Breastfeeding Clothing and Pumping Accessories

Now a days, there are plenty of options available in market from breastfeeding clothing to pumping accessories. You can search online or shop in nearby store.

Breastfeeding Clothing

You don’t have to buy a new wardrobe to breastfeed. While no extravagant “breastfeeding clothing” is necessary, you should try to wear clothing that will make breastfeeding and/or pumping easier. Wearing jumpers or one-piece dresses are not as convenient as a blouse or two piece outfits. Nursing bras and nursing clothes, like blouses that have hidden openings near your chest are available but are not necessary.

You can buy disposable or cloth breastfeeding pads to line your bra. These help prevent any leaking from soaking through your blouse. The disposable pads can be thrown away, and the cloth pads can be tossed in the washing machine and used again.

If you want to breastfeed your baby in public, you can use a receiving blanket or a breastfeeding blanket that discreetly covers your chest and your baby’s upper body.

Also read:

How can I breastfeed discreetly in public?
Can I still breastfeed when I go back to work?

Breast Pumps

There are several types of breast pumps available. Some are manual, or require you to use your hand and wrist to squeeze a bulb-type device to pump the milk. There also are automatic pumps that run either on battery or hook up to an electrical outlet and automatically simulate your baby’s natural sucking action. These pumps are easier to use, and do not require a lot of practice or skill. They can collect more milk in less time, however they cost a lot more than manual pumps (around $150 to $200).

Think about your pumping needs before you buy a breast pump. If you plan on going back to work, either full-time or part-time, it may be worth investing in a automatic pump. If you plan to never be away from your baby except for an occasional outing, you may want to use a hand pump or hand express the milk without a pump. Both hand expressing and using a hand pump require practice, skill, strength and coordination.

Worth exploring: Guidelines for Storing Breast Milk

Pumps also come in “single” or “double” meaning you can either pump the milk from one breast or from both breasts at the same time. Most electric pumps are double pumps, but you can choose whether to pump one or both breasts at the same time.

Although many breast pumps look different, they all operate in basically the same way. Each comes with a plastic “shell” that covers your nipple and breast, that is also connected to tubing that carries the milk from your breast to a bottle or bag that collects the milk. Experts caution against using the “bicycle horn” type of pump because it cannot be sterilized, can be ineffective, and can cause damage to breast tissue.

Automatic Breast Pumps

Most automatic pumps come in convenient, discreet carrying cases that match your other accessories you may carry to work, such as your purse or briefcase.

If you purchase a pump, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and caring for the equipment.

Easily Available in Stores

Some pumps can be purchased at baby supply stores or general department stores, but most high-grade, professional quality automatic pumps have to be purchased or rented from a lactation consultant at a local hospital, or from a breastfeeding organization.