by Kristen J K

Created on: June 01, 2011   Last Updated: July 05, 2011

Although breastfeeding can be a challenge at first, it is one of the best things a mother can do for her baby. It provides your baby with the optimum nutrition while giving you a chance to bond with your little one. Through my own foray into breastfeeding, I have found a few products that have been essential to success.

1) Nursing bras.  These innovative bras feature clips that allow you to easily expose your breast to your baby.  No struggling with cups and straps!  Most have clips that can be easily worked with just one hand, so you don't have to let go of your baby. After trying a number of styles and brands, my favourite is the

Original Nursing Bra by Bravado. They offer 3 different levels of support depending on your bust size. I ordered the "plus" support and it is absolutely great; its my go-to bra.  It not only offers great support, but it allows for easy breastfeeding.

2) Lanolin.  The first few weeks of breastfeeding can be a bit painful due to your nipples adjusting to your baby's suckling. Lanolin is a natural remedy for sore or cracked nipples. It soothes and aids healing while not interfering with breastfeeding since it's safe for your baby and does not need to be removed before feeding. Lasinoh has a great medical grade lanolin that is available at Wal-Mart and drug stores.

3) Nipple Shield.  While you may not need to use it, I would recommend having one on hand just in case you get a nipple crack. Just one bad latch can cause a lot of damage and, believe me, can make nursing very painful!  If you experience a crack, a nipple shield allows you to continue nursing without pain while you heal. It usually takes about 48 hours to heal fully. I used this shield that I found at Babies'r'us made by Medela and it worked wonders!

4) Nursing tanks.  These are great for sleeping in, wearing around the house, or layering under normal shirts. Nursing tanks feature clips like you would find on nursing bras that allow for easy breastfeeding. They are great for keeping your tummy covered when you pull up your outer shirt or can be worn on their own. Many have great built in bras, so you don't need to wear one underneath!  Glamourmom makes wonderful supportive tanks that can be worn alone or as a layering pieces. After trying a number of brands, these are by far the best!

5) A nursing cover.  For modest moms who don't want to leave the room to feed their baby or are breastfeeding in public, nursing covers are

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