Nursing Wrap/Shawl/Sling: Until this baby came along, I nursed the old-fashioned way with a blanket. You’ve probably seen it before. The frustrated, struggling mom with a corner of a blanket in her mouth or under her chin as she tries to get a screaming baby latched on underneath all the while trying to be discreet and not show off all her stuff. Of course, she can’t see what she’s doing, and baby is kicking and flailing which causes it all to take 42 times longer than it ever should. By the time the baby is actually latched on, everyone is tense and mom is pouring sweat and cursing under her breath.

So this go-around, I finally broke down and bought myself a ‘nursing wrap’.

I was inspired by my sister’s nursing shawl that she was given at a shower. Her’s, of course, was MUCH cooler than mine, but then I only spent $13, so I couldn’t complain too much. What I love about this wrap is that you can peek down underneath while you’re getting baby situated (much needed when they’re little and still need guidance to make it happen). Also, there is a loop at the bottom that you can hold to make sure that baby doesn’t kick the material off and allow all the world to see what God gave ya.

Of course, not a week after I bought my new, nifty shawl that I was SO proud of, my friend showed up wearing a sling with her newborn. She walks in looking all chic, with this great looking wrap that could pass for something a non-nursing woman might wear, hands free, carrying her baby up against her while she’s nursing! and no one would have ever known…

So now, my only question is “Do I buy a sling, too, even though this is probably the last baby??”

Breast Pads: I’ve used the disposable kind and I’ve used the cloth, reusable kind. So far as actually containing the leaking milk is concerned, the disposable have tended to work better at making sure I didn’t wind up with a big wet spot on the front of my shirt. So, for the first few weeks/months, while your milk supply is still getting regulated, I recommend going with the disposable kind.

After that initial period of getting adjusted, it’s much more economical to buy cloth pads that you can throw in the wash with the rest of your laundry.

Lanolin & The Nursing Pillow:No nursing post would be complete without my two favorite things… lanolin is like liquid gold for sore, cracked, tired nipples. I received a tube of Lansinoh’s Lanolin when Kate was born, and I still have it now - not even half-way used. (Of course, all three of my babies latched on pretty well from the get-go, and I only had cracked nipples with Ethan for a couple of weeks.)

The “Boppy” was a great invention for nursing mothers. It has most definitely saved my arms and my back over the last three years. And now there are tons of different designs to choose from. It’s a must for the registry!