Leanna Mae's recommended breastfeeding products

Leanna Mae is an author, women’s health educator, and birth doula. Her degree is in health sciences. She is passionate about patient education. She loves to teach! She is also passionate about patient rights and healthcare ethics. She became a birth doula in 2008, a certified breastfeeding specialist in 2014, and graduated college in 2018. After graduating, she started teaching classes. She now offers online classes and in-person classes in western Ohio as well as birth doula services in the Dayton/Springfield area.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I know how often women ask for reviews about breast pumps and all kinds of products for breastfeeding. I am not endorsing any particular item or brand. That said, I’m going to share links to products that women have recommended to me or that have high reviews on Amazon.
 
If you are struggling with breastfeeding, please see a properly credentialed lactation professional to figure out the root cause and what may work best for you. 

Dress for success... at feeding your baby 

There are a lot of nursing bras and bras you can pump in out there. I’ve picked some of the top-rated, but shop around for your style.
 

• Nursing bras – https://amzn.to/477l54w

 

• Nursing tanks – https://amzn.to/47kdBdc

 

• Nursing pads – https://amzn.to/4ob633G

 

• Pumping bras – https://amzn.to/47sROAb
  

Get comfortable 

• Boppy pillow – https://amzn.to/4hlHJJG

 

• Brest Friend nursing pillow – https://amzn.to/4hwa5kO

 

• Organization cart for your breastfeeding “station” in your house – https://amzn.to/47nZxPM

 

• Rocking chair with ottoman – https://amzn.to/4o350Tb
  

For sore and damaged nips 

If you have nipple damage, please see a proper lactation professional about your latch.
 

• Earth mama nipple butter – https://amzn.to/3Lqge5L

 

• Lansinoh nipple butter – https://amzn.to/49pf9oK

 

• hydrogel pads – https://amzn.to/42Yva1c

 

• cold or heat therapy packs - https://amzn.to/3LoJ0DQ

 

• Silverettes – https://amzn.to/3Lruds0

 

• Boboduck silver shields - https://amzn.to/3L6379Q

 

• Nipple shields – https://amzn.to/4nodhzX

Nipple shields come in different sizes. You’ll need to measure first. Ideally, meet with a lactation consultant who may be able to offer samples.

• Breast shells – https://amzn.to/4qra45F

 

• Medihoney for nipple wounds – https://amzn.to/3J0mdha

 

• Combination of medical grade honey and silver for wounds – https://amzn.to/4hwRYeq
  

For pumping 

Here are several popular manual pumps (hand pumps, non-electric).

• Medela Harmony – https://amzn.to/43oGnYY
• Lansinoh - https://amzn.to/49pfzLQ
• Philips Avent – https://amzn.to/4qkcNxz

 
Here are several popular double electric pumps with good reviews.

• Spectra – https://amzn.to/49pfJTs
• Lansinoh – https://amzn.to/4r0rV3A 
• NCVI brand – https://amzn.to/3WSyIOT
• Medela Pump in Style – https://amzn.to/48M7Nvn
• MUOCOBU budget-friendly option – https://amzn.to/42XnvAh

 
Wearable pumps have become very popular especially for mothers that work outside the home. These are not sufficient to maintain a milk supply, but may work for those who cannot take a break away to use a pump.

• Medela Freestyle Hands Free – https://amzn.to/4oe5gz8
• Elvie Stride – https://amzn.to/4oEOxVj
• NeneSupply – https://amzn.to/43qfe80
• MomCozy M5 – https://amzn.to/42QlDJy
• Baby Buddha – https://amzn.to/3L5mDmW 
• Eufy heated pump -  https://amzn.to/47KDjb6 

 
 
There are also collection “pumps” that have some suction and are designed to catch leaking milk.

• Haakaa traditional –https://amzn.to/481hKDb
• Haakaa ladybug - https://amzn.to/4nTFlvi

 

• Flanges –  https://amzn.to/4nfQ7M9

For flanges, you’ll usually have to get the ones compatible with your specific brand of pump. There are a few that can fit more than one brand. There are also adapters you can get to fit your pump’s bottles with your preferred flanges brand.  
 
If the flanges that come with your pump are the wrong size, you can get different flanges altogether or if the flange is too big you can keep that flange and get inserts. Here is one option for inserts.

• Flange inserts variety pack – https://amzn.to/3JdylLM

• Nipple measuring tool – https://amzn.to/479Xkc7
  

For milk storage

• Syringes to collect colostrum – https://amzn.to/3JpDkJj

 

• Colostrum collecting kit – https://amzn.to/3LsPodf

• Milk storage bags – https://amzn.to/3Wnm2zn

 

• Milk storage bottles – https://amzn.to/4otNBTu

 

• Mason jars – https://amzn.to/4nkLiRG

 

• Sharpies to write the date – https://amzn.to/3Lc0PWF
  

For bottle feeding 

These bottles are more ideal for a breastfed baby. We don’t want a bottle nipple that looks like the breast at rest. We want a bottle nipple that looks like the breast compressed, more how the human nipple is shaped in the breastfeeding baby’s mouth. We also tend to get deeper latches onto the bottle if there is a gentle slope. A lot of bottles have a wide base and a narrower nipple. A gradual slope from tip to base promotes a better latch. There are many, many brands of bottles out there. Here are a few that lactation consultants often recommend for breastfed babies.  Choose slow flow for a pace closer to breastfeeding.

• Pigeon – https://amzn.to/4oxd3rh
• Evenflo Balance – https://amzn.to/3La0qnG
• Lansinoh – https://amzn.to/47EVEY5
• NUK – https://amzn.to/47tqNww
• Gulicola – https://amzn.to/4o3UcnT

 
Here are glass bottles as well if you prefer.

• Gulicola – https://amzn.to/43qfvYA
• Numvim –  https://amzn.to/4nxtFi0
• Nay wide neck – https://amzn.to/3Lra99e
  

What are your favorite breastfeeding products? 

Check out the shop page for more recommended products. 

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learn more about birth doula services here