The Nursing Mama's Survival Kit on Baby On The Way - Montreal - Baby Products, Baby Clothing, Baby Resources, Pregnancy Forums, Baby, Babies, Newborns, Expecting Resources

The Nursing Mamas Survival Kit was inspired by a blog post I read the other day, in which a new mom described the pain of breastfeeding as having her nipples dragged across rough pavement. Oh dear, I cringed, remembering the agony of early engorgement and the sore, chapped nipples that I also had to endure. It was a rough few weeks. For some new moms, learning to breastfeed is not a delicate art, but rather a boot camp for the nipples. Every new mom needs to equip herself (and her breasts) for battle. Once you toughen up those nipples and get them in shape, youll be able to enjoy breastfeeding to the fullest. And take it from any nursing mother; the benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby make it well worth the effort. There is nothing quite like the intense and loving bond that breastfeeding forges between a mother and her baby.

At BabyOnTheWay.ca, we want you to get all the breastfeeding support you need to see it through. To help you make it over the hump, we collaborated with Sarah Kaplan, owner of Evymama Nursing and Maternity Boutique in Toronto, to compile the Nursing Mamas Survival Kit. Find out what youll need to succeed!

It is a good idea to attend a breastfeeding class or workshop. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your expectations, learn from new mothers, and practice a variety of positions and techniques.

Connect with a lactation consultant or other breastfeeding specialist before you give birth. Keep this persons contact information in case you experience breastfeeding difficulties. For emergencies, make sure you have the number of a 24-hour breastfeeding hotline.

Get by with a little help from your friends. Join a group of new (breastfeeding) moms who will understand what youre going through. They can offer helpful advice and encouragement when the going gets tough.

Sarah loves Bella Materna bras for their stretchy yet supportive quality. Theyre made of Italian Meryl Microfibre and come in a variety of styles. They are quick drying and wick moisture away from your bodya good thing when youre nursing! Sarah also recommends Majamas Easy Bra because its like a phantom bra--you can sleep comfortably in it and forget that youre even wearing it!

Sarah recommends merino wool nursing pads. She explains, they are super soft and can be worn for days without needing to be washed. The breast milk and the lanolin in the wool will saponify, thus preserving the milk and keep it from smelling foul.

Bamboobino bamboo fleece nursing pads are also extremely popular. Not only are they more absorbent than cotton nursing pads, they are also breathable and antibacterial. We love that theyre made in Canada!

A Breast pump is an invaluable tool for breastfeeding moms. Pumping milk relieves the pain of engorged breasts, keeps your milk supply up, and can give you a break from nursing so you can get out of the house! Depending on your needs, you can choose between a manual pump and an electric pump. Health care professionals recommend Medela breast pumps for your pumping needs. Its the trusted brand of most hospitals.

For some lactivists, breastfeeding in public is second nature, and certainly no reason to be shy or cover up. But we all have different comfort levels when it comes to breastfeeding. For modest moms, we recommend stylish Bébé au Lait nursing covers.

Another way to breastfeed discreetly is to wear your baby in a sling. Your baby will love being nestled close to your body in a sling, and will feel comfortable and secure inside the fabric. You can use the excess fabric at the ring end to cover up. For more on slings, click here.

With Blossumz soothing breast therapy packs, there is no need to stick those ridiculous Savoy cabbage leaves in your bra, we dont care how much you like coleslaw. These fabric-covered gel disks are stylish and discreet, and can be warmed in the microwave, or cooled in the freezer to relieve sore and engorged breasts.

Sarah recommends Nipple Butter by Motherlove to treat chapped and sore nipples. The product is made from organic beeswax and natural plant oils.

Lansinoh is another popular topical cream for sore nipples and is approved for use by La Leche League International. It contains lanolin, which is grease secreted by wool-bearing animals such as sheep. While it can be a bit messy and sticky, many nursing mothers swear by it.

Lastly, try rubbing a little breast milk into chapped or cracking nipples. Breast milk has amazing healing properites and will help accelerate the healing process.

Many new moms like to use a nursing pillow to prop their baby up for feedings. Instead, Sarah recommends the Medela Nursing Footstool because it promotes correct positioning of the baby at the breast and discourages hunching over the baby--which can strain your back and shoulders.

The secret to maintaining your milk supply is to drink plenty of fluids, eat healthily, and get ample rest. Your mental and physical health directly impacts your ability to care for your baby, and that includes breastfeeding. To boost your milk supply, try expressing breast milk by hand or with a pump. You can also drink herbal tea, such as Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea. It contains fenugreek seeds, stinging nettle, and other herbs that have traditionally been used for this purpose.

For some entertaining reading on the subject of breastfeeding, check out If These Boobs Could Talk: A Little Humor to Pump Up the Breastfeeding Mom by Adrienne Hedger and Shannon Payette. The internet is also crawling with hilarious blogs by new moms. If youre anything like me, reading first hand accounts from the trenches will help you feel a whole lot better.