Breastfeeding Essentials Checklist

Breastfeeding is a choice many new moms now make because it’s the best nutrition a mother could give to her baby. To add, moms these days who choose to breastfeed are very lucky because the public support is present, resources and materials about proper breastfeeding are everywhere, installation of nursing stations in malls and offices, and there are many breastfeeding products readily available almost everywhere.

We’ve round up some of the breastfeeding essentials for new moms to make feeding comfortable and a little bit easier for you and your baby.

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Breastfeeding Essentials Checklist

• Nursing Pillow – Save yourself from possible back ache and exhausted arms from carrying your baby as he or she feeds from you, use a nursing pillow. The pillow will help you carry the load, prop the baby as he latches on you, give both of you support, and make breastfeeding comfortable for both you and your baby. A good pillow is one that comes in the right size which you could use at home or bring with you in the car when you travel with the little one. It should also remain its shape even used over time.

• Nipple Cream – Some days your baby may latch perfectly and some days not. During the not so good days, your nipples may be sore or get cracked. Good thing, nipple creams are available in the market to come to the rescue on days when it hurts to feed your little one. Nipple creams help relieve the discomfort of your sore or cracked nipples. Choose one that is safe for ingestion and preferably made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

• Nursing Clothes – Who says nursing a baby will make you look less fashionable? These days, there are many nursing tops even dresses that look like regular clothes and are very chic! These nursing tops or dresses have opening for one or both breasts for easy breastfeeding access. Choose nursing clothes which are made of soft and non-irritant fabric so even if it touches your baby’s sensitive skin, he will not have any reaction. Best if you also choose nursing clothes you see you could use even when you’re no longer nursing.

• Nursing Cover – Some nursing clothes don’t need any covering. Some moms choose not to wear nursing tops and just use a nursing cover instead. While some use both. When choosing a nursing cover, coverage and comfort is key. Fabric should still feel cool for you and your baby more especially, so he will not perspire while feeding. For practicality, there are many nursing covers which come in different styles so you could use it even when you’re not nursing your baby anymore. Nursing cover could be in straight cover style, large bib style, poncho or boncho style, and even huge scarf. Pick the type that best fits your lifestyle.

• Nursing Bra – Nursing bras provide the best support for every breastfeeding moms. Nursing bras allow you to unclip the cups for easy access to breastfeeding compared to regular bras that you have to either lift or take off, making it incovenient and uncomfortable for you. They come in strapped, strapless or bandeau. Choose the ones with full coverage, no underwire, and is comfortable to wear day-long. According to Dr. Jaime Isip Cumpas, Mommy Mundo’s resident Breastfeeding expert, breasts need room to breath that’s why comfortable fitting bra is a must or no bra at all when just at home. Tight fitting bras while nursing can impede proper drainage and eventually cause plugged ducts and mastitis.

• Breast Pads – When you’re new to breastfeeding and your supply is overflowing, your breasts may leak from time to time. Leaking may also happen when your baby feeds from the other side only making the other stimulated and leak milk. Breast pads will rescue you from wetting your nursing bra or shirt/dress. They come in disposables or reusable or washable cloth materials. According to Dr. Jamie, breast pads should be changed regularly as soon as they become damp.

• Lactation Supplements – Supplements could be in form of malunngay capsules, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and even ice cream! If you have low milk supply, these supplements could help boost and sustain your production. But still nothing beats making your baby latch often and staying happy always to keep your milk flowing.

We hope that this essentials checklist help you start your pleasant breastfeeding journey! Some of the essentials above are available at Mommy Mundo Shop. To start shopping today, you may go to https://www.mommymundoshop.com/.

Dr. Jamie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University and obtained her medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Santo Tomas. She took her lactation training at The Medical City and at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. She is a member of Mommy Mundo’s Board of Experts.