Ensure Breastfeeding Success: Arm Yourself with Supplies

Four Ways to Ensure Breastfeeding Success — Step Three: Arm Yourself with Supplies

Baby? Check. Breasts? Check.

That’s all you need to breastfeed, right?

Right. But there are many products that, while not completely necessary, can make breastfeeding a whole lot easier.

Besides for having breastfeeding books, you may want to purchase a nursing pillow. These pillows come in all shapes and patterns and can be an invaluable tool in the early days of nursing. These pillows prop baby to the level of your breasts, with no strain on your end. Newborns love to fall asleep on these pillows while nursing to their hearts’ content.

Purified lanolin nipple ointment (or a botanical lanolin-free one) can be a lifesaver when you have cracked, sore or bleeding nipples.

A few nursing bras coupled with breast pads make for convenient and discreet nursing. Breast pads keep you from leaking milk all over your clothes, which is a common experience in the early days. It’s much easier to change a few soaked breast pads then to keep going through laundry.

You’ll probably want a breast-pump for times you may be away from baby. Decide how much time you’ll be apart when figuring out which type to buy.

Since nurslings like staying near their all-you-can-eat buffet (aka Mom), you may want to pick up a good sling so you can keep baby close while being able to walk around.

Tags: Breastfeeding Products