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Practical Breastfeeding Supplies
by Susan E. Davis
reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, you'll need to have a fair number of supplies on hand to complete the process. It's best to stock up on these supplies before your baby is born, as you can be sure that logistics--even logical thinking--will be harder once that little one is in your arms.
Of course, you'll need significantly fewer items for breastfeeding than for bottle-feeding, just because your baby's food will be readymade in your body. Still, a few new things will be in order.
- Nursing bras: Many breastfeeding women swear by these marvels, most of which have a little flap on the cup that lifts up to give your baby access to your nipple. (Other styles simply allow you to push the cup aside.) You can buy nursing bras from catalogs or off the Web, but we highly recommend getting them fitted. Your breasts are going to be a different size and probably a different shape than before you became pregnant, so figuring out your new bra size isn't going to be easy. Some mothers continue to use their standard bras, or even a camisole T-shirt, although both of these can leave you uncomfortable if your breasts get painfully engorged between feedings.
Before you purchase a nursing bra, you'll want to fiddle with its various hooks and flaps to make sure that they're easy to use--especially when a hungry baby is screeching and clawing at your shirt. It's best to buy two, so you can throw the milk-sodden one in the wash and still have a clean, dry one to put on. When should you buy your nursing bras? Some sources say you can get fitted late in your pregnancy, but I wouldn't recommend it. Breasts that are filled with milk can get way, way bigger than when your baby was still in your womb. Wait until after your baby is born.
- Nursing shirts: These shirts are specially designed to let you breastfeed your baby in public without exposing your entire breast. It's great to have a few of these around for when squeamish relatives visit, you're eating at a restaurant, or when you take your baby to a party with lots of childless grown-ups.
But if you're hanging around your house, you can usually get by with a baggy T-shirt, or even a blanket or shawl that you simply drape over the baby's head. In fact, there may be times when you prefer these alternatives; sometimes getting the nursing shirt open, then opening the nursing bra underneath, can become downright complicated--especially if you're nursing a very young infant who still needs a lot of help finding and then latching on to your nipple.
- Nursing pads: These small bra inserts wick milk away from your nipples, which helps to prevent soreness. They also stop leaking milk from seeping through to your shirt, which can be embarrassing, say, in the middle of a cocktail party or a professional meeting. You can buy either disposable nursing pads or washable ones, which you just throw in the washing machine at the end of the day.
- Nursing pillows: This is one of those inexpensive items that's really worth the investment. Usually doughnut-shaped and colorfully patterned, a nursing pillow fits around your waist and holds your baby right up at breast level. This can save your back and wrists from the strain of holding your baby to your breast. It prevents you from leaning over as you nurse your baby, which can hurt your back and result in sore nipples. It also frees up at least one hand for grabbing the water bottle, a magazine, or the TV remote control. Added bonus? When your baby is learning how to sit up, he can sit inside the nursing pillow and be supported by its soft side. In fact, even my three-year-old enjoys sitting and lying on her baby brother's nursing pillow.
- Pumps: If you plan to return to work or expect to leave your baby with a sitter for longer than two hours, and you still want to feed her breast milk, your only solution is to use a breast pump.
For occasional use, a manual pump is fine; however, they tend to be time-consuming, uncomfortable, and tiring to operate. You also can rent or buy an electric breast pump. The price for a good electric, portable one ranges from $200 to $300 (although some models cost as much as $650!); renting a hospital-grade pump costs between $30 and $90 a month. (Besides paying for itself within a few months, the other advantage of buying a smaller pump is that it's much easier to haul around than the hospital-grade pumps that most lactation centers rent out. In fact, some portable pumps come in an attractive case.)
In general, pumps that allow you to pump both breasts at once will save you considerable time. (Don't worry--after a few weeks you'll be able to type, read, talk on the phone, and even pay bills while pumping both breasts. It's all part of becoming an incredible Mommy Multi-tasking Machine.) And those that offer several levels of suction will make it easier for you to find a level that feels okay to you. If you're going to work, look for one that's easy to carry, too.
Whether you choose manual or electric, be sure to have extras of all the supplies that breast pumps require--including hoses, valves, and bottles--so that you have them on hand when one breaks or gets sucked up by the vacuum cleaner.
If you pick up a used pump (say, at a consignment store or through a friend), don't neglect to replace all the hoses, bottles, and valves before using it. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing an infection in yourself or your baby.
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Created January 29, 2001
Reviewed January 30, 2001
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