I’ve openly talked about how much I want to breastfeed Baby F when he turns up and I thought it was time to show you a few breastfeeding essentials that I’ve been putting together over the last few months and I’m hoping that with these essentials my breastfeeding journey will allow me to feed with confidence. Whilst I really want to breastfeed exclusively and I will actively be trying to do so I feel much more confident having a few things in the home to help with expressing because ultimately I would rather my baby have breastmilk than formula so I’m prepared to do whatever I can. Hopefully we will establish breastfeeding, a good latch and my baby will thrive however I know a lot more know than I did then and I’m much more prepared for feeding in the night, cluster feeding and have done my research on how I might want to try and boost my supply. Breastfeeding works on a supply and demand basis so the more I feed him the more milk I make and I plan to continue feeding for as long as possible.
I think this does put a lot of pressure on me however, actually, when I think about it I won’t be putting pressure on myself to do anything else, especially for the first six weeks. As long as Evie gets to and from school and he is fed, other things and other people can wait. I think there is one film I might want to see in late November but other than that I have no intention of planning on leaving him overnight until he finishes breastfeeding completely. I’ve already had offers of babysitting but I think people often forget that it’s much harder if a baby is breastfed. I’m not expecting, or asking, for any “time off” whilst he feeds from me and I won’t just give him a bottle for the sake of giving him a bottle if I don’t need to.
I’ve put together a list of things I’ll be using to help me with breastfeeding, and, if I do feel the need to express, we have those in the home too.
Breastmilk Storage Bags
One thing I am a little worried about is feeding in public because I have big boobs and I don’t want to be subjected to horrible comments. I have no intention of doing so until I am confident feeding in my own home anyway and can do it without a mountain of cushions and once breastfeeding is established, if Baby F does take a bottle then I can build up a supply and freeze if for feeds outside the home. These storage bags can be popped in the freezer for 6 months or in the fridge for 24 hours. You pop the date on and mark how much milk it contains.
Kit & Kin Breast Balm
This is to help with those tough days of cracked bleeding nipples. I experienced that before with Evie and it was really horrid. The first two weeks are hard and hurt so anything I can use to just make those first feeds a little more comfortable are absolute essentials. The Kit and Kin Breast Balm is full of natural and nourishing ingredients, safe to use when breastfeeding and without harsh chemicals making it an ideal choice and a great price at £7.99
Boobix Supply Boosting Cookies
I saw a blogger friend of mine using these Boobix Lactaction cookies to help give her supply a boost and decided to buy some to pack into my hospital bag. Boobix are cookies that are full of ingredients that help boost your breastmilk supply and I’ve been told they’re absolutely delicious. At £10 a box I won’t be sharing them and I’m hoping eating one or two cookies a day in the first week will really help us get off to a good start with breastfeeding. Plus, if I do begin to express then I will need to do what I can to continue ensuring I have a great supply and if eating cookies helps me then I’m willing to take one for the team. You can make your own if you’re creative enough and I might give it a go but I am no baker. Boobix are basically Lactation Cookies are cookies that contain galactagogues, or ingredients, that can help maintain or increase your breast milk supply.
The B-Shirt
I love my gorgeous summer coloured B Shirt which is really going to help me feed with confidence. I got a size 20 and started wearing in pregnancy despite being quite a bit bigger but this top felt comfortable over my bump so the sizing is lovely and comfortably generous without feeling baggy. The BShirt is a great too having a flap that you lift giving baby direct access to the breast. It also looks really stylish on and there are loads of really lovely colours available too. This is a perfect staple for post natal clothing as it’s comfortable and has that all important accessibility for breastfeeding. There are lots of colours available too and I might treat myself to a few more over the months. I am really keen to find clothing that helps me feel less exposed yet makes feeding easy for me.
Reusable Breast Pads
I’ve previously blogged about wanting to use more reusable items, being more eco friendly and finding cost effective ways for my family to use certain products. Reusable bamboo breast pads are going to be an absolute essential. Lovely and soft, washable and easy to pop into a nursing bra. I sleep on my front so I’m expecting a bit of leakage in the night too so any extra protection is really going to help.
Nursing Bras for Day and Night
I’ve finally found some nursing bras thanks to Bravado Designs. I bought two in XL which actually fit me, are comfortable and have no underwire but still offer support. I feel like I’m on to a total winner. Nursing bras are an essential if you’re planning on feeding yourself and you might need a few for day and night use. They will basically be the bras you wear for pretty much all of your breastfeeding life and, if like me, you’re top heavy and can’t go braless then I really recommend Bravado Designs who have a great selection.
Lansinoh Single Electric Breast Pump
I had a manual pump with Evie and it did absolutely nothing for me so this time I’ve decided to go with an electric pump this time around to, hopefully, make expressing a bit easier for me.
Disclaimer: I received the electric breast pump. The B-Shirt and breast balm to include in this feature and the other items I purchased myself to try. All opinions remain my own.
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