Breastfeeding Aids Roundup, with Jenn of a Jennuine Life

Hello there, DIY maternity readers!  I am super excited to be visiting here again.  Its Jenn from A Jennuine Life.

Here’s a post I put together as part of my Mother to Be, Being, Been competition which focused on DIY fashions for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum Moms – this one focused on helpful tools to aid in breastfeeding.

I believe the fact that I have had some difficulty finding inpirational posts for this week is a bit of an indicator that breastfeeding could use more vocal support.  It’s something that we all know is good for both baby and mom and that nearly all new mothers want to try to make successful.  Many mothers aren’t able to nurse their babies for the length of time they intend for one reason or another.  I wanted to take this opportunity to share products that I have found to be helpful in the hopes that at least one nursing mom has a little bit easier time with this “natural” (in quotes because while natural, it’s often not easy) process.

First off is the Boppy.  I know nothing new or earth-shattering here, but I would have had a much more difficult time nursing without my Boppy.  It became a huge crutch for me – I took it with me on at least two cross-country flights because the thought of trying to nurse without it was just too much.  They’re also really versatile – tummy time for Baby, sitting aid, pillow for tired Mommy…

Lansinoh lanolin.   If you put just a pea sized amount on each nipple after every nursing session, it can really help prevent cracks and chafing.

Mommy Necklaces.  These stylish and sturdy necklaces are great for moms in general, but they can be really great for nursing moms – baby can twiddle with your child-safe necklace while nursing to help keep their attention on the task longer.  I have two of these necklaces which come in a wide variety of styles and color combinations to meet anyone’s tastes.  They make a really nice shower gift, too!

Milk Bands.  These inexpensive little bracelets can be a lifesaver for a sleep-deprived new mom.  Just flip the bracelet to indicate Right or Left and slide the little clip to indicate the time of last feeding and you don’t have to worry about trying to remember which boob was nursed on last or how long ago!  I can’t tell you how many times I sat there squeezing my boobs trying to decide which one felt fuller since I couldn’t remember which one my daughter nursed on last – until I got my Milk Band.  Dilemma solved for less than $8.

Hooter Hider.  Easy to stash in your diaper bag for coverage while you’re out and about with your baby.  There are countless Etsy shops that sell variations on these, and I made one myself here to give as a shower gift using the tutorial from Sew Much Ado.  I also found mine really useful as a sun cover on the stroller or as an imprompto blanket for Arden to lay on.

Fenugreek.  This herb is helpful in increasing milk supply.  You can take capsules or there are teas with fenugreek as an ingredient.  Oatmeal is also supposed to help increase milk supply and a friend of mine swears by her oatmeal cookies for keeping her supply bountiful.

KellyMom.com.  This website is a wealth of information and there are really helpful forums if you want a supportive sounding board.

Well, there it is – my list of favorite breastfeeding aids.  I really hope something I’ve listed here helps someone!  Megan – thanks for having me, and feel free to give me a shout in the future!