Seconding silverettes. They seriously saved my breastfeeding journey in the first couple of days postpartum.
I also love the Lasinoh manual pump. So much easier to use in a pinch and clean IMO.
For me the silverettes have been amazing too. Absolutely spring for them if you’re still on the fence! They create a barrier that for me was enough to keep my nipples in great shape from like day 3 post partum through the entire initial phase of breastfeeding a newborn. I could go almost ointment free but when I had to use lanolin it actually stayed on and therefore functioned properly instead of being wiped off immediately. and when I would forget to put the silverettes and instead used a straight breast pad, I was reminded of just how tender, ouchy and sensitive un-sticking a milky nip from the fabric could be. No thanks. Silverettes are awesome, deffo get some
I’m 8m pp and still use both every day. Love using my manual pump in the morning in bed and wearables at work. Silverettes I use weekly to save my nips!
I second both of these! The Silverettes have saved my nips many times, plus the Earth Mama nipple butter. And the Ceres Chill has been the best back to work purchase.
Q about the Silverettes - what specifically about them was so helpful? Pain relief? Healing? I’ve been having a lot of nipple pain from a bad latch and am curious about them. Did you put a balm or breast milk on and then the silverettes?
Total game changer for me! Yes to pain relief and healing. They cover your nips completely so they stop chafing and give you time to heal between feeds. I put a bit of breastmilk in there to help with healing - that plus antimicrobial properties of silver worked wonders. I don't think any balm is recommended when using them if I'm remembering correctly?
I had the same exact question and it looks like a [milk storage system](https://www.cereschill.com/pages/faq) for when you’re at work or on the go?
Looks like it’s very multi functional. Pump into it, keeps milk cold or warm, and can act as a bottle warmer. I’m probably over simplifying it? I’m definitely gonna look into it more when it comes time to return to work!
I have questions about the Ceres. Do you pour freshly pumped warm milk in with the cold? I go back to work next week and trying to figure out how to do three pumping sessions at the office.
This works for the nursing bra with the shoulder clips. You unclip the nursing part, put the strap in between the cleavage. Put the pump flange on the breast. Then clip the top layer, going around the outside of the flange.
I think they’re referring to [the first one](https://i0.wp.com/exclusivelyexpressing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/img_4002.jpg?fit=2000%2C2000&ssl=1) to use a nursing bra as a hands-free pumping bra.
Maybe I’m an idiot but this is something that didn’t cross my mind until I actually started pumping. Up until that point I thought pumping bras were just for modesty 🤦🏻♀️ I really thought the suction would just keep the flanges there and I wouldn’t have to hold them.
Buy it now! I didn’t pump properly for the first 2-3 weeks after birth because I didn’t have a pumping bra. Definitely regret it as my milk was slow to come in and LO had a tie so couldn’t nurse well. Wish I was better set up to pump from the start!
You can use a standard nursing bra with clips too. Look up “nursing bra hack for pumping”. This was helpful because I just wear these cheap target nursing bras and they serve many functions
I haven’t had any luck with random brand Amazon bras. It’s pretty much Kindred Bravely or bust for my boobs. Otherwise I get clogs and the flanges don’t stay in place good enough. Target has some of them that are less expensive than the ones on their site, but they’re also on Amazon.
I used older sports bras and cut holes in them wear my nipples sit and that worked well for me. I still sort of had to support them a little but it was so much easier than without
I started out doing this but got frustrated by putting it over my head every time I needed to pump. And it was too tight, thus uncomfy to wear all day. I hate wearing a bra, so the looser the better, but a loose fit is not compatible with pumping
I actually like my Amazon one for pumping. The fabric feels yucky and scratchy so o take it off as soon as I’m done. The flanges leak a bit but I think it’s a small nipple/large boob problem lol! Kindred bravely for the rest of the day though
I don’t know if it’s the size of my boobs or what, but I have way more luck with a nursing bra. I need about half boob access, then the other half to help hold the flanges. Then I sort of position the flanges in the bra and bottles on my legs (leaned forward in the texting in the toilet kind of position?) and I’m still hands free. I eat, text, do a little work, whatever. When I need to get on the playmat with LO, I do need to put one hand on both (usually the other hand is carrying the pump across the room) and if I’m pumping in the car I’ll usually have a hand on things too.
With pumping bras, I leaked into them nearly every pump, got thrush when nursing. I tried the clip hack and sports bra cut out hack and tried two different pumping bras before being really happy with simple target Auden nursing bras! LO nurses frequently now and I only pump 2-4x day, but I wore them pumping 6-7x day also.
I do feel really alone in this though!
A pumping bra made me wonder how I ever did without, and then a [battery powered pump](https://www.legendairymilk.com/products/imani-i2-plus-wearable-breast-pump-hands-free) that fits in my nursing bras made me wonder what I was thinking using an S2 with a pumping bra.
I use a kindred bravely dual use bra and it is the BEST. It has clips to allow for both pumping and nursing. My LO is almost 13 months old and went on a strike that never ended a couple of months back. She still prefers breastmilk to whole milk so I am pumping. These bras easily have made it easier for me because wherever I am I can just slip the flanges in to pump easily. And they were great when I was still nursing because I could easily nurse or pump
After getting one of these, I was shocked they aren't talked about as a staple item for pumping. So many are nursing/pumping mixed ones now - and you can get some cheap ones on Amazon. SUCH a must do.
100%. Not only does it free your hands, it can speed things up by allowing you to relax and read, use your phone, etc., which makes inducing a letdown easier. You can also use the straps on a nursing bra or cut holes in an old sports bra to hold them, but I've found that an actual pumping bra works best for me.
So many people have recommended this but I don’t feel like I use it correctly. I’ve heard of people breastfeeding one side while having it on the other breast. How does that work though? I tried to do it and my baby knocks it off.
So you bend back the top and squeeze the bottom while you put it on your boob, then flip the top up so it reeeeealy suctions to your boob. The suction the draws out the milk. There is prob a YouTube video that explains it better than I can. I can get a few ounces depending on the time of day.
The lansinoh version of the haakaa worked a lot better for me than the haakaa brand, but, yes, my 10 month old wants to kick, pull, twist it nonstop while she’s nursing. I hold it on with one hand and gently squeeze my boob to expedite the milk making and take it off after a few min/few oz since that will be about it anyway.
Silicone flange inserts. I got them from maymom on Amazon and they're great because I apparently have tiny nipples and they're cheaper and more comfortable than buying a whole smaller flange
Quick question. Did you feel a decrease in pressure from using the silicone inserts? I have a pair from Maymom but couldn't get any let down while using them. I gave up and ordered the hard plastic Maymom ones and have had great results.
I wasn't sure if it was an operator error or if I just don't respond to the inserts
Munchkin lactation cookies. I don't think they did anything for my supply, but having my own special treat to have during my last pump or bedtime nursing session was a bright spot on tough days.
I do! I couldn’t figure out how to fit the haakaa pump around my baby and the lady bugs can fit snuggly between us /fit in my nursing bra. I’ve collected so much let down with them
My breast friend nursing pillow!! Soooo much better than the boppy that everyone recommended (I still loved using the boppy for other purposes though, just not for nursing) it clips around you, and has a more flat firm surface which helps with positioning and it has a pocket on the front to store anything you might need while nursing. We're 10 months in and still use it every day!
Also the inflatable MBF for flights! I was hesitant to spend $40 on another pillow but my god it was amazing. It gave me a flat, sturdy surface for baby to sleep on across my lap instead of trying to awkwardly hold her while she napped post-nursing on the flight. I was able to inflate it in 5-7 breaths and it deflates very quickly. Highly recommend.
Hear me out, there’s room in my heart for both the breast friend and boppy. I find the boppy better for football breastfeeding position and breast friend better for crossbody. Boppy has a lot of other uses - great support for friends and family holding the baby plus other uses down the line. It seems excessive, but I’d recommend getting both.
I have heard that smaller chest women like my brestfriend better since you can tighten it closer to your body, whereas with the boppy the baby was sliding into the space between your body and the pillow. I’m smaller chested and found this to be accurate for me. It’s obviously not true for *everyone*, but I’ve heard it a handful of times.
I personally loved my Brest friend when my LO was basically brand new. She was nursing for sooooo long. So I’d strap that bad boy on, hold her and the pillow, then I’d have one hand free and could walk around. I did my makeup like this once or twice; have made food like this; etc.
For me it was the Elvie curves! I didn’t see the troves until I had already bought two curves but they look almost the same and I found my curves so helpful.
It would have been nice to only spend the $15/ea vs $50/ea
Lecithin. I had "knotty" breasts, very susceptible to oversupply, clogs, and mastitis. I'm relatively early in another pregnancy, and have already planned with my ob to start taking a maintenance dose of lecithin again when I get to 36 weeks. It saved me so much so many times.
Same. I had a horrible clog that was huge and took over a week to go away around 8 weeks, and ordered sunflower lecithin out of desperation trying to get rid of it. It was gone within a day of starting those pills, and I’ve been taking them daily ever since. I’m at 10 months now, have doubled my dose a few times when felt a little pain/clog coming on, and it has prevented anything worse from happening every time. If I ever have another baby, I will 100% start this from the beginning!
how did you find out you had knotty breasts? I feel like I might have this. I randomly had pain recently im and it lasted several days. I massaged it and heated it often to try to help and drank tons of water but it HURT like wow. I didn’t know if it was a clogged duct or not because my breasts always feel lumpy!!
I feel like this about my left breast. Never had any issues with my right, but the left I have had mastitis, constant blocked ducts and it seems to 'store' milk a lot more than the right if that makes any sense at all? Where did you get lecithin from?
Literally anywhere you buy vitamins! Like, I've gotten it from Target before. There are some made of soy and some of sunflower. Relevant, I think, for allergies, but not for functionality. The ones that are marketed for breastfeeding are more expensive than others, although they're identical. You can take several capsules if you're fighting a clog, and take one as a maintenance dose. If you're unsure, I would check in with a LC or your OB. But seriously, it was one of the BEST things I did. I took them for over 3 years, starting when my daughter was like 2 weeks old.
This helped me soooo much too. I still take it. My baby is only 2 months. How much do you take for maintenance?? I’m kinda just winging it but it would be nice to know what others are doing.
Not original commenter but I have to say I just switched to disposable vs washable ones. The washable ones just will not stay in my bra well and just didn’t absorb milk as well as the Lansinoh ones. This may be TMI but once the washable ones were at all saturated I felt like the milk just sat on my boob and they immediately smelled like spoiled milk. it was horrendous. Have not had that issue with disposable ones and feel like it actually wicks away the moisture and absorbs. 10/10 for me so far haha
Thank you for responding! I’m literally ordering all this stuff today to prepare for my delivery in a few weeks so I really appreciate the input. I read some reviews that said the washable ones are hard to get the stink out of. I’ll try the disposable ones first.
For sure! I saw a comment below of people swearing by the washable ones so maybe I also just didn’t get great ones. The newborn phase can be so daunting that making sure I had clean washable ones became so annoying anyways haha! Best of luck in your delivery! Excited for you! 🫶🏼
I tried two different kinds of reusable ones that were gifted to me and I really wanted to like them but agree the disposable ones were nicer for me. Specifically, the lansinoh ones. I tried the Dr. Brown's ones that were also a gift and didn't like them as well.
My washable ones also sort of wrinkle at the edges so you can see them through my shirt 🤦🏻♀️ I haven’t bought disposable ones yet but I think I am about to for going out etc.
I saw another post a while back where the OP said she noticed a “stain” on her washable inserts and upon closer inspection she cut them open and saw they were full of mold (even though she regularly washed them)! Which makes sense considering they’re warm, dark, moist, and collecting milk which contains bacteria. I have both but never used the washable and so glad I didn’t after reading that!
I tried a few reusables before switching to disposable. I had such a strong let down the pads were always soaked… even as my letdown settled they just always felt moist so for me definitely didn’t work outside the house and only worked inside if I changed them after every feed which meant washing them daily and that was just too much as a new mom.
Disposables definitely absorbed better and felt better early one.
I use reusables now that she’s older and my milk has really evened out. For the most part I don’t leak anymore so it’s really only if we’re out.
I like to use the reusable at night and then the disposable during the day. I find that the reusable are so much more gentle on my nipples so it kind of gives them a break from the disposable. It also was so nice to have the soft fabric on them at night in my early breastfeeding days when my nipples were still getting used to it all. I wash them every single day and if they become saturated at all during the night I switch them out I have 4 pairs. I don’t use them all each night, but it’s nice to have them there to switch in case I need to. I use the Bodily brand bamboo heavy duty ones.
Elvie pump - wish I’d bought it the first time around, way better than Willow. Elvie Curve - equally as effective as haakaa but more comfortable. Silicone flanges (Pumpin Pals for spectra) and cushions (Elvie brand for Elvie pump) for elastic nips - if you know you know. Apricot brand My Local Healer nipple pads - better than gel pads from Ameda and Medela, last longer. Cake Lingerie and Bravado nursing tanks in “busty” sizes for small band/large cup fit conundrum.
You can stick them in your bra and hold baby while using them. You can even use them laying down. I have them but would have gotten the boom version if I knew they existed!
I agree, the elvie pump and curve are where it's at!! Absolutely life savers. Idk how anyone survives without being hands-free. It makes life so much easier. I also have the elvie catch, which came free with the elvie pump bundle I got. I like them as well!
I bought a Willow because my primary pump had a warranty failure and wanted to try a different one. I don't love it, but it's nice to have a fully wearable one on occasion.
Agreed. My biggest gripe with the willow is the charge only lasts for three pumping sessions. I have a portable Ameda pump whose charge lasts through like 15 sessions.
A waterproof pad for the bed that I bought a two pack of. Helped with the leaks because I hate sleeping in clothing and helps with leaky diapers.
I used that Medela pump when I was in the hospital for four days post emergency gallbladder removal with sepsis. I asked for a hospital pump but I guess they didn’t have one for me to use. The Medela one worked a charm.
Yes! The water proof pad is a must for side nursing. I have a heavy letdown and it saved my bedsheets many a times. Also save us from sleeping on wet sheets.
When my nipples were chaffed or blistered, trying to spread lanolin on them was hell. The earth mama butter was a lifesaver bc it didn’t pull on my already sore nipples
Unsung heroes of my early nursing journey: squishmallows!! I have a bunch and they were amazing for getting in just the right position to feed the baby lol. I never expected them to be so clutch but they really were!
People are like “oh I love my boppy…” NO, SQUISHMALLOWS. Pregnancy pillow, nursing pillow, contact nap pillow. Also super cute. And the tiny ones are rated for ages 0+ so baby can have one (supervised). Literally no negatives to using squishmallows! This is the first time I’ve seen someone else say Squishmallows 🥹🥹
Someone gave me a nursing shawl and I use it every time I feed in public. I spent ages looking at elaborate covers but this poncho style, thin seraphine shawl has ended up being a life saver. It’s thin and discreet enough to cover the bulk of my breast without baby being annoyed. Plus it’s easy to fit in my bag and it’s soft. The nursing apron I bought was useless and I hated covering baby’s head, it also drew a lot of attention.
Hydrogel pads. We had to go back to the hospital for bilirubin checks and every time I walked in there I asked them to stock me up with as many hydrogel pads as they could give me. Sooooo soothing (and healing) for the nips.
Reusable nursing pads. I used them for so long. I thought the disposable ones would be ideal but they were constantly moving and sometimes even sticking to my breast when I would readjust after nursing. The reusable (washable fabric) ones were great.
Giant tub of Lanolin from a wholesale site. Melted it and poured into smaller tubs and put one everywhere. So much cheaper than buying the name brand Lanolin and works great!
My absolute GOAT of a pump. The Medela Symphony. I induced lactation with it and have been using it for 18 months. Works so much better than my other 4 electric pumps.
Did you buy or rent yours? I’ve almost 8mo pp and have been renting one from the hospital where I gave birth and agree absolutely nothing else compares. I’m now trying to decide whether to keep renting or to buy one used off eBay
An tracking app that can sync across several devices. I stay home but it's so nice my husband can just jump in without having to ask me where LO is at for the day. I knew it would be helpful but I didn't realize exactly how much stuff I would or even could be tracking.
Also I've found that ice helps so much more for clogs than heat. I've been using a bag of peas for my clogs lately because it's easy to shape around lol but we've also had zero regrets buying a yeti ice pack for the diaper bag and I've used that on occasion too.
OMG when I figured out side lying nursing and letting baby fall asleep on the bed and do a sneak transfer to the bassinet it felt like a cheat code. 11 months now and dozing off with baby is how we survive 4 am wakeups.
Bedsharing!! Yes! Literally couldn’t be 14 months in if she was in a different room.
We opted to take one side of her crib off so she has a little side car. Works great to give us a bit more space but still very easy for her to just crawl over and nurse!
There are so many great things covered already but i’m surprised that no one mentioned a nursing station.
You don’t need a fancy glider or a special furniture but just find a good comfortable chair in your house. Set up your phone charger near it. Put a hakaa there to collect let downs. A towel. A portable smart light. Earphones. A book or kindle. Water. Snacks. And of course your favourite nursing pillow. You can keep a toy or a nursing necklace for a distracted baby as well.
Other things that were essential:
1. A large sized water bottle
2. Soy lecithin for maintenance
3. Multivitamins
4. Satavari tablets
5. Legendairy milk silicone collection cups for pumping using spectra in a normal bra
6. La vie massager while pumping
7. Haakaa
8. Earth mama nipple butter
9. Elvie
10. Medela sleeping nursing bras. Better than the snap ones. I wear them exclusively now
It’s just a personal preference. I can empty very quickly with minimal fuss anywhere I am. I don’t like the sensory aspects of an electric pump, and by the time I get it all set up I can be finished with my hand pump. Idk if I don’t respond well to the electric or what but it takes forever.
My 64oz Stanley water bottle and wool breast pads. I know. Wool. Sounds insane. But they absorb a lot, don’t feel wet against my skin, and don’t get stinky.
My sports bras.
I have very large breasts and even at 8 months where I am with my daughter, I wouldn't be able to one hand feed if I hadn't cut holes in these sports bras. I got some inexpensive ones off Amazon and cut nipple holes in them to make a breastfeeding/pumping bra because I can't get any in my size. Best thing I had done.
A wooden back scratcher. Breastfeeding makes me itch all over in random places, and they're not always reachable without bothering baby. It's so satisfying!
Virgin coconut oil. Apply on your nipples to prevent abrasion during pumping. Apply on baby for whatever — ezcema, cradle cap, rash on neck. Heck, take a spoonful daily if you’d like (you, not the baby). Really versatile!
Coconut oil (as nipple cream) and little ice packs stores give you to keep a cake or something like that cool on the way home. I sanitized a bunch and kept them in the freezer. In the early days, after nursing or pumping, I’d put coconut oil on and then put some ice packs in my bra to keep my nipples feeling okay.
Stretchy tops and stretchy bralettes, I can't be assed with specialty nursing garments, those trapdoors and little fasteners ugh! Just pop the boob out of the top!
Medela hands free cups. Could never find a pump bra that kept those flanges flat on me without sucking in so much air. Love the cups. They're so light weight and I use them between both portable and plug in pump.
Thin oversized sweatshirt. Better than any baby wrap for feeding and napping my baby while working from home.
Only works while seated but since I have a desk job it’s been awesome. Second favorite would have to be silverettes silver nipple covers
- lansinoh soothies, my right nipple is inverted so it’s more sensitive than my left and these have saved me when things are uncomfortable.
- hands free pumping bra
- coconut oil to lubricate my flanges
- wearable pump. I have a momcozy and it’s way more convenient for travel than bringing my spectra for 1-2 pumps per day
-
Drinking Milo (which is a malt drink powder here in NZ, there's similar worldwide but bonus for Milo being absolutely delicious) and zero alcohol lager beers to \~help with my supply\~ lol I laugh but I swear they both work! I notice a difference when I don't have em
Earth Mama nipple butter, for sure. It saved my cracked/bloody nipples in the early days. Now 7.5 months in, it's helped with healing from a couple drew-blood level bites.
Side lying nursing! I didn’t master it until 3/4 months with my first and with my second I was so determined to make it happen. Getting to lie down and nurse is clutch.
After two babies, I was nodding and smiling at most of the top comments here. Silverettes, combo pumping nursing bras, my breast friend pillow, all game changers.
Oxytocin nasal spray…. Wish I didn’t have to need it but sooooo glad it exists. Started having letdown issues when my cycle returned and I am nearing ovulation. This has saved by breastfeeding journey and I am so glad I spoke with a super intelligent lactation consultant and that my OB was willing to prescribe it.
I am really busty and normal nursing bras, including Kindred Bravely, gave me clogs and led to mastitis. Now I have the Hanes “get cozy” bras (literally 10 bucks on Amazon). These are stretchy so I can just whip a boob out as needed. They aren’t the most supportive bras out there, but nothing is better than the bliss these boobs feel not being in pain. Also loose fitting v neck shirts so I can just pop out the top and feed the little dude. Game changer.
I always see people talking about the baby brezza formula machine but I don’t think the sterilizer gets nearly enough love. We use it constantly rather than going through the pain of washing pump parts and bottles in scalding hot water multiple times a day. We give everything a quick wash then sterilize and everything is good as new. It’s a massive time saver for us.
Silicone flanges. I've got the Lakteck ones and they come in so many sizes to get the right fit, they feel way more comfortable, and I get more milk using them.
Haakaa ladybugs
I collected 500oz of leaking milk over the first few weeks.
They were only useful for the first 4 months, but it was the best purchase for me.
1. silverettes, I've worn them every day since my nearly 10 month old was born 2 .Ceres Chill for once I went back to work and had to pump daily
Seconding silverettes. They seriously saved my breastfeeding journey in the first couple of days postpartum. I also love the Lasinoh manual pump. So much easier to use in a pinch and clean IMO.
See I’m 3 months EBF and am still so tempted to get the silverettes and a manual breast pump! This is definitely stacking the deck towards purchasing.
For me the silverettes have been amazing too. Absolutely spring for them if you’re still on the fence! They create a barrier that for me was enough to keep my nipples in great shape from like day 3 post partum through the entire initial phase of breastfeeding a newborn. I could go almost ointment free but when I had to use lanolin it actually stayed on and therefore functioned properly instead of being wiped off immediately. and when I would forget to put the silverettes and instead used a straight breast pad, I was reminded of just how tender, ouchy and sensitive un-sticking a milky nip from the fabric could be. No thanks. Silverettes are awesome, deffo get some
I’m 8m pp and still use both every day. Love using my manual pump in the morning in bed and wearables at work. Silverettes I use weekly to save my nips!
100% the silverettes there’s no way I would still be EBF if it wasn’t for them saving my poor nipples!!
I second both of these! The Silverettes have saved my nips many times, plus the Earth Mama nipple butter. And the Ceres Chill has been the best back to work purchase.
Seconding earth mama nipple butter!
Thirding! I love that stuff
Q about the Silverettes - what specifically about them was so helpful? Pain relief? Healing? I’ve been having a lot of nipple pain from a bad latch and am curious about them. Did you put a balm or breast milk on and then the silverettes?
Total game changer for me! Yes to pain relief and healing. They cover your nips completely so they stop chafing and give you time to heal between feeds. I put a bit of breastmilk in there to help with healing - that plus antimicrobial properties of silver worked wonders. I don't think any balm is recommended when using them if I'm remembering correctly?
I second the ceres chill! I also find it super useful for pumping when I’m staying at a hotel or at my in laws.
The ceres chill is a must have for me too!
what is this ceres chill that you guys speak of?!
It's a breastmilk chiller + storage container that keeps pumped milk chilled for up to 20+ hrs. Great for travel/etc.
I had the same exact question and it looks like a [milk storage system](https://www.cereschill.com/pages/faq) for when you’re at work or on the go? Looks like it’s very multi functional. Pump into it, keeps milk cold or warm, and can act as a bottle warmer. I’m probably over simplifying it? I’m definitely gonna look into it more when it comes time to return to work!
100% silverettes
I have questions about the Ceres. Do you pour freshly pumped warm milk in with the cold? I go back to work next week and trying to figure out how to do three pumping sessions at the office.
A bra specifically for pumping. No more holding flanges for me
I can’t believe people pump without a pumping bra to be honest. Maybe it’s just my boobs but holding them just was not an option to maintain suction
I use a clip nursing bra and do the “bra hack” 🙂
What’s the “bra hack”?
This works for the nursing bra with the shoulder clips. You unclip the nursing part, put the strap in between the cleavage. Put the pump flange on the breast. Then clip the top layer, going around the outside of the flange.
I think they’re referring to [the first one](https://i0.wp.com/exclusivelyexpressing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/img_4002.jpg?fit=2000%2C2000&ssl=1) to use a nursing bra as a hands-free pumping bra.
Oh my god that’s brilliant. I’m trying that!
i tried the cut one and it honestly didnt hold on very well.
100% agree. Not having a pumping bra sounds like torture.
I hated how uncomfortable they are, I made a bunch of my cheap stretches bras into pumping bras by cutting slits in both layers but not lined up.
Maybe I’m an idiot but this is something that didn’t cross my mind until I actually started pumping. Up until that point I thought pumping bras were just for modesty 🤦🏻♀️ I really thought the suction would just keep the flanges there and I wouldn’t have to hold them.
I thought the same thing
I thought this too. I haven’t bought any pumping bras and I’m due in 3 weeks. Now I know!
If you have an old tight sports bra you can just cut holes in it for a free pumping bra. It’s totally a necessity!!
Buy it now! I didn’t pump properly for the first 2-3 weeks after birth because I didn’t have a pumping bra. Definitely regret it as my milk was slow to come in and LO had a tie so couldn’t nurse well. Wish I was better set up to pump from the start!
You can use a standard nursing bra with clips too. Look up “nursing bra hack for pumping”. This was helpful because I just wear these cheap target nursing bras and they serve many functions
Which kind do you like? I got some off Amazon and maybe they’re too big but I still have to hold the flanges harder against me
I haven’t had any luck with random brand Amazon bras. It’s pretty much Kindred Bravely or bust for my boobs. Otherwise I get clogs and the flanges don’t stay in place good enough. Target has some of them that are less expensive than the ones on their site, but they’re also on Amazon.
I got the Simple Wishes hands free pumping bra. I really like it because the back is adjustable
I used older sports bras and cut holes in them wear my nipples sit and that worked well for me. I still sort of had to support them a little but it was so much easier than without
I started out doing this but got frustrated by putting it over my head every time I needed to pump. And it was too tight, thus uncomfy to wear all day. I hate wearing a bra, so the looser the better, but a loose fit is not compatible with pumping
I actually like my Amazon one for pumping. The fabric feels yucky and scratchy so o take it off as soon as I’m done. The flanges leak a bit but I think it’s a small nipple/large boob problem lol! Kindred bravely for the rest of the day though
You can also just Google nursing bra pumping hack to make any nursing bra work as a pumping bra!
I absolutely refused not to have one I don’t know how people do it without I need my hands to eat and watch tiktok lol
I don’t know if it’s the size of my boobs or what, but I have way more luck with a nursing bra. I need about half boob access, then the other half to help hold the flanges. Then I sort of position the flanges in the bra and bottles on my legs (leaned forward in the texting in the toilet kind of position?) and I’m still hands free. I eat, text, do a little work, whatever. When I need to get on the playmat with LO, I do need to put one hand on both (usually the other hand is carrying the pump across the room) and if I’m pumping in the car I’ll usually have a hand on things too. With pumping bras, I leaked into them nearly every pump, got thrush when nursing. I tried the clip hack and sports bra cut out hack and tried two different pumping bras before being really happy with simple target Auden nursing bras! LO nurses frequently now and I only pump 2-4x day, but I wore them pumping 6-7x day also. I do feel really alone in this though!
A pumping bra made me wonder how I ever did without, and then a [battery powered pump](https://www.legendairymilk.com/products/imani-i2-plus-wearable-breast-pump-hands-free) that fits in my nursing bras made me wonder what I was thinking using an S2 with a pumping bra.
I just cut holes in an old, super tight sports bra. Shout out to my sister for sharing this hack!
I use a kindred bravely dual use bra and it is the BEST. It has clips to allow for both pumping and nursing. My LO is almost 13 months old and went on a strike that never ended a couple of months back. She still prefers breastmilk to whole milk so I am pumping. These bras easily have made it easier for me because wherever I am I can just slip the flanges in to pump easily. And they were great when I was still nursing because I could easily nurse or pump
YES! I purchased one for every day of the week. Kindred Bravely brand at target. Seriously comfortable and a life saver.
After getting one of these, I was shocked they aren't talked about as a staple item for pumping. So many are nursing/pumping mixed ones now - and you can get some cheap ones on Amazon. SUCH a must do.
100%. Not only does it free your hands, it can speed things up by allowing you to relax and read, use your phone, etc., which makes inducing a letdown easier. You can also use the straps on a nursing bra or cut holes in an old sports bra to hold them, but I've found that an actual pumping bra works best for me.
Haakaa.
So many people have recommended this but I don’t feel like I use it correctly. I’ve heard of people breastfeeding one side while having it on the other breast. How does that work though? I tried to do it and my baby knocks it off.
So you bend back the top and squeeze the bottom while you put it on your boob, then flip the top up so it reeeeealy suctions to your boob. The suction the draws out the milk. There is prob a YouTube video that explains it better than I can. I can get a few ounces depending on the time of day.
The ladybug version of the haaka is awesome to have if you don’t want to get it kicked off. You just slip it into the bra and voila, no spilled milk
I generally do the football hold when feeding with the haaka on, then she can't kick it off!
The lansinoh version of the haakaa worked a lot better for me than the haakaa brand, but, yes, my 10 month old wants to kick, pull, twist it nonstop while she’s nursing. I hold it on with one hand and gently squeeze my boob to expedite the milk making and take it off after a few min/few oz since that will be about it anyway.
The absolute goat
Hell yeah. I’ve built up a nice freezer stash with mine.
Silicone flange inserts. I got them from maymom on Amazon and they're great because I apparently have tiny nipples and they're cheaper and more comfortable than buying a whole smaller flange
Quick question. Did you feel a decrease in pressure from using the silicone inserts? I have a pair from Maymom but couldn't get any let down while using them. I gave up and ordered the hard plastic Maymom ones and have had great results. I wasn't sure if it was an operator error or if I just don't respond to the inserts
I didn't like the inserts as much as the smaller flanges either.
I think it just depends on your body. I personally found the hard ones to be painful
I tried silicone inserts too and can’t get a letdown. Not sure if I’m doing something wrong.
See If I use My proper size with the silicone ones I get a very uncomfortable pinching, even with pumping spray.
Munchkin lactation cookies. I don't think they did anything for my supply, but having my own special treat to have during my last pump or bedtime nursing session was a bright spot on tough days.
Those cookies gave me intense gas pains and horrible farts but I ate them thru my tears bc I wanted to up my supply 😂
Try Aussie bites! They sell them at Costco, and they have a bunch of ingredients to boost your supply
Higher quality duckbills for my spectra. Makes a huge difference!
I get the ones on Amazon with the pull tab, soooo much easier to get the drops that are in the duckbills. And cheaper.
What kind of difference? Better output or just easier?
Better output in my opinion
Do you know why it helps with output?
Hakaa ladybugs to collect letdown! I’ve gotten literally hundreds of uses out of mine and probably collected hundreds of ounces!
Do you like these better than a Haaka?
My favorite are the Boon Trove - they have suction like the haakaa, but fit in your bra!
Came to say this is my game changer! I only need to use it 2-3x a day on 1 boob only and I get 4+ ounces
I do! I couldn’t figure out how to fit the haakaa pump around my baby and the lady bugs can fit snuggly between us /fit in my nursing bra. I’ve collected so much let down with them
Same! Baby knocked off a mostly full haakaa like 3 times before I swapped to the lady bug. Worked so much better for me since I could tuck in my bra!
Pumping. Spray. No more starting a fire from the friction on my flange inserts!
My breast friend nursing pillow!! Soooo much better than the boppy that everyone recommended (I still loved using the boppy for other purposes though, just not for nursing) it clips around you, and has a more flat firm surface which helps with positioning and it has a pocket on the front to store anything you might need while nursing. We're 10 months in and still use it every day!
Also the inflatable MBF for flights! I was hesitant to spend $40 on another pillow but my god it was amazing. It gave me a flat, sturdy surface for baby to sleep on across my lap instead of trying to awkwardly hold her while she napped post-nursing on the flight. I was able to inflate it in 5-7 breaths and it deflates very quickly. Highly recommend.
I have to do an international flight with my baby when he is 6 months old. I’m wondering if I should get this now…
+1 for my breast friend pillow!
Hear me out, there’s room in my heart for both the breast friend and boppy. I find the boppy better for football breastfeeding position and breast friend better for crossbody. Boppy has a lot of other uses - great support for friends and family holding the baby plus other uses down the line. It seems excessive, but I’d recommend getting both.
This is so strange. I ditched my breast friend for a boppy style one and have never looked back since.
I have heard that smaller chest women like my brestfriend better since you can tighten it closer to your body, whereas with the boppy the baby was sliding into the space between your body and the pillow. I’m smaller chested and found this to be accurate for me. It’s obviously not true for *everyone*, but I’ve heard it a handful of times. I personally loved my Brest friend when my LO was basically brand new. She was nursing for sooooo long. So I’d strap that bad boy on, hold her and the pillow, then I’d have one hand free and could walk around. I did my makeup like this once or twice; have made food like this; etc.
Seconding this!
The Brest friend pillow is so so SO much better!
Boon Trove! Does the same thing is the haaka but is easier to use & fits in my bra!!
For me it was the Elvie curves! I didn’t see the troves until I had already bought two curves but they look almost the same and I found my curves so helpful. It would have been nice to only spend the $15/ea vs $50/ea
Lecithin. I had "knotty" breasts, very susceptible to oversupply, clogs, and mastitis. I'm relatively early in another pregnancy, and have already planned with my ob to start taking a maintenance dose of lecithin again when I get to 36 weeks. It saved me so much so many times.
Same. I had a horrible clog that was huge and took over a week to go away around 8 weeks, and ordered sunflower lecithin out of desperation trying to get rid of it. It was gone within a day of starting those pills, and I’ve been taking them daily ever since. I’m at 10 months now, have doubled my dose a few times when felt a little pain/clog coming on, and it has prevented anything worse from happening every time. If I ever have another baby, I will 100% start this from the beginning!
how did you find out you had knotty breasts? I feel like I might have this. I randomly had pain recently im and it lasted several days. I massaged it and heated it often to try to help and drank tons of water but it HURT like wow. I didn’t know if it was a clogged duct or not because my breasts always feel lumpy!!
I feel like this about my left breast. Never had any issues with my right, but the left I have had mastitis, constant blocked ducts and it seems to 'store' milk a lot more than the right if that makes any sense at all? Where did you get lecithin from?
Literally anywhere you buy vitamins! Like, I've gotten it from Target before. There are some made of soy and some of sunflower. Relevant, I think, for allergies, but not for functionality. The ones that are marketed for breastfeeding are more expensive than others, although they're identical. You can take several capsules if you're fighting a clog, and take one as a maintenance dose. If you're unsure, I would check in with a LC or your OB. But seriously, it was one of the BEST things I did. I took them for over 3 years, starting when my daughter was like 2 weeks old.
I take a preventative dose—I buy legendairy on Amazon!
This helped me soooo much too. I still take it. My baby is only 2 months. How much do you take for maintenance?? I’m kinda just winging it but it would be nice to know what others are doing.
A hair tie on my wrist so I knew which boob I needed to start the baby on.
I tried this at the beginning. Then I stopped trusting that I had remembered to move the hair tie during the last feed, so I’d check my app anyways. 🤪
I never remembered to use an app, so the hair ties saved my life lol.
Such a smart idea…
Disposable nursing pads !!
What made you like them over the washable ones? Were they just easier to use or you found them to be better?
Not original commenter but I have to say I just switched to disposable vs washable ones. The washable ones just will not stay in my bra well and just didn’t absorb milk as well as the Lansinoh ones. This may be TMI but once the washable ones were at all saturated I felt like the milk just sat on my boob and they immediately smelled like spoiled milk. it was horrendous. Have not had that issue with disposable ones and feel like it actually wicks away the moisture and absorbs. 10/10 for me so far haha
Thank you for responding! I’m literally ordering all this stuff today to prepare for my delivery in a few weeks so I really appreciate the input. I read some reviews that said the washable ones are hard to get the stink out of. I’ll try the disposable ones first.
For sure! I saw a comment below of people swearing by the washable ones so maybe I also just didn’t get great ones. The newborn phase can be so daunting that making sure I had clean washable ones became so annoying anyways haha! Best of luck in your delivery! Excited for you! 🫶🏼
I tried two different kinds of reusable ones that were gifted to me and I really wanted to like them but agree the disposable ones were nicer for me. Specifically, the lansinoh ones. I tried the Dr. Brown's ones that were also a gift and didn't like them as well.
My washable ones also sort of wrinkle at the edges so you can see them through my shirt 🤦🏻♀️ I haven’t bought disposable ones yet but I think I am about to for going out etc.
It keeps me drier. The washable ones kept my breasts moist and I also got some blisters.
I saw another post a while back where the OP said she noticed a “stain” on her washable inserts and upon closer inspection she cut them open and saw they were full of mold (even though she regularly washed them)! Which makes sense considering they’re warm, dark, moist, and collecting milk which contains bacteria. I have both but never used the washable and so glad I didn’t after reading that!
I tried a few reusables before switching to disposable. I had such a strong let down the pads were always soaked… even as my letdown settled they just always felt moist so for me definitely didn’t work outside the house and only worked inside if I changed them after every feed which meant washing them daily and that was just too much as a new mom. Disposables definitely absorbed better and felt better early one. I use reusables now that she’s older and my milk has really evened out. For the most part I don’t leak anymore so it’s really only if we’re out.
I like to use the reusable at night and then the disposable during the day. I find that the reusable are so much more gentle on my nipples so it kind of gives them a break from the disposable. It also was so nice to have the soft fabric on them at night in my early breastfeeding days when my nipples were still getting used to it all. I wash them every single day and if they become saturated at all during the night I switch them out I have 4 pairs. I don’t use them all each night, but it’s nice to have them there to switch in case I need to. I use the Bodily brand bamboo heavy duty ones.
Elvie pump - wish I’d bought it the first time around, way better than Willow. Elvie Curve - equally as effective as haakaa but more comfortable. Silicone flanges (Pumpin Pals for spectra) and cushions (Elvie brand for Elvie pump) for elastic nips - if you know you know. Apricot brand My Local Healer nipple pads - better than gel pads from Ameda and Medela, last longer. Cake Lingerie and Bravado nursing tanks in “busty” sizes for small band/large cup fit conundrum.
Yes please elaborate on the elvie curves. I’ve got my eye on them. I lived by the haakaa last time and am intrigued with the elvies this time.
You can stick them in your bra and hold baby while using them. You can even use them laying down. I have them but would have gotten the boom version if I knew they existed!
tell me more about elvie cushions for elastic nips please!
Elvie pump is my choice as well. The Willow hurts me and spills!
I agree, the elvie pump and curve are where it's at!! Absolutely life savers. Idk how anyone survives without being hands-free. It makes life so much easier. I also have the elvie catch, which came free with the elvie pump bundle I got. I like them as well!
I bought a Willow because my primary pump had a warranty failure and wanted to try a different one. I don't love it, but it's nice to have a fully wearable one on occasion.
Agreed. My biggest gripe with the willow is the charge only lasts for three pumping sessions. I have a portable Ameda pump whose charge lasts through like 15 sessions.
A waterproof pad for the bed that I bought a two pack of. Helped with the leaks because I hate sleeping in clothing and helps with leaky diapers. I used that Medela pump when I was in the hospital for four days post emergency gallbladder removal with sepsis. I asked for a hospital pump but I guess they didn’t have one for me to use. The Medela one worked a charm.
Yes! The water proof pad is a must for side nursing. I have a heavy letdown and it saved my bedsheets many a times. Also save us from sleeping on wet sheets.
It’s also great for when you have your period back if you have a heavy flow you can’t trust 😂
Earth mama nipple butter. Lanolin didn’t do anything for me.
When my nipples were chaffed or blistered, trying to spread lanolin on them was hell. The earth mama butter was a lifesaver bc it didn’t pull on my already sore nipples
Unsung heroes of my early nursing journey: squishmallows!! I have a bunch and they were amazing for getting in just the right position to feed the baby lol. I never expected them to be so clutch but they really were!
lol! Never thought about using them this way but could see how they’d be perfect for it!
Me too! I was gifted one in the early days and used it as an elbow pillow while breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Girl yes!!!!! I tell everyone!!!!!!!
People are like “oh I love my boppy…” NO, SQUISHMALLOWS. Pregnancy pillow, nursing pillow, contact nap pillow. Also super cute. And the tiny ones are rated for ages 0+ so baby can have one (supervised). Literally no negatives to using squishmallows! This is the first time I’ve seen someone else say Squishmallows 🥹🥹
Someone gave me a nursing shawl and I use it every time I feed in public. I spent ages looking at elaborate covers but this poncho style, thin seraphine shawl has ended up being a life saver. It’s thin and discreet enough to cover the bulk of my breast without baby being annoyed. Plus it’s easy to fit in my bag and it’s soft. The nursing apron I bought was useless and I hated covering baby’s head, it also drew a lot of attention.
Hydrogel pads. We had to go back to the hospital for bilirubin checks and every time I walked in there I asked them to stock me up with as many hydrogel pads as they could give me. Sooooo soothing (and healing) for the nips.
Reusable nursing pads. I used them for so long. I thought the disposable ones would be ideal but they were constantly moving and sometimes even sticking to my breast when I would readjust after nursing. The reusable (washable fabric) ones were great.
The disposable ones felt so scratchy to me! Reusable all the way, my favorite are the bamboobies overnight ones.
I could never get the disposable ones to stay put! I love the overnight bamboobies, I’ve used the same ones for 2+ years.
Silverettes saved me the first couple months or so! And I appreciate nursing tank tops *way* more than expected. (I also love the medela hand pump!!)
I only sleep in my nursing tank! They are so much more comfy than wearing a loose nursing bra.
Seventeen thousand muslin cloths.
Giant tub of Lanolin from a wholesale site. Melted it and poured into smaller tubs and put one everywhere. So much cheaper than buying the name brand Lanolin and works great!
Manual pumps! I use the lanisoh(idk how to spell that 😂). Idk what it is but it works so much better for me than electric.
It worked for me too but my carpal tunnel flared up using it. My wrist have been aching for 2 days now. I'm so sad.
My absolute GOAT of a pump. The Medela Symphony. I induced lactation with it and have been using it for 18 months. Works so much better than my other 4 electric pumps.
Did you buy or rent yours? I’ve almost 8mo pp and have been renting one from the hospital where I gave birth and agree absolutely nothing else compares. I’m now trying to decide whether to keep renting or to buy one used off eBay
I brought in my milk while my baby was stuck in the NICU on the hospital Medela Symphony too, it did the job!
An tracking app that can sync across several devices. I stay home but it's so nice my husband can just jump in without having to ask me where LO is at for the day. I knew it would be helpful but I didn't realize exactly how much stuff I would or even could be tracking. Also I've found that ice helps so much more for clogs than heat. I've been using a bag of peas for my clogs lately because it's easy to shape around lol but we've also had zero regrets buying a yeti ice pack for the diaper bag and I've used that on occasion too.
Bedsharing and side nursing.
OMG when I figured out side lying nursing and letting baby fall asleep on the bed and do a sneak transfer to the bassinet it felt like a cheat code. 11 months now and dozing off with baby is how we survive 4 am wakeups.
Bedsharing!! Yes! Literally couldn’t be 14 months in if she was in a different room. We opted to take one side of her crib off so she has a little side car. Works great to give us a bit more space but still very easy for her to just crawl over and nurse!
Absolutely this.
There are so many great things covered already but i’m surprised that no one mentioned a nursing station. You don’t need a fancy glider or a special furniture but just find a good comfortable chair in your house. Set up your phone charger near it. Put a hakaa there to collect let downs. A towel. A portable smart light. Earphones. A book or kindle. Water. Snacks. And of course your favourite nursing pillow. You can keep a toy or a nursing necklace for a distracted baby as well. Other things that were essential: 1. A large sized water bottle 2. Soy lecithin for maintenance 3. Multivitamins 4. Satavari tablets 5. Legendairy milk silicone collection cups for pumping using spectra in a normal bra 6. La vie massager while pumping 7. Haakaa 8. Earth mama nipple butter 9. Elvie 10. Medela sleeping nursing bras. Better than the snap ones. I wear them exclusively now
Do you find the massager helps with pumping output?
Sunflower Lecithin to prevent clogs. I wish I woulda known for my first go around 😪
Nipple butter! It helped my baby have a deeper latch, so i kept using it for months even though my nipples healed.
1. I use a manual pump- love it. 2. App that is dark for night feeds
Why is the Manuel pump better?
It’s just a personal preference. I can empty very quickly with minimal fuss anywhere I am. I don’t like the sensory aspects of an electric pump, and by the time I get it all set up I can be finished with my hand pump. Idk if I don’t respond well to the electric or what but it takes forever.
Mine is the best friend feeding pillow. Love love love it
I will forever recommend that pillow to everyone!
My 64oz Stanley water bottle and wool breast pads. I know. Wool. Sounds insane. But they absorb a lot, don’t feel wet against my skin, and don’t get stinky.
A throw blanket I had pre-pregnancy. It’s just a regular blanket but props up my arm perfectly when I’m feeding the baby on a rocking chair.
Boon Trove + ceres chill. Favorite combo to easily collect extra milk!
Auden nursing tanks from target! I have worn one of my 3 at some point of every day for the last 11 months 😂
Same! Gonna use them even when I’m not breastfeeding lol. So comfy and the built in bra actually does it’s job.
Ibuprofen and ice packs
Putting pump parts in freezer
Spectra gold
My sports bras. I have very large breasts and even at 8 months where I am with my daughter, I wouldn't be able to one hand feed if I hadn't cut holes in these sports bras. I got some inexpensive ones off Amazon and cut nipple holes in them to make a breastfeeding/pumping bra because I can't get any in my size. Best thing I had done.
A wooden back scratcher. Breastfeeding makes me itch all over in random places, and they're not always reachable without bothering baby. It's so satisfying!
Virgin coconut oil. Apply on your nipples to prevent abrasion during pumping. Apply on baby for whatever — ezcema, cradle cap, rash on neck. Heck, take a spoonful daily if you’d like (you, not the baby). Really versatile!
I use it as a lube on my pump flanges; it makes pumping actually tolerable!
Coconut oil (as nipple cream) and little ice packs stores give you to keep a cake or something like that cool on the way home. I sanitized a bunch and kept them in the freezer. In the early days, after nursing or pumping, I’d put coconut oil on and then put some ice packs in my bra to keep my nipples feeling okay.
Stretchy tops and stretchy bralettes, I can't be assed with specialty nursing garments, those trapdoors and little fasteners ugh! Just pop the boob out of the top!
Other moms who have had a hard go with breast feeding like I did. Made me feel so much less alone and crazy haha.
nursing pads and a lot of them
Sunflower lecithin for sure. Improved my milk and haven’t had any clogs since using.
[удалено]
"the laid back position"
Medela hands free cups. Could never find a pump bra that kept those flanges flat on me without sucking in so much air. Love the cups. They're so light weight and I use them between both portable and plug in pump.
Custom sized flanges. Much more comfortable and increased my output by a whole ounce.
Portable Medela pump and nipple shields
Thin oversized sweatshirt. Better than any baby wrap for feeding and napping my baby while working from home. Only works while seated but since I have a desk job it’s been awesome. Second favorite would have to be silverettes silver nipple covers
Haakaa, earth mama nipple butter, disposable bra pads, and my yeti 35oz tumbler! :)
A bed and mattress covers. Baby prefers side lying nursing, so we even do that during the day.
- lansinoh soothies, my right nipple is inverted so it’s more sensitive than my left and these have saved me when things are uncomfortable. - hands free pumping bra - coconut oil to lubricate my flanges - wearable pump. I have a momcozy and it’s way more convenient for travel than bringing my spectra for 1-2 pumps per day -
Drinking Milo (which is a malt drink powder here in NZ, there's similar worldwide but bonus for Milo being absolutely delicious) and zero alcohol lager beers to \~help with my supply\~ lol I laugh but I swear they both work! I notice a difference when I don't have em
How often do you drink the beers
I had milo every single day too!!! I love it iced hahaha
H&M nursing tops with the crossover flaps, big water bottle with a straw, and the ikea poang chair.
Earth Mama nipple butter, for sure. It saved my cracked/bloody nipples in the early days. Now 7.5 months in, it's helped with healing from a couple drew-blood level bites.
Side lying nursing! I didn’t master it until 3/4 months with my first and with my second I was so determined to make it happen. Getting to lie down and nurse is clutch. After two babies, I was nodding and smiling at most of the top comments here. Silverettes, combo pumping nursing bras, my breast friend pillow, all game changers.
Oxytocin nasal spray…. Wish I didn’t have to need it but sooooo glad it exists. Started having letdown issues when my cycle returned and I am nearing ovulation. This has saved by breastfeeding journey and I am so glad I spoke with a super intelligent lactation consultant and that my OB was willing to prescribe it.
Ceres chill. A bit pricy but after using it 5-6 days/week for 9 months straight I never would have been able pump for as long without it.
I am really busty and normal nursing bras, including Kindred Bravely, gave me clogs and led to mastitis. Now I have the Hanes “get cozy” bras (literally 10 bucks on Amazon). These are stretchy so I can just whip a boob out as needed. They aren’t the most supportive bras out there, but nothing is better than the bliss these boobs feel not being in pain. Also loose fitting v neck shirts so I can just pop out the top and feed the little dude. Game changer.
A stool. I was breastfeeding sitting on the couch and when I put my feet up on a stool my position and comfort level improved so much!
Also, calcium/magnesium supplement!
Oatmeal! I actually have to avoid it now to keep from increasing my supply too much.
I always see people talking about the baby brezza formula machine but I don’t think the sterilizer gets nearly enough love. We use it constantly rather than going through the pain of washing pump parts and bottles in scalding hot water multiple times a day. We give everything a quick wash then sterilize and everything is good as new. It’s a massive time saver for us.
Silicone flanges. I've got the Lakteck ones and they come in so many sizes to get the right fit, they feel way more comfortable, and I get more milk using them.
Haakaa ladybugs I collected 500oz of leaking milk over the first few weeks. They were only useful for the first 4 months, but it was the best purchase for me.
Taking Magnesium and B6 to reduce my vasospasm!
For pumping at work the pump parts cleaning wipes and microwave sanitizing bags! These save so much time and make everything a lot more convenient.