What do you need to buy for breastfeeding?
I’m frequently asked by pregnant women what they should buy if they plan to breastfeed. Most often they are wondering if they should have a little stash of bottles and formula milk in the cupboard ‘just in case’ things don’t go well. Of course, if it would make you feel more comfortable then you can purchase these items but it is usually only where there might be a medical need would I suggest that a family has a back up supply.
In reality, despite there being a huge market in infant feeding products, there is not a lot that is needed for breastfeeding, and in most cases items are readily available to purchase on the high street or online.
The Essentials!
Open front PJs
When it comes to breastfeeding access to your breasts is pretty important. In the early days and weeks you’ll want to be spending as much time in skin to skin contact with your baby.
Just because a pyjama is described as nursing sleepwear doesn’t mean it is a practical item for effective breastfeeding. Often these items have flaps of fabric just to expose a small amount of your breast. For skin to skin we want your baby’s skin touching your skin rather than the fabric of your clothing. You can see my post on skin to skin benefits here.
The best item is usually a nightshirt that buttons all the way down the front. I recommend checking that any buttons are securely fastened as a loose button could pose as a chocking hazard for a baby.
Additionally pyjamas that open all the way down the front make feeding in bed with your baby much easier. If you think you might share your bed with your baby then a long sleeve item is usually best as even in warmer weather it can get cool at night without a blanket over you. For guidance on safe sleeping I recommend reviewing the information from The Lullaby Trust.
Nursing Bra
A few good nursing bras are essential when you are ready to head out and about. Non wired with good support and adjustment are important features for a bra. A good bra can make a lot of difference when it comes to breastfeeding confidently in public.
Breast Pads
Some women will leak colostrum in pregnancy whereas for many women they won’t find they leak milk until their mature milk develops around days 3 to 5 postnatally.
For others they may never leak milk at all. See this article for information about different types of breast pads that are available.
Baby Nail File
Forget the mittens or the baby grows with hand covers just buy an inexpensive nail file. Babies can be born with long nails which can scratch their skin and yours. Whilst your baby in inside you the waters they are surrounded by keep their nails soft. Once they are born their nails harden and can be quite sharp.
Babies use their hands to help guide them to your breast. By covering them with a mitten you are taking away your baby’s ability to use their hands effectively.
The maybes
Below are some breastfeeding products that may be useful to you depending on your individual circumstances.
Nipple Evertors / Nipple Shields
Nipple evertors and nipple shields can be really useful tools if you have flat or inverted nipples.
If you think this applies to you I suggest reading this article on flat nipples to decide if purchasing these items might be useful for you. They are many other methods that can be used to achieve successful breastfeeding that do not require a shield.
Breastfeeding Pillow
For some women a good breastfeeding pillow can transform their early breastfeeding experience. They are often only used for the first few weeks so if you can borrow one from a friend thats a great option.
Usually my suggestion is to have a look at the options available to you whilst pregnant and bookmark one that you think looks good for you. After the first few days with your baby it may become evident that it is worthwhile purchasing one of your bookmarked items. You can usually find one for less than £20. If you do purchase one you can also use it for your baby to rest on during tummy time or behind them when they are learning to sit up.
Nipple cream
Nipple balm is inexpensive and can be really soothing if your nipples are sore. Therefore, for many women it is an item they purchase for their postnatal bag.
There are alternatives to nipple balm that may be more suitable for you so read more to understand all your options.
Breast Pump
A breast pump can be an expensive item so unless you have particular plans to be expressing and feeding by cup or bottle then I don’t suggest you purchase a pump antenatally.
Again though it can be worthwhile to understand the available options for pumping and to bookmark a couple. For a pump to be effective I recommend you select one that has different size flange options available to you.
If you are having problems with breastfeeding and are needing to pump then renting a hospital grade pump is often helpful. Medela and Spectra are both great options to rent.
Large muslin or Feeding Shawl
For some women a breastfeeding shawl can improve their confidence with feeding when in more public spaces. Of course breastfeeding is normal and natural but many women have cultural reasons why they would prefer to be more covered whilst feeding their baby in public.
The are some very nice shawls available or you can use a large muslin to help cover you whilst you latch your baby to your breast.
There are many many items that you can purchase to help you with parenting but usually there is little need to buy lots of items before, and even after, your baby has been born.
As always if you need help and support please do reach out. You can contact me or find me on social channels.
