Breastfeeding Must Haves
From a frugal, second time mom-to-be
I have officially past the half way point in my second pregnancy and preparing for baby’s arrival is officially beginning! I feel like once you cross the 20 week point and have the anatomy scan it all starts to feel so real. We also found out the gender (it’s a boy!), which I think also just gives you more of a connection and the excitement builds just wanting to plan for them.
With all of this preparation swirling around in my head, I have breatfeeding on my mind and thinking about how to make this second time around as successful as possible.
I had a really great experience with my first baby. She latched well and had no problems, other than taking 45 minutes + to nurse every single time until about 15 weeks… But I had no issues. No mastitis or horrible clogs for the first few months. That is until I went back to work. I got mild mastitis, I believe from my pump (medela in style), that went away on its own after 24 hours. But after that emptying that breast just wasn’t the same, and became a job in an of it self. So I ended my breastfeeding journey at 7 months with about a month of a freezer stash of breast milk.
I was really proud of myself because I did not even plan on breastfeeding to begin with. But with a formula shortage (this was 2022), I thought that I would really be wasting an opportunity to provide my daughter with a reliable food source. And though there is a stigma around breastfeeding saving you a ton of money, I found that at least for your first child you may choose to make some upfront investments in some modern convenience items that can make your breastfeeding experience more successful and enjoyable.
I didn’t buy all the things, but I purchased a good amount of them. Some I used, some I didn’t. So I wanted to share with you the items I plan on using again for breastfeeding and then pumping once I go back to work that will hopefully make my breastfeeding journey last a little longer and be as great of an experience as it was the first time around!
Breastfeeding Accessories
Nipple Cream - I started using this right from the get go in the hospital and never had an issue with chapped/cracking nipples
Collection Shells - This was a spur of the moment purchase when I was sitting in the hospital bed! I was really worried that I would have issues with nipple sensitivity and thought these would help shield them against rubbing against clothes. I thankfully didn’t have any issues like that but these were nice to have to collect any leakage and on the odd day that my nipples would hurt. I would sleep with them on sometimes and have heard from other women about collecting a good amount of milk with them over night and during the day.
Nursing Pads - I really enjoyed these Organic reusable nursing pads but I also know a lot of people prefer the disposable ones. I liked the reusable ones because it was just one less thing to have to buy repeatedly and I found they stayed in place better than the disposable ones. Just run them through the wash and you’re good to go again!
Nursing Pillow - This is something I formed an opinion on that I really didn’t expect to. For one thing I think you should have a nursing pillow in every location you nurse, and I’m not someone who likes to have extra of anything! But I thought in my case keeping on in the bedroom and one on the couch was a lot easier than lugging one back and forth. I had registered for a Boppy, which I did end up using and bringing with us to the hospital, but I was given a My Brest Friend as a hand-me-down and loved it so much more! I has heard of My Brest Friend before but it was a little more expensive than the Boppy, and not as cute, so I wrote it off. But gosh, I just thought it offered a lot more support and really made it so I could be hands free while nursing. I could even get up and grab something while holding the pillow and still feel like baby was really supported. This is something ZI plan on gifting to friends in the future!
Milk Catcher - Guys. If you are not using one of these on the other breast while you’re nursing you’re wasting so much milk that you could be freezing! The Haakaa is the most well know milk catcher and very affordable. However I splurged a little here after hearing great things about the Elvie Curve and was obsessed with it. This is probably my number one breastfeeding must have! The design just makes so much sense being able to just stick it in your bra and not having to worry about it falling off. During the middle of the night feeds and early morning I would regularly collect 5oz each time and be able to freeze it! It allowed my to build up a 100oz freezer stash within the first month, which is so valuable! Highly recommend the Elvie Curve if you get nothing else from the article. This is another thing I plan on gifting to my friends in the future.
Elvie Curve Milk Catcher
Milk Storage Bags - You’re going to need somewhere to put your milk if you want to build a freezer stash! I used the Lansinoh bags and the Parents Choice bags during my breastfeeding journey. I think I went through about 150 bags, and I have some of the Parents Choice ones left over that I will use the second time around.
Pumping Supplies and Accessories
Hand Pump - The Medela Harmony is a favorite hand pump by lactation consultants and I also enjoyed it. Though I didn’t use this as a main pump, I know a lot of people who favor this over an electric pump. I mainly used this in the middle of the night when my daughter dropped her night feed. I would pump with this pump on one side and stick the Elvie Curve on the other, and switch.
Pumping at my best friends Bachelorette Party
Hospital Grade Pump - In the US health insurance companies are required to provide expecting mothers with a hospital grade breast pump. Depending on which insurance you have and which medical equipment company they refer you to you will probably have a few options. The most popular I would say is the Spectra. I have not used this pump, but I actually plan on getting it this time! Your insurance company may also provide you with a discount on an “upgraded” pump if there is another one you want.
Wearable Pump - I chose to get a discount on an “upgraded” pump instead of the free pump through insurance. I thought that a wearable pump just made more sense overall, so I was able to get the Elvie Stride at a discounted rate. Overall I did like it, mainly because I could work at my desk and drive with it on. Also the cups are a lot smaller than other popular wearables like the Momcozy. The downside of most of the wearables which I do not think is talked about enough is they take a lot longer to use! Like 30-40 minutes. The suction is just not as great on them. This time around I do plan on getting a different wearable pump, but “hacking” the Elvie cups with it. Either way, you will look ridiculous wearing one of these things. They do not look natural in the slightest! But they are handy if you need to be out and about and don’t want your life super disrupted.
Pump Bag - I had originally bought this bag to carry around my Elvie Stride while I was on a bachelorette party postpartum. It worked out great! Just enough room for the pump, storage bags and a small wallet. Now we use it as a small diaper bag and I can see myself using this for years to come.
Cooler Bag - I used a couple of different bags to transport my milk/store my flanges in the fridge while I was at work or an an event. I had this large lunch bag which worked great for when I needed to be away from a fridge for multiple hours. And then I used these small lunch bags to transport my milk to daycare and to store my pumped milk and pump parts in the refrigerator at work.
Milk Container - I really liked doing the pitcher method once I went back to work and was pumping 90% of the time. I used a large mason jar like this with a pour top to store and pour my milk and well as a blender bottle. Both were great options! I’d bring one to work and bring the other one full to daycare and just switch back and forth.
Travel Drying Rack - This drying rack was really handy to have on hand for traveling as well as when I just needed overflow drying for all my pump parts and bottles.
Bottle Brushes - I was actually shocked by how amazing these Amazon Brand bottle brushes are! I wish I had found them sooner. super affordable, I plan on stocking up big time when they go on sale next.
Sanitizing Wipes - these were great to keep on hand if I didn’t have an opportunity to wash things.
Things I’m buying this time
Quality Nursing Bras - Last time around I was really resistant to spending a ton of money on nursing bras. I honestly just had spending money on bras and underwear in general, and I thought it would be a waste to buy a whole new set of bras that I would only wear for a year tops. So I just purchases a pack of 3 off of amazon that were maybe $25. You do not even know how happy I was to throw these things out when I was done! They got all pilled and gross. So this time around I have decided to make the investment in some great nursing bras. Not only ones that are really comfortable and work well, but ones that make me feel pretty! I am loving the Tender Seasons Bra's and Momanda Bra's right now during pregnancy. I have 3 of them and I definitely plan on getting a couple more. I’ve also tried a pumping sport bra and nursing sweatshirt from Sweat and Milk this time around and so excited to use them when baby gets here!
Spectra Pump - I am choosing to go with a Spectra pump as my main pump at home this time around. Even though I can get it free through insurance, you can easily find these for free on Facebook mom groups, lightly used, and I will just purchase all of the parts and bottles that are compatible with it.
Pumpable Genie Advanced pump
Portable Pump - Though I will have my Elvie as a back up, I plan on getting either a Pumpables or Baby Buddah portable pump through insurance. Both of these pumps are fully covered for me, which is awesome! I feel like even since my last pregnancy breast pumps and pumps that are free through insurance have come a long way. These are both $150+ pumps, so I feel like its a better value to get this free through insurance as apposed to a Spectra which so many people get, so I know I’ll be able to find one either for free or very cheap in a local Facebook mom’s group.
I hope this has been a helpful read! Please let me know in the comments any other products or recommendations you have. You definitely don’t need all of this stuff to have a successful breastfeeding journey! These are all things that I found useful and am excited to dive back into using when my next baby arrives.
