Breastfeeding Must-Haves for the New Mom

Hey Mama!

This is my second time on this breastfeeding journey, and it has been going so well. Lately, I have been getting a lot of questions from expectant moms on what’s to come when they start breastfeeding. I figured I would share here on what to expect along with some must haves!

The first product that I would say is a must have is the Earth Mama Nipple Butter. I used it after breastfeeding Tre, and I am using it again while breastfeeding Austin. What I love about it is that it is organic, and they also make a vegan version! A lot of the nipple creams on the market right now must be wiped off before your baby breastfeeds again. With the Earth Mama Nipple Butter, you do not have to do that. It is made from safe ingredients that allow your baby to latch on right away. This was so important to me, because when it is time to nurse in the middle of the night, who is really thinking about wiping their nipples off?!?! Not me! I also use the Earth Mama Nipple Butter to coat the inside of the flanges before I pump. Sometimes while pumping, your nipples and areola will feel kind of dry and stretched, the nipple butter helps with that because it keeps you moisturized and stops the pain.

Earth Mama also makes a bunch of breastfeeding/ pregnancy items that I have loved! Another product of theirs that I have been using is their Organic deodorant. After BOTH of my pregnancies, I became more sweaty and regular deodorant was just not working for me. I started using another popular all-natural deodorant and it also did not help AT ALL! I finally stumbled upon the Earth Mama deodorant and fell in love. I was skeptical at first that it would actually help with the sweatiness, but it actually did! I have been using it for over a month and I love it! The deodorant comes in different natural fragrances, and there is also a fragrance-free option. While pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are looking for more natural products, Earth Mama is a brand that you should look into.

Another breastfeeding must have are the Kiinde milk storage bags. I absolutely love these bags because they are so convenient, easy to use, and versatile. With the Kiinde bags, you can use an adapter and pump directly into the storage bag. There is no transferring milk from bottle to bag, which helps to eliminate the possibility of spilling liquid gold! I find the Kiinde storage bags especially helpful for moms that have to pump at work. After having Tre, I started using the bags once I returned to work. I would leave a box of storage bags at work and I never had to worry about forgetting or cleaning bottles while at work.

Not only do the kind bags store breastmilk, they also work great for storing baby food. You can use the Kiinde bags if you choose to make your own baby food pouches, which is what I did for Tre and just started to do for Austin. They basically grow with your child and different accessories can be purchased so that you can feed your child directly from the pouch.

Mrs. Patel’s is another amazing brand that supports breastfeeding! I found out about them while breastfeeding Tre but did not start consistently using their products until I had Austin. They make DELISCIOUS lactation cookies that help so much with milk supply. They also make other lactation treats and teas that use natural ingredients to support the breastfeeding mom. My favorite thing about Mrs. Patel’s is that they have lactation treats for different dietary restrictions. Both Tre and Austin had a dairy intolerance the first few months of me breastfeeding, so I was unable to eat any dairy. Some of Mrs. Patel’s treats do not contain dairy and that made me so happy that I had a safe option to purchase lactations cookies/treats instead of having to make them myself.

My final two breastfeeding must-haves are the Medela Pumping Bra and Nuk Ultra Dry Nursing Pads. These two items have helped me out tremendously on my breastfeeding journey! The Medela pumping bra helps to keep your hands free while pumping. Rather than having to hold the pump against your body, you are able to basically strap them on to you, using the bra. This is so helpful when you are trying to pump and take care of a baby at the same time! The Nuk Ultra Dry Nursing Pads are my absolute favorites! I leak A LOT and these nursing pads are able to catch it all! I have tried others and none of them work as well as the Nuk ones. If you also leak, I would definitely recommend the Nuk Ultra Dry Nursing Pads.

That’s all for now mamas! If you have any questions about these products, ask away!