Ready to give Baby the best nutrition? JASSMIN PETER-BERNTZEN rounds up the latest gadgets, apps and accessories to make your nursing journey a little easier.
Breastfeeding is one of the most enriching and rewarding parts of motherhood. After all, Mum’s milk is best for Baby – no formula milk comes close to it.
But the nursing jouney is often far from being smooth-sailing. Expect the first few weeks to be the toughest – finding the perfect latch, worrying about milk supply, handling leaky breasts, clogged milk ducts, engorgement and chapped nipples.
It can be intimidating, physically painful and overwhelming to say the least, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
There is a plethora of breastfeeding gadgets, apps and accessories in the market that were specially made to make your journey more comfortable and convenient.
Add these to your nursing arsenal and you’re all set to ace breastfeeding.
Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump
If you prefer a simple manual pump, you’ll be impressed by this. You only need to latch it over your breast and squeeze the pump once or twice. Then, watch your milk drip from the breast. It’s great for on-the-go pumping (when you feel like your breasts are about to explode) or to catch your let-down from the non-nursing breast. The suction base will also ensure your pump will not fall over meaning no spills.
Use the Haakaa silicone flower stopper (sold separately) to store the milk once you’re done. Light and compact, it can fit into any bag, is dishwasher-safe and can be sterilised.
HOW MUCH $34.90, from www.agapebabies.com
Bravado Designs Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra
This nursing bra “melts” onto your body, thanks to its silk-like material and mouldable foam cups. You get a lot of mileage from each piece since they’re designed to adapt to the changing shape of your breasts – from pregnancy right through to nursing and beyond.
Add to that great overall support, nursing clips that can be undone single-handedly, a bra extender to accommodate size fluctuations, plus fabric so soft and comfy. Choose from a variety of colours.
HOW MUCH $66, from www.figure8maternity.com
Clevamama Clevacushion 10 in 1 Nursing Pillow
This pillow fits snugly around your waist. When your baby is propped on it, he is at the perfect level and position for a feed. This means you won’t have to break your back hunching over or move around constantly to find the perfect position. Use the adjustable strap for added support.
Once you’re done feeding, add the insert cushion to convert the pillow into a comfy nest for your little one to rest and play on. The cushion also comes in handy as a stroller seat support and for keeping your little one in the upright position to help with reflux.
HOW MUCH $139.90, from www.mothercare.com.sg
Singapore Lactation Bakes
These lactation cookies and muffins are the brainchild of Singapore mum-of-three Joanna Goy, who struggled with low milk supply. Favourites on the menu include white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, milk drunk Nutella mini cookie cup and red velvet muffins. They’re all baked with love and extra ingredients that are said to help boost your milk supply.
HOW MUCH From $6.80 per 100g of cookies and $6 per muffin, from www.slb.sg
Lactmed
Worried that the over-the-counter cough mixture you just bought might interfere with your breast milk supply, or worse, have detrimental effects on your baby? Type it into this app and you’ll get the info you need to make an informed decision.
It gives you background information on a specific medication or drug and how it might affect infants and lactation, while also suggesting alternative drugs. Of course, this only serves as a quick reference. When in doubt, you should always give your doctor a ring.
HOW MUCH Free, from https://itunes.apple.com and https://play.google.com
Nursing Timer Tracker
Keeping track of round-the-clock feedings on top of diaper changes and pumping sessions can get overwhelming. Thanks to this nifty app, you can now stay on top of everything without too much effort on your part.
Its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface helps you keep a log of everything, even down to which breast you last fed from and how many millimetres of milk your baby drank from the bottle. It makes it easier on your new mummy brain, as well.
HOW MUCH Free, from https://itunes.apple.com and https://play.google.com
Lansinoh Therapearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy
These reusable gel packs can be used either hot or cold and help to sort out a range of common breastfeeding-related woes. Heat it up in the microwave and use it relieve plugged ducts and mastitis.
When used as a cold pack, it soothes pain and swelling due to engorgement. Thanks to its unique design, the pack also wraps snugly on the outside of your breast pump to encourage let-down and milk flow, so you get more out of each pumping session. You can also slip it under your bra for soothing on-the-go relief.
Hannabe Organic Muslin Swaddles
These beautifully designed muslin swaddles are easy on the eye and gentle on the skin. Made from organic cotton, the light and cosy wraps are sold as swaddles, but also work well as a bath towel, burp clot, changing pad, sun shade and, of course, a nursing cover.
Since they’re made from fully breathable material, neither Baby nor you will feel uncomfortable during a feed, especially when you’re out and about in Singapore’s unpredictable weather. Choose from a variety of colours and prints.
Chicco Digital Electronic Baby Scale
Counting the number of wet diapers is a good indication that Baby is getting enough to drink. If you need more reassurance, the easiest thing to do is monitor his weight gain.
This electronic scale is convenient, practical and able to weigh your newborn from the very first day. It’s equipped with a programme that minimises vibrations, which allows it to get an accurate weight eading even when your little one is fidgeting.
Nursing Poncho by Ubermums
Soft, breathable and lightweight, you can wear this poncho-style piece all day as a top or whip it out when breastfeeding in public. Just lift it up and place baby under it. It comes in a variety of pretty prints, so you can mix and match them with your outfits.
HOW MUCH From $39.50, from www.nursingponchos.com
The Honest Company Nipple Balm
Celebs, they’re just like us – especially when it comes to breastfeeding. Actress, entrepreneur and mum-of-three Jessica Alba knows all too well the ups and downs of having a baby latch onto your nipples day and night, which is why she came up with this soothing organic nipple balm.
It helps combats nipple pain and skin irritation while healing cracked nipples. The balm is also hypoallergenic and free of mineral oil, lanolin, parabens or synthetic fragrances. Apply to your nipple area as often as you need. Since it’s made from all-natural ingredients such as shea butter, tamanu oil and aloe juice, you don’t have to wipe it off before a feed.
Moo Moo Kow Bamboo Nursing Pads
Made from natural and breathable bamboo material, these reusable nursing pads are soft and absorbent. Use them on their own under your bra or slip them into the suede casing for heavier leaks. Suede wicks moisture away from your skin, so it helps keep the nipple area dry and clean.
Suitable for day and night wear, these three-layered pads are easy to wash by machine or hand. When you’ve weaned your child from breastfeeding, the pads can also be used together with your facewash, make-up remover or astringents.
HOW MUCH $23.20 (includes two pairs of bamboo nursing pads, a pair of suede nursing case and a reusable bag), from www.pupsikstudio.com
Lavie Lactation Massager
If you’re constantly being niggled by blocked milk ducts and other breastfeeding symptoms, this palm-sized massager could be your saving grace. Simply hold it against your breasts and allow the vibrations to work their magic. It’s said to help address a myriad of issues, including unplugging milk ducts and relieving pain caused by engorgement.
Use it before feeding time to soften the area for better latching and faster milk let-down. Each massager comes with a carrying case, travel lock and USB charger, so you can even take it out with you.
HOW MUCH $59.90, from www.motherswork.com.sg other your saving tions to including ment. ching and se, travel
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