Before the birth of my son, I read a single book on breastfeeding. It had a lot of great advice for getting started and handling problem situations, but once I actually started nursing, I found it lacked a lot of practical tips that would have been awesome to know ahead of time. One of those things was what specific products would prove helpful–invaluable even–throughout the course of my nursing relationship with my little guy. I'm going to share with you some of the products that have helped me continue to nurse my son for almost a year now–some of them you've probably heard of, but there are a few that might surprise you.
Check them out below.
Boppy Pillow
It takes some practice to figure out how to position the Boppy in the most comfortable and useful way, but it's worth the effort. Nine months in and we still use it daily. It provides support, keeps baby close, and provides a soft surface for him to lay on. There are other breastfeeding pillow options, but at $42 with a cover, the Boppy is efficient and affordable. Boppy, $41.99
Cotton Robe
I bought a light cotton robe to bring to the hospital with me right before my son was born and I have since worn it thin. When I was nursing seemingly nonstop, it allowed easy access for baby and plenty of coverage when we had visitors. During the months I was nursing through the night, I would throw it on and head to the nursery without having to get fully dressed. Gilligan & O'Malley Knit Robe, $22
Lanolin
I've sung the praises of this stuff in the past, but it's definitely worth mentioning again. Not only will it heal you if your nipples become cracked and sore, but if you apply it before any issues arise, it can help prevent them from developing. And if you find that you never need it for your breasts, it's great for chapped lips and dry skin as well. Lansinoh Lanolin, $13
Nook HD
When you're spending hours nursing each day, usually without another adult anywhere in the vicinity, it's awesome to have a device equipped with e-book, Web, app, and magazine capabilities. It's only March, I really only read while I nurse, and yet I'm almost halfway to my book goal for the year. The Nook offers tons of passive, quiet entertainment options in a tiny pacakge–totally worth the investment. Nook HD, $199
Nursing Bras
Motherhood Maternity's affordable nursing bras are by far my favorite. I'm chesty, so finding bras that fit is always an issue. When several months after my son's birth I discovered that Motherhood makes nursing bras in large cup sizes and they only run about $25 each, I went straight out and bought two. They are even available with underwires and pretty patterns–a rarity in the nursing world. Motherhood Maternity Nursing Bra, $25
Boppy Nursing Cover
Boppy's nursing cover is inexpensive and features a rigid plastic neckline that allows you to easily check on your baby while he's eating–a feature that has actually caused friends of mine to return their original covers and opt for this one instead. It even has sliding rings that you can position to remind you which side you last fed with. Boppy Nursing Cover, $25
Stretchy T-shirts
Most women don't want to invest in nursing-specific clothing–it's expensive and mostly unattractive. Instead, opt for cheap, stretchy T-shirts in a variety of colors. Depending on your preference you can easily pull them up or down to nurse without ruining their shape. I've wrecked a lot of tops by pulling them down to nurse, so now I stick to T-shirts like this version from Target on a day-to-day basis. Mossimo V-neck Tee, $10
Trail Mix
Chances are you will feel intensely hungry throughout your first few months nursing. I always found that I needed a snack between night feedings, so my husband would often set up a small bowl of trail mix on my night stand. It totally helped me get through those hunger pangs without having to prepare anything or gravitating toward less healthy options. Planter's Trail Mix, $3
Nalgene
Water intake is crucial for both establishing and maintaining your milk supply. Nalgene's easy-to-clean 32-ounce bottles with marked measurements are perfect to take everywhere you go and keep track of how much you're drinking, whether you're at home, out shopping, or on vacation. Nalgene Wide-Mouth Bottle, $11
