite is the Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands Free Pumping Bra.
Note: if you’re using a hands-free pump, you do not need a separate pumping bra. The pumping bra is only needed if you’re using a traditional pump.
Support Person
I think this one is the most important. Someone who is going to support you through the hard parts of breastfeeding and who isn’t going to tell you to “just give them formula” when you’re looking for support to continue breastfeeding. This person may be your partner, mother, best friend, coworker, or even someone you meet online. You just need someone who can help you through the tough parts with support of your desire to breastfeed.
These are a few nice to haves but not necessary.
Lanolin
Lanolin is nice for sore and cracked nipples but you can also use breast milk too! Lanolin is also nice to use when pumping if you start to get a blister from incorrectly sized flanges (been there, it sucks and lanolin helped a lot!)
Nursing Pads
There are reusable and disposable. I personally used the Medela disposable nursing pads.
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
The Haakaa manual breast pump is very convenient when you don’t want to (or frankly, don’t feel like) pulling out your primary pump. The one I use collects up to 4oz of milk. It’s a little tricky to use at first but once you get the hang of it, it’s fantastic! Here’s the link to Haakaa’s Breast Pump Instructions.
Haakaa Ladybug Wearable Milk Collectors
These little Haakaa Ladybug milk collectors are nice to use if you hate the thought of that precious let-down milk on the other side going to waste! I think the most I’ve collected with them was half an ounce (and that was a time when Elise was nursing for her entire nap). It’s usually less than a quarter of an ounce each time, but if you used them every time you nursed for the day, you’d probably have an extra ounce to add to your stash! You can help collect a little more by adding in some manual expression during the let down too.
I hope these help you get off to a good start and continue your breastfeeding relationship for as long as you and your child want to! Please let me know in the comments if you have any must-haves or nice-to-haves for breastfeeding as well!
