The 7 essentials for breastfeeding.
What are the essentials for peaceful breastfeeding?
Source: Charline Born and hatched together - Perinatal and parenting support worker
The nursing pillow
Of course you can use the cushions you have at home, but you will certainly need to accumulate the cushions to have your arms, back and baby comfortably wedged. The nursing pillow will allow you to be comfortably seated, not to have tension in your back and arms.
What is the nursing pillow used for?
- Sleeping During Your Pregnancy
- To breastfeed
- It can be used as a baby bouncer
The Mumade brand offers you practical nursing pillows: as they are inflatable, they do not collapse and are transportable !
Breastfeeding shells:
This medical device helps protect the nipples . Breast milk helps heal cracks . By placing your nursing shells on your nipples, your breast milk will naturally create a bandage to help you heal. The Baby Shell brand offers you a pretty pair of nursing shells . Mermaid effect guaranteed!
Breast pads
There are two types:
- Single use disposable
- Made from machine washable fabrics .
For the latter, it is advisable to wash them at 60 °.
This is a must have for leaks!
A lanolin balm
Breast milk will always be your best ally to prevent, repair and heal your cracked nipples. You can nevertheless use lanolin which is a wax derived from sheep's wool grease.
It acts as a real restorative balm when applied to the nipples . It helps relieve pain related to breastfeeding and heal cracked nipples .
A breast pump:
The breast pump can be useful if you have to be away, resume a professional activity. Good to know: You do not have to buy your breast pump! In fact, you can rent a breast pump. Renting a breast pump is is even reimbursed by social security ! For this you must have a prescription from your doctor (or pediatrician)
Several models will be offered to you, some are more portable than others, it's up to you to see how useful they will be to you.
How to rent your breast pump?
- you need a prescription (to be renewed as many times as necessary)
- contact a breast pump rental agency
Several organizations offer you a catalog of breast pumps. You choose the one that suits you and you receive it at home (or at a relay point).
An appointment with a lactation consultant:
This is not really an accessory but certainly one of the most important points! Breastfeeding is natural but not innate ! It is normal not to know everything about this subject and it is normal to have some difficulties. We can only advise you to have an appointment before the baby arrives with your partner in order to clear up all the questions. Then, an appointment once the baby is here can also be very useful, because each baby has its own language; an IBCLC lactation consultant can help you live your breastfeeding fully and serenely. You will find here a list (non-exhaustive) of IBCLC certified lactation consultants:
https://www.consultants-lactation.org/les-ibclc/
When to consult an IBCLC consultant?:
- Preparing for future breastfeeding
- Solving Latching Problems
- In case of cracks , pain
- Insufficient baby weight gain
- Breastfeeding twins
- Know the different positions for breastfeeding
- When baby has a medical problem (such as GERD )
- In case of personal problems that may impact breastfeeding
- Weaning
- Expressing and storing milk
- Maintaining breastfeeding when returning to work
- Continuing breastfeeding when introducing solid foods
- In case of mastitis or blocked ducts
- etc
Some reading:
For those who still have a little time to immerse themselves in a book, or those who are preparing for it before the baby arrives, Carole Hervé offers a complete book on breastfeeding “ My tailor-made breastfeeding ”
Source: Charline Born and hatched together - Perinatal and parenting support: https://naitreetecloreensemble.fr
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