Favorite Baby Products (and why)
Preparing for your new baby can be overwhelming, its hard to know what to buy or how much to buy. As a mother of 3 and an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), I have made a list of products that I love and that I frequently recommend to parents to help achieve their feeding goals. Even better I will tell you why I recommend them. Don’t think of this list as a “must have or must buy checklist”, but more as a resource to find what fits your individual child’s needs and your budget.
**Disclaimer: Some of the products listed are affiliated links which I do receive financial compensation for**
“Your worth is not measured in ounces”
Bottles:
When shopping for bottles, there are a few things we want to pay attention to: nipple shape and size, flow rate, your baby’s oral anatomy, and the nipple texture. As a general rule of thumb we want bottle nipples that have a gradual sloped nipple; where the tip of the nipple gradually slopes into the base. This encourages a wide latch, whereas bottles with an abrupt slope encourage a narrow gape.
We also want bottles with a slow flow to encourage slower, paced feedings. Using a slow flow nipple in conjunction with proper feeding practices can minimize the risk of “overfeeding” and the risk of babies developing flow preference (commonly known as “nipple confusion”). Flow rates are confusing because they are not standardized and marketing is not regulated. Infant Feeding Labs is a third party that independently tests all bottles on the market and categorizes flow rates. Below is a list of bottles that have varying flow rates (between slow and medium) that have been tested by Infant Feeding Labs and labeled as such.
For a more in depth answer on why and how to choose bottles, check out this awesome blog post by Rachel O’Brien, IBCLC: Bottles for Breastfed Babies
Did you know?
Sucking is a reflex in infants younger than 12 weeks old. The suck reflex is located on the roof of the mouth and integrates (goes away) around 8-12 weeks.
Pacifiers:
I get asked all the time what I think about pacifiers, probably because they’re often demonized in the lactation world. Parents are frequently told never to use a pacifier if they are breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
My opinion? Pacifiers can be a helpful tool when used appropriately. So how do we choose the right pacifier, and how do we use them appropriately?
Pacifier Shape
We want pacifiers that are cylindrical or round, like the Philips Avent or Ninni Co. pacifiers. Proper tongue function includes the tongue extending (sticking out), elevating, and cupping. Pacifiers that are flat or have an “orthodontic” shape don’t encourage tongue cupping, which can also affect tongue elevation.
Pacifiers like the Ninni Co. will only provide suck satiation if your baby is sucking correctly. If your baby chomps down on the pacifier or pushes it around, they won’t be able to suck properly and, therefore, won’t get any satisfaction from it. I use this all the time with babies who are tongue-tied or have some form of oral motor dysfunction.
When to Use a Pacifier
We should never use a pacifier to delay feedings or mask hunger cues. This is why pacifiers are typically not recommended, especially for new parents who may not yet recognize these cues. Lactation professionals also generally advise against pacifier use in the first two weeks of life because we want babies at the breast/chest to help establish milk supply and master nursing.
But, life happens! Older kids need attention. Parents need breaks. I always tell my clients to do a self-check-in:
"Am I in a mental, physical, or emotional space to provide comfort with my body?"
If the answer is no, that’s okay! As long as your baby is fed, has a clean diaper, and is in a safe place, you are allowed to take a break.
If the answer is yes, I encourage using your body for comfort nursing instead of a pacifier.
If you have older children, they will need your attention, and it’s hard to parent from the couch. If offering a pacifier helps you be more present for your older children, then by all means, use it.
I also use pacifiers as training tools for oral dysfunction, either before or after tongue-tie revisions. Many parents find pacifiers easier to use than other oral exercises I recommend because they’re more intuitive. However, a pacifier will never be the only tool in your toolbox for oral motor dysfunction. I will always provide additional stretches, exercises, and resources to address the root cause of your baby’s issues.
Did you know?
Tongue ties can impact more than feeding. Tethered oral tissues can cause issues related to sleep, speech, oral, heart, and gastrointestinal health, emotional behavior, and muscle tension throughout the body.
Toys for Oral Motor Development:
Oral motor dysfunction means your baby has difficulty extending, elevating, cupping their tongue, or opening their mouth wide due to oral restrictions, weak oral muscles, or other related issues. I specifically recommend these toys to parents as a fun way to support oral motor development. The bright colors in some of these toys enhance hand-eye coordination and encourage babies to bring their hands to their mouths, an essential first step in preparing for solids!
The Innobaby encourages a wide gape (wide latch) when baby latches to the body. The triangle shape of the Innobaby makes your little one open wide, perfect for infants with a narrow gape (narrow latch). A narrow gape can be caused by tension (from birth, tongue tie, etc. ) or by a weak gape reflex (located on the chin).
The Winkle and the Oball encourage tongue extension, lateralization, and elevation. Essentially your baby will be doing tongue gymnastics trying to get their tongue around the holes in the Winkle and Oball. These are perfect for little ones struggling to extend, lateralize (move tongue side to side), or elevate their tongue.
The Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether, Hollow Teether Tube, Smiley Mia Penguin Teether, and the Haaka Palm Teether encourage sucking, tongue lateralization, and tongue cupping. Perfect for babies that have a weak suck, trouble moving their tongue side to side, or have trouble cupping their tongues. These can be used for when your child starts teething to soothe irritated gums. Using these before latching to the breast/chest when teething can help minimize the need for your baby to chomp down (ouch!).
Niplash
/niplaSH/
When your baby suddenly moves their head without unlatching first
Nipple Health:
Nipple health is so important for mental health, physical health, and the duration of your nursing journey. Treating your nipples after skin breakage is vital to reducing risk of infections. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding should not be painful but sometimes things happen: improper latching, cluster feeding, oral anatomy issues, the list goes on.
When it comes to healing nipples, we want something that keeps your nipples moisturized. Manuka Honey Ointment and Earth Mama Nipple Butter are creams that you apply to the nipple as needed. (Bonus: They don’t need to be wiped off before latching!). The Manuka Honey Ointment contains medical grade honey which is safe for infant consumption. Honey is naturally antibacterial, perfect for preventing infection. When looking for manuka honey, make sure that it is 100% Active Leptospermum. Hydrogel pads are also moisturizing but they sit on-top of the nipple. They are reusable and can even be thrown in the fridge for a nice cooling sensation. I personally like the Ameda brand because they are not sticky, but that means you have to wear them with a bra or nursing tank top. Some people prefer the Medela or Lansinoh brand because they are sticky and can be worn without a bra. Whatever works for you and your budget!
Silverettes are silver shells that provide a physical barrier between your sensitive nipples and clothing. Silver is naturally antibacterial which is great for preventing infection. These should only be worn 4 hours at a time to allow your nipples air to breathe and to ensure that the pressure on your body isn’t causing clogged ducts. I have linked the original Silverettes but there are off brand versions that are just as effective.
Choline, pre- and probiotics, Vitamin C, and magnesium are useful supplements in decreasing systemic inflammation and decreasing the risk of developing mastitis. There is no standard dosage amount for these supplements in current literature, except Choline, so I will always recommend talking to a dietitian, herbalist, or endocrinologist to try and find the magic number for you. The dosage recommendation for Choline to prevent mastitis and decrease inflammation in lactating people is around 550 mg a day.
“Pumping is breastfeeding”
Breast Pumps:
With so many breast pumps on the market it can be intimidating, especially to find one that is covered by your insurance. If you are a researcher, here is a wonderful article about how breast pumps should be individualized for your body and for your need. For first time pump owners I do not recommend using a hands free breast pump. Hands free breast pumps typically don’t have a strong enough motor to increase or maintain a milk supply. They are great for the occasional use in cases where:
you have a really robust supply and its been more than 3-4 months since you’ve had your baby, or
if you already own a primary breast pump, or
if you are a universal responder (meaning you respond well to any pump).
If you need help choosing a breast pump, reach out to an IBCLC, but below I have linked my tried and true: the Spectra S1 and S2 and the Elvie Stride for a hands free option. The Spectra S1 and S2 are the same except the S1 is blue and has a rechargeable battery and the S2 is pink and needs to be plugged in.
After selecting your breast pump, the next is to get properly sized for flanges. Sizing for flanges is a two step process: 1. use a nipple ruler to get the diameter of your nipple and then 2. try out different size flanges. “But Noelle, I just sized myself, why do I need to try different flange sizes?” Getting the measurement puts you in the ballpark but we still need to look at nipple movement, comfort, and milk output. For example, you measure at 15mm but a 16mm is more comfortable for you and you get more milk output compared to the 15mm. Use the 16mm, its more comfortable and there’s more output. It can be a lot of trial and error finding your size. Working with an IBCLC to ensure proper sizing is a game changer in your pumping experience. Their trained eyes and wealth of knowledge help refine and speed up the process of getting a proper size. The variety pack I have linked below includes a wide range of sizes so that you can try different sizes after getting your nipple measurement. To get a free nipple ruler click here.
“All across the globe, children were attached to their mothers in different ways, some slung across their backs, some carried on their hips…”
-Maria Montessori, 1946 London Lectures
Baby Wraps:
Baby wearing has been part of human culture for thousands of years as a way to keep our babies close and warm while we go about our day. Baby wearing is a life saver when it comes to sick babies, velcro babies, babies with reflux, babies with sensory issues, or if you have older children. By leaning into our children’s dependence on us when they are little, we help nurture feelings of safety and security which lead to them feeling safe enough to explore and become independent. There’s a saying, “you can never spoil a baby” and we always think of this when our little ones wont let us put them down, well baby wearing makes it more doable.
There are three ways that we typically baby wear: in the front, on our backs , or on our hips. The KeaBaby Wrap, the Boba Baby Wrap, and the Solly Baby Wrap can be worn in the front or the back. The Wildbird Ring Sling and Boba Ring Sling slings can be worn in the front, back, or on the hip. Ring slings are worn over one shoulder (like a crossbody bag) while the Wraps are worn over both shoulders (like a backpack). It really is up to your preference! Baby carriers can be expensive so a great way to try them out without breaking the bank is Baby Wearing Groups and Libraries. You “check out” a carrier you are interested in and try it out before you buy!
For a more in depth look at how to wear wraps and proper positioning check out this awesome article by Dr. Rosie Knowles: Carrying Matters.
Here is a fun read about baby wearing in different cultures from Wrap Your Baby.
