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New to breastfeeding? You’re in the right place!
My breastfeeding journey with my son holds some of my greatest memories. We breastfed until just before his second birthday where he gradually self-weaned.
In this post, I’ll share with you my top breastfeeding tips that I learned along the way as well as products that I recommend for all nursing moms. (All products will be linked at the bottom of this post).
Top Breastfeeding Tips
1. Trust Your Body and Your Baby
You were literally built to breastfeed! Let your intuition be your guide and do what feels right for YOU. Don’t compare yourself to others or get overwhelmed by advice, this is your breastfeeding journey. You got this!
2. Get Comfortable
Create a calming environment for you and your baby, especially in those first few weeks while you’re both learning the ropes. Experiment with different breastfeeding positions and have your nursing pillow at the ready. The more relaxed you are, the better your milk supply and quality will be.
3. Set up Nursing Zones
Have everything that you need right at your fingertips, so that when baby latches on you can relax into the moment. Create a few breastfeeding zones – by the bed, on the couch, and near your rocking chair. I didn’t use a full nursing cart, I went for a very minimal approach. I had small baskets in each zone with burp cloths, water, a small snack, and diapers/wipes just in case.
4. Proper Nutrition/ Hydration
Eating a nutrient dense diet while breastfeeding is just as important as getting proper nutrition while pregnant. Ensure that you are consuming enough healthy calories throughout the day. Meal prepping and easy instant pot recipes are going to be your best friend here. I also recommend finding an “emotional support” water bottle that you love and will take everywhere with you.
Must-Have Products for Breastfeeding
- Feeding Pillow (The Boppy): You are going to spend SO MUCH TIME in the breastfeeding position. You can totally use a pillow that you have at home, but feeding pillows make nursing SO much easier and put less stress on your body. There are several brands out there but The Boppy Pillow is the BEST. It’s firm but flexible and wraps around your body just enough to make any feeding position comfortable! For older babies, you can use it for tummy time and to support them as they learn how to sit up.
- Feeding Pillow Cover: While the Boppy does come with pillow cover options, I found a white cotton waffle cover on Etsy that matched better with our home, and I love it!
- Comfortable Nursing Bras: This is an absolute must especially in the first few months of nursing when your baby is super tiny. You’ll want to have your boob easily accessible at all times. I loved these from target but there are several options online as well. To be honest, I still wear these even after we finished nursing!
- Nursing pads: Your boobs WILL leak while your body is figuring out milk supply, so you’re going to want to have some nursing pads on hand. I used both reusable and disposable pads depending on the occasion. If I was staying home, I’d use the reusable and for my outings I’d opt for the disposables. I found some that had a sticky backing which was a great way to keep them in place.
- Silver Nipple Shields: I only used these in the first few weeks of nursing, but these silver shields literally saved my nipples. I put them in my nursing bra to create a barrier between my sore nips and the fabric of my nursing bra when they were feeling particularly chapped. There are also various brands of nipple creams you can use, just know that your baby will be ingesting this so make sure that it’s natural and non-toxic. Personally, I just used my own breast milk and these shields to soothe any irritations.
- Heat/cold packs: These are a total must for the first few months while you’re figuring out your supply, and even as your supply starts to increase. I love how they fit perfectly in your bra and can be used for both warmth and cooling.
- Milk Catchers: I experimented with a few milk catchers while figuring out my milk supply. I started off with the Haakaa original but later switched to the Haakaa Ladybug. I’ll go into more details on pumping and milk storage in a future post, but I personally found the ladybug to be more comfortable.
- Nursing Cover: Breastfeeding is beautiful and natural, but there are occasions where it’s nice to have a bit of privacy. Make sure to look for a cover that is lightweight and breathable for you and your little one, like this one! I loved that I could use this cover during feedings, draped over the stroller for naps, and honestly just to wear out on the town.
My Favorite Breastfeeding Products
You got this!
You are the perfect mama for your baby. Just remember to trust your body, relax into the process, and keep your body nourished. Don’t just get caught up in all of the fancy gear, educate yourself and do what feels right for YOU. With these top tips and products I hope that you feel more prepared to start your own breastfeeding journey!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these tips and products!
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