If you have never breastfed before and find yourself overwhelmed by what you might need then I am here to help!
First, you will need breasts and a cute baby.
Second, you will need snacks, lots of snacks.
You thought you were hungry when you were pregnant? You have never been this hungry.
In all seriousness, here are a few supplies that might help you at the beginning of your breastfeeding adventure:
- Nursing Bras or Tanks: You will want to bump up a size from what you are at the end of pregnancy. The clips help with easy quick access during feeding time.
- Nursing friendly shirts/dresses. The first time you have to lift your entire shirt up to access your milk and expose your postpartum midsection to the whole world you will understand why this is important.
- Nursing pads: You will need these the first few weeks at least. Some women do not use them after the first month and others leak easily and use them the whole time. Trust me the last thing you need is to be in a work meeting and look down and see two large wet marks circling your breasts. This is awkward for everyone.
- Nipple Cream: Brand doesn’t matter. Usually you just need this for the first couple weeks until you get used to breastfeeding.
- Nursing Pillow: You can get a fancy nursing specific pillow or just use a regular one!
- Breast Pump: Most insurances cover a double electric pump for free! Take advantage of this. You don’t have to have a breast pump, some women never pump and only put baby to breast for feedings. If you will be going back to work or want to get a babysitter then you will need to pump. Whatever works for you and your baby is best!
- A few miscellaneous items: cooling gel pads, ice packs, pain medication like ibuprofen/acetaminophen. The first few days when your breasts fill with milk it can be very painful. You also may feel uterine cramps while breastfeeding the first week.
As you roll into the second month you will find that you really don’t need much to breastfeed. Simply the baby and your breast.
Yours truly,
Related Article: Common Concerns with Breastfeeding the First Weeks
