I’ve had the privilege of being able to exclusively breastfeed my two girls for an extended period of time (20 months for my firstborn and 15months and counting for my younger daughter). So I’d just love to share some of my must-haves in my journey as a breastfeeding mom!
Haakaa Manual Pump
This was such a useful tool for me to collect the letdown from the breast that my baby wasn’t latching to. I believe they have a smaller contraption called a milk collecter these days for this purpose but this manual pump was what I used whenever my breast felt engorged and I just need some manual expression for some relief.
Nursing pads
I used reusable bamboo ones from the get-go and I couldn’t do without them especially during the initial months when the milk supply is still being regulated. I don’t know how many times I would otherwise look unsightly with a wet patch on my chest if not for these. You may get them now under our latest breastfeeding collection too!
Fourth Wellness Reusable Bamboo Nursing Pads, $19.90
Nipple Cream
These soothing and moisturising balm is such a relief for those sore nipples from constant latching by the baby. I had used other brands in my time as a nursing mother but I’m so excited that we now carry our own Nipple Balm formulated by Dr Jo’s Rituals!
Fourth Wellness x Dr Jo’s Rituals Nipple Balm, $18.90
Warm/Cold Compress
These are so useful for the days when the milk first come in and the breasts can be engorged. For my firstborn, I didn’t quite make use of this for comfort but when my second one came along, I was able to make use of my eye pillow for a warm/cold compress as and when I needed them.
Fourth Wellness x The Asli Co. Lavender Flaxseed Eye Pillow, $16.90
Nursing bras
Having nursing bras made latching my baby easy and convenient. Furthermore, with a little mom hack, I could also easily use my regular nursing bras for a handsfree pumping session with my Spectra breast pump too.
Nursing Cover
If you want to feel comfortable breastfeeding in public, especially in spaces where you can’t have access to any nursing rooms, then having a nursing cover is so important. It reduces your personal stress and worries as it provides you with a safe space to nurse your baby anywhere, anytime.
Water tumbler
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. That’s key to getting good supply of breastmilk. With a baby in one arm, it’s much easier when I had a handy straw bottle tumbler that I could easily drink from to keep myself sufficiently hydrated.
Breastfeeding Pillow
Having one really helps make breastfeeding comfortable for you and baby. If not for a good support pillow to help in my journey, I’m not even sure if I would have been able to get through the early days of breastfeeding and persevere through them!
If you’re a breastfeeding mom reading this, what are some of your must-haves?
If you’re someone looking to support a breastfeeding mama and you landed on this article, do check out our latest breastfeeding collection or share this blogpost with them 🙂