These breastfeeding hacks are game changers for any nursing mama.
I wish I had known them when I was pregnant with my first son. Instead, I just kind of learned “on the job”.
Now after successfully breastfeeding two babies for over a year each, I’ve got a few tricks that I’m excited to share with you today.
Below are some of the best nursing hacks to set you up for success.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure here.
Related posts:
- How To Breastfeed In Public Like A Boss
- Almond Joy Lactation Smoothie Recipe
- 5 No Bake Lactation Recipes With Brewers Yeast To Boost Your Milk
Flat Nipple Breastfeeding Hack
When my milk came in a couple days after giving birth to my second child, my breasts were so engorged that it made my nipples flat. Baby was latching just fine prior to this and now he couldn’t.
I had the same problem with my firstborn, but this time instead of using a nipple shield I just used my pump for about 10 seconds to pull out my nipple so baby could latch. (Don’t pump any longer though or you’ll make even more milk!)
Fortunately I only had to do this a handful of times before my breasts went down and nipples were “accessible” again.
Set Up A Breastfeeding Station
You’ll be spending a lot of time in one place during your breastfeeding journey. That’s why one of the best breastfeeding hacks is to set up a “breastfeeding station” before you bring your newborn home.
There are quite a few things you’ll want to keep next to you at your station other than just burp cloths. I talk about this in detail in this post here 👇
Remembering Which Side To Nurse On
There are lots of ways to keep track of which side you will breastfeed on next. Some moms like to write it down, others wear a bracelet they switch from each wrist.
Me? I just used a diaper cloth.
How, you ask?
I always lay a diaper cloth on the boppy pillow on the side I’m feeding on. I almost exclusively breastfed in the football position so this also worked well because it was under baby to catch the dribbles.
Then when I’d return to my breastfeeding station, I’d see the burp cloth on one side of the boppy and know I’d need to move it to the other side to breastfeed.
Use A Breastfeeding Tracker
Tracking how often your baby feeds during the first couple weeks is really important. Make this easy by printing my free breastfeeding tracker here.
Wear The Right Bra
If you thought you’d just wear a sports bra while nursing, please don’t! Wearing a bra that is too tight or ill-fitting is one of the reasons breastfeeding moms end up with clogged milk ducts.
Do yourself a favor and invest in two or three comfortable nursing bras. Or better yet, put them on your baby registry. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Simply Sublime nursing bra by Kindred Bravely because it doesn’t have an underwire. It was my every day bra.
For night time, I’d sleep in this other Kindred Bravely bra that doesn’t have any clips to fuss with in the middle of the night. (And sleeping with a nursing bra on catches leaks).
Clear Up A Clogged Milk Duct
Speaking of clogged milk ducts, you can clear them up on your own in some cases (consult your doctor if fever present).
Take a hot washcloth and do hot compresses while massaging the breast downward toward the nipple. Then take your electric toothbrush and use the vibration to massage and help break up the clog!
Continue to breastfeed and/or pump on the breast with the clog while massaging the affected area downward with your fingers at the same time.
Boost Milk Supply With Brewers Yeast
If you’re having trouble with your milk supply, you can boost it naturally with brewers yeast.
You can add this ingredient to a lot of different recipes to quickly support lactation.
So grab a bag of brewers yeast and make some delicious cookies, brownies or energy bites. You can find lots of recipes for this here on Pinterest.
Bring Your Nursing Pillow
Don’t feel weird about bringing your nursing pillow in public!
The first couple times my husband and I went to a restaurant with our infant, I didn’t bring it, and I quickly regretted it. Breastfeeding my newborn in public without the support of my pillow while also trying to stay covered up was extremely difficult.
So throw your nursing pillow in the back of your stroller and have no shame!
Breastfeeding Clothing Hack
Speaking of breastfeeding in public, another way to make this easier is with a breastfeeding clothing hack. There are a couple of things you can do:
- Wear a nursing tank (something like this) underneath your sweater so when you pull up your sweater to nurse you don’t have to expose your entire belly and breast.
- Wear a nursing shirt that’s designed to open up easily in front for breastfeeding. I had several of these from Pink Blush Maternity. With the more fitted shirts, I found that when my baby was latched I could pull the shirt fabric over the top of my large 34G breasts and feel covered up.
Nursing Cover Breastfeeding Hack
When you want the most privacy while breastfeeding, use a nursing cover that allows you to still see your baby.
This is especially important when you’re still getting the hang of breastfeeding. It’s much easier to get your baby to latch when you can still see what you’re doing. I had this nursing cover that creates a large gap at the neck to look down upon baby.
Freezing Breastmilk
When you freeze your breastmilk, make 2 oz bags (and even some 1 oz) and lay them flat. Having less milk in each bag and laying it flat makes it thaw out so much faster.
I also found that I wasted less milk this way. Pumping is time consuming so saving that “liquid gold” is key.
Labeling Frozen Breastmilk
Don’t just write the date and amount on your pumped breastmilk bags. Write the time of day as well.
Why?
We know from research that the composition of breastmilk changes throughout the day. This may help to regulate baby’s circadian rhythm (source).
So if you’re giving frozen pumped breastmilk labeled with the time, you can give that sleepy morning milk in the morning.
Breastmilk Storage Guidelines
There are so many rules to remember when it comes to keeping pumped breastmilk fresh for baby. The best breastfeeding hack for this is to print this breastmilk storage guidelines sheet and hang it on the refrigerator. This will be really helpful for not just you, but anyone who bottle feeds breastmilk to the baby.
Breastfeeding Hacks Final Thoughts
Breastfeeding is a challenging but beautiful journey. I hope that these breastfeeding hacks will help you along the way.
Have any breastfeeding hacks of your own? Let me know!
More posts:
- What To Pack In Baby’s Diaper Bag
- Labor Hospital Bag Checklist (Free Printable)
- Third Trimester Checklist: The Pregnancy To Do List You Don’t Want To Forget
- Postpartum Care Kit: The Only Things I Needed The Hospital Didn’t Give Me
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