A Minimalist New Mom’s Guide: Breastfeeding Essentials
everything I need as a breastfeeding mom
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As a new mom of 10 weeks, breastfeeding has definitely taken over my life at the moment. And because I’m a modest minimalist, I don’t mind buying extra products, but I want them to be good quality, serve a purpose, and be something I will use often. I know I am so lucky to able to breastfeed my baby, because it is not always possible for every new mom. Remember: fed is best! But if breastfeeding is part of your journey, then we’re in this together! Although it has been so rewarding already, it is an extremely difficult task we put our bodies through, and it comes with many challenges. If you’re brand new to the game, trust me, it gets so much easier; hang in there! I felt a big turn for the better around weeks 8-9. But up until then, it was pretty rough, and I’m still facing some challenges. Which is why I wanted to share with you the breastfeeding essentials I use almost every day-if not daily!-to make this job a little easier.
Also, you may have noticed that I listed some products as “Amazon completion discount eligible”. If you didn’t know, you can easily create a Baby Registry on Amazon to share with your family and friends. Whatever is left on your registry that didn’t get gifted to you can be purchased using the completion discount! The 15% completion discount is available 60 days before your arrival date and expires 90 days after your arrival date. It gets better: you can use this discount unlimited times during that window! FYI, not everything is eligible for the discount when it is added to your registry, which is why I have marked the ones that are!
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow (Amazon)
Button Down Pajamas (Amazon)
Silverette Nursing Cups (Silverette)
Medela Nipple Shield (Amazon)
Reusable Bamboo Nursing Pads (Amazon)
We Are Amma Nursing Cover (We Are Amma)
Kindred Bravely Nursing and Lounge Bra (Amazon)
Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter (Amazon)
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow (Amazon)
*Amazon completion discount eligible
I think every new parent needs one of these! Even if you’re not breastfeeding, this pillow is great for bottle feeding or even just holding your baby. This takes the place of stuffing a bunch of pillows around you, trying to get comfortable. It’s adjustable and the cover is machine washable, and there’s a convenient pocket for the TV remote that keeps getting lost (just me?). I’m able to be completely hands-free when feeding my baby with this pillow (I’m currently nursing while typing this post!). It’s the best!
Button Down Pajamas (Amazon)
I have been living in button down pajamas for the past 10 weeks, and that’s not an exaggeration. They are absolutely essential for a new mom. The first few weeks consist of, basically exclusively, skin to skin and feeding. I have two pairs that I rotate, and it makes my daily life much easier to not have to juggle with a shirt getting in the way or covering my baby’s face. I also wash my pajamas in baby-safe detergent, such as Dreft, since she’s always coming in contact with the fabric.
Silverette Nursing Cups (Silverette)
When I finally bought these, they were a lifesaver. My only regret is that I didn’t have them the second I got home from the hospital. Your nipples get put through it during breastfeeding, and I’m not sure I would have been able to continue nursing without them. They are made of pure 925 silver, which is naturally antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and antibacterial. They also keep your bra or other fabrics from rubbing against your nipples, so any cracks or blisters are able to heal much faster. I still wear them every day and night! And as modest minimalists here, we don’t like clutter laying around, so when you’re done with them, you can take advantage of their recycling program and get your cups turned into a silver charm (we Modest Minimalists love a good recycling moment)!
Medela Nipple Shield (Amazon)
*Amazon completion discount eligible
Another essential for saving your nipples in the early days are nipple shields. They help with flat or inverted nipples, but also help alleviate some of the soreness and pain that comes with nursing. I was given these at the hospital, and thank god I was. There were times that getting her latched was so painful, I couldn’t bear it any longer, and if I hadn’t had these shields, I would have had to switch to bottles. I don’t have to use them anymore, but they were vital for me for the first several weeks. They also come in different sizes, so you’ll have to measure the width of your nipple. You can use a normal measuring tape, or I ordered this nipple ruler that I felt gave me a more precise measurement.
Reusable Bamboo Nursing Pads (Amazon)
*Amazon completion discount eligible
These nursing pads are great for sliding underneath your bra to help with any leaks that may happen throughout the day or night. They’re very soft and comfortable, and there’s plenty in the set to get you through until your next laundry load, plus it comes with a laundry bag! They wash up really well, and are definitely something you’ll want to have on hand.
We Are Amma Nursing Cover (We Are Amma)
One of my favorite parts of breastfeeding is the convenience of being able to feed my baby no matter where we are. And while no one should feel the need to cover, I personally don’t feel comfortable nursing in public, which is why I love taking this cover with me. There are many ways to wear it, and I like that it just looks like normal clothes. It’s very lightweight and breathable, and I don’t have to worry about my baby getting too hot or uncomfortable underneath. The fabric is knitted in a way that the baby can see out, but others can’t see in. It’s also machine washable! You can also find similar-looking, cheaper options on Amazon, such as this one or this one.
Kindred Bravely Nursing and Lounge Bra (Amazon)
Before pregnancy, I was a 32H, and it has always been impossible to find bras that fit. I tried on a million different nursing bras, and ended up buying two of the Kindred Bravely Sublime Adjustable Crossover Nursing and Lounge Bras in the size Large Busty. They come in two different fit options: regular (B-D) and busty (E-I), which is amazing, and I wish more companies would offer a wider range of sizes like this. They’re comfortable enough for me to sleep in and are really easy to nurse in. The only complaint I have is that, with all the pulling down of the cups that you do while nursing, the straps become loose. But with all the pros of this bra, I am able to look past that.
Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter (Amazon)
*Amazon completion discount eligible
This nipple butter was recommended to me by my prenatal chiropractor when I was struggling with cracking, bleeding, and blisters. I love that it has natural ingredients, and you don’t have to worry about your baby ingesting it, like some of the other creams out there. It says on the packaging that you don’t have to wipe it off before nursing, but I always have just to be extra cautious. Using this definitely helped me heal faster and has made breastfeeding much more pleasant.
Have you tried any of these products? Did I leave out anything that YOU love? Let me know in the comments below! :)
