Top 7 Best Products That Make Breastfeeding Easier
Top 7 Best Product That Make Breastfeeding Easier. Published: . Breastfeeding provides well-known benefits to both baby and mom, but that doesn’t mean it’s a snap for everyone who tries. As a mom myself, I remember quite a few early frustrations with latching on and other aspects of nursing. And both my kids were completely different—one took to it immediately, the other was more challenging.
With that in mind, here are our recommendations for our top 7 best products that make breastfeeding easier:
#1. The Best Breast Pump: Spectra Baby USA S2
The Best Breast Pump
Spectra Baby USA S2. Recommended by lactation consultants, this lightweight, quiet and customizable breast pump is also very affordable.
Breast pumps aren’t absolutely necessary to be a successful breastfeeder, but they can help immensely. Pumps can help build your milk supply and relieve engorgement.
The best pumps let you build up a supply of expressed in the freezer for days when you have to be away from baby or let other family members feed her—plus give you piece of mind when you want to go out for date night.
Our top pick, the Spectra Baby USA S2 checks all the right boxes for a breast pump: it is smaller, quieter and lighter in weight than the competition. We love the “closed system” which means cleaning is easier (and prevents mold and bacteria from building up in the pump mechanism). The S2 also has a rechargeable battery (if you don’t need the battery, buy the S1—it’s a bit cheaper).
But the Spectra’s secret sauce is customizability—you can adjust both the cycle and the suction (volume). Yes, other pumps are adjustable as well, but Spectra is the most flexible. And that makes pumping easier. Which makes life easier. Oh, and it’s a lot cheaper than many other premium pumps that can top $300 or more.
#2. The Best Nursing Pillow: My Brest Friend
The Best Nursing Pillow
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow. This foam nursing pillow provides excellent support for both mother and baby while nursing.
When it comes to nursing pillows, the key word is support—The My Brest Friend (MBF) nursing pillow offers excellent support for both mom and baby, better than any other pillow we tested. The cushion is firm foam with support for arm and elbow.
My Brest Friend has a padded, wrap around waist belt with slightly elevated backrest; “silent release” strap; removable, washable cover; firm foam cushion and convenient attached pocket.
#3. The Best Nursing Bra: Bravado Designs Maternity and Nursing Bra
The Best Nursing Bra
Bravado! Maternity and Nursing Bra. Easy and quick access, soft fabric and foam inserts make the Bravado! Maternity and Nursing bra a great pick for best nursing bra.
When it comes to the best nursing bras, the name of the game is quick access. Trust us, when baby is wailing, there is a difference between three seconds and six seconds! Our top recommendation for the best nursing bra is Bravado! Designs Maternity and Nursing Bra ($40 to $50).
Bravado! has been making excellent quality nursing bras for over 20 years. We like the soft fabric, wireless and seamless design, and easy to release clip. Yep, you can get this bra unhooked for baby in a split second! Included with their bras, Bravado! has foam inserts to calm the “headlight” effect and handle mini leaks.
#4. The Best Nursing Pads: Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads
The Best Nursing Pads
Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads. Mom approved, these disposable pads are comfortable and absorbent without being obvious.
We recently polled hundreds of our reader parents about their solution to leaky breasts and the majority preferred disposable nursing pads. Their favorite disposable pads are Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads.
We like the thin profile (no “bulls-eyes” in your bra) thanks to the same absorbent polymer you find in disposable diapers.
Readers told us they also love the individually wrapped pads because they can just grab a couple and throw them in the diaper bag on the way out of the house.
If you prefer reusable, washable nursing pads, our readers are big fans of Avent’s nursing pads.
#5. The Best Nipple Cream: Motherlove Nipple Cream
The Best Nipple Cream
Motherlove Nipple Cream. Made from organic ingredients with no petroleum products or lanolin, this soothing cream is a great addition to a nursing mom’s toolkit.
Cracked nipples from nursing or pumping or both? We feel your pain. So let’s talk relief.
We recommend Motherlove Nipple Cream for sore nipples. Motherlove is certified by the USDA as organic and includes olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, marshmallow root, and calendula flower. There is no lanolin or petroleum products in Motherlove. Our testers loved the texture: smooth, jelly-like—not sticky or too thick.
Motherlove does rub off on clothes and stain, so our readers recommend using a nursing pad over nipples to avoid staining.
A handful of our testers didn’t care for the scent of the product and some moms have claimed their babies are allergic to the cream (caused a red rash around their child’s mouth)—so it might be worth doing a small test at first. Finally, some parents complained that it was rather expensive.
#6. The Best Manual Breast Pump to Relieve Engorgement: Avent Manual Breast Pump
The Best Manual Breast Pump to Relieve Engorgement
Avent Manual Breast Pump. For quick relief of occasional engorgement, the Avent Manual is a simple and effective option for moms.
Our readers love the Avent Manual, which Avent claims is as efficient as a mini-electric (it takes about eight to ten minutes to empty a breast). That assumes you have the hand strength to pump for 8-10 minutes, of course.
Comfort is the focus here: no more hunching forward, the Comfort Manual keeps the milk flowing into the bottle no matter your position.
Next, they added a “soft massage cushion” to the flange that feels soft to the touch and massages the breast for better letdown.
Finally, the pump has an ergonomic handle for easy one hand operation. Other great features included easy cleaning (you can pop it in the dishwasher), compatibility with other Avent bottles (it comes with a 4 oz. Avent Natural bottle), and ease of use. See below how the pump assembles:
#7. The Best Breast Milk Storage: Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags
The Best Breast Milk Storage
Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags. These double sealed, non-BPA plastic bags can be stored flat in your freezer to save room and can be attached to many pumps on the market.
When polling experienced moms about freezer bag storage for breast milk, the winner hands down is Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags. These bags allow you to pump directly into them (works with Lansinoh, Medela, Ameda and Avent pumps). They have a double zipper seal to prevent leaks. You can store them in the freezer stacked flat to save space too.
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The storage bags are such a good idea! Definitely a must have for new moms. This is such a helpful article!
What is the best clip down nursing tank top?
Hi Ronda!
Thanks for your question. We like the Bravado Dream Nursing Tank. You can see it here:
https://amzn.to/2IAX7UZ
Hope that helps,
Alan and Denise Fields
Baby Bargains