The best tips, tricks, and hacks to prepare for breastfeeding success
If you’re getting ready to begin breastfeeding or if you’re in the midst of your breastfeeding journey, you’ve come to the right place to get caught up on everything you need to know. As a new breastfeeding mamma I felt like I was constantly googling and searching for any information that would help make the process easier.
This post probably contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something using one of my links I may receive a small commission – at no additional cost to you! How cool is that? It’s kind of boring, but feel free to read my full disclosure if you want more info
I’m not a medical doctor or lactation consultant, but I am a mom who breastfed her first daughter for 19 months and am gearing up for round two. I pumped for the first year while working, and traveled with and without my baby while nursing. I pumped and nursed on planes, trains, in cars and nursing lounges. Even in closets when needed. Whatever street cred that gives me, I’d like to pass along to you!
This post is a resource roundup of all the information I’ve compiled on breastfeeding. It will take you to multiple different posts and sources of information, so don’t forget to pin it now so you can always find your way back to the original page!
Get a fast start to breastfeeding with the right products and knowledge base
The top 12 breastfeeding products that helped us survive the first year nursing
Before you begin nursing you’ll want to set yourself up for success. Ensure you have all the right gear for nursing and pumping before you begin kicks off the process on the right foot.
Trust me – you won’t want to go even a day without the nipple cream. That’s real talk. Click through for details, but the cliff’s notes list on what you’ll need is below.
- Baby Tracker App
- Earth Mamma Angel Baby Nipple Butter
- Leachco Back N Belly Maternity Pillow
- Boppy Pillow
- My Breast Friend
- Gerber Receiving Blankets
- Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets
- Breastfeeding Shawl
- Medela Advanced Pump N Style Breast Pump
- Lansinoh Bottles
- Breastmilk Storage Bags
- Lansinoh Breast Pads
Next, grab all the best breastfeeding tips for new moms
Prep yourself and find out everything you need to know about breastfeeding by finding all the best breastfeeding tips for new moms. And by taking a class to get ready to breastfeed your little.
This post outlines what you need to know about the mechanics of breastfeeding, as well as what you should do to prepare. I also get into some troubleshooting tips and tricks in case you’re already in the trenches and need help.
If you’re looking for a good Breastfeeding Basics course, I recommend Milkology’s class for new moms (click the banner below for more info) because you can do it from your couch, and it’s only $19!
Get an understanding of how often to nurse
Related: Breastfeeding Schedule Cheat Sheets for the First Year
While you’re 100% on demand at the beginning of your nursing journey, eventually you’ll get closer to a schedule for feeding. This will likely happen if you go back to work and your baby begins getting bottles while you’re away.
You’ll also begin pumping when baby takes a bottle, so it’s a lot easier to get closer to a schedule when you’re alternating pumping and nursing. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to breastfeeding, you can check out some sample schedules throughout the first year.
Drop your email below for immediate access to my printable Breastfeeding Schedule Cheat Sheets. It will be delivered right to your inbox!
Get ready for separation from your baby
If you’re going back to work, you don’t need to stop breastfeeding!
Find out how to continue exclusively breastfeeding while working full time
Set yourself up for breastfeeding and working success by prepping and getting ready to go back to work well in advance. Grab all my tips and tricks on how to successfully continue to breastfeed after you go back to work – even if you travel!
On that note, if you need to travel without your baby – you’ll definitely want to read this article!
The Breastfeeding Travel Guide – Tips & Tricks for Traveling Without Baby
Traveling without your baby for the first time can be daunting, and a little trickier than nursing and pumping while at home. However, there is no reason to quit breastfeeding just because you have to travel.
Many trips are spur of the moment and you might not have time to appropriately wean anyway. This post contains everything you need to know about breastfeeding while traveling. Click the link above or the image below to learn more.
It mainly involves a little extra prep to find nursing locations and ensure you have the refrigeration and supplies you need while on the road.
Also – this company, will ship your breastmilk home while you’re away if you’ll be gone more than one or two nights. A lot of big corporations will pay for you to ship your milk, so reach out to your HR partner if you need to travel for work.
If you’re heading back to work, check out this course on breastfeeding while working
Learn everything you need to know to go back to work and continue breastfeeding!
If you want to learn to breastfeed and really set yourself up for success when you go back to work, check out the awesome Breastfeeding & Working Ebook I put together on breastfeeding and working success.
We’ll tackle questions like:
- How to set up the conversation about breastfeeding at work
- How to prepare to be successful breastfeeding when you return to work
- Getting your baby ready for bottle-feeding
- Your rights as a breastfeeding mom
You’ll also learn how to:
- Set up your day so you get more done
- Prioritize and set yourself up for success
- Outline expectations and your schedule with your boss
- Crush it as a boss mamma when you’re back at work
Click the banner below for more information!
Breastfeeding Tips, Tricks, & Troubleshooting
This post can’t claim to have everything you need to know about breastfeeding without having a section on troubleshooting. AT some point in your breastfeeding journey, you’re going to face an issue. It might be supply, a plugged duct, or a baby that won’t latch. Find out how to deal in the section below.
Get five tips on how to increase breastmilk supply fast
At some point on your breastfeeding journey you’ll likely have a supply challenge. Whether your baby is having a growth spurt and you need to catch up, you go back to work, or get sick – you’ll want to boost your supply.
Ensure you don’t do this too early and create an oversupply situation, but read the article for full details on the five things you can do to boost supply quickly. Here’s the Mamma’s List cliff’s notes version:
- Add extra nursing sessions
- Power Pump
- Eat lactation cookies
- Add an extra morning pump
- Increase skin to skin
Ensure you’re eating the right stuff – find out the best foods for breastfeeding
The best foods for breastfeeding boost both lactation and immunity. Getting sick while breastfeeding is one of the main causes of supply dips. You’ll also likely be exposed to tons of new germs if your baby is in daycare.
I rounded up some of the best foods to boost both lactation and immunity in the post below.
How to deal with plugged ducts and mastitis
Deal with issues before they become a big problem. Like I mentioned above, you don’t want to create oversupply by pumping too much or boosting production if you’re already over producing. This can lead to plugged ducts or even Mastitis.
Even without overstimulation, you’ll likely at least get a plugged duct at some point. You’ll know you have one when you feel a hard knot in your breast and it becomes a little (or a lot) more painful to nurse on that side.
If you get a plugged duct, deal with it immediately. It may be uncomfortable, but DON’T IGNORE IT. Try warm compresses, nurse frequently, massage, and extra pump sessions to clear the blockage. If it turns into mastitis you might need an antibiotic – and you’ll feel even worse.
Although you’ll have to just jump right in the trenches and work through some things to become a breastfeeding expert, I hope the information above helps get you started.
Feel free to reach out with any questions, or leave your best breastfeeding tips in the comments below!
