In most countries, breastfeeding continues until the child's
fourth birthday, and for good reason. It's free and convenient. It reduces the
incidence of colic, allergies, obesity, diabetes, ear infections, and learning
disorders during childhood, and breastfed babies are less likely to have high
cholesterol levels or heart disease later in life. A study by American
Family Physician
found that 97 percent of formula-fed babies became ill in
their first 6 months, compared to just a quarter of breastfed babies.
Breastfeeding builds a brainy baby: a mother's milk contains all the fatty
acids a newborn's brain needs for proper development. It doesn't require
fumbling to prepare a bottle for those 2 a.m. feedings, it's less expensive
than formula, and it promotes mother/baby bonding. Moms who breastfeed find
they lose their "baby fat" without dieting or exercising.
While any new
mother will attest that while breastfeeding can be one of the most fulfilling
experiences in life, there can be some not-so-pleasant side effects from
constantly feeding a ravenous newborn--sore nipples, an aching back, and just
plain exhaustion. It takes more extra daily calories to breastfeed than it does
to be pregnant (500 compared to 300); when you're not feeding the baby, you'll
be feeding yourself! In addition to a steady supply of nutritious meals and
snacks, a breastfeeding mom needs some TLC to help her out, and breastfeeding
pillows, well-fitting nursing bras, and other breastfeeding supplies are just
what the doctor ordered.
What to Buy Before Baby Arrives: The
BasicsChances are, you won't be in the mood or have the
time to shop for these things after your special delivery. Take care of them
now and you'll thank yourself later! The basics include:
Nursing Bras"How
will I know when my milk has come in?" is a comical question to those who've
experienced it. Don't worry--you'll know, that's for sure! It's tricky to
figure out what size nursing bra you'll need after the baby's born, so it's a
good idea to have a few on hand that are a full cup and band size larger than
your seven- or eight-month maternity size, and maybe even some bra extenders,
too.
Nipple Shields
They may look like goofy little plastic flying saucers, but some women swear by
nipple shields, which are worn to hold one's bra away from the skin to increase
air circulation around the nipple, helping to heal cracking and soreness.
Nursing Lanolin A
tube of PureLan or Lansinoh is a comforting sight, especially for first-time
moms. (It's a super baby shower gift, too.) They're pure medical-grade lanolin
that doesn't need to be washed off before feedings. You might want to keep two
tubes on hand--one for home, one for the diaper bag.
Breast Pads In
the beginning, you're going to leak. A lot. (Whenever you hear your baby cry,
or even think about her!) Disposable breast pads are convenient, especially
while you're out and about, but reusable,
machine-washable
cotton and wool ones are more absorbent (and therefore best for nighttime), and
more economical.
Shop for these
mother's helpers.
Breastfeeding AccessoriesNursing
Stools You run a strong enough risk of
needing chiropractice in the years ahead from horsing around, playing
piggyback, lifting your child in and out of the car seat, and just picking her
up and carrying her around. You don't need breastfeeding to contribute to your
potential back woes; all those hours of breastfeeding while slouching can add
up quickly to produce back strain. It's a miracle the difference a little
nursing stool to prop up your feet just right can make, helping to prevent mid-
and lower-back pain during the breastfeeding months (or years!).
Pillows There's good reason
why the Boppy is a breastfeeding woman's best friend; it props a newborn up at
just the right height to make mealtime a pleasant experience for both baby and
mom. You may feel a little funny using it, your childless friends may mock the
name of it ("Isn't 'Boppy' one of Barney's friends?"), but you'll soon want
yours permanently attached to your body. Later on, it can double as a handy
little support for your baby when she's learning to sit up on her own.
Shawls and
Covers It's hard to believe how sexualized
breasts have become in our culture--and how it seems that babies squeal with
hunger whenever there's no quiet, private spot to feed them. A shawl serves
double duty: it gives privacy to mom and tunes out the world for baby,
providing a little cozy, quiet spot for nursing in contentment.
Breast
PumpsKey FeaturesFor
women not in the mood to think about returning to work, it's easy to
procrastinate in the search for a pump. It's a good idea, though, to practice
using one and getting baby accustomed to a bottle a few weeks before you go
back, and thankfully, today's pumps are compact, simple to set up, and
efficient.
Manual PumpsIf
you don't plan to return to work, or know you'll need to pump just a few times
a week, a relatively inexpensive manual pump like the Isis model from Avent is
probably all you'll need for those times when you need to leave a bottle or two
with your partner or caregiver. They're lightweight and quiet, but can require
up to half an hour to pump both breasts, don't allow for adjustable suction,
and can provide more thumb and wrist exercise than you ever bargained for.
Mini Electric PumpsA step up from manual pumps are the compact, mini electric varieties, many
of which can operate manually, with batteries, or electrically. These don't
usually come with several collection bottles the way that full-size pumps do,
but are ideal for occasional use or travel.
Full-Size Electric
PumpsThe Medela Pump In Style and Ameda Egnell
Purely Yours electric breast pumps are the two most popular choices for working
moms because they're lightweight, quick to assemble, easy to use, and
efficient, and may even be covered by health insurance. Their motors are under
warranty usually for a year. This type of pump is well worth investing in if
you'll be pumping daily for a while, or plan on having more than one baby.
While noisier and heavier than the mini electric pumps, they make up for these
drawbacks in comfort, with multiple settings for vacuum strength and speed.
They feature built-in coolers, can operate as single or double pumps, and come
with bottles and briefcase-like carrying cases.
Pump AccessoriesIf you have a killer commute, you'll want to invest in an adapter so you can
plug your electric pump into your car's cigarette lighter. Freezer bags are a
great no-fuss, sterile way to store expressed milk, and labels for stored
breast milk will remind you what milk to use first, or if it needs to be
discarded (usually after three months for frozen milk).
Breastfeeding
BooksIn the West, most of today's new moms
can't ask their own mothers for advice because they used formula. Fortunately,
there are some
phenomenal books
available that are almost as good as having an experienced mom by your side,
including
The Nursing Mother's
Companion by Kathleen Huggins, a nurse and certified lactation
consultant;
The Breastfeeding
Book by Martha Sears and Dr. William Sears (parents of nine!);
The Womanly Art of
Breastfeeding; and
Breastfeeding Your
Baby by Sheila Kitzinger.
