My Favorite Breastfeeding Items

1.) Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads


 These are my favorite nursing pads because they are thin, contoured and really absorbent.  They also don't leak through the backing material.  I have tried several brands and even the cloth kind that are washable and some are okay, but these are great.  I use them mostly at night when I am going longer between feeding and am more likely to leak.  These are also great during the first month when your supply is not regular yet and you get engorged.  If I wasn't so frugal I would use these all the time, but instead I buy a cheaper one for the day time and when I am at home and I use these for when I REALLY want to make sure I don't leak (holidays, outings etc) and at night.

2.) A nursing pillow

I have tried the Boppy and My Brest Friend brands. Both in my opinion are most useful for the first couple months of nursing.

Boppy


 Pros: Its easy to use just slip it on and off when you need to.  It has multiple uses such as letting the baby rest on it, tummy time, and a prop up pillow for when they start to sit.  Also, it is a great pillow for mommy to sit on during the postpartum recovery.  The covers are easy to wash and change and there are many options to match your taste.
Cons: For tall people it still might not get the baby at the right height to nurse without an arm under it.  No back support and it will shift when you move.





My Brest Friend


 Pros: It has a back support pillow and the part the baby rests on has raised sections of foam to bring the head higher up.  There is a pocket in the cover to hold any little things you may need while nursing so you don't have to go looking for them.  The body is adjustable and secure.  It has an easy clip feature so you can take it on and off.  It is very comfortable when on and I felt very secure and more hands free with this than with the Boppy.

Cons: It is bulkier than the Boppy and not as multi-functional (so far as I have seen.)  The cover is hard to get on and off to clean.  Because of the adjustable waist, it is not really able to be used by Daddy for baby holding support or by others who may be holding the baby.


3.) Nursing Bras

First, no that is not me, I am not that brave.  But this is a sleep/lounge nursing bra.  I know there are women who feel this is not needed, but I am not one of them.  I do not like to leak milk on my pajamas and sheets between night feedings and I need something to hold in my nursing pads.  I would recommend two of these for night time, as well as a comfy, around the house option.  Also there are other types of sleeping bras but I like the cross front for ease of access when I'm half asleep rather than a clip on the strap.

Motherhood Maternity: Medium Support Padded Cup No Wire Nursing Bra

I like this one because it is like a T-shirt bra with a smooth cup.  It is supportive and easy to use.  Also, it is lined and adds an extra layer of leak protection (which has really come in handy when I've forgotten pads a few times.) Again, I would get at least 2 of these to have another while washing.

 

4.) Nursing Friendly Clothing.

This is more of a category than a particular product.  Stretchy camisoles in neutral (black, gray, white, etc) are great under shirts to help with concealing skin if you lift up your shirt to nurse.  They are also great while wearing low V neck shirts or button up shirts to allow more coverage but quick and easy access.  I like nursing tanks with built in bra's because they offer more support and coverage under clothes (and help smooth out my belly a little, lol) and can also double as a light weight bra option if it has a built in bra. As stated above, I also prefer V neck or low scoop neck T-shirts for easy access.  Lifting my shirt, even with a nursing cover, exposes stretch marks and more skin than I'm comfortable with.  Pulling a shirt down allows you to be quick , discreet, and even feed in a front carrier like an Ergo :o).

5.) Nursing Cover

You can make these pretty easily, but there are some nice ones you can buy for $15-$30 if you don't sew or don't have the time/energy to deal with sewing one.  For my first pregnancy, my mom made me some covers that worked excellently.  For this one, I found a deal on Babysteals.com and got a new one.  I use it whenever I'm out and nursing and whenever someone is over my house and I have to nurse.  The downside is that as your baby gets older they are less likely to accept the cover over their heads and more likely to yank it off exposing you.  At that point, I either go to a more private place or shove the sides of the cover under and around the baby so I won't offer a free peep show. (People who are lactivists, I am not ashamed of breastfeeding and I know its natural and should not be viewed the same as lewd exposure.  However, I personally am more comfortable being covered so please don't comment about my rights while feeding. :o)