Ahhh…. Newborns. You’ve been waiting months to finally your meet your new baby and when you finally do it is magical and surreal and beautiful…. but it isn’t too long before they are hungry! Once that whirlwind cycle of newborn feedings begin, you’ll want to have some of these nursing essentials on hand to help you get through the first few of weeks.
Nursing Pads- I really like these organic cotton nursing pads over the more popular Lansinoh disposable pads. I found them to be more comfortable and easier to use. (Is it just me or are the disposables like diapers for the boobs?) That being said- if you have major leakage issues the cotton may not be absorbant enough for you.
Nursing Tanks- These are must haves! They fit like a regular cami with a built-in bra but have clip-down front sections on each side that expose your entire (or sometimes partial) breast for easy nursing and leaving your stomach and back covered. There are many different styles available at different price points.
This Gilligan & O’Malley Target nursing cami is one of the most popular out there and is a great starter nursing tank. It will fit your new post-partum body well- it is very loose fitting with light elastic around the ribcage and is roomy in the midsection. The shelf bra gives you light support but you probably don’t want much more for the engorgement phase. It is fairly inexpensive and is easy to find for most people since it’s available in store and online from Target. It is pretty shapeless and there are more attractive options out there, but long-term it’s great for sleeping and lounging in. If you stick with nursing for awhile or have a large bust, you’ll probably want to look into more supportive styles like a Bravado Essential Nursing Tank or Glamour Mom tanks. I also found it really helpful to have stretchy nursing camis to wear under sweaters or sheer tops.
Nursing sleep bras- It’s nice to have a light support bra to wear under your hospital gown and nursing tops the first few weeks. This Pea and the Pod unlined sleep nursing bra is very soft and comfortable and allows for simple pull aside openings for easy nursing. The Medela basic sleep bra is a popular economic option and the silky- smooth, luxurious Belabumbum Bamboo sleep bra gets rave reviews.
First Nursing Bra- Your first nursing bra needs to be very accommodating. During the first couple of weeks, your cup size may go up one or two sizes and you will most likely go down a band size as well after a couple of months. This Bravado Silk Seamless bra is the perfect training bra for new nursing mothers- it is sized in S-XL so it covers several cup and band sizes, it is stretchy and conforms to your shape, is wire free, and has foam pads that prevent any lines from showing from your nursing pads. It even comes with a bra conversion kit to turn it into a regular bra once your finished nursing. After about 8 weeks, you will most likely go back to your pre-pregnancy band size and your nursing cup size should be established, so this is a good time to go shopping in store for sized nursing bras. There are a lot of basic options available at Target, Macy’s and Destination Maternity/Pea in the Pod, but once you know your size, you may want to consider some fun options that are available online like Hot Milk Lingerie or You! Lingerie.
Nipple Creams- Every mom friend I know used Lansinoh lanolin while breastfeeding so I was shocked how much i didn’t like it when I tried it. It was stiff and thick and uncomfortable to apply to sore and tender nipples unlike the creamy generic Lan-o-Soothe lanolin the hospital had given me. For my next baby, I’m planning on trying an alternative like this organic nipple cream from Motherlove or maybe this Nipple Gel from Beaute de Maman.
Nipple HydroGels- Most new moms experience some discomfort the first week or two of breastfeeding. Nipples may get cracked or even bleed from the wear and tear and sometimes from an improper latch. For soothing relief, you may want to alternate using a nipple cream and hydrogel pads. The hospital gave me medical gel pads to use, but nursing sections of local drugstores or Target carry Medela HydrogGel pads and Lansinoh Soothies, two popular options with moms. If you are experiencing a lot of irritation, you may want to consider temporarily using a nipple shield as well.
Nursing Pillow- A nursing pillow is another must have for breastfeeding. It props your tiny new one up to the height of your breast to minimize a sore back and neck from bending over and holding your little one. Breastfeeding works the best when both of you are comfortable and relaxed. The Boppy is the ubiquitous nursing pillow of choice, but there are a couple of other options out there that may better suit your needs like the MyBrestFriend that has a firmer surface and a supportive strap along the back or the Simplisse Gia Angled breastfeeding pillow.Nursingwear- There are many
cute and stylish options for building a nursing wardrobe. It is really helpful to have some very quick access nursing tops that pull down/open. I really like the Liz Lange for Target line of nursing-friendly tops and dresses for casual work and everyday wear. They are stylish and comfortable and will also work as maternity wear. Most people are familiar with Motherhood Maternity and Pea in the Pod, but there are some other fashionable nursing lines like Milk nursingwear or Boob Design. If you want to be able to nurse and not sacrifice an ounce of style, you would love Milk-Friendly, a blog all about selecting trendy breastfeeding-friendly pieces not specifically made for nursing.
