While breastfeeding is natural and you technically don’t need any accessories, as a lactation counselor and mama to two babies I’ve exclusively breastfed, I have found some helpful breastfeeding tools worthy of sharing!
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Silverettes are silver nipple shields that are a life (or should I say nipple) saver! Silver has powerful healing properties as well as antimicrobial and antibacterial properties! It has also been studied and used to heal wounds and cure infections. With that being said, the Silverette cups heal and prevent soreness, cracks, infections, and thrush. Be sure to get the Silverette brand so you know for sure they will work as other knock-off brands may use a different type of silver that not only may not work, but chip off and be ingested if you don’t see it stuck to your nipple… You can find them on their website HERE or on Amazon HERE.
I thankfully knew about them before I started breastfeeding so I immediately wore them in between feedings during the day while giving my nipples a break and a chance to dry at night. I noticed a HUGE difference- literally night and day difference in how my nipples felt during the day while wearing Silverette’s vs at night when I did not wear them. I found it helpful to wear them for the first few weeks of breastfeeding both my girls and when they teeth or are cluster feeding!
I have seen the Silverette’s completely heal one of my client's nipples that was so cracked and painful within a week! Since then, it has become one of my top recommendations for fellow mamas wanting to breastfeed!
Breastfeeding Pillow
A breastfeeding pillow is super useful to support holding your baby while feeding- breastfeeding on not! There are a few types, so you may be wondering which breastfeeding pillow is best.
1. Boppy- the Boppy pillow is the most versatile in my opinion. Along with using it for feedings, you can also use it for propping baby up, tummy time, and around baby when they are learning how to sit as well!
2. MyBreastFriend- This pillow is great if you’ll be feeding in narrow chairs or standing up. It wraps around you and can clip closed so it won’t slide forward easily, and it can stay on if you stand with it. I personally used it while nursing my daughter in my office chair when I needed something more firm all around. It would not work so well to prop your baby or do tummy time, etc.
The Haakka is a silicone manual milk collector. The intended use is to suction it to your other breast while nursing. It collects your letdown, but is controversial among lactation counselors as it can create an oversupply depending on how frequently it is used- this is because the Haakka has some suction which makes your body think there is more demand. If you want to avoid an oversupply, you can use the Lady Bug Collector instead which simply sits in your bra with no suction. I personally recommend the Haakka because it has some other uses as well:
You can use it to collect colostrum while you’re pregnant!
Use them while your milk is coming in and leaking uncontrollably!
You can add Epsom salt and warm water to it to help draw out the infection if you get mastitis!
Haakaa + Lady Bug Collector- https://amzn.to/3qzb9he
Next up, nursing pads and bras are super helpful! Everyone is different, but I tend to have quite a bit of a letdown on my opposite side while nursing for several months. Nursing pads soak up and I can easily replace them throughout the day to stay dry and comfortable rather than needing to change my bra and even shirt! These are my personal favorite nursing pads as they have a waterproof liner on the outside- I would soak right through the bamboo ones and found them useless. Nursing bras are a game-changer too! My favorite brand is Kindred Bravely. They’re super soft and good quality and most of the options are both pumping and nursing bras- so if you plan to pump any, you can do so hands-free without switching bras!
Kindred Bravely Bras- https://amzn.to/42JE8fO
Nursing Pads- https://amzn.to/463z1tL
If you plan to pump or leave your baby for any amount of time, you’ll want some storage! Of course, there are plastic milk storage bags, but a lot of people don’t know you can store your milk in mason jars too- especially if you’re trying to avoid plastic.
Storage Bags- https://amzn.to/3XbhxaO
4oz Mason Jars- https://amzn.to/3NxEGku
Infant Scale
An infant scale is not necessary, but if you like the peace of mind, you can get an infant scale to do weighted feeds and ensure your baby is gaining weight.
Smart Hatch Scale- https://amzn.to/3p9GNl7
Budget Friendly Infant Scale- https://amzn.to/3Cxp2iT
Support
While all the things I recommend above can be helpful, the number 1 thing I recommend is researching lactation counselors in your area so you already have someone you can go to for support and help!
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