It's great that you decided to breastfeed. And if you can prolong ore feeding for a year or even a year and a half, be sure that your baby will grow strong and healthy. However, feeding should be a pleasure not only for the baby, but for the mother. In fact for a year you should put a baby to a breast more thousand times. Make this process pleasant for you and for the baby will help modern accessories for comfortable feeding.
Bra for nursing mom.
A bra for a nursing mother must necessarily be sewn from natural fabric and with wide straps to well support the heavy chest and do not bump into the shoulders. Cups are selected so that they perfectly repeat the shape of your chest - this will provide additional comfort. Bras for nursing mothers are offered in two ways: some open only the nipple and areola, others open the whole breast. It is better to choose the second option, because it is more convenient for the baby. The main thing is that the fastener on which the flap of the cup is held is comfortable and, if necessary, you can unbutton it even with one hand.
Protective cream for nipples.
Very often in the first weeks of feeding the nipples are injured, painful cracks appear on them. To quickly get rid of this problem, it is necessary to use special creams with wound-healing effect, for example "Purelan", "Bepanten".
Reliable breast pump.
The breast pump is a necessary accessory for the nursing mother, it can be useful in the first weeks of feeding, when the milk is produced much more than the baby needs. To avoid stagnation, you need to do breast massage and express a part of milk (this is an excellent prevention of obstruction of ducts, as well as inflammation-mastitis). It is much easier to express milk with a breast pump, not with your hands. In shops and pharmacies offer mechanical and electric breast pumps. It is best to choose the mechanical one, because you can regulate the intensity of the expression yourself.
Silicone pads on the nipples.
If the skin on the nipples became dry, cracks appeared, it is recommended to feed the baby for a while through the silicone pad. However, this period should be short, since the baby can not properly grasp the nipple when it is protected with a patch, and, therefore, will not empty the breast to the end, which can cause milk stagnation. When buying pads, choose the thinnest, which are as close to your nipple as possible.
Lactation pads.
They quickly absorb the milk flowing from the breast and reliably protect clothing from stains. You can buy gaskets, both for single use and for reusable use. The latter are slightly more expensive, but they last longer.
Pads for collecting milk.
They are worn in a brassiere. They are made of plastic and are necessary if you constantly drain milk and conventional gaskets are not enough. These pads protect the nipples from irritation (as they protect from moisture) and leave your clothes dry and clean.
Tea for increasing lactation.
If you have problems with lactation, and the milk is less than what your baby needs, try to influence the production of milk with special teas. And better prepare them yourself at home. It can be a weak black tea with milk, a drink made from currant jam, an infusion of herbs like fennel, anise, hawthorn, nettle, lemon balm. But do not overdo it - you can drink no more than three cups of lactation tea per day.
Pillow for feeding.
It is best to choose a pillow in the shape of a crescent. During feeding, you can put the baby on this pillow and give rest to your tired hands and shoulders.
Containers for storing breast milk.
If you need to stay out for a long time or you go to work, then you should not stop breastfeeding. In children's shops you can buy bottles, containers and bags for storing expressed breast milk. Whichever capacity you choose, it must be securely closed and have a tag on which you can write the date of decantation. If you periodically feed the baby with expressed milk, buy a bottle with an anatomical teat so that the baby does not give up the breast. A special sterilizer will help you keep the bottle clean.
Shirt unbuttoned from the front.
For a day you have to give your baby a breast at least 5-6 times. To facilitate this process, buy a comfortable shirt with fasteners in front. It can be buttons, buttons, lightning. It is desirable that the clothes were made of natural fabric, because the baby will touch it open parts of the skin. The same applies to your night dress. The unfastened nightgown will make night feeding more comfortable and comfortable.
Cold compresses.
With stagnant milk and mastitis - an inflammatory process will help cold compresses from fresh cabbage leaves - they quickly and effectively relieve pain. Also you can use also shop compresses - overlays (for example, firms Canpol babies).