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Breastfeeding essentials

Planning to breastfeed but not sure what you’ll need? Here is a list of our first-time breastfeeding tips to help you prepare.  

1 min to read Oct 8, 2020
  • Buy nipple cream. It will help with those first tender feeds.  

  • Stock up on nursing pads. Be prepared to buy in bulk.  

  • Buy several nursing bras. 

  • Buy nursing covers or nursing tops if they make feeding more comfortable. 

  • Consider stocking up on cabbages! Apparently, putting chilled cabbage leaves on your breasts may help to relieve tenderness.  

  • Talk to friends and family who have breastfed before for advice. 

  • Consider taking an antenatal class about breastfeeding. 

  • Find out about local lactation experts or breastfeeding support services in case you don’t get the hang of breastfeeding straightaway. 

  • Research the best foods to eat while breastfeeding. There are plenty here:

  • Look into healthy snacks that could keep up your energy while breastfeeding. Find out what to eat when you’re breastfeeding here.

  • Take a daily supplement containing 10mcg of Vitamin D. 

  • Cut down your caffeine intake if you need to—there’s a recommended limit of 200-300mg a day. 

  • Drink plenty of water.  

  • Consider buying a breast pump so others can help with feeds at some point.  

  • Buy a breastfeeding pillow to make feeding more comfy.  

  • Buy burping cloths (sometimes called muslins). Breastfeeding on demand can mean a lot of leakage.