As I’ve said in previous posts, breastfeeding did not come naturally for me. I know that every woman is different, and therefore prefer different things. That being said, if you are planning on breastfeeding one day, I am going to list my breastfeeding and pumping “must haves.”
- My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
This is my first item for a reason. I wish so badly that someone would have told me to bring this to the hospital with me. It would have saved me a lot of stress (and using a pillow tower to hold your baby to your boob is no fun). I used this when I first brought Hollings home from the hospital, and I still use it to this day (she’s 7 months). In my opinion, the shape and design of this one is much better than a boppy. They’re at Target now for $34.99. https://www.target.com/p/my-brest-friend-nursing-pillow-green-sunburst/-/A-10539010?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Baby%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9009752&ds_rl=1241788&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1242884&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8dKqkJLn4AIVEF8NCh2dbgCREAQYASABEgKUPvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
2. Medela Tender Care HydroGel Pads
If you have been following along, you already know that I thought my nipples were going to fall off during the first month of breastfeeding. These gel pads were a game changer. Pro tip: put them in the fridge while you’re nursing – it makes them 10 times more soothing. That being said, they are SUPER expensive for only being able to use them for 24 hours. You won’t be able to use them all the time (unless you’re willing to cough up $4 a day on them). A pack of 4 is at Target for $7.99. https://www.target.com/p/medela-tender-care-hydrogel-pads-4pk/-/A-10762139?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Baby%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9009752&ds_rl=1241788&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1242884&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrMqrsaPn4AIVjYuzCh09cgpIEAQYAiABEgJv0fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
3. Triple Nipple Cream
I’m not sure if they sell this concoction exactly (although I’m sure somewhere they probably do). This is something you can just make at home by combining an antibiotic cream, an anti-inflammatory cream, and an anti-fungal cream. You can put this mixture on your nipples to decrease risk of infection (plus it’s soothing). You can read more about it by clicking on this link: https://www.verywellfamily.com/dr-jack-newmans-all-purpose-nipple-ointment-431885
4. Medela Freestyle® Mobile Double Electric Breast Pump
If you are going to pump (and odds are if you’re breastfeeding, you will pump at least in the beginning, for sure), then you are going to want a really good breast pump. This is the exact set that I have. It is a little on the pricey side, but you can always rent a really great one from the hospital. In fact, most insurance will cover this! This set is available at Walmart for $292.50. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Medela-Freestyle-Mobile-Double-Electric-Breast-Pump/583913945?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227134608010&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=242017053539&wl4=pla-397553052191&wl5=9009752&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=583913945&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8tGqyqXn4AIVio3ICh0SZQfNEAQYASABEgLYlfD_BwE
5. Dapple 16.9 floz Unscented Hand Wash Dish Soaps
Babies are super sensitive creatures. I use this exact soap to wash all of Hollings bottles, spoons, plates, etc. as well as my breast pumping materials. It is unscented an free of ammonia, bleach and other toxins. It’s not too expensive and lasts a long time (I’m still using the first one I bought 7 months later). It is at Target now for $4.99. https://www.target.com/p/dapple-16-9-floz-unscented-hand-wash-dish-soaps/-/A-16889627?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Baby%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9009752&ds_rl=1242884&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1246978&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk4WxtKbn4AIVC43ICh3-nwy2EAQYASABEgJeDvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
6. Munchkin Bottle & Nipple Brush
Bottles can be hard to clean, because they’re so small and narrow. You don’t want to have sour milk build up (gross). You also don’t want to use just any old thing to clean them out. I use this exact brush to clean my bottles, and it works great! You can find it at Target for just $2.99. https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-bottle-nipple-brush/-/A-13991685?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Baby%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9009752&ds_rl=1242884&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1246978&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI39LynKfn4AIVgVYNCh1u5Q5DEAQYAiABEgLtxfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
7. Philips Avent 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer, BPA-Free
Odds are, you have probably heard your parents talk about boiling your bottles and pacifiers to clean them when you were a kid. They probably have gone on and on about what a hassle it was. Well, lucky for us, sterilizing all of the baby stuff is no longer the hassle it used to be. I LOVE this steamer. It’s super easy to use and requires very minimal effort (which you will come to really love when you are taking care of an infant). It’s at Walmart for $38.45 and worth every penny. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Philips-Avent-3-in-1-Electric-Steam-Sterilizer-BPA-Free/17219155?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000983877&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40340535512&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-78298028432&wl5=9009752&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=17219155&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2OP9_6fn4AIVl1cNCh0zcw5NEAQYASABEgJWfvD_BwE
8. Boon Grass Countertop Bottle Drying Rack
Last but not least, I still use this drying rack every single day. Also, every mom that I’ve met uses this exact one. So simple, yet something about the grass design works so well for drying. You’re going to need to put this on your list. It’s at Target for $12.99. https://www.target.com/p/boon-grass-countertop-bottle-drying-rack/-/A-12190250
