7 Overlooked Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Essentials for New Moms

At your baby shower you’re given the curved breastfeeding pillow, the nursing pads, and the burp cloths, all the things we’ve grown used to talking about. However, there are a lot of things that breastfeeding moms use and appreciate that we don’t talk about. 

Whether we don’t talk about them because we don’t want to scare new moms about how challenging breastfeeding can be, or we just overlook them, these items can really make a difference. If you know an expectant mother or someone who is breastfeeding, gifting them some of these items might change their experience dramatically.

Cell Phone Charger

Before we started our breastfeeding journeys, we didn’t really know just how much time we would spend trapped in a chair patiently waiting for our little ones to eat. During that time, it surprised almost all of us moms here at BeauGen how handy it was to have our phones. When you are breastfeeding or pumping you are essentially nap trapped throughout the day. Your phone can keep you connected to your friends and family, provide entertainment, and be a lifeline for helpful information. All of this usage though can drain your battery. Having a phone charger where you breastfeed can make a big impact.

Nipple Care 

We spend a lot of time making sure that we take care of our families, but Mamas need self care and love too. Sometimes pumping and nursing can leave your sensitive skin raw or irritated. There are several self care products for breastfeeding moms that help with this painful irritation but they really don’t get enough attention. 

Silver nursing cups are a simple and easy to use tool that can provide moms with loads of relief. The unpopular side of breastfeeding, issues like engorgement and clogged ducts can be painful. Hot and cold packs can not only help make you feel more comfortable but they can also help enhance your breastfeeding experience. If you don’t have these packs on hand, take a clean washcloth and run it under warm or cool water and apply it to your breast to get a similar effect.

And of course, if you’re pumping, our Breast Pump Cushions make a world of a difference from their very first use.

Manual Breast Pump 

Clogs are an unfortunate part of breastfeeding. Nursing moms, pumping moms, moms who do both, we all can experience a clogged milk duct. While we hope that you never have to feel this pain, having a manual breast pump on hand can help clear these and other issues. Manual pumps are great for working through engorgement and managing overactive let downs. Click here to learn more reasons to have a manual on hand.

Massagers

Have you seen the posts and memes about moms using electric toothbrushes? Gentle vibrations are great for helping to clear clogged ducts and move milk down through your breast tissue to nourish your baby. Breastfeeding massagers are designed to provide gentle vibrations to help move milk. They’re easy to use, comfortable, and can really help moms out.

Good Bras

Breastfeeding moms need a lot of support. While we might not want to spend additional money on new bras, our breasts change quite a bit over the course of our pregnancy and our breastfeeding journey. Squeezing into an older bra that no longer fits can impact our milk supply, and potentially lead to clogged ducts and other problems. The right support can cut down on discomfort. Easy access makes feeding your little one whenever and wherever that much easier too!

A Supportive Partner

Unfortunately moms are still hit with a barrage of questions that are so personal, you can’t believe people are asking them. Understanding why your partner is breastfeeding, the benefits of breastfeeding, and the boundaries that you as a family are setting makes a dramatic difference for moms. Supportive partners can help shield these questions. They can protect the healthy boundaries your family is working to establish. 

Equally as important, a supportive partner makes the difference during those difficult moments. When moms are worried if they are enough for their babies or beating themselves up because breastfeeding is a challenge or is painful, a supportive partner is the cheerleader (and often voice of reason) that we need.

Patience and Trust

While we wish everyone a smooth and blissful breastfeeding experience, the reality is that for many moms it comes with a bit of work. You and your baby are learning to communicate and learn something brand new for the both of you. It’s going to take a little trial and error. The best thing you can give yourself is patience. Be gentle with yourself, as gentle as you would be when teaching someone else a new skill. And trust that together, with the right help, you will figure this out together. If you are starting to lose either your patience or feel that self doubt creeping in, it’s time to give a lactation professional or your healthcare provider a call. The right support, makes the difference.