When I became pregnant with my second daughter Denise, I told myself that I will try my best to exclusively breastfeed her this time. You see, my 1st born Daphne was mixed fed with breastmilk and formula until she was 18 months old. That’s no easy feat, I know, I am proud of my achievement too!
Now, I am more educated and regardless of the method, whether through nursing directly or through bottle feeding, all she will get is my precious milk!
Well, she did take some formula for the first few days of her life, but when my milk came in, she definitely didn’t need the formula anymore. She’s 2 months old and I am proud to say that it’s all my milk now that she’s taking!
In this post, I will share my breastfeeding essentials so that mothers and soon to be mothers can learn a thing or two!
BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIAL NUMBER 1
MEDELA SWING ELECTRIC PUMP
This Medela Swing Electric Pump is so durable. I used this for 18 months for my 1st daughter. I brought it everyday to the office so I could pump there. And now it’s my 2nd daughter’s turn to make use of it. Definitely worth the price hubby paid for! It’s a single pump and very handy. It also boasts of the 2-phase expression technology. For more details of the Medela Swing, go to http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/145/swing-breastpump.
When baby is asleep for a longer period of time, I pump so that I can let down my milk and just store it. It’s true what they say that to increase your milk supply, you have to follow the principles of supply and demand. Just a few days ago, I noticed that there was a decrease in my milk supply, so I made a career of nursing directly when baby is awake and pumping when baby is asleep or is full. Even in the wee hours of the morning, I wake up and pump. And true enough, my supply increased. It also helped that I got a mini back massage from hubby. I also requested for soups to be included in our daily meals. I am also taking oatmeal quaker with chocolate and eggs. I heard oatmeal’s effective as a galactagogue.
Since I will be going back to work a few weeks from now, it’s important for my supply to stabilize. I have been pumping and saving my milk using my Breastfeeding Essential Number 2, see below.
BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIAL NUMBER 2
LANSINOH BREASTMILK STORAGE BAGS
This is the first time that I used a storage bag for my milk. I used to just pump and store in a feeding bottle. For my 1st born, the milk I expressed at work was just enough for her to consume the next day. Sometimes, it’s not even enough that’s why she was mixed fed. For baby number 2, I read and educated myself through the various breastfeeding forums. While I haven’t gone back to work, I started storing my milk through storage bags. I still store in the bottles though, for the times that I will be doing something and not available to nurse directly. What I do now is, if I am able to get 4 oz or more milk, I put it in the storage bag and place it in the freezer; if not, I just put it in a feeding bottle and place it in the fridge.
I am proud to show my breast milk inventory as of today:
BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIAL NUMBER 3
GIGI AMORE NURSING BRAS
Being a very practical mommy, I searched and searched for the right nursing bra to use, comfortable yet affordable. I found the Gigi Amore Brand inside SM Department Store. These nursing bras open in front, very accessible for me. While one arm is holding baby, the other hand easily get to unbutton the bra. The bra’s very comfortable to use because it’s all cotton, they are also thick enough to avoid leakage.
BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIAL NUMBER 4
BENCH TUBE TOP (USED AS BELLY BAND)
I haven’t been able to shop yet for my nursing apparel, as I am still searching for affordable brands. I also find those belly bands in the net quite expensive, so I improvised. I bought tube tops to use as belly band. I wear it inside my shirt or blouse just below the chest area, so that when I pull up my shirt to nurse, I wouldn’t be exposing my skin. Of course, I still use a cover up, and that’s my Breastfeeding Essential Number 5.
BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIAL NUMBER 5
SHAWL
My ever reliable shawl. This is an ordinary shawl. I just tied it in one end and wear it over whatever I’m wearing. It works just as good as a nursing cover. I use this when I go out with baby, I also use this in the office when I pump.
There you go, here are my Top 5 Breastfeeding Essentials.