breastfeeding products - are they necessary?

Truthfully, all a breastfed baby really needs is his mommy. It's not necessary for a nursing mom to spend money on gadgets. However, there are a few products that moms have used to make breastfeeding more convenient and that can actually serve to enhance rather than get in the way of the breastfeeding relationship. A few of these are listed below.

A good nursing bra
A supportive and comfortable nursing bra can help a mom, especially if she is full busted, to avoid problems with plugged ducts. A nursing bra should be stretchy and very soft to accomodate a mother's changing breast size throughout the day. It should also make nursing convenient, with one handed access so ease of use. Generally speaking, soft cup versus underwire cups should be used. The Bravado bra is one very popular style. They feature a no roll band and different levels of support for various cup sizes. Most women find that their breasts increase by one cup size when their milk supply increases a few days after birth but then levels off within a few weeks.

A good breast pump
Many mothers nurse their babies without ever using a pump. But for some moms, owning an effective pump means they will make exclusive breast milk feeding a success and avoid formula. Here are a few tips on finding a good breast pump:

Assess your needs. If you'll only need a pump for occasional use (such as a mom's night out), a manual pump like the Avent Isis is all you need. If you'll be going back to work full time or have a premature baby who you will need to pump for frequently, invest in a good hospital quality, electric double pump like the ones made by Medela. In general, breast pumps made by companies that also market infant formula are to be avoided. They tend to be poor quality and cause pain.

A baby sling
While not a breastfeeding product, a baby sling has proven to be a lifesaver for many nursing moms. Life with a new baby in the house can be stressful. A baby sling can make things much easier. It allows mom to hold her infant, reducing crying (crying babies have a harder time nursing and often suffer with more gas due to swallowing a lot of air) while allowing her to get things done. A baby sling is also helpful for newborns whose limbs flail around and get in the way of a good breastfeeding latch. Many sling styles allow mom to breastfeed easily and discreetly which is very nice when mom is out in public.

A good breastfeeding book
Having an informative book on breastfeeding handy empowers a mom. She can read it before baby arrives to learn good breastfeeding technique and management, and refer to it if challenges arise. Some great ones for a mom's library are: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International and Breastfeeding, Keep it Simple by Amy Spangler.