Happy World Breastfeeding Week! I don't think I've loved anything in my experiences as a mother more than breastfeeding. But it isn't always easy to get breastfeeding established and it can be painful at first! The beginning with Theo was particularly difficult. When he was just one week old, we wound up in the ER because he had spit up some blood and we had to be sure it was my blood and not something horrible like internal bleeding or stomach problems.
Thankfully, it was my blood. But then I had to pump exclusively for a week while I healed and I learned a lot. Here are my favorite breastfeeding products if you'd like to know.
Lanolin is an ointment that is completely natural and safe, and that you don't have to remove before your baby nurses. It's a lifesaver for cracked or sore nipples. It's also good in a pinch for lip balm, diaper cream, Neosporin substitute, just about anything. Just make sure you've washed your hands before squeezing a pea size amount onto your finger and use a new finger if you need more.
The Avent Manual Pump saved me when Theo was two days old. My milk came in and I was so engorged I thought I would die. At 2 am, we drove to Walmart (the only place open, unfortunately) and came home, washed and boiled all the parts and were back in bed with 8 ounces of milk in the freezer by 3:30 am. It's fast, easy to clean and you control the speed and intensity. I've also heard good things about the Medela one.
My Brest Friend Pillow has got to be the worst product name ever. But, combined with a handy breastfeeding footstool, you'll be comfortable while nursing through meals, while typing emails or whatever else you multitask at while nursing.
After Theo's ER visit, our pediatrician wrote me a prescription for a Medela Pump in Style double breast pump. Since Obamacare, insurance companies are required to provide an electric breast pump to any mother who wants it. Awesome!
I got so sick of boiling all of the pump parts and bottles, so I got these handy microwave sanitizer bags. Just add a couple ounces of water, microwave a few minutes, drain and dry. So much faster and easier than boiling!
And if we have another baby, I'm getting these glass bottles. It seems that every few years, the plastic we thought was safe is not safe after all. :( Better to just go back to the classic.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and want advice or support, I would love to help. Please email me! lindsey (at) swisslark (dot) com. Breastfeeding is such a beautiful way to bond with your baby and the benefits are truly magical. Don't give up without talking to me first! xo
PS - Breastfeeding Coco.
Such sweet photos! Sadly, I only have one good photo of me nursing my son, so with baby#2 I hope to change that. They are such special moments to capture!
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