Our guide to the top breastfeeding accessories
Breastfeeding is an amazing experience and such a special time between mum and baby, besides being the most nutritional milk for a newborn. It’s likely that you will have some ups and downs at the beginning but don’t worry and don’t give up, most problems can be solved.
If you’re breastfeeding only or mixing breastfeeding with bottle feeding, there are some breastfeeding accessories that you will probably find helpful at some point.
Top breastfeeding accessories
1. Nursing pads
Breast pads are the number one must-have item for all new mums. You should be prepared for when your breasts leak milk unexpectedly and the breast pads will do the job, keeping you and your clothes dry.
The ComfyFeel Breast Pads are soft and absorbent, with a design that fits comfortably and discreetly. The pads are lined with aloe vera extract to improve skin moisture and help reduce the likelihood of nipple abrasion. With an improved adhesive, the pads will stay firmly in place under your clothes.
2. Electric breast pumps
If you can’t breastfeed for some reason or if you’re a busy mum who needs to express a lot of milk, an electric breast pump is your best choice.
The GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump is compact and light for easy carry and store and has a very intuitive operation for quick set up. It can be used as a single or double breast pump, depending on your needs at the moment. You can choose between a stimulation or an express function that contains 5 different modes for pumping flexibility - you can adjust it as you want. Easy and effective to use at home or on the go when connecting it to a power bank.If you can’t breastfeed for some reason or if you’re a busy mum who needs to express a lot of milk, an electric breast pump is your best choice.
3. Manual breast pumps
If you’re expressing milk occasionally, you can opt for a more affordable pump that is the manual one. The Manual Breast Pump replicates the sucking pattern of a baby at your own pace. Different from the electric pump that does all the job, the manual pump requires you to press the handle in order to get suction. Its ergonomic handle makes it easy to press with minimal effort and allows you to control the speed and the strength of the suction when expressing.
Shop Pigeon's Manual Breast Pump
4. Silicone breast pump
While you’re breastfeeding or pumping from one breast, the other one might release some milk that would be wasted. The Milk Saver Pump is a budget friendly option to collect the milk released and is also a quick fix for engorged breasts. Made from food grade silicone, the milk saver pump can be used as a manual pump to assist milk let down and/or express milk.
Flip the flange outward before placing it on your breast for a more secure suction and lightly press the body of the pump to release the suction of the flange when you’re finished.
5. Nipple shields
Nipple shield is a thin piece of silicone that you wear over your nipple to solve some short term latch on issues, like:
1. Sore or cracked nipples: if your nipples are hurt and it’s been difficult to breastfeed, using a nipple shield will give them a chance to heal.
2. Flat or inverted nipples: it might be hard for a small baby to reach small nipples, so the nipple shield will help him achieve a perfect latch on until he grows a little and you can start weaning from it.
3. Your newborn baby is having trouble learning how to breastfeed: the nipple shield will provide a firm stimulus on the baby’s mouth and will help them to learn how to suck more effectively.
It is important that you measure your nipple size so that you can find the shield that will best fit you. At Pigeon you can find the nipple shields in two different sizes: Natural Fit Nipple Shield 13mm and Natural Fit Nipple Shield 17mm.
6. Breastmilk storage bags and bottles
If you’re going to express milk prior to feeding your baby, you will need a place to store it. You can either choose from Breast Milk Storage Bags, Breast Milk Storage Bottles (Slim Neck) or Breast Milk Storage Bottles (Wide Neck).
The storage bags are designed to make them self-standing for ease transfer of milk from pump to bag and to be placed in the fridge or freezer, for long term storage. The bags come with a double zip closure to minimise the risk of leaks, making it easy and safe to use on the go.
The storage bottles come in a three pack and are a convenient way to store your breast milk. You can make feeding super quick and easy by switching up the sealing disk on the top with the Pigeon Flexible teats (slim neck) and Pigeon SofTouch teats (wide neck).
Obs: According to the ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association), freshly expressed breastmilk can be stored in the fridge for up to 72 hours; in freezer compartment inside the refrigerator (-15°C) for 2 weeks; or in the freezer section of the refrigerator (-18°C) for 3 months.
For first time mums, it might be a little overwhelming at first, but it's good to know what accessories you will need.