2022 Breastfeeding Picks

04 Oct 2022

2022 Breastfeeding Picks

BREAST PUMP
When I was expecting my first born son in 2016, I ordered a free breast pump through my work health insurance. I read reviews, researched and chose one I thought would be perfect. I tried it once - it didn’t work for me - and I decided not to use it. I was fortunate to be working around the block from work at the time and my work place did not have anywhere for me to pump. Therefore, HR suggested (and my co-workers agreed) that I walk home from work to feed our baby when I needed to. My husband would text me that baby needed feeding (since we cue fed), and since it took me 5 minutes door to door and my child fed 15 minutes total, it took less than 30 minutes. It worked out well for everyone and I was so grateful for the solution.

My husband encouraged breast feeding but I knew he also wanted to feed our baby. I also had so much let down while I was feeding one side that I needed a solution to catch it all. My husband is a Kiwi so it was easy to find the Haakaa breast pump. There are pros and cons to this breast pump. It works by suction so it stays on well and does take breast milk out. However, because it’s suction, as it takes out milk and the suction on your breast loosens, I have had it fall to the ground and spill once or twice. I do recommend it if you’re desiring to pump and like me, the conventional breast pump does not work for you. However, if you’re using it as you feed baby, keep a hand on it. If you’re using it in place of a breast pump, it’s not handsfree. I also recommend it for those who are engorged and need to relieve the pressure before feeding your baby.

Haakaa Pro:

  • Easy suction design that allows breast milk to be pumped without much effort
  • Worked for me when a traditional breast pump would not
  • Easy to carry
  • Easy to clean

Haakaa Con:

  • Suction is lost little by little and there is a possibility that it will fall to the ground and you’ll have spilled breast milk to clean up
  • Because it is silicone, it does slightly discolor after a while, especially if you’re using it for multiple children after a few years in between
  • Not hands free
  • You can purchase it with a stopper but it can still leak when it falls over. You have to transfer it immediately to a bottle to keep

MILK CATCHER
Then, in 2020 when I was expecting my second-born, I found another product from Haakaa that’s a breast milk catcher in a cute lady bug design. You place it in your bra or shelf bra and it collects the let down or milk. The only thing with this particular design is that you can only use it if you’re sitting and feeding baby. For my second-born, I lay on my side to feed him so the milk would leak or spill when it filled.

Haakaa Lady Bug Breast Milk Catcher Pro:

  • Fits discreetly in a shelf tank or bra
  • Catches breast milk without concern that suction will fail
  • Easy to carry and clean

Haakaa Lady Bug Breast Milk Catcher Con:

  • You can only use it if you’re sitting and feeding. It will not work for those who want to lay down to feed.
  • You do need a separate container to pour the milk into.
  • In AUS, they have a bag that comes with it but in the USA they do not offer it. I contacted them to see if I could purchase the bag overseas and have it shipped and the answer was a no.

BREASTPADS
I really didn’t like the feel of reusable nursing pads when I received them for a trial and as a gift. They felt plastic-like and didn’t care to keep re-purchasing something that could easily be laundered. So I invested in Bamboobies. I still use them and love them. I prefer the round thick ones for multiple reasons. One is that they don’t move around as much as the heart shaped ones. Second is that it’s thicker. Third is that I find them more comfortable perhaps because it covers more.

My favorite in softness is Pretty Pushers. Their cotton nursing pads are amazingly soft and I actually prefer them over Bamboobies. They’re smaller though so I when I go out, I use them in tandem with the Bamboobies.

BREASTFEEDING SNACKS
Drinking water and eating has helped me to produce what I need for my children. I have exclusively breastfed all three and I’m grateful to be able to do that. There were some particular foods that helped me to produce what I need.

Red Bean
In Japan, it’s been passed down through generations that red beans help with production. You need to consume little at a time to know what works best for you as it could increase your flow and we don’t want you to be engorged! Matsuda Hokkaido Azuki is my favorite red bean. It’s sweeter than other red beans without adding sugar. You can find them at Mitsuwa, although imports from Japan have changed in the past few years that it’s not always available.

Mochi
I’ve also been told mochi helps with production as well. If I have time, I’ll make mochi and if I don’t, the Trader Joe’s mochi snacks have come in handy. However, the fried mochi don’t produce as much as mochi itself does.

Protein
Consuming protein has always been great for my production. When my mom was with us when baby came, she would have some steamed chicken for me on the table so I could eat it throughout the night when I was breastfeeding and needed nourishment.

Oatmeal Cookies
Eating oats helps with milk production as well. We bake several and keep them on hand for feeding. I omit the sugar when I bake these for breastfeeding. We use our oatmeal cookie recipes that you can find the original recipe and an updated version.

Pili Nuts
My husband brought these home one day and they were great as a pregnancy snack. I think they’re also a great breastfeeding snack! When you’re tired but need some sustenance after breastfeeding, these nuts are great to snack on. They have various flavors and great nutrients. I’ve tried the Coconut Oil and the Pink Himalayan Salt.

CLOTHES FOR NURSING

You can also check out a separate blog post on maternity/post-partum wear regarding nursing outfits.

2022 Breastfeeding Picks

04 Oct 2022

2022 Breastfeeding Picks

BREAST PUMP
When I was expecting my first born son in 2016, I ordered a free breast pump through my work health insurance. I read reviews, researched and chose one I thought would be perfect. I tried it once - it didn’t work for me - and I decided not to use it. I was fortunate to be working around the block from work at the time and my work place did not have anywhere for me to pump. Therefore, HR suggested (and my co-workers agreed) that I walk home from work to feed our baby when I needed to. My husband would text me that baby needed feeding (since we cue fed), and since it took me 5 minutes door to door and my child fed 15 minutes total, it took less than 30 minutes. It worked out well for everyone and I was so grateful for the solution.

My husband encouraged breast feeding but I knew he also wanted to feed our baby. I also had so much let down while I was feeding one side that I needed a solution to catch it all. My husband is a Kiwi so it was easy to find the Haakaa breast pump. There are pros and cons to this breast pump. It works by suction so it stays on well and does take breast milk out. However, because it’s suction, as it takes out milk and the suction on your breast loosens, I have had it fall to the ground and spill once or twice. I do recommend it if you’re desiring to pump and like me, the conventional breast pump does not work for you. However, if you’re using it as you feed baby, keep a hand on it. If you’re using it in place of a breast pump, it’s not handsfree. I also recommend it for those who are engorged and need to relieve the pressure before feeding your baby.

Haakaa Pro:

  • Easy suction design that allows breast milk to be pumped without much effort
  • Worked for me when a traditional breast pump would not
  • Easy to carry
  • Easy to clean

Haakaa Con:

  • Suction is lost little by little and there is a possibility that it will fall to the ground and you’ll have spilled breast milk to clean up
  • Because it is silicone, it does slightly discolor after a while, especially if you’re using it for multiple children after a few years in between
  • Not hands free
  • You can purchase it with a stopper but it can still leak when it falls over. You have to transfer it immediately to a bottle to keep

MILK CATCHER
Then, in 2020 when I was expecting my second-born, I found another product from Haakaa that’s a breast milk catcher in a cute lady bug design. You place it in your bra or shelf bra and it collects the let down or milk. The only thing with this particular design is that you can only use it if you’re sitting and feeding baby. For my second-born, I lay on my side to feed him so the milk would leak or spill when it filled.

Haakaa Lady Bug Breast Milk Catcher Pro:

  • Fits discreetly in a shelf tank or bra
  • Catches breast milk without concern that suction will fail
  • Easy to carry and clean

Haakaa Lady Bug Breast Milk Catcher Con:

  • You can only use it if you’re sitting and feeding. It will not work for those who want to lay down to feed.
  • You do need a separate container to pour the milk into.
  • In AUS, they have a bag that comes with it but in the USA they do not offer it. I contacted them to see if I could purchase the bag overseas and have it shipped and the answer was a no.

BREASTPADS
I really didn’t like the feel of reusable nursing pads when I received them for a trial and as a gift. They felt plastic-like and didn’t care to keep re-purchasing something that could easily be laundered. So I invested in Bamboobies. I still use them and love them. I prefer the round thick ones for multiple reasons. One is that they don’t move around as much as the heart shaped ones. Second is that it’s thicker. Third is that I find them more comfortable perhaps because it covers more.

My favorite in softness is Pretty Pushers. Their cotton nursing pads are amazingly soft and I actually prefer them over Bamboobies. They’re smaller though so I when I go out, I use them in tandem with the Bamboobies.

BREASTFEEDING SNACKS
Drinking water and eating has helped me to produce what I need for my children. I have exclusively breastfed all three and I’m grateful to be able to do that. There were some particular foods that helped me to produce what I need.

Red Bean
In Japan, it’s been passed down through generations that red beans help with production. You need to consume little at a time to know what works best for you as it could increase your flow and we don’t want you to be engorged! Matsuda Hokkaido Azuki is my favorite red bean. It’s sweeter than other red beans without adding sugar. You can find them at Mitsuwa, although imports from Japan have changed in the past few years that it’s not always available.

Mochi
I’ve also been told mochi helps with production as well. If I have time, I’ll make mochi and if I don’t, the Trader Joe’s mochi snacks have come in handy. However, the fried mochi don’t produce as much as mochi itself does.

Protein
Consuming protein has always been great for my production. When my mom was with us when baby came, she would have some steamed chicken for me on the table so I could eat it throughout the night when I was breastfeeding and needed nourishment.

Oatmeal Cookies
Eating oats helps with milk production as well. We bake several and keep them on hand for feeding. I omit the sugar when I bake these for breastfeeding. We use our oatmeal cookie recipes that you can find the original recipe and an updated version.

Pili Nuts
My husband brought these home one day and they were great as a pregnancy snack. I think they’re also a great breastfeeding snack! When you’re tired but need some sustenance after breastfeeding, these nuts are great to snack on. They have various flavors and great nutrients. I’ve tried the Coconut Oil and the Pink Himalayan Salt.

CLOTHES FOR NURSING

You can also check out a separate blog post on maternity/post-partum wear regarding nursing outfits.