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Essentials For The First Months Of Breastfeeding

March 20, 2016 by Jenni

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As I am thinking of stopping breastfeeding, I have been thinking of the essentials for the first months of breastfeeding, the items I couldn’t have done without for the first few months x

faye and lou

The Breastfeeding Butterfly from Faye & Lou is great, especially when I wasn’t as confident. It is perfect for covering me up as well as stopping Lucas from getting distracted.

Nursing bras

Nursing bras, I bought some from New Look and Mothercare. They both do ranges that are pretty as well as practical. I found that the Mothercare ones fit a lot better and they also have staff that can measure you.

Nursing vest tops

Nursing vest tops, I bought a pack of 3 from New Look and love them. I have been wearing one under my normal tops every day, they make it so much easier to remain covered as you unhook the breast but the rest of the top stays covering you.

Lansinoh nipple cream

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Cream ,the first few weeks your nipples feel like they have been ripped to shreds. I tried all sorts of creams and this is the only one that made any difference. It instantly relieved them and left a barrier on to continue protecting.

Breast pump

A breast pump and milk bags, I expressed milk when I felt I needed to release some of the pressure building up if Lucas wasn’t ready for his next feed. This stopped after a couple of months as my body regulated to Lucas’ needs. I also expressed milk for D to feed Lucas so he could have some quality time with him. I use the Medela Harmony manual pump which is very simple to use and easy to take apart for sterilising. There are some differences in how long you can store milk for if you google it. I follow the NHS guidelines  and store it for up to 5 days in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer.

Breastflow bottles

Bottles, I bought breastflow bottles. I researched various bottles before settling on these as I had been told the stories about babies rejecting breastfeeding once they had a bottle or dummy. I shouldn’t have worried, Lucas had a dummy within a couple of weeks and took to these bottles well, without either affecting breastfeeding. He will now breastfeed, have a bottle, a baby cup and a trainer cup with no issues.

Breastfeeding vitamins

Vitamins, I took Vitabiotics Pregnacare Breast-Feeding Tablets to ensure I was getting the nutrients I needed. Your body automatically gives what is needed to the baby through your milk so it is important to make sure you are looking after yourself as well.

Breast pads

Breast pads are a must in the first few weeks, after a couple of months I didn’t need them as my body had regulated to when Lucas needed feeding. I used Lansinoh nursing pads, they are very discreet but great at absorbing excess milk without you feeling damp. They are also individually wrapped so perfect for popping in your changing bag or coat pocket.

Sleeping nursing bras

Sleeping bras to hold the breast pads in place during the night, I bought mine from Mothercare.

Nursing nightwear

Nursing sleep wear, not necessarily needed but as Lucas was born in February I preferred my nursing night wear to my normal pjs as it kept me warmer throughout the night as I remained covered instead of having to lift my top up. Button up pjs are also good for this. La Redoute have a good selection of maternity/nursing nightwear and usually have some good offers on.

V shaped pillow

A V-shaped pillow is great for positioning baby in the first few weeks as well as propping you up. If you get this whilst pregnant, it also helps with getting you comfortable if you place it between your legs to sleep.

Essentials For The First Months Of Breastfeeding

Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle, Shopping Tagged With: Faye&lou, La Redoute, Lansinoh, Medela, mothercare, New Look, New mum, Pregnacare, Vitabiotics

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Comments

  1. marie says

    March 20, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    I couldnt of done without nipple shields, breast pads most definatly and i wish i had known about sleep bras, that would have made life alot easier and more comfortable! Great post really helpful, my oldest is pregant woth her first will be passing this on!

  2. Kara says

    March 20, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Lansinoh was my saviour and nursing bra’s are so much prettier these days

  3. emma white says

    March 20, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    I still have my v shaped pillow couldn’t have done without it back then

  4. Rachel says

    March 20, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    I have a V Shaped pillow but more for my bad back ha x

  5. Zena's Suitcase says

    March 20, 2016 at 9:54 pm

    I couldn’t have survived without Lanisoh! It’s a miracle cream and is the one thing I think worth having ready to hand

  6. The L's Mum says

    March 21, 2016 at 7:12 am

    This post will be so helpful for anyone beginning their breastfeeding journey. I didn’t breastfeed myself but it sounds like these essentials are favourites with others to šŸ™‚

  7. Kizzy says

    March 21, 2016 at 11:06 am

    I managed without these but it was a struggle. I have a friend who has manufactured some beautiful breastfeeding tops because she couldn’t find one that worked for her.

  8. Hannah Budding Smiles says

    March 24, 2016 at 6:59 am

    I’m getting myself prepared for baby girl’s arrival and have my cream, shields (they saved BF for me last time), washable pads, pump and a Mama Scarf at the ready but I need some new bras as I’ve grown out of mine! The sleeper ones look very interesting, I got so sick of waking up soaking last time so wish I’d known about them!xx

  9. Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says

    March 26, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    I have no idea about baby care or breast feeding but that V cushion looks comfy.

  10. Sarah Bailey says

    March 26, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    It sounds like you have found some great items to get you through your time breastfeeding – good luck with your next step. x

  11. Yvonne says

    March 27, 2016 at 9:34 am

    I could not have survived without lanolin! Love the nightdress. x

  12. Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) says

    March 27, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Those sleeping bras look fab, I haven’t seen those before! x

  13. Jane Taylor says

    March 27, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    Gosh, my kids are 13 and 9 and I breastfed them both but there are so many more things available now (and nicer bras!!!). I am sure this is a really valuable post for new mummies.

  14. Leah Miller says

    March 27, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    The items you can get now are much nicer than those available when I breast fed! And I could not have been without the nipple pads, I must have gone through boxes of them! Xx

  15. Lilinha says

    March 27, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    Great selection of breastfeeding products, I shall keep in mind for when we have our next one! šŸ™‚
    http://lilinhaangel.com/

  16. Laura sadler says

    April 2, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    Hi great read I have created these free to download breastfeeding affirmation cards that your readers might be interested in all instructions are on the link posted and email address are only used to send the file to and are not kept https://www.facebook.com/Birdieartandillustration/photos/a.941997025867071.1073741832.938429829557124/974510275949079/?type=3&theater&refid=12

Hello

Hi, I’m Jenni, Mummy to Lucas who was born in 2015 and Morgana, born in 2021. I’m a virtual assistant living in the Dordogne, France since moving from Lancashire, UK in September 2019 Read more about us

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