Luckily this time I have some experience under my belt, so debating which breast pads or sterilizing products isn't quite as difficult. Here I've compiled a list of my top 5 favorite things from the first two weeks K was home.
1) NUK Ultra Thin Breast PadsI went through several different trial packs of several different brands and NUK was the ones I preferred. Now granted I leaked through every single brand, because of erratic pumping schedules, hormone fluxes, and just a really great supply, so my stand point isn't on keeping shirts dry- because I simply couldn't.
My affection for the NUK brand was based on 2 things- sensitivity and price. With the pumping I was so tender, and these were the only pads not to turn into sopping wet messes or feel like sandpaper on my nipples, and the frequency with which I was going through them made me appreciate the price! Right now on Amazon you can get 120 for under 10 bucks, before S&H and they're eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping.
2) Munchkin Steam Guard Sterilizer Bags I loved these! I stopped using them when K was around 8 months, mainly because we switched to a sippy cup. But recently we've been having trouble getting her straw cups as clean as I'd like them to be (pregnancy induced OCD), so I faithfully returned to this product.
My favorite thing about them is the name area. When I first started using them I was living with a friend, and K was not the only infant in the house. And the other infant had a very sensitive stomach and was on special formula. We were able to keep everyone's tummy's and new mom neurotics at peace with these. This time around we're keeping one for each girl at grandpa's house, as well as several at home. They're great for most pumping parts, bottles, sippy and straw cups as well as sanitizing toys too. Best part? 12 of them are less than 7 dollars before S&H on Amazon and eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping.
You know for a post about life saving products in K's first week of life, so far I've only listed "behind the scenes" type products- things K never came in direct contact with, and here's yet another: Nature's Way Fenugreek. Now before I go any further let me remind you I am but a simple Stay-At-Home-Mom and while I often play a nurse to K, I am in no way a medical professional. I've been around a few, and actually wore a stethoscope once but that's as far as it goes. If you are having lactation issues I strongly suggest you talk to a Lactation Consultant, or your doctor. Especially before investing and ingesting any supplements.
That being said, Fenugreek was a life saver for me. As I've touched on in this post, I chose to pump with K, as she couldn't properly latch. Anyone with any knowledge of pumping rather than full on breastfeeding may tell you that your supply suffers dramatically when you pump because the suction isn't quite the same, that's also the reason why breast pumps boast their ability to realistically simulate the suckling of an infant, personally I believe there's a more physical aspect that's required for a good supply which is why I chose to bed share, but that's a different post for a different day. The fact was my supply did suffer, and I tried everything from oatmeal at every meal to hand expressing (hello carpel tunnel!) but nothing had such significant results like Fenugreek did. I was a milking machine! And a fringe benefit? All of my bodily fluids smelled like maple syrup, which was great because as a new mom my showering schedule hadn't quite evened out and maple syrup is more socially acceptable than B.O.
Right now you can get 180 capsules for less than 6 dollars on Amazon. There's another brand I'm personally not familiar with that has 100 capsules for less than 10 dollars, and is eligible for the Free Super Saver Shipping as well. Personally, I'm fond of the link I gave you above because of the Customer Image that's posted. It makes me giggle in delight at all that liquid gold!
The first few days after my milk came in are an unclear mash up of hot showers, pumping, and crying (it hurt!). I had been informed that pumping meant more work with less results, and I had also been told that when your milk comes in what you demand from your body those first few days would basically become the average. So when my milk came in I demanded a lot, with every intention of storing as much as possible- and I was very successful I must say, eventually my supply did drop and that's when the Fenugreek really showed it's worth.
All the breastfeeding accessories I had come in to contact with at the hospital and through several lactation consultants was by the brand Medela, even the hospital grade pump I ended up borrowing from WIC was. Medela was, and still is in my opinion, the "It" pumping brand. I'm still soothed by the whir of their pumps and soft yellow swoops of their branding. Anyways, when it came time to store, I went with what I was told was the best, and properly formatted for my pump: The Medela Pump & Save Breastmilk Bags. I will admit right here and now that I never even bothered with another brand, and so my review is completely biased. But they were what I needed when I needed it which is what any mom- new, or not- really wants. They hooked on easily, never leaked, would stand up or lay flat if I needed them too, and had nifty little measurements and room to write the dates, times, and even a name if so needed, on each bag. I don't know if it's the sense of pride that I correlate to them, or the glossy shine, but seeing a stack of these bad boys still makes my heart smile.
Right now you can get 50 of them for about 16 bucks on Amazon, and they're eligible for the Free Super Saver Shipping. If you're iffy about the brand, not needing many, or forgot to pick some up before your big D-Day be sure to ask your Lactation Consultant about them! Often they can give you a few for free, just to tide you over!
Last but not least, although certainly farthest from having anything to do with K, is Clif Bars. I think I lived off these for the first month of Kelly's life, eating a real meal every 2 or 3 days. All I really did that first month was pump, wash pump parts, stockpile milk, change diapers, feed K, wash bottles, occasionally sleep, and spend an irrational amount of time staring into her cute little face... and then I worked in taking pictures as well. Eventually though I realized I was missing out on eating. And since I obviously had no time or energy or desire to wash more dishes, or take the time to tip toe away from my vulnerable newborn I started a very unhealthy crash diet of cereal bars- those things are not substantial!
Eventually I ended up trying Clif Bars, and to this day I still have one packed in my diaper bag, a whole box at the diaper bag packing station and about half a box in my hospital bag. To put it simply, they are delicious, compact, and energizing. What more could a mommy want? Chocolate? Oh yeah, there's chocolate too.
Right now on Amazon you can get a large variety pack (all flavors are already Mama approved, in case your wondering) for just under 30 well worth it bucks, and of course this product is also eligible for the Free Super Saver Shipping.
If you can't tell I'm a big fan of not only Amazon, but their Free Super Saver Shipping option. More than anything, I hate finding a good price only to have the savings sacrificed by the shipping and handling.
Obviously there's a few things like bottles and binkies I have a preference to as well, but of course those are the things where the only preference that matters is the baby's right? We'll see how often Miss S and I are in agreement in the next couple months, I have a feeling it'll be rarely, if at all.
Please note: I have not been compensated in any way for this post by any of the companies listed above, nor by Amazon.com. These are my true feelings about some great products!
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