Breastfeeding is no easy task. I know I was completely overwhelmed by the pages upon pages of information I would receive from my doctor or read online about the subject. A lot of the information out there is very helpful, but doesn't exactly offer ways to make breastfeeding easier. I took me 6 months to learn these 10 tips and tricks that will make breastfeeding effortless for any new moms who are currently nursing or thinking about it.
- Wear a teething necklace to help keep a distracted baby's attention while nursing.
- My personal favorite is this one from Wolf & Cub. They also work really well for babies who like to pull hair or are extra fidgety during feeding time.
- Keep nipple shields and extra pacifiers in a denture box.
- I actually learned this tip from a lactation consultant in the hospital the day McKenna was born. Immediately after her birth, I was given a nipple shield to help with breastfeeding, but had nowhere to put it. The lactation consultant came in a while later and gave me a box to keep it clean and from getting lost.
- Use a nursing app to keep track of everything.
- My personal fave is the Glow Baby app. It keeps track of when baby last ate, which side she ate on, and for how long. It also keeps track of diapers, sleep, and growth.
- Create feeding stations loaded with all the essentials.
- There have been too many times to count that I've sat down to feed my daughter and realized I forgot an essential item. Eliminate that problem by creating feeding stations throughout the house.
- If you have a bigger bosom, roll up a receiving blanket and place it under your breast.
- No more sore hands and now you have a hand free!
- Nurse or pump when your breasts are warm.
- Warm breasts let out more milk, so if you can warm up your breast before nursing or pumping, you may be able to increase the milk output. Use a warm washcloth or these Lansinoh TheraPearl reusable gel packs.
- Get a handheld breast pump, in addition to an electric one.
- Handheld breast pumps are so much easier to use when you're out and about. They are discreet, much more portable, and easier to use. They are also inexpensive so think about investing in one if you plan to be away from baby for a few hours.
- You don't need to wash your pump parts after each use.
- Place your used pump parts in the fridge between pump sessions and wash at the end of the day! This is one of my favorite pumping hacks because I never have time to immediately wash my pump parts and let them dry before the next pumping session.
- Make more milk.
- Tried and true products that increase milk supply: Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle, Let There Be Milk, and Mother's Milk Tea. There are more out there, but these are the few that I've used and work for me.
- Write the time on bags of pumped breastmilk.
- Depending on the time of day, breastmilk changes in composition. Milk pumped in the morning can "energize" your baby, while milk pumped at night helps put baby to sleep.
I hope these tips and tricks help any new moms with their breastfeeding journeys! Or maybe if you're a pro, you learned something new. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
