Tools to Help Nursing Moms
| 3 min read
Did you know that in the first few weeks of life, a newborn baby can eat as often as every 45 minutes? Talk about fast food! If you have a nursing mom in your life, you can help her adjust to her new normal with a few helpful tools for her breastfeeding journey.
- Breast Shields: may help reduce the pain associated with breastfeeding. Available in silicone for those with latex allergies.
- Lanolin Cream: soothes soreness and dryness associated with breastfeeding.
- Mother’s Milk Tea: can help stimulate milk production, which can fluctuate.
- Heating Pads: can provide relief of the discomfort associated with engorgement and the contraction of the uterus after childbirth and while nursing.
- Ice Packs: can also provide relief for breast discomfort. A great DIY alternative is to freeze ziplocked bags of un-popped corn kernels. They freeze well, do not get mushy once thawed, and will contour to shape the breast.
- Milk Storage Bags: For moms who pump and need to store their “liquid gold,” milk storage bags are a great resource. Most varieties have a seal lock to prevent leakage and block out freezer smells.
- Nursing Covers: are a matter of preference, but come in handy when baby wants to eat in a room full of people.
- Nursing Supply Coupons: Clipping coupons from your weekly circulars to pass along to a new mom is a thoughtful gesture that will go a long way.
- A Frame for Baby’s Picture: Research shows that looking at a picture of baby during a pumping session helps mom relax and start milk flow production.
- Lactation Cookies: Oatmeal is the main ingredient in lactation cookies because of nutrients like iron, that may increase milk supply.
- A variety of starter bottles: Newborns are picky when it comes to their food source. It’s helpful to gift nursing moms who do not exclusively breastfeed a variety of single bottles to introduce to the baby, when looking for a perfect match.
- High Protein Snacks: Nuts like almonds, protein bars, and squeezable fruit packs are all great options and easy for moms to eat with one hand.
- A Reusable Water Bottle: Water is essential for good health and successful breastfeeding.
- Sterilizer Bags: Cleaning breast pump parts and bottles is a chore, but it has to be done frequently to prevent bacteria contamination. These sterilizer bags get parts squeaky clean with just five minutes in the microwave.
- Books on Lactation: The new experience of breastfeeding is sure to yield a ton of questions. There are breastfeeding resources available to help with every step.
With a healthy diet, determination and a well-defined support system, nursing moms can achieve their breastfeeding goals. You can be a part of that success by offering the support they need to provide their very best to their precious little ones.
Looking for more information about pregnancy and the benefits of breastfeeding? Check out these blogs:
Photo credit: kali9
