Nursing Essentials

I consider myself a catasphrophist in most situations; I always imagine the worst possible outcome and am usually surprised when it isn't quite as bad as I imagined.  While pregnant, I mentally prepared myself for having absolutely no time to do anything once Kennedy was born.  I had all house projects completed, took the dogs to the vet, stocked up on toiletries (I am still stocked on toiletries), and found babysitters for the times I would inevitably need to duck out for a few minutes.  Luckily, having an infant isn't quite that debilitating, but there is one thing that took considerably more effort than I anticipated: nursing.  During the first three months, I put in approximately 8-10 hours per day simply feeding our baby.  Not being able to leave Kennedy for more than 45 minutes (at first) and the enormous time commitment (usually spent alone) was often overwhelming.  It does, and it did, get better as I now spend less than 1.5 hours a day nursing her, and I sometimes miss the extra time catching up on Teen Mom (horribly guilty pleasure), while feeding her.  I also am very proud to say that I lost 60 pounds in less than 9 months (10 pounds more than I gained during pregnancy), which I almost completely attribute to breast feeding.    I have very mixed feelings about ending nursing, it is sad that this period will be over (and my approximately 600 calorie/day "exercise"plan will be solely at the gym and not quite so easy anymore!).  Breast feeding must absolutely be a commitment and priority to the parents or it will fall to the wayside (only about 12% of moms are still breast feeding at 1 year, which is the time recommended by the AAP).  Below are a few tips to make the year easier so that you can obtain your goals!

1. Invest in a Smart Phone.  I have no idea how moms dealt with midnight or on the go feedings without one.  I feel like I have gained a plethora of knowledge while nursing due to Zite (news app), 7 Little Words, Google, and of course Facebook.  I return emails, blog, tweet, and check Instagram, all while feeding Kennedy, and burning tons of calories; talk about multitasking.

2. Bring a nipple shield to the hospital, just in case.  Nipple shields can be purchased at any lactation store or places that sell lactation supplies.  I really recommend purchasing one from a lactation center at a hospital so that you can be properly "fit.". A nipple shield helps baby to latch on, which is a common nursing problem.  If your baby is having a hard time with latch, a nipple shield will help tremendously!

Medela Contact Nipple Shields

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $7-8

Eco Option?: Made of Silicone

Where to Find: From Babies 'R Us, Buy Buy Baby, and most lactation centers

3. A breast pump, in my opinion, is an absolute necessity in this day and age.  I read many articles about nursing beforehand and a common piece of advice was to never skimp on this purchase.  Pumps are expensive, but they help give a nursing mom freedom, and can help establish and keep a plentiful milk supply.  A double electric pump is best (pumps both sides at once), because it cuts pumping time in half.  I have the Medela Freestyle, which I love.  Medela is highly regarded as one of the best (if not the best) brands, and it has not disappointed me.  The Freestyle is great because it is cordless and even has a belt clip (Again...multitasking is key!).  I have no idea what I would do without this option... I can hook myself up to this, albeit absurd looking, milking contraption and walk around my house doing dishes/laundry/my hair/etc.  Fifteen minutes (recommended pumping time per breast) is a very long time to be sedentary as a new mom.  My only complaint is that the valves can, at times, be a little tricky to operate (the rubber pieces can "stick" causing it to lose suction).  However, once you figure this out how to fix the issue, it is a minor bump in the road.  Also, if you purchase a "hands free" pump, you should also purchase a "hands free" pumping bra...the items that come with the pump are not nearly as simple to operate! 

Medela Freestyle Pump

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛

Price: $395

Where to Find: From Buy Buy Baby, Baby Earth, and many online retailers

4. Milk Trays by Sensible Lines are a great way to freeze breast milk.  All pumped breast milk should be refrigerated within 4 hours and frozen within 3 to 7 days.  Many companies make breast milk storage bags, where moms can pour several ounces into a bag and freeze.  The trouble with these is that if you pump 3 ounces, but baby eats 4 or 5 at a normal feeding, you may have to de-thaw multiple bags in order to provide the appropriate amount.  Milk trays are basically like ice cube trays, but they are made of medical-grade plastic and create a shape that easily fits into the mouth of a bottle.  The trays create perfect one-ounce servings allowing you to make bottles "to order."  One tip: they are not dishwasher safe (I learned this the hard way)!

Milk Trays

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $20 for a set of 2

Eco Option?: Made of Plastic that is free of BPA, Phthalates, and dye (they also reduce the waste of plastic nursing bags and can be recycled!).

Where to Find: From Buy Buy Baby, many lactation centers, and www.sensiblelines.com

5. Get a nursing cover.  A nursing cover is great for on-the-go feeding.  Blankets are so difficult to throw over yourself when baby is eating, and with a cover, you can easily peek to check on them!

TIP!!:  Go to www.uddercovers.com, select a cover and enter the Promo Code: SEVEN.  The cover retails for $32-34, but with that code you will only pay $11.95 for shipping.  I have one of these and it is a little less substantial that my Petunia Pickle Bottom cover, but it works and is a great deal at $12 :).  You're welcome!

6.  My Breast Friend makes great nursing pillows to help make nursing more comfortable for Mom and Baby.  I used my pillow religiously for the first couple of months, and it helped develop a proper latch.  I purchased this pillow after my fabulous lactation consultant informed me that the "Boppy" is absolutely not a nursing pillow (Sherry Urbane of the Woodlands, Texas is a wonderful consultant!).

My Breast Friend

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛

Price: $36

Eco Option?: Yes, an organic pillow is available ($52)

Where to Find: From Toys 'R Us, BuyBuyBaby, and many online retailers

7. Lilypadz Nursing pads are the best.  Lilypadz are silicone "pads" that adhere to the breast and prevent leaks.  I use these exclusively and cannot say enough great things about them.  I love them because I hate sleeping in a bra and when using disposable or washable pads, a bra is necessary to keep them in place (making it necessary to sleep in a bra!).  Lilypadz stay on through the night, while swimming, and are great underneath any outfit.  I would recommend additionally purchasing the Lilypadz wash to make them last longer (they last about a month if worn 24hrs/day).

Lilypadz

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $20-25

Eco Option?: Made of Silicone

Where to Find: From Babies R Us, BuyBuyBaby, Target, and many online retailers

Other Great Products:

Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags- GREAT for quick sterilizing anything from bottles to pacifiers and of course, all breast feeding equipment. $5 for 5 Bags (each bag can be used 20 times).

Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter- Wonderful for sore nipples!  Earth Mama Angel Baby also has a full line of natural products to assist with breastfeeding.  I have tried many of them and they are all wonderful!

Medela Quick Clean Wipes- Great to put in your pump bag for on-the-go cleaning.  I use these all the time when pumping in the car (makes road trips way easier/faster!). $20 for 40 wipes.

Breastfeeding comes with many challenges, but it is totally worth it.  When this first year comes to an end, I know that I will look back on it with a sense of pride in my accomplishment.  Please comment below if you have any great tips or tricks to make your experience a little easier!  Good luck to all of you breastfeeding mamas!