Breastfeeding Supplies to Make Nursing Easier, More Enjoyable – Maybe Even Fashionable!

Hold it right there!

As with many aspects of parenting, it’s hard to figure out what’s actually going to work for you until you’re in that specific situation.

Do you really need breastfeeding covers, or will a blanket work?

What’s the deal with that hands-free breast pump you saw last week at the store, or that kind-of-expensive-for-a-piece-of-wood nursing stool? (Don’t get me started on the price of gliding rockers and ottomans!)

And what about finding comfortable, supportive breastfeeding bras – are you just wasting your money with the cheap-o versions? Can you get by with a set of Lily Padz?

It helps to have the advice of a good friend who’s been down these roads before. Let me point you in the right direction and give you some suggestions on which accessories are worth ponying up the cash.

For example, choosing a good breast pump is crucial to breastfeeding success, especially if you’re a working mom.

I highly recommend purchasing a pump over renting one, as this is a machine you’ll likely be using quite often, and if you’re considering having more than one child and/or nursing past the first few months, the rental fees will add up quickly. Besides, I promise you it will more than pay for itself.

My Medela breast pump has become like another appendage since my daughter was born, helping to boost my milk supply and allowing me to continue breastfeeding her after I returned to the office. But a breast pump is also one of the priciest purchases you’ll make as a new parent, so you want to make sure you’re getting the best one.

Even baby bottles are up for scrutiny. Almost all are BPA-free now (thank goodness!), but the choices are dizzying.

Drop-ins or colic reducing? Plastic or glass? Which ones are going to work best for pumping and storing expressed milk?

It’s also important to think about nipple confusion (for younger babies), and which nipples and feeding systems aim to work with breastfeeding, not against it. Not to get all conspiracy-theory on you, but there are a lot of bottle systems out there that aren’t exactly the best way to encourage extended breastfeeding, so you have to be careful in your selections. And let’s not forget a breastfeeding pillow! These things rock, and they make breastfeeding SO much more comfortable for you and baby.

From the ubiquitous Boppy to the lesser-known (but still well-loved) My Brest Friend pillow, you’ll probably find yourself dragging it along with you on any outing longer than a trip to the store.

Take a look into any baby store and you'll see that these are just the tip of the breastfeeding supplies iceberg - so let's plunge in, and I'll help you navigate the waters!

Happy shopping!

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