Necessary Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Supplies Accessories

February 20, 2008

Shopping for pregnancy and breastfeeding accessories can be overwhelming for a new mother. Unnecessary pregnancy and breastfeeding supplies can stretch an already tight budget. Getting a little help to narrow down the list of essential pregnancy and breastfeeding supplies before shopping is a good idea. Here are a few tips to get started.

Choosing a pregnancy pillow that can serve as a nursing pillow after the baby arrives is a great way to save a few dollars. When selecting a nursing pillow, choose one that is machine washable. New babies are messy and the first few breastfeeding sessions can leave both mother and baby drenched in breast milk. Be sure to pick up a couple of slip covers that will fit your nursing pillow snugly. They will come in handy.

Sore nipples can be a problem during pregnancy, but especially during breastfeeding. Keeping a tube of lanolin on hand to apply on a regular basis is a must for breastfeeding mothers. Don’t wait for sore nipple to become a painful problem. Prevention is always best. Applying lanolin twice a day will help prevent sore nipples and ensure pain free breastfeeding sessions.

Breastfeeding supplies like a breast pump, breast milk pads, nursing bras and burp cloths are staples in a nursing mother’s bag. The most expensive breast pump is not necessarily the best. A manual breast pump is often all that is required and they are less expensive than electric or battery operated pumps. Models like the Advent Isis are ideal. They are gentle on the breast and mimic the suckling action of a baby.

Another necessary item on your list of breastfeeding supplies is the breast milk pad. Sudden letdown can leave you with an embarrassingly wet front. Breast milk pads are designed to catch leaking milk and keep your bra dry. Washable breast milk pads are more cost effective than disposable ones. A cloth or disposable diaper can even serve as milk catcher for the overachiever who produces mass quantities of milk.

One area to spend a little extra is the bra department. A good quality nursing bra for can be worn during your pregnancy and will serve you well for months of breastfeeding after the baby arrives. A nursing bra with adjustable cups is an excellent choice to prevent the bra from becoming ill fitting as you lose your pregnancy weight.

Your collection of breastfeeding supplies is not complete without a bag of burp cloths. Breastfeeding can get messy at times, so tucking a burp cloth into the cup of your bra while nursing will help keep you and your baby dry. Cloth diapers with the padded center make the most durable and absorbent burp cloths.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding do not require a large quantity of supplies and high-tech gadgets. Your body prepares for pregnancy and breastfeeding naturally, leaving only a few convenient essentials for the new mother to collect. You should not have to mortgage your home to prepare for a new baby. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and motherhood can be enjoyed without a shopping cart full of expensive supplies as there are some newly mothers choose not to breastfeeding your baby.

New Mothers Fear On Breastfeeding In Public

February 14, 2008

The thought of breastfeeding in public can cause many new mothers to doubt their decision to breastfeeding your baby. A fear of breastfeeding in public is a common emotion for new mothers. With a few tips, this fear can be overcome by learning the tricks to breastfeeding in public discreetly.

Choosing your nursing clothes with care can help you nurse your child without exposing your breasts to the world. Nursing clothes that have snaps, hooks or buttons are less likely to expose your breasts during normal movement. Nursing clothes with ties or fold over flaps can lead to embarrassing situations during normal activities like picking up a dropped toy from the floor or struggling to free a jammed shopping cart.

Keeping your breastfeeding supplies stocked and ready to go at all times is great way to help discreetly nurse your child in public. Being caught in public with a hungry baby and no cover blanket can lead to disaster for the modest mother. Keeping extra breastfeeding supplies in the trunk of your car in an extra diaper bag will ensure that you are never caught without the items necessary to nurse discreetly. Packing extra breastfeeding supplies like an additional blanket, burp cloths and breast milk pads in advance can save you from an embarrassing moment when last minute trips arise and you have little time to prepare.

Breastfeeding moms can choose to feed their babies in public bathrooms to limit their company to women only. Some breastfeeding women choose to nurse in the backseat of the car in a secluded area of a parking lot to provide more privacy. Another option for breastfeeding women is to pump breast milk into a bottle prior to any planned outings. While this option is not helpful for those sudden trips to the store or when a telephone call summons you away from home during a breastfeeding session, it can help you avoid many public breastfeeding encounters.

Breastfeeding mothers often grow accustomed to the glances of strangers and an occasional snide comment while nursing in public. Some breastfeeding mothers do not seem to be affected by the reaction of the public while she feeds her infant. Other breastfeeding mothers learn to be quick and discreet to avoid drawing attention while breastfeeding in public, never drawing a stray glance or awkward stare.

While your baby doesn’t notice who’s present while he or she is breastfeeding in public or at home, you may be crippled by fear at the thought of exposing your breasts in the company of strangers. Breastfeeding in public does not have to have to be traumatic. With some practice and advanced planning, breastfeeding in public can be done discreet.