TIPS| 5 Things You'll Need to Prepare for Your Breastfeeding Journey

Breastfeeding is challenging. Breastfeeding is also rewarding. Breastfeeding has benefits for both mom and baby. As I prepare myself for another round of breastfeeding, here are some tips to help fellow moms as well.

1. Breastpads
• Disposable: These are widely available in most department store's baby section. They range from 400php to 800php depending on the quantity and brand. I've personally used both Avent and Pigeon. Although, it's been almost 2 years since I extensively used breast pads. Baka di na accurate yung review ko. I'll just post a review once my milk start to come in. 

  

  Avent Breast Pads

  
  

  

  Pigeon Breast Pads

• Re-useable/Washable: These are also available in department stores or online stores such as Tiny Tots or Babymama. They may be a bit more pricey than their disposable counterparts. I personally have not used one before. But I recently received a pack of 4 as a freebie which is great. I'll include this in my breast pad review in the future. What I did before was use Maggy's clean lampin to "catch" breastmilk. We had so many and I'm not using it on Maggy anyway. This was a cheaper alternative if you find breast pads expensive.

  

  Avent Washable Nursing Pads

  
  

  

  Adorable Nursing Pads Design by Tiny Tots

2. Nursing Clothes
• Using nursing clothes makes it easier for moms to breastfeed discreetly. They are available in the maternity section of department stores such as SM and Robinsons and you can also find them online. I particularly like the designs from Mamaway and Tiny Tots. Mamaway has a store in Shangri La Mall in Ortigas (or is that in Pasig? I'm not sure) and was able to try out some of their apparel during the Baby Fair. I'm definitely going back to buy some. Tiny Tots on the other hand is an online store that sells pretty much everything that has to do with babies. They're nursing clothes are affordable and definitely don't look like "nanay" if you know what I mean. Check out their collection on this link.

  

  Nursing Clothes collection by Tiny Tots

  
  

  

  Nursing Tops by Mamaway

  
  

  

  DIY Nursing Tops found in Pinterest

3. Breastpumps
• For a working mom, breastpump is a must if you want to continue giving your baby breastmilk after going back to work. A friend gave me an Avent Single electric pump when I was pregnant with Maggy. He bought it in HongKong. Unfortunately, the pump's motor broke down and I was in bed rest then so I was not able to have it repaired. I used the manual parts instead to build up my stash. It was ok at first but I started to feel the strain in my right wrist. I decided to look around and found Unimom Forte, read the reviews and bought it from BabyMama. I'm glad I did. I was able to build a stash that lasted until Maggy's 2nd birthday and donate three times. Avent breastpumps are available in department stores while Unimom can be bought in BabyMama website.

  

  Unimom Forte

  
  

  

  Avent Single Electric Breastpump

4. Supportive Husband (or Boyfriend/Partner)
• Have I mentioned that breastfeeding your baby is challenging especially in the first 2 weeks? Yes? Add postpartum depression to that equation and soon you'll be questioning that decision to give your baby the best or if you actually are giving her/him enough. Having a supportive husband can keep you on track or at least re-assure you that you're doing your best for your child. This, in my opinion, is the best words to hear when you're in doubt. He should be your number 1 confidante whenever you feel like giving up. My husband NEVER suggested to give formula milk to our daughter when I was crying because she was crying because I thought she's not getting any milk from me. I'm thankful that he's the one giving the "lecture" whenever we hear that Maggy is "malaki na" for breastmilk.
5. Breastfeeding Support Group
• Having a supportive husband is one thing. Having someone who's going through the same thing is another. Imagine? Pareho kayo ng pinagdadaanan. For me, every challenge become much bearable if you have friends who can relate with what you're going through. Sa friends ko (as in friends talaga ha?), ako lang ang mommy. I have no one to share my woes with. I have no one to ask or verify my questions to. Both my mom and MIL did not breastfeed because of different reasons. That's why I was really happy when I found an online support group for breastfeeding moms. This is a group founded by Pinays who are or did breastfeed/breastfed their kids. You can find all sorts of information regarding breastfeeding and share experiences as well. If you want to join this group, just type Breastfeeding Pinays on your Facebook search button and click on join.

I hope these tips will help you in your decision to breastfeed. Let me know if I missed out on anything or if you have anything you'd like to add :) I also have a new youtube video regarding the same topic uploaded already. :)