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10 Breastfeeding Essentials For Black Breastfeeding Week and Beyond
Happy National Breastfeeding Month to all of our exclusively breastfeeding, supplementing and pumping, mamas! As you may know, as the end of August (August 24-31st) is Black Breastfeeding Week. Founded by Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka and Kiddada Green of Black Mother’s Breastfeeding Association, Black Breastfeeding Week strives to shed light on black breastfeeding disparities, encourage breastfeeding, visual representation and diversity in the lactation field, while highlighting the fact that black women DO in fact breastfeed, despite recent CDC data showing that 75% of white women have ever breastfed versus 58.9% of black women.Â
As District Motherhued is proudly supporting @blkbfingweek‘s initiative with our DC-based event, ‘Boobs In The Park‘ , which is sponsored by some of our favorite nursing/mommy-friendly brands, we decided to round up 10 breastfeeding essentials. Our #DMPicks are:
1. Spectra S2 and Spectra S9 Breast Pumps
We promise we’re not biased because we’ve worked with Spectra and they’re huge District Motherhued and The Momference supporters. Spectra’s S2 Plus and 9Plus pumps are the truth! They’re cute, easy to use assemble and clean. I particularly love the light on the pump which makes late pumping sessions breezy and I don’t have to wake up my sleeping hubby with the bedroom light. These pumps get the job done. PERIODT.
Kiinde’s storage system is a game changer! You can pump directly into these storage bags using one of their many pump friendly attachments. That’s right, no more transferring milk from bottle to storage bag! And you can even feed directly from these pouches with a nipple attachment.
3. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Cream AND Motherlove Nipple Cream
Nipple creams soothe sore, cracked, bleeding nipples + makes it more comfortable to pump. I had a mastitis-ish situation back in June and I wouldn’t have survived without my nipple cream(s).
4. Mommy Knows Breast Lactation Cookies
Supply issues are a common breastfeeding struggle. Breastmilk is truly supply and demand, so how much you produce depends on how often you’re nursing, eating, etc. Some days it may seem like your liquid gold is dwindling, but now worries because there’s a cheat code! You can encourage your body to produce more milk by (power pumping, staying hydrated and) eating more oat based foods. These lactation cookies from Mommy Knows Breast taste great and will help to boost your supply.
5. Lansinoh Stay Dry Nipple Pads
While your milk supply regulates you may overproduce. Or you may just be a blessed mama with a plentiful supply. Either way, you’ll need breast pads to keep your milk from leaking through your top and Lansinoh’s nipple pads have got you covered. Literally. I keep some in my purse at all times.
6. UpSpring Milk Screening Test
There’s so much sacrifice that comes with breastfeeding (with motherhood, period). There’s much debate about whether mom can drink while nursing, how much she can drink, pump and dumping, etc. UpSpring Milkscreen Tests are dope because they take the guesswork out of whether or not to nurse baby after moms night out. UpSpring Milkscreen, the first and only test of its kind, is an easy, 2 minute at-home test that detects alcohol in breast milk.
7. Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump
Another pump option is the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump. This handheld pump works wonders and expresses milk painlessly. I know several moms that prefer this pump over electronic options.
These absolutely saved me when my nipples were cracked and refused to heal for 6 weeks!! Popped them in the freezer and applied through the day for soothing, cooling relief. They’re reusable, too. You definitely need these in your nursing arsenal.
9. Water and Gatorade
If you’re nursing, you MUST stay hydrated. It doesn’t matter the brand of water you consume just make sure you’re drinking LOTS of it. Gatorade also helps (me) with staying hydrated and boosting my milk supply. Gatorade is sugary so you can also opt for Pedialyte.
10. Kindred Bravely Handsfree Pumping Bra
I bought several of these (on sale) and they’re amazing! They’re comfortable, boobs are easy access for nursing and the bra is sturdy enough to pump hands free.
These are just some of our nursing must haves. What are some breastfeeding brands and products you love? Share some of your go-to’s with us!
xo, Nikki & Simona
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