It seems fitting that I should write this post on the same day I stop nursing. After 13 months it really is bittersweet... I'm going to miss that bond M and I shared, but I'm also really going to enjoy drinking whenever I feel like it. Nursing can be rough, especially at the beginning, but here are the products that can make it go a little bit more smoothly.
1. Blessed Nest Organic Nursing Pillow // As far as I can tell there are only two organic cotton nursing pillows on the market - the one from Holy Lamb Organic and this one. If you include the cover, the Holy Lamb Organic pillow will set you back about $160, and it's really nothing more than a glorified Boppy. The Blessed Nest nursing pillow, on the other hand, is filled with organic buckwheat hulls, which means it conforms to any shape that you need it to and provides amazing support for your baby. It also comes with an organic cotton cover that is machine washable and dry-able. At $94 it's not cheap, but for a nursing pillow that is handmade in the US, GOTS certified organic and that does not contain any chemical flame retardants, it's totally worth it - especially when you consider how much time your baby will spend there.
2. Motherlove Nipple Cream // an all natural, lanolin-free, 100% certified organic nipple cream with a zero rating on the EWG. An absolute must.
3. Coyuchi Muslin Swaddle Blanket // When I was pregnant, one of the things I thought I needed after baby arrived was a nursing cover like I saw all those other new moms using. Turns out, they're really not necessary and a large muslin swaddle blanket works just as well, if not better.
4. Under the Nile Burp Cloths // Super-soft organic cotton that washes up beautifully. Aside from the Coyuchi burp cloths that seem to no longer exist, these are my favorites. The Aden and Anais Burpy Bibs are fantastic as well - plus they double as food bibs when your kiddo gets older.
5. Boob Design Nursing Tank // The most stylish - and brilliantly designed - nursing tanks on the planet. Check out their nursing swimsuits and bras as well.
6. Bamboobies, Satsuma Designs and Luxe Baby Nursing Pads // I alternated between all three, mainly wearing the Satsuma pads at night and the Bamboobies and Luxe Baby during the day. The Satsuma are incredibly soft and comfortable but aren't completely leak proof. The Bamboobies are also soft and comfortable and 100% leak proof, but they can shift around in the bra. That's where the Luxe Baby disposables come in: daytime and date night outings when a nursing pad falling out of your bra isn't ideal. These disposable nursing pads are biodegradable and compostable, free of all nasty chemicals, contoured to fit any size, leak-proof, and complete with two wide strips of adhesive to keep them securely in place.
Bamboobies also makes really great Boob-ease Soothing Therapy Pillows: soft and plush and filled with flax seeds instead of gel. Warm the pillows in the microwave to help with clogged ducts or cool them in the freezer to soothe sore nipples/breasts.
7. Majamas Organic Easy Bra // Just like maternity jeans, this is one of those things you'll wish you could keep wearing long after that ship has sailed. At least in this case, you can. I love these bras so much I still haven't gone back to my pre-pregnancy underwires.
8. Honeysuckle Breast Milk Storage Bags // BPA-free, strong, and leak-proof for safe storage and oxo-biodegradable to quickly degrade in the environment. I stored them in the freezer laying flat so they took up less room and would thaw faster.
9. Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle and Lid // I'm not a fan of these for bottle feedings because of the shape of the nipple, but they are my favorite option for storing milk in the fridge because the glass doesn't leach chemicals or flavors into the milk.
10. Pura Kiki Baby Bottle and Silicone Sleeve // If you're anti-plastic, this is the bottle for you: comprised of only stainless steel and medical-grade silicone, it is the only 100% plastic-free bottle available. The included slow-flow nipple was the slowest flow of all the nipples I tested (that's a good thing!) and it's broad design supports breast feeding (another good thing!). The Pura Kiki is also adaptable - you can convert it into a sippy cup or a snack container with the purchase of Pura Kiki silicone sippy spouts and sealing discs.
11. Medela Harmony Manual Hand Pump // Nothing can compete with a hospital grade pump, but I honestly believe this hand pump is better than the double electric ones. I originally bought it for travel, but it quickly became my primary pump. First of all, with the hand pump I am not chained to an electrical outlet. I can walk around the house, unload the dishwasher, fix something to eat, etc. Second, this thing seriously produced twice the milk in half the time as the double electric - no joke. Do I even need a third?