1. Gilligan & O'Malley nursing bras:: My experience is that the "pull to the side" nursing bras are the easiest, especially in the beginning when I was nursing constantly (while I was waiting for my milk to come in, Layla was literally on the boob continuously). Even now at 4 weeks we are nursing "on demand" very frequently and it's so easy to just pull the bra out of the way and pop her on, especially at night or when we've pushed our timing to the max and she is impatient to eat. I originally purchased mediums based on their sizing chart, however I had to buy size large and have been way more comfortable. The band seems to run small and the mediums were really tight and uncomfortable, especially when trying to sleep. Another reason I went up a size was to make sure the tight band didn't cause any clogged ducts, etc.
2. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads:: I registered for 2 boxes of 100 count. Once I received them, I started thinking I would more than likely have enough to last a life time (it wasnt until after I received them that I learned not all women 'leak'). We are at week 4 and I've already gone through one of the 100 count boxes and I am well on my way into the second box. I had/continue to have an issue with over supply/forceful let down (I plan on sharing my experience soon) so I soak through pads like crazy. There is no way I could try and use the reusable breast pads at this point. I also found these pads super useful when using Lanolin (see below). Lanolin stained some of my nursing tanks and bras before I started using the breast pads.
3. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin:: All I can say about the first few days of breast feeding is, my poor poor nipples. Layla has had a great latch from birth (literally, she latched immediately our first time nursing) but my nipples were still put through the ringer while I was waiting for my milk to come in. Like I mentioned previously, she was on the boob constantly. The more stimulation you give your nipples, the quicker your milk will come in. My milk took a little longer to come in which meant a lot of stress and a screaming, starving baby. It got to the point where I dreaded nursing because my nipples were so tender. I even had small blood blisters form under the skin. There were some nights I would be in tears, dreading the fact I knew Layla would be back on my poor, painful nips. The Lanolin was great in easing some of the discomfort, and the best part was that I didn't have to wash it off prior to nursing. Trust me, if you're nursing you want this.
4. Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads:: These are expensive but worth it (around $10 for a box/1 pair). I kept a pair in the fridge and used them when my nipples felt like they were on fire! Holy relief. The only con to these is that you are supposed to wash your breasts prior to nursing after you wear them. When nursing is constant, it's kind of hard to manage to remember to pull these off and wash your boobs before baby is screaming. Also, if you have the lanolin on your nips, technically you should wipe it off prior to using the gel pads. Sounds simple, but it's a lot to keep straight when you're exhausted and feel like baby is on the boob every other minute. Now that we are a few weeks in, I don't need to use these anymore but I still keep a pair in the fridge just in case!
5. Earth Mama Angel Baby 'Booby Tubes': So yeah, these have the most ridiculous name ever & it never feels natural asking Dylan to go "heat up a booby tube" for me. However, I'm so glad something made me buy these last minute. I really like these because you can either microwave them or keep them in the freezer, depending on what you need to use them for.
"When heated, Booby Tubes® safely deliver warm, moist heat to tender breasts to encourage milk flow, maintain open milk ducts to prevent clogged ducts, promote let-down and comfort the symptoms of infection."
or
"Store Booby Tubes® in the freezer and wear them inside your bra between feedings to help reduce the swelling and tenderness of engorgement and to comfort breasts during weaning."
6. Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Milkmaid Tea:: While I was waiting for my milk to come in, I drank this like crazy. There are a lot of different teas on the market, but after reading most reviews a lot of them were said to have a licorice taste which totally grosses me out. I thought the Milkmaid Tea tasted pretty good, I didn't have any problem drinking a lot of it.
7. Hospital Strength Dermoplast Antibacterial Pain Relieving Spray:: Ok, so I read a lot of lists from Pinterest on "must haves" for after baby. Dermoplast was on a lot of those lists and I see why. If you have a vaginal delivery, you will want this. Some women said their hospital provided them with either Dermoplast or something similar. Mine didn't, my OB didn't order it for me. Not sure if you have to have a severe degree or tearing/cut or if it just depends on the OB. Dylan bought this for me once we were home and it went to great use! Plus, I liked that it was antibacterial. I'm not sure if I was on a new mommy high or what, but I didn't really have much pain after delivery (I had the best epidural on the planet, still wondering if I got a little "extra") or while in the hospital. Once I got home I remember sitting on the couch feeling super sore and stupidly asked, why does my vag hurt so bad tonight? To which Dylan said, because you just pushed a baby out of it. Can't argue with that.
8. HELP!:: I should have made this #1 on the list. Everyone told me I would want a lot of help in the beginning to which I just assumed, yeah I'm sure. Listen to me ladies..you will want, you will need, you will not survive without help. Everyone's first days will be different depending on the situation, but for me I could not do one single thing for myself. My baby was either on my boob around the clock or was screaming her head off. I wasn't sleeping, she wasn't sleeping out of hunger. It was stressful. There were several (okay, a lot) of moments where she was crying, I was crying...we were a hot mess. I was so grateful to have my mom & Dylan here. They made my breakfast/lunch/dinner, did laundry, cleaned, fed the dogs, etc. I can't imagine coming home with a newborn without help or a support system. I basically lived in our bedroom, rarely making it downstairs.
Okay, I think I hit on the main things I couldn't have gone without. I have a list of baby must haves I want to share, but baby girl seems to be stirring around so better run!
xoxo
