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15 Breastfeeding Items For Your Registry To Make Nursing A Lot Easier

If my own attendance at baby showers has been any kind of indicator, most guests tend to buy cute items for the future little one as oppose to practical items. Everyone shows up to celebrate the baby who's about to arrive, and all the things the mom is about to endure, post-birth, are kind of forgotten. How can you change that? By putting items for you on the registry for your baby shower. For instance, if you want your breastfeeding relationship to be a success, there are breastfeeding items to add to your registry to make nursing a lot easier.

Depending on your approach to breastfeeding, whether you're more traditional or you lean toward the crunchy, attachment parenting side, there are products that can help support your breastfeeding choices. Personally, I could have really used a nursing stool. I ended up hooking my toes into my bed frame, whenever I woke up in the night to feed my son, and that hurt. And really, who wants more pain when you're first starting to breastfeed?

That stool was just the tip of the iceberg, really. There were so many things I would have appreciated getting, in order to make breastfeeding easier on me. Things that I may have considered to be too much of a luxury to invest in, but would have gratefully accepted as a gift. Here are 17 breastfeeding items to add to your registry to make nursing a lot easier on you.

1

'The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding' by La Leche League International

Amazon

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding ($20) is considered by many to be the bible of breastfeeding. Compiled by La Leche League International, it covers all the essential topics, from positioning to how deal with mastitis.

2

Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter

Amazon

I've been a big fan of this company for a long time, and have gifted the Earth Mama Angel Baby natural nipple butter ($10) to virtually every friend I've known who was expecting a baby. It's soothing and completely natural for mom-to-be and baby.

3

Bamboobies Washable Nursing Pads

Amazon

These Bamboobies washable nursing pads ($35) are incredibly soft — made from bamboo rayon velour — and you can throw them in the wash instead of the trash.

4

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin

Amazon

I used natural nipple butter most of the time, but there were a few weeks in the beginning when I needed the lanolin to soothe my nipples, as my son adjusted his latch, and there's no better product out there than Lasinoh HP Lanolin ($7).

5

UpSpring Milkscreen For Breastfeeding

Amazon

The UpSpring milkscreen for breastfeeding test strips ($15) are such a brilliant idea for moms who want to enjoy an occasionally drink. These take two minutes to detect whether there's any alcohol in your milk and are perfect for your peace of mind.

6

Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

Amazon

I wish I'd had the Medela Harmony manual breast pump ($30) when I first started breastfeeding each of my kids. It's perfect for relieving a bit of engorgement when your baby sleeps longer than your poor breasts were expecting.

7

Madison Rose Infinity Nursing Scarf

Amazon

Nursing covers are a bit of a mixed bag. Some women just want the modesty of a cover, but they really can be ugly. The Madison Rose infinity nursing scarf ($24) is 100 percent cotton and can double as an infinity scarf, instead of looking like an apron when you wear it.

8

My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow

Amazon

Nursing pillows are a necessary evil, in the beginning, and the My Brest Friend original nursing pillow ($30) is pretty much the gold standard. It's firm, adjustable, and even has a pocket to hold your bottle of water.

9

Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea

Amazon

You never know what kind of supply you're going to end up having, before you've actually given birth, so it's great to have some of this Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea ($23 for 6) on hand while your supply is establishing itself .

10

Kid Craft Nursing Stool

Amazon

Something that's often overlooked when it comes to setting yourself up for comfortable breastfeeding is a small stool to prop your leg up to the right height for the baby. The Kid Craft nursing stool ($37) is adjustable and won't break the bank.

11

Beabies Breastfeeding Necklace

Amazon

I never had one of these, but I kind of wish I did, considering how much my son fidgeted while he breastfed. The Beabies breastfeeding necklace ($17) is made of silicone, so it's safe for baby's mouth if it ends up there. Not to mention it's pretty stylish.

12

Boob-Ease Soothing Therapy Pillows

Amazon

Engorgement is a serious struggle people. The Boob-Ease soothing therapy pillows ($23) can be used warm or cold, depending on what your poor boobs need.

13

Milkies Milk-Saver

Amazon

This little contraption is kind of amazing. The Milkies milk-saver ($28) is a container that attaches to your free breast while you're breastfeeding on the other side, and collects whatever drips out .

14

Bravado Designs Essential Nursing Tank

Amazon

I lived in my Bravado Designs nursing tank ($35-60), while I was nursing. Actually, I still do, because the shelf bra and adjustable straps make them perfect for loungewear, after you wean.

15

Simple Wishes Hands-Free Breastpump Bra

Amazon

If there's one thing I would recommend to any mom who plans on pumping, it's a Simple Wishes hands-free breastpump bra ($28). There is seriously nothing more annoying than having to hold the pumps in place with your hands for 20 minutes or more.