This said you might find the following suggestions helpful:
Bra: This must be comfortable, supportive, breathable and above all easy to use whilst breastfeeding. There are many on the market, available through high street stores, mail order catalogues and on the Internet. They range in price but it 's worth shopping around to get the right one for you.
Breast pads: These can be reusable or disposable. Available in all baby shops and specialist mail order catalogues. The reusable ones are made of 100% cotton and can be machine-washed. They cost about £5 for 6 pads. The disposable ones come in lots of shapes and materials but the best, by far are the 100% cotton. They cost about £4 for 50 pads. They are soft, comfortable, breathable and very absorbent. Try to avoid ones that have a plastic backing as they may cause you to become hot and sticky. They may cost a little more but you will need less of them because of the superior quality. Take it from me they work! A wonderful new invention called 'Lilypadz ' deserves a mention. This breathable, silicone breast pad works by exerting minimal pressure on the nipple. This stops leakage rather than absorbing it. They are reusable, last for 3-6 months, can be used in the shower or swimming pool and do not show up under lacy underwear.
Bibs and Burp-pads: In the early days you will need a drawer full of terry or muslin squares. These are great for mopping up little accidents after feeding. When you start mixed feeding terry towelling bibs are ideal. Many have a Velcro strap for ease of removal. Avoid plastic backed bibs as they will become hard and cracked after a few washes. Stick to white or light colours as they can be washed at a high temperature to remove stains. There are many fashionable designs on the market but in my experience the motifs merely reduce the absorbency of the bib, so it just runs off onto the clothes it is trying to protect!
V-Shaped pillow: This is widely available but the best buy is at Index and Argos for about £7. You can also buy spare pillowcase covers. This is invaluable, especially in the early days when you need to protect yourself from back strain whilst feeding. I would not go anywhere without this comfort and it is all machine washable, in case of accidents!
Breast Pump: Once you have become established with breastfeeding, you may want to express some breast milk, so that you can leave your baby in the care of a babysitter for social events. You may need to go back to work and do not want to give up breastfeeding. Whatever the reason, a good breast pump is worth its weight in gold. You could hand express if you wish, which is easy to do and does not require a breast pump. However, this does not always suit, so a breast pump that is easy to use, efficient at milking the breasts and easy to sterilise is vital. I have tried many and in my opinion the hand held models are the best. They are easy to use and new designs simulate the action of your baby sucking. This in turn leads to faster 'let-down ' of milk. They are hand operated and above all quiet, so you can use them anywhere. These pumps are available in most baby stores and mail order, costing approx. £25. Well worth every penny!
© Sharon Trotter |
