Pack Your Hospital Bag

 

 

Packing your hospital back should be quick and easy with this list.  

We have curated most of what you need in just one place!  Shop for your dual purpose hospital bag, nursing bras, nursing covers, nursing pad and breast cream here. 

Another thing you might want to do is to put your breast pump in your vehicle in case you need it!

Best wishes for a safe and healthy birth!

Tanya

Nursing Must Haves: Breastfeeding Essentials Basket

Having a basket of necessities near your favorite nursing spot is not only nice, but essential. After all, moms only have two hands.  To get you started, here are 6 recommendations for building a breastfeeding basket of must-haves for yourself or as a gift.

1.  Breastfeeding Book
Let's face it. Moms have questions and a Lactation Consultant is not always available to answer those questions especially at 3 am.  We recommend books endorsed by La Leche League and Lactation Consultants such as The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Weisinger, West and Pitman. 

2. Water Bottle
Although the amount of water you drink does not translate directly into the amount of milk you make, your body functions better when it is hydrated.  

3.  Nursing Pads
Your breast milk lets down bilaterally, which means especially in the early weeks of breastfeeding, when you are nursing on one side, you are leaking on the other.  When you finish nursing is the optimal time to change into a 100% cotton breathable nursing pad for your breast health.  Pads with water proof linings tend to harbor yeast so instead of waterproof, you need a good absorbent nursing pad.  A good quality pad like the Amamante 100% Cotton Nursing Pads not only keep your clothes dry, they help prevent yeast infections.

4.  Nipple Cream
Purified lanolin has been used effectively for moist wound healing for decades.  Acclaimed author of The Nursing Mother's Companion, Kathleen Huggins states "Purified lanolin creates an air-permeable temporary skin barrier, and has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, skin-protecting, and barrier repair properties.  The down-side to lanolin is that it is sometimes hard to apply and there is currently no organic option. Many mothers prefer using coconut oil for tender or injured nipples.  Coconut oil is believed to be a natural antimicrobial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory substance."  Always use clean hands when applying nipple cream.

5.  Burp Pads
Although breastfed babies get less air when they nurse, you should try to burp between breasts and after feeding.  Burp pads can also be used under the breast to give your breast the extra support it needs when reaching for your water.  Newborn babies cannot hold up the weight of their own heads, so support the breast with your hand or a rolled up burp cloth, so they don't also have to try to hold up the weight of your breast while feeding.

6.  Snacks for Milk Supply
Moms have little time for a shower, let alone to eat healthy all the time.  Snacks packed with milk boosting foods and herbs are a great go-to in your breastfeeding basket.  Choose snacks like Milkmakers Cookies which contain oats, brewers yeast and flax seed.  Most moms see results from these snacks after 5 days of eating one or two per day.  

Best wishes for building a breastfeeding basket for your little bundle!


Happy Nurturing!
Tanya

Packing Your Hospital Bag for Breastfeeding

In addition to the things you will want during labor and the cute coming home outfit you will want to pack for baby, there are specific things you will want during your hospital stay for breastfeeding:

• Disposable Nursing Pads - Not all disposable pads are created equally.  Choose a brand that is completely breathable such as the Ameda NoShow Nursing Pads or the Hygeia Custom Nursing Pads that are available in two sizes to accommodate moms who are more endowed.  Lansinoh Nursing Pads are another good brand for breathability.  Washable nursing pads are a great money saver, but you may still want disposable as a time-saver for the first week while you are adjusting to caring for a new baby. 
• Sleep Nursing Bra - This bra needs to have no hooks with which to fumble and it needs to room for your breasts to expand as the milk comes in.  The Amamante Night & Day Nursing Bra just pulls down to nurse and is perfect for B-DD cups.  The  Amamante Comfy & Curvy Nursing Bra has a hidden inner support to keep moms in the E-H cup supported while offering easy access.
• Nursing Gown or Pajamas -  The Amamante Signature Nursing Gown and Serenity Nursing Pajamas offer a built in sleep bra for B-DD cups so this can save you money over buying a gown and a separate sleep bra.  If you are not using a standard hospital gown for labor because you purchased a nursing gown for labor and delivery, you will still want to pack another nursing gown as the gown used for labor is likely to be soiled in the process.
• Nipple Cream - This can help in the babymoon period while you and your little nursing are learning to latch.  Just remember to use it sparingly on the affected area and not on the entire areola.  Also, you will want to use your nursing pads with it as many brands tend to soil your garments.  Lanolin is a time tested effective breast cream which can be found in the Ameda ComfortLan brand.
• Nursing Bra or Nursing Tank - You will either want  a daytime nursing bra or a nursing tank with built in nursing bra to wear home.  We recommend the Bravado BodySilk Nursing Bra for most moms because each size fits a range of sizes to accommodate your changing shape. The BodySilk Nursing Bra also has removable foam cups for extra room and memory fabric so as your breasts regulate it goes back to it's original shape.  If you are larger busted, the Bravado Essential Nursing Tank is available in up to FG cup sizes.  The Bravado Nursing Tank runs a little large making it perfect for when your milk comes in.  The bra that is built in to the Essential Nursing Tank is supportive unlike the shelf bra in most nursing tanks.  If these two styles do not offer your cup size, shop by nursing bra size on our website for more options.  Measure for your nursing bra size 3-4 weeks before you deliver and order early so you have your bag packed in plenty of time.

You should begin packing your hospital bag at least 4-6 weeks before delivery just in case your baby decides he or she can't wait to meet you!  If you don't have an overnight size bag, consider using your breast pump bag like this affordable Breast Pump Cooler Bag by Hygeia.  It has a removable bottle cooler so you will have extra room for your personal items.