Top Products to Support Breastfeeding

Today, we explore the world of breastfeeding and a plethora of products that can assist you on your journey of feeding your itty bitty bébé. From milk production, latches, and seeking professional support to nursing pillows, creams, water bottles, and yummy goodies, we’ve got your back (or, should we say, your front?) covered!  

The Down Low on Breastfeeding

While breastfeeding offers a multitude of benefits, it’s important to acknowledge it can come with its fair share of difficulties. Challenges such as low milk supply, latch issues, sore nipples, and exhaustion can make feeding a real struggle for some parents. It’s important to remember that every feeding journey is unique and with support and resources, many parents overcome these obstacles and go on to have a successful breastfeeding experience. 

One of the most common issues is latch and positioning babe. If you are struggling, we recommend having a professional check for a tongue or lip tie as this can often lead to an improper latch. A lactation consultant is a valuable resource in assessing a tie as well as helping you find the best feeding position. If your babe ends up having a tie, a Pediatric Physiotherapist and/or a Pediatric Dentist can help correct the tie, either naturally or with a corrective procedure. We always recommend asking for a second opinion before pursuing the surgical route.  

For more resources on breastfeeding hurdles, we recommend checking out our articles: Four Ways to Increase Milk Production, Is Breastfeeding Supposed to Suck and other breastfeeding focused articles in our Learning Centre.  

So, if you are facing some hurdles, know you are not alone. There are countless resources available to help you navigate these challenges and make the best feeding choices for you and your little one!  

Now…onto the goodies! Let’s explore some of our favourite products to assist you on this wild breastfeeding journey!  

Milk Production Goodies 

Good nutrition is like fuel for both you and your baby. It helps you recover, boosts your energy, and gives you and your little one the essential nutrients you both need. Getting enough calories through healthy snacking and drinking enough water is vital for milk production.  

The Munchkin Milk Maker Cookie Bites are packed with galactagogues (a fancy word for milk-boosting ingredients), such as oats, flaxseed, and Brewer’s yeast. Ridiculously delicious, these are a fantastic healthy snack to boost your calorie intake and support milk supply.  

If you need additional milk production support, we recommend Motherlove’s More Milk Plus Capsules. These vegetarian capsules are a concentrated liquid blend of four galactagogue herbs — fenugreek, blessed thistle, nettle, and fennel. More Milk Plus gives you breastfeeding support in an easily absorbed liquid capsule that works as hard as you do!  

Don’t forget water, water, water! Fill up with a S'ip by S'well 15 oz water bottle so you can easily carry around your water source as you move from room to room!  

Don’t Waste That Milk!  

Breastmilk is like liquid gold when trying to build up a stash for your baby. When you feed, you often lose precious ounces in your nursing pad on the opposite side. That’s why we love the Haakaa Silicone Milk Collector. It collects valuable breast milk that would otherwise be lost into the padded abyss. The discreet, one-piece design attaches securely to your breast to collect your let-down and has little feet on the bottom so you can stand it upright to prevent any spills when you’re done. Afterwards, simply pour that liquid gold into a container or bottle for later use. This collector can also be used as a manual breast pump, which is a bonus! 

Pump It Up  

Speaking of breast pumps, even if you are exclusively breastfeeding, many parents find it helpful to have a pump on hand. Whether baby isn’t latching right away, you want your partner to participate by bottle feeding, or you are building up a stash of milk for future use, you’ll want to have a pump. Whatever your reasons are, two of our favs are the Medela Freestyle Handsfree and the Haakaa Manual Breastpump.  

The Medela Freestyle Handsfree is a wearable hands-free double electric breast pump. That’s well…wearable! That means you can pump and do whatever else your heart desires — whether that’s chasing around baby, reading a book, or doing a million chores, the sky’s the limit! The pump itself is a separate, compact unit that can fit inside your pocket, while the collection cups are lightweight and fit discreetly inside your bra, making for a truly superior hands-free experience. To learn more about this pump, check out our Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump article in our Learning Centre.  

The Haakaa Manual Breastpump is a manual suction pump made from 100% silicone. It is a parent-favourite as it provides an easy, quick pumping experience at a fraction of the cost of electric pumps. This eco-friendly pump does the work for you as it draws your milk using suction. It easily fits into any bag and can be taken with you anywhere to express discreetly, silently, and quickly!  

If cost is an issue when considering a pump, we recommend checking with your insurance provider (if you have one), as some companies will cover the cost of a pump. Some local hospitals also rent out electric pumps, so that may be an option for you.  

For more breast pump options, check out our Top Breast Pumps Article to see which one might be the best fit for you. 

OUCH! Nipple Pain Relief  

Having an itty babe chomp away on your nipples can be ridiculously painful. It takes time to get the right latch and for both of you to learn how breastfeeding works. In the meantime, your nipples can pay the painful price and may need some tender love and care.  

We love the Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter for soothing and healing sore, cracked nipples. Since this cream is 100% organic, you don’t have to worry about wiping it off before babe feeds. Lanolin-free and calendula-based, this nipple butter is a must-have for your breastfeeding stash. Keep some within arm’s reach at all times — your nipples will thank you, trust us! 

Another handy tool to save your nips is a nipple shield. Nipple shields bring relief to a variety of common breastfeeding issues and help you to feed longer and more comfortably. The Medela Contact Nipple Shields are made of 100% ultra-thin, soft silicone and feature a unique design with a cut-out area that encourages maximum skin contact between you and your baby. We love that it comes with two shields and a convenient travel case, so you can keep them clean and handy wherever you go. 

The Right Position 

A breastfeeding pillow will be your best friend when it comes to finding the perfect feeding position for you and babe. No more hunching over and wrecking your back or having your arms fall asleep from holding your little one, you can lean back and relax while your little one nurses away.  

The Snuggle Me Organic Feeding + Support Pillow provides ultimate comfort while blending seamlessly into your home decor. Crafted with narrow ends that easily tuck behind your back and a thick centre that brings baby right to you, this modern feeding pillow keeps babe in the perfect feeding position. Available in a variety of modern, neutral colours, this breastfeeding pillow can be used well beyond your breastfeeding years.  

The My Breast Friend Organic Breastfeeding Pillow is another favourite. With a wraparound design, firm cushion, adjustable straps, and back rest, this nursing pillow is loaded with features that parents will love.

For more great options, check out our article on the Best Nursing Pillows for Breastfeeding Moms.

Comfy & Accessible 

The fourth trimester breast changes and leaking can catch some parents off guard. You’ll want a comfortable, convenient nursing bra, especially in those early months. A nursing bra helps hold in those nursing pads, milk collectors, or hands-free pump as you navigate the world of breastfeeding.  

The Bravado Original Nursing Bra and Bravado Body Silk Seamless Full Cup Nursing Bra are two of our top options. Both bras are made with sustainable materials and embody coziness and comfort. The Original Nursing Bra is made from organic cotton and TENCEL modal with a smooth racer-back, while the Body Silk Bra is made with a recycled nylon that is luxurious and silky soft against your skin providing a unique 360° stretch that hugs your body as it changes. Both bras are wire-free with a stretchy bottom band, providing optimal comfort throughout your breastfeeding days.  

For an in-depth rundown of nursing bras, check out our Nursing Bra 101 Article. 

Final Thoughts

Breastfeeding can be a wild, difficult ride, and some parents may decide it’s ultimately not for them, and that’s OK! You are not a failure if it’s not working and you choose to bottle feed your baby instead. Many, many, many parents move beyond breastfeeding for various reasons, so know that you are not alone.  

If this is you, we recommend checking out Baby Brezza with their variety of bottlefeeding support products. From Bottle Warmers Formula Dispensers to Bottle Sterilizers , Baby Brezza has your bottle-feeding journey covered!  

For bottles we love, the Comotomo Bottles as they closely mimic natural breastfeeding and are ideal for babies who have trouble transitioning from nursing to bottle-feeding. The Avent Glass Bottles are also a popular option, with their innovative petal design promoting a natural latch, similar to the breast, allowing for easy combining of breast and bottle. 

Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle feed, we support you! You’ve got this!