A topic on many expecting moms' minds is what to pack in her hospital bag. The answer to this question depends on multiple factors, namely what the hospital provides and what you desire to have with you. Some moms pack everything but the kitchen sink, while others pack the bare minimum. One thing that may or may not be on your radar is what to pack to support breastfeeding. Below you will find several items that may be helpful in getting breastfeeding off to a great start after birth.
Hospital Bag Checklist: Breastfeeding Supplies
Frozen colostrum: In low-risk pregnancies, beginning at 36 weeks, it’s safe to collect colostrum (your first milk) via hand expression. Colostrum has many health benefits for newborns, and having some on hand in case of any breastfeeding complications or health concerns when your baby is born can be very valuable. Colostrum is collected in small amounts (think teaspoons) and can be stored in a syringe or special colostrum collection device in your freezer and then brought to the hospital with you.
Nipple pain treatment: Examples include nipple cream, pure oils such as coconut oil or olive oil, hydrogel pads, and Silverette Nursing Cups. Nursing should not be painful. Pain is an indicator that something needs tweaking, like latch or positioning. In the early days, it isn’t uncommon for moms to experience some discomfort as they get the hang of breastfeeding. Having some nipple comfort measures at the ready is wise so you can treat the pain while you work on figuring out what the root cause is.
A clean milk collector: Along with frequent nursing, one of the best things you can do to promote a full milk supply is hand expressing milk soon after birth. The beauty of hand expression is that you can do it anytime, anywhere. No electricity is involved and you don’t have to haul around anything special. When you’re hand expressing colostrum, it is often possible to express directly onto a small spoon or into a colostrum collector and feed it to your newborn that way since colostrum comes out in small drops. Once your mature milk comes in (usually between 48 and 72 hours after birth), you will be collecting milk by the ounce. While you can use any clean container available, many moms find it takes practice to become skilled in the art of keeping mature milk directed into the container. A wide-mouth container is easiest. An example of a handy milk collection device that works great with hand expression is the KindestCup.
Nursing-friendly clothes: A nursing bra or nursing tank top and nursing-friendly shirt or robe make accessing your breasts for frequent nursing a lot easier. Some moms like to have their own clothes from home to change into shortly after birth, while others are content in a robe for the duration of their stay. Being skin to skin with baby is incredibly important, so opting to wear clothing that allows for plenty of skin to skin opportunities is ideal.
Nipple/latch support: Breast anatomy is unique to each mom, and babies can breastfeed from a wide variety of breast and nipple types. For moms with flat or inverted nipples, having a hand pump, Latch Assist, and sometimes even a nipple shield at the hospital can be helpful in supporting Baby’s latch. Even if you have the classic protruding nipple, birth interventions can cause some swelling and make it seem like your nipples are flat, causing latch difficulties in the early days. In case of unexpected swelling, having a hand pump along just in case isn’t a bad idea to help stimulate the nipple, get it to protrude, and make it easier for Baby to latch. *Note about nipple shields: these should only be used under the direction and support of a lactation specialist to ensure proper fit, use, and milk transfer. If you have flat or inverted nipples, getting educated before birth about nipple shield use, sizing, and its potential support in helping some babies latch can help you feel more confident going into breastfeeding.
Unscented body care products: As glorious and refreshing as the first postpartum shower feels, delaying it a bit until after the first several feeds helps your baby locate the breast easier. Newborns use their sense of smell to assist them in finding and latching onto the breast as the breast smells similar to the amniotic fluid left on their hands from birth. Once you partake in your first shower or bath, using unscented body care products and avoiding washing your nipples helps preserve your natural scent for continued breastfeeding success.
Nursing pads: Most of the time moms don’t experience leaking until after their mature milk comes in, and not all moms even leak, but having a set or two of nursing pads along in your hospital bag isn’t a bad idea. Sometimes if you are experiencing nipple pain, nursing pads can help keep your nipples protected from scratchy fabrics and/or help keep your clothing from being stained by nipple creams.
What You Generally Don’t Need to Pack
Nursing pillows: Nursing pillows can be great but are often most helpful after the first couple of weeks once your tummy has gone down a bit. It is typically more helpful to use a couple of bed pillows in the early days of breastfeeding to help support you while nursing.
Personal electric breast pumps: If pumping is necessary right after birth, hand expression and hand pumping are usually the most effective at milk removal and stimulation, as well as using a hospital-grade breast pump. Most hospitals have a hospital-grade breast pump on hand that you can use while you are in the hospital. You can ask your doctor or midwife about pump availability during a prenatal appointment if this is a concern of yours.
For more support around getting breastfeeding off to a great start, check out our virtual, self-paced Breastfeeding Your Newborn course or contact Niki for a personalized consultation!
Be sure to check out Including Breastfeeding in your Birth Plan.
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