Breastfeeding Hacks Every Mom Should Know
While breastfeeding is so beneficial for both mama and baby, it isn’t exactly easy.
There’s a long list of struggles us mamas face, but luckily, there’s some good hacks to help us along our journey!
Breast Feeding Arm Pillow
The common breast feeding pillows like the Boppy and the My Breast Friend work great. I have personally used both while breast feeding Emmy. But this arm pillow was a game changer for a number of reasons. 1. It can travel with you alot easier (restaurants, grandma’s house, around the house). 2. It is alot easier to maneuver with baby. Picture the scenario: you are home alone, baby gets hungry. You scoop him up to start a feeding session, now you some how have to pick up a large boppy pillow, sit down, get the pillow around you with one arm, all while s till safely holding baby. The arm pillow makes it so much easier. You slip if over you arm, pick up baby and take a seat. See? Game. Changer. Plus it’s like half the cost.
Let There Be Milk
If you have read any other posts on my page, you know I am a HUGE fan of this stuff. It makes my breast feeding life so much easier. Just last night, Jay and I went out for date night and Emmy had her final feeding from a bottle, meaning I had not breast fed since 3:40 P.M. I got home late and was way too tired to pump. I woke up this morning worried my production might dip since I skipped a feeding. I took 3 drops of this magic liquid along with a cup of Mother’s Milk Tea and my worries are at bay. It’s just so nice to have a sense of security that I will always be able to produce enough for my little nugget to eat. UPDATE: So many people agree that the taste of this stuff was just not pleasant, but the results were to worth it. We no longer have to endure that terrible taste mamas! Let There Be Milk now comes in capsule form!
The Haakaa
A Haakaa is one of the main reasons I was able to collect over 400 ounces in 30 days for my freezer stash.
The Haakaa suctions to the breast you are not feeding off of and collects the milk from your let down. I averaged 1-3 ounces each time I used it. You can get a two pack on Amazon here.
Aloe Vera Bags
Ahhhh how wonderful these were those first few days. I took two breast milk storage bags and filled them with Aloe Vera gen and popped them into the freezer. They were great for sore nipples. Sometimes they were a little too cold if in the freezer so I would either let them sit out for a few minutes to cool or I would switch them to the fridge before applying. Either way- huge life saver for very little money. I got this huge thing of aloe for only $2.50!
Hands Free Nursing Clip
Breast feeding in public can be difficult. You need all the help you can get to keep your hands free and this little clip thing does exactly that. Combine it with the free nursing cover below that helps keep your hands free too and you will have smooth sailing when it comes to breast feeding while out and about.
Udder Covers Nursing Cover
Take a good look at that picture. Do you notice anything different about that nursing cover? It has what is called a D-ring at the top. Mama is able to look down at baby without using her hand to pull back the fabric. This leaves both hands free to do what they need to.
You can get one for free using at uddercover.com using code CoverFree35
Quick Clean Steam Bags from Medela
I hate washing pump parts. Like really hate it. Mostly because of how much time it takes but more because I am so neurotic over it it is really clean or not. I feel like alot of germs could hide in all those little crevices. Enter the Meleda quick clean steam bags. You just fill it with a little water, pop it in the microwave for 4 minutes and you’ve got sanitized pump parts! #MomWin
Hold and Cold Therapy
I really love these Lansinoh Thera-pearls. They can be stored in the freezer for cold therapy when needed but what was really a game changer for me was the warm therapy. I would heat it up for about 30 seconds (sometimes just a little less) then I would wrap it in a washcloth and apply it to by breast RIGHT before I started pumping. It would help my milk flow so much easier. It was also a big help with clogged ducts, which I seemed to get alot with my second daughter.
Breast Feeding Leggings
Another big help when breast feeding in public! Once you have your shirt clipped up, you will have your whole belly exposed! These leggings are designed for postpartum mama’s with extra support built in. You could also just double your shirts up and wear a nursing tank under every top. I just like these because it gives me an excuse to wear leggings. Every day.
Rolled up receiving blankets
This hack is a little strange to explain… so once your milk comes in your boobies are huge- like super huge. And heavy. Sometimes you need a little help holding them up so baby can nurse properly. Just roll up a thin fabric receiving blanket and prop it under your breast. It makes it easier than having to hold it up during the whole feeding with your hand. Make sense?
Nursing Nightlight
So I am editing this post JUST to add this item. I found it on Pinterest last night and think it is just about the most niffty thing I have ever seen. It’s a breast feeding night light. It also has a built in timer that will vibrate after a certain amount of time in case you fall asleep. Which I do. All the time! I love this! It’s available here on Amazon.
Pumping Hacks
As I’ve been working to build my freezer stash of over 400 ounces, I’ve picked up some fun pumping hacks too!
Read More from S&B:
