by Lisa Fields
It’s been said that breastfeeding isn’t complicated: All you need to feed your baby are your breasts – no measuring, mixing or shopping required. A breast pump is essential if you want to provide your baby with breast milk when you go back to work, if your partner wants to share in the feeding responsibilities, if you don’t want to feed directly from the breast or if your baby has latching problems. Beyond that, breastfeeding doesn’t demand much in the way of accessories. But certain items may make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Here are two common reasons why you might need breastfeeding accessories:
Sore breasts
If your nipples are sore or cracked from breastfeeding, you might ease the discomfort by rubbing a drop or two of expressed breast milk onto the sensitive areas of your nipples after your baby has finished eating, then letting the milk air-dry before covering up. But if your nipples are very sore, or if you frequently experience pain and soreness after your baby nurses, you may need something stronger to soothe them.
You have to be selective about what you put on your nipples while you’re breastfeeding, because your baby’s mouth will come into contact with whatever you use. One product has been used safely by breastfeeding mothers for generations, and it’s research-proven to be more effective at treating sore nipples than expressed breast milk: Lanolin.
Lanolin is a thick, greasy substance that’s derived from the wool of shorn sheep. (It’s produced by sheep oil glands and helps to moisturize sheep skin and make their wool coats more waterproof on rainy days.) Lanolin helps to keep your skin moist while soothing your sore nipples. It’s safe for babies to ingest, and it’s fragrance-free, with a neutral smell and taste. Triple Zero Lanolin is among the purest forms of lanolin available. It contains no additives or preservatives, and it’s BPA-free.
Up to 96% of breastfeeding women experience sore nipples at one point or another. If you have chronic discomfort, it’s important to treat the problem quickly and effectively to ensure that you continue to breastfeed your baby. You may also benefit from a meeting with a lactation consultant, who may be able to identify and correct the problem that’s leading to your soreness.
The most common reason that women give when they wean their babies earlier than anticipated is sore nipples. Triple Zero Lanolin can provide the soothing comfort that you need, allowing you to continue breastfeeding for as long as you’d like.
Leaky breasts
When you’re a breastfeeding mom, your breasts may leak milk at unexpected moments. Maybe your work meeting ran longer than it should have and you couldn’t pump at the usual time. Maybe you went out to dinner and you heard a baby cry across the restaurant, which triggered your let-down reflex. Maybe your breasts became engorged because you spent the afternoon with friends, away from your baby.
Leaks can be embarrassing, even when you’re around people who support your commitment to breastfeeding. No matter where you are or who you’re with, two wet spots on your blouse looks and feels awkward.
Fortunately, nursing pads can protect your clothing from leaks, keeping you clean and dry. MoistureGuard disposable nursing pads are ideal for this purpose. The breast pads are thin and comfortable, with adhesive strips that keep them in place. Their subtle, contoured design won’t show through clothing, so no one will know that you’re wearing them. They’re thinner and more absorbent than other nursing pads. And they’ll help to keep you dry and secure.
MoistureGuard nursing pads are highly absorbent. Each pad can hold up to 35 times its weight in liquid, so you’ll be protected against leaks large and small. But you won’t be left feeling soggy; the pads help to wick moisture away from your skin, which keeps you dry.
You can use MoistureGuard nursing pads during the day to protect your clothing or at night to protect your pajamas and bedsheets. And if you’re using Triple Zero Lanolin to soothe your sore nipples, the pads can serve as a barrier that will keep your nursing bras from coming into contact with the cream.
DISCLAIMER:
Ameda strives to present you with accurate and useful breastfeeding information. This article may contain information and ideas that are not necessarily the views of Ameda. It does not constitute medical advice. If you have any questions please contact your healthcare professional.
