Top Breastfeeding Essentials

Breastfeeding is such a tough job! You probably know that already if you’re a nursing mom. Whether you’re breastfeeding at home, in public or pretty much wherever- it can be frustrating, painful, stressful and really be such crazy adventure! Yet through all these realities that come with breastfeeding, we still choose it over giving our babies with formula milk because of all the beautiful and natural things it offers. Most especially, how it magically connects a mother and her child.

I have been exclusively breastfeeding my daughter Ysha for exactly 2 years and 3 months now. Ysha won’t try out any formula milk and being currently 34 weeks pregnant with my second child, I now wonder (and worry) how will I be able to breastfeed them both successfully?

Breastfeeding is all well and good and lovely, of course we could all agree to that. But imagine comfort and over-flowing liquid gold while going through this motherhood stage, who wouldn’t like that, right?

Lucky for us millennial moms, there are plenty of products out there now that can help us through this journey. Here’s my list of essentials that no breastfeeding mom should be without.

WATER

Of course, where else should I begin with? Clean water is a top essential when breastfeeding! We have to stay hydrated, always remember that. Have a glass or bottle near you when nursing. And because health is a priority, I only trust ABSOLUTE DISTILLED DRINKING WATER.

LACTATION AIDES/SUPPLEMENTS

Like most moms, I too was frustrated and hopeless when my milk supply wasn’t that strong during the first month. I had to take some supplements to help increase my milk production and here are what I trusted and really worked for me:

• MEGA-MALUNGGAY– capsule with 500mg of pure Malunggay leaves and 100mg of Sodium Ascorbate, this superfood is not only a galactagogue but also a great immunity booster!

• MOTHER NURTURE– 7-in-1 Malunggay Coffee or Choco Mix. With Stevia, Malunggay, Ashitaba & Gotu Kola. Safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women! So being such a coffee drinker, you could just imagine how happy I was discovering this!

• CRAVING BITES PH– lactation treats! Cookies, brownies and banana bread that has ingredients that will help produce more milk! No argument on us needing to indulge on a little sweets too. So why not reward yourself with something that will help you in breastfeeding at the same time?

BREAST PADS

I know a lot of moms could relate to this: You’re nursing from one breast and milk will suddenly be leaking from the other! In fact, you’ll be leaking a lot in general in the early days even waking up to find that your shirts and sheets are soaking wet! This is why you need nursing pads. I used PIGEON BREAST PADS Honeycomb during these “wet” days! It quickly absorbs, has breathable layer and leak-proof coverage.

NURSING PILLOW

Please do consider getting a nice soft Boppy pillow. Many moms find this tool helpful in getting baby elevated off your lap and into the right position to nurse. Thus makes feeding comfortable for you too! I love CHICCO BOPPY PILLOW for that! It’s a Nursing & Infant support pillow that has a 4-in-1 use!

NURSING COVER

If you are comfortable nursing your child in public without covering up your breasts, that’s totally fine. But if you’re like me who thinks this private part of your body is only for your husband and your kids’ viewing, I recommend you get a comfortable nursing cover.

These are two of my favorite prints from URBAN MOM PH.

Will be trying out this INDIGO BONCHO for the new baby. You can wear it and use it on many different ways! Posting a photo of us on my FB and IG using it very soon!

 NURSING WEAR

Just because you’re a nursing mom doesn’t mean fashion necessarily goes out the window. I’m all about comfort and practicality, but it’s always nice to feel good at the same time. So you can think fashion AND function! When you’re nursing, you definitely need a wardrobe that gives baby easy access to your breasts.

This nursing top from ELLIE AND ME PH is one of my favorites!

BREAST PUMP

Though I work from home and attend to my child 100% of the day, I knew the importance of a pump to give myself a little freedom to go out and leave when needed for events, meetings and other stuff. I pumped manually during the first three months but wasn’t successful to continue because direct latching has been very efficient! So the consequence, I bring Ysha along wherever I go! 😀

Kindly recommend a good and affordable breast pump I could try and use this time for my second baby! <3

One thing I know for sure is that breastfeeding is a serious commitment. It takes hard work and dedication most especially when it’s your first baby. Gosh! I could still remember how painful Ysha’s first latch in the hospital was!

But trust me on this- breastfeeding gets easier and easier so just hang in there! It’s worth it! Being prepared can help set you up to have a successful nursing experience, whatever that means for you. And these nursing essentials on my list are basically guaranteed to increase your quality of life — at least until weaning time.

Let me know in the comments if there is anything I missed worth adding on this list or anything else you’d like me to share.

Love,

Momma Nish