Product Round-up

What's in Store for Nursing Moms

By Jill Eggleton Brett

Modern woman has a vast amount of amenities, time savers and niceties available to her when it comes to caring for a baby. One must wonder what it was like caring for a newborn, especially while breastfeeding, hundreds of years ago. Could women in medieval times run up to the corner store and purchase lanolin for sore nipples? How did Pilgrim women handle breast leakage? While we all know these women did just fine with nothing more than their breasts, it's nice to know that today's society has created quite a market full of products available to breastfeeding mothers.

Let's start with pillows. Nursing pillows tend to be 4 to 6 inches thick and wrap around the midsection of the mother while seated. The baby rests on top of the pillow in various positions while nursing. Most pillows are wide enough that a baby – or even twins! – can nurse comfortably in their favorite position. Nursing pillows provide support and comfort to both mother and baby.

An inflatable nursing pillow is also available. This is a great item for traveling across the country or across town. Most come with a washable cover and deflate small enough to fit in a diaper bag. Inflatable pillows are typically the shape of a regular bed pillow or can even be oval.

A product that is handy for Mom's comfort is one that everyone already has at home: a regular bed pillow. Mom can use this to support Baby during nursing or under her knees while her feet are propped up. Using a pillow under the knees provides relief of tension to the lower back.

What about bras? Nursing bras come in a wide variety of styles – although it's hard to find one that isn't white! Most have a triangular flap across the front of the breast and nipple, which attaches at the base of the strap. Some styles attach with Velcro, some with a hook and eye and others with a plastic snap. There are a few brands available with flaps that attach at the side of the bra rather than at the strap.

Nursing bras can be purchased with or without an underwire. There are also night bras, commonly sold without an underwire. These resemble sports bras and usually don't have the triangular flaps. Some nursing moms even prefer to wear a normal front closure bra, especially those nursing twins.

Want to see more?

• Nipple Shields
• 101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child
• Breastfeed.com MomsTalk Discussion Board