Hey Mama! This is by far one of my favorite posts because I am so passionate about must haves for moms that help new and seasoned mamas. Being a mom is the hardest job so when I find something that makes it easier, I have to share it! In the first part of this series, I talked more about organizing and adding in baby 3! If you missed it, catch up here! Now it’s time to get very realistic about the nitty gritty of feeding and caring for a new baby. Whether breast fed or bottle fed, fed is always best and there are products that make both easier!
MUST HAVES FOR MAMA
BOTTLE FED BABIES
Let’s cut right to it… if you’re going to bottle feed like we have in the past, the best time saving and money saving product that you MUST HAVE is the Baby Breeza Formula Maker! The first reason why is a health reason… from a mama that has had a baby with tummy and fussy issues, this is a game changer! It makes every bottle with the EXACT same temperature water and ratio chosen of formula to water. There are less air bubbles, less inconsistency and it uses any type of formula. Easy to clean and set up and makes it instantly like a Keurig for formula. No more dealing with fussy babies crying while you spill formula powder everywhere!
Second, the Playtex Drops Ins. I am a BIG Dr. Browns bottle fan but the cleaning takes way too long. I went old school and love the drops ins! They are easy to use and so fast to clean up just the nipple. You get a bottle and a nipple and drop in the plastic part that holds the formula. When you’re done, toss the drop in and just rinse the nipple! It makes your life easier and saves a ton of time! Target sells their own brand of drops ins cheaper than the name brand and it really saved me so much time. You push the air out of the drop in so again, less fussy and gassy baby.
MY DRESS DETAILS
My best friend sent me the gorgeous maternity gown for my shoot. It is comfortable and flattering! You can find it here!
NURSING, PUMPING, AND SURVIVING
BREASTFED BABIES
I have literally tried every single product on Amazon for nursing and personally can back up several that were super helpful for me! Although this time around I didn’t purchase endless items, I made sure to have the ones that really helped me previously. I set up a pumping area in our room as well as a little nursing cart I can move around for feedings while the other 2 babies terrorize… I mean… play around the house. Ha!
I love this cart that I found for my pumping and nursing needs! It comes in a few colors, too! I searched for an organizer that had several compartments so I could organize all my favorite things! One thing I couldn’t live without is a great, leak proof, water bottle for feedings and pumping!
MY ESSENTIALS DURING NURSING & PUMPING
When I had my first baby, I went with the obvious choice, a Medela pump. Now Medela has a major threat in my opinion with the much more affordable and easy to move around Spectra Pump. It won me over with Ryann Whitney so much that after I donated mine to a mom in need, I bought the same exact one for this baby! If pumping is something you do more than you’d like, I also recommend pumping pals flanges that make pumping more comfortable! A simple adapter and medela accessory connects them right to the Spectra! This lubricant can also help with making pumping more comfortable!
NURSING WARDROBE
I am guilty of trying and returning quite a few nursing bras, tanks, and night time nursing clothes on Amazon but I finally found my favorites! I like to be comfortable so I do size up a lot and make sure I am super comfortable at night so I can easily nurse and fall back to sleep. Here are some go to’s that I absolutely love! My number one must have is this dress that is amazing for day and night maternity wear and nursing! I can’t recommend this enough!
BRAS, TANKS, AND DAY WEAR
NIGHT TIME AND HOSPITAL WEAR
CREAMS, PADS, AND THE LITTLE THINGS
Since there is an overwhelming amount of choices out there now for nursing, you’ll be happy to know that I have tried them all and narrowed down the best for you! Here are the last must haves on my cart and possibly a few things you didn’t think of like… amazing chapstick and face wipes! When you can’t or don’t feel like getting up to freshen up, it’s nice to have great chapstick and a refreshing facial wipe! I swear by having those two things on your nursing or pumping cart!
MY FAVORITES FOR UP TOP
MY FAVORITES FOR DOWN LOW
FORGET THE BOPPY AND BREAST FRIEND
Mamas. Trust me here. These two pillows are the BEST on the entire market. Don’t get lost in the poppy and breast friend. These are where it is at! You will thank me!
The Bebe au Lait and the Infantino are by far the best investments ever! The Bebe is much thicker and firmer which brings the baby UP to your breast so you don’t hunch over. It is amazing! The Infantino is adjustable so you can get a better position depending on what works best for you. I am shocked these aren’t wildly raved about yet but I am determined to spread the word!!
Alright mamas, now that you have the ins and outs of nursing, pumping, and feeding, I just want to say that you are an amazing mama! No matter how you feed your baby, you’re a champ! Fed is best and whatever works for you and your baby is what is best. There are so many products and services to help you but even with them, sometimes breast feeding just doesn’t work and that’s ok! Feed that babe and take care of you!
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