Top 5 Things a Breastfeeding Mother Should Invest in and Why?

Confused about how to make the breastfeeding journey easy for both you and your baby? Here are a few things that every breastfeeding mother should invest in.
After nine beautiful months of pampering, cravings and waiting, your baby has finally arrived! Now it is time to take yourself on the exhausting, tiring yet rewarding journey of breastfeeding.

To make this memorable journey as smooth as possible for you and your baby, here are five things that every breastfeeding mother should invest in.

Top 5 Must-Haves for Breastfeeding Mothers

1. Feeding Pillow

Invest in a comfortable feeding pillow that is neither too hard, nor too soft. Feeding pillows make it easier to breastfeed your baby since they lift the baby to the level of your breasts. If you have large breasts, had a cesarean delivery and/or are nursing twins, a feeding pillow should definitely be on your shopping list! Using a feeding pillow while breastfeeding your baby helps to reduce the strain on your back, neck, shoulders and arms, thereby making breastfeeding your baby more comfortable for you.

2. Nipple Cream

Every lactating mother is bound to experience sore nipples during the breastfeeding journey. The constant latching and unlatching by the baby as he or she breastfeeds from you can cause your nipples to become dry, cracked and sore. If not treated properly, sore nipples can lead to a serious condition called mastitis, wherein the milk ducts in your breasts become clogged. Using a lanolin based nipple cream will help to soothe and moisturize your nipples. You can also use nipple shields to feed your baby, if breastfeeding is painful for you. Nipple shields are essentially silicon based shields placed over the mother’s nipples in order to help the baby latch onto the mother’s breasts.

3. Breast Pads

Breast pads are highly absorbent multi-layered pads made from cloth. The breast pads are placed between the bra and the mother’s breasts. The main purpose of using breast pads is to prevent milk leaks, which would otherwise cause wet spots on the mother’s clothes. During breastfeeding, the breasts become heavy with milk and this makes them prone to impromptu leaks anywhere and anytime. Breast pads absorb milk leaks and protect the mother’s clothes from getting stained.

4. Breast Pump

All breastfeeding mothers must invest in a breast pump! A breast pump enables you to pump excess milk from your breasts and store the pumped milk safely and securely in bottles or milk storage bags, which are made exclusively for this purpose. The pumped milk can be used to feed your baby in your absence. A breast pump makes it easier for mothers to manage an overabundant milk supply since the excess milk can easily be pumped out by the mother. Pumping helps to increase milk supply as well. If your baby is hospitalized or in the NICU, you can easily pump your milk and feed your baby so that he or she receives the magical benefits of breast milk even when they are away from you.

5. Maternity/Nursing Bras

When you are breastfeeding, your breasts tend to become heavy and full with milk. A good maternity nursing bra can help provide much-needed support to your breasts. Maternity bras come with feeding cups that can easily be unhooked and pulled down when it's time to nurse your baby, thereby making it very comfortable for lactating mothers to feed and nurse their babies. Choose a bra that supports your breasts and does not constrict them. A well-fitted nursing maternity bra will help to alleviate the strain on your back and shoulders and will provide good support to your breasts.

Mylo’s Maternity/Nursing Moulded Spacer Cup bra is a good start when it comes to buying maternity bras. Made from a highly breathable, lightweight, cushioned and multi-faceted 3D fabric, Mylo’s maternity spacer bra provides temperature control and maximum air circulation for the lactating mother. The ventilating properties of the spacer fabric help to push out excess heat and vapor as well. Non-wired and non-padded, the maternity spacer bra provides all day and all night comfort to the mother. The maternity bra’s adjustable shoulder straps, nursing clasps and side stitches ease the feeding process and provide additional support to the nursing mother’s breasts. Complete with a bra extender that helps to extend the life of the product, Mylo’s maternity spacer bra helps to absorb milk overflow and even contours the shape of the breast without adding any excess volume.

To all the pregnant and lactating mothers out there, make sure that you include all these products in your baby shopping list in order to make your breastfeeding journey with your baby a memorable and pleasant experience for you and your little one!