and that's it

That's all I have in my list of supplies to make breastfeeding easier. I'd love to hear all your recommendations, too! My favorite part of breastfeeding, though is that it doesn't require anything other than a mama and baby!

carriers

I love my carriers for nursing in, too.

We used our Sleepywrap tons during the first year of our baby's life. I recently tried a Moby Wrap, and really loved it too. The Moby is wider and not as stretchy, which means it'd be easier to carry a bigger kid in it. The Sleepywrap is a little stretchier, although not as stretchy as the Ultimate Baby Wrap. The stretch of the sleepywrap is great for people who haven't used a wrap before since it gives more leeway for putting the wrap on with enough room to fit the baby in comfortably. The Sleepywrap is also a little longer than the Moby, so it might be more comfortable for a bigger or taller person to tie. The Sleepywrap is $43.94 at http://www.sleepywrap.com/ (I think I got it for $30 two years ago). (11/5/10 update: sleepywrap 10% off code Unique). The Moby wrap is about $40 at http://www.mobywrap.com/. Or you could try other sites or try them used. I also have several friends who have made their own wraps with great success and not much money at all. They just bought the fabric they wanted and cut it down to the width they wanted, without any sewing. When my baby was very little, I was able to pull the wrap up behind her head while she was nursing, and I could stay covered. When she was bigger, I just tied her on a little lower, and she was able to nurse while I moved around.

I love my ring sling. When not on sale, it's $125 at http://babysosmart.com/collections/1/. If you get a ring sling, the wider the better. I first bought one that was too narrow (less then 2 feet) to use all the ways I wanted to. I still use mine to carry my 35-pound daughter on my hip while currently pregnant. And you can use the tail to throw back over as a nursing cover if you want to discretely nurse while carrying in the sling.

I have a toddler mei tai, but I'd love to have a regular infant one as well. They're $80 at http://babysosmart.com/collections/3/. There are many other places you can buy a mei tai, too. I definitely prefer this to the soft structured carriers, although I know other people who love their Ergo carriers. My mei tai has a nursing cover attached to it, so I can just lower her down a little, throw the cover over the side she's on, and she can happily nurse while we walk. I think the last time we did this was when she was around 33 pounds and 20 months, when I was just newly pregnant. I was still able to carry her on my back in the mei tai while pregnant (until carrying the extra 35 baby pounds and the 36-pound girl was just too heavy for me), although I'm thankful to have a husband who is also very happy to carry her in his blue camo mei tai.

nipple butter

Great for sore nipples. You can get Earth Mama Angle Baby Natural Nipple Butter at http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-Natural/dp/B001FB5LYI for $30.69 for a 3-pack ($10.23 for each 2 oz. container).

pajamas

Pajamas that are easy to nurse in are helpful. I had a couple of nursing nightgowns from http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=946110364&MasterCategory_Id=MC29 for about $30 for summertime. In the winter button-down long-sleeved shirts or low-cut v-neck long-sleeved shirts worked well. I have friends who have just cut a big hole in the chest of a shirt that they used to sleep in. Just whatever is comfortable and makes it easy to nurse.

pump

I have the Medela Advanced Pump In Style. It works great, and I used it daily for the first six months. I'd love to have the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump, though (even though the Freestyle is about $100 more expensive) because you can move around and don't have to stay plugged into the wall and a bag. Medela pumps are something you don't want to get used, for your saftey since they can contain a person's bacteria and stuff. You can get the pump at Babies R Us at http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3214492 for $304 with a 20% off coupon. Or maybe you don't need a pump at all. Or, if you donate milk, some organizations will give you a pump for free.

manual breast pump

I think the Medela Harmony Manual Breastpump is great for traveling and for quick pumping. I love that I can move around the house while using it, and I think it works really well. You can get it at Babies R Us at http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2409078 for $28 with a 20% off coupon (or $35 without the coupon) or at http://www.bestbuybaby.com/medmanbreas.html for $32 ($27 plus $5 shipping).

nursing pillow

I was given a Boppy pillow and used it a lot, although, for the next baby, I'm really hoping to be able to get a My Breast Friend Pillow since it allows you to walk around while the baby nurses. They're $35 at http://www.amazon.com/My-Brest-Friend-Pillow-Sunburst/dp/B000HZEQSU/186-5753530-4061917?SubscriptionId=1Y0XKFB8S7MD7GG73PR2&tag=wishpot-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000HZEQSU and Walmart. You can also get an extra cover for $17 at http://www.amazon.com/My-Brest-Friend-Slipcover-White/dp/B000HZI1XG/186-5753530-4061917?SubscriptionId=1Y0XKFB8S7MD7GG73PR2&tag=wishpot-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000HZI1XG.

I've also heard very high recommendations for Blessed Nest pillows at http://stores.blessednest.com/-strse-The-Nesting-Pillow/Categories.bok for $87 plus I think $5 shipping.

pumping bra

If you plan on pumping, a pumping bra is a great help! Here are some options:

Easy Expression Bustier for $27: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Expression-Bustier-Hands-free-Pumping/dp/B000Y1RQ0C/186-5753530-4061917?SubscriptionId=1Y0XKFB8S7MD7GG73PR2&tag=wishpot-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000Y1RQ0C. This is what I have and have gotten a lot of use out of.

Also heard good things about the Simple Wishes Bustier for $33.25 at http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=1981.

The Pump Ease for $36 plus shipping (which I can't get to calculate) is at http://www.mothersboutique.com/pumpease1.html. And a couple La Leche League pumping bras for $27-$35 at http://www.birthandbaby.com/shop/categories/1043.

sleep bra

I do have a sleep bra I like, although I only have two, and I've worn one or the other every night and many days for the past two years, so I'm about due for another. I'd love to hear any recommendations. The one I've been wearing is the Embroidered Bamboo Sleep Bra at http://www.motherwear.com/prod.cfm/cid/53/sid/6208 for $15, plus $5.95 shipping, unless you have a code for free shipping. Looks like they have very limited color selection now, though.

nursing bra

After two years, I'm still searching for a nursing bra I like, although I've been hesitant to spend as much money as I probably need to to find a decent one. Here's one I'd love to try:

http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=1398 $44.10 for the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra. Or get another 5% of if you use the newsletter link. Here's another one that might be worth trying for $27.50 at http://www.diapers.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?productid=15540&site=CI&cm_mmc=cse-_-amazon_ppc-_-clothing:_maternity/nursing_replenishment-_-LV-332&srccode=cii_23393768&cpncode=23-75427973-2, the La Leche Lightly Padded Softcup Counour Bra Nude. And I'm very curious about the Evanesse bras at http://www.birthandbaby.com/shop/products/1448 for $48.80.

I'd love to hear your advice and experience with decent nursing bras! This is an area that has been so frustrating for me.

Gel Pads

Ameda Comfort Gel Pads are great for those first few days of nursing nipple pain. I was glad to have them at the hospital with me. You can get three pairs for $23.95 ($8/pair) at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350313330505&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en.

LilyPadz

I'm not quite sure if these count as nursing pads, since they aren't really padded, but I love LilyPadz. They did a great job of keeping me from leaking. I did leak some when my baby was new, my milk supply was high, and I was feeding off one side, but otherwise I don't ever remember leaking with with LilyPadz. They are $19 each for a box of one pair or $16 each for a box of two pairs, plus another 5% off if you start with the http://www.mom4life.com?code=newsletter link and then search for LilyPadz. And free shipping. Each pair lasts about two to three months, depending on usage.

nursing pads

Although I found nursing pads to be absolutely necessary, I still haven't found any that I just love (absorbent, comfortable, and the right shape to not show through clothes). Here are some I've heard good things about, though. Milk Diapers are $16.50 per 10-pack ($3.30/pair) at http://www.milkdiapers.com/site/product.cfm?id=2263EB5A-3048-2AB2-02E8E45745ED84A4. Another one I've seen but haven't tried is Shapely Lace Nursing Pads for $13.40 per 6 pack ($4.47 per pair) at http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=1819. And there are many other kinds as well.

nursing cover

I loved being able to use a nursing cover while feeding when my baby was small. I didn't care if people knew I was nursing, but I didn't want to show my breasts, so our nursing cover got a lot of use. Here's an Udder Cover for $15 (plus nursing pads and a feeding-tracking bracelet) at https://www.uddercovers.com/cart.php#giftSets with code VALENTINE before 3/1/10. I also have friends who have been able to make their own. And I use the tail of my sling, extra fabric in the wrap, and a built-in nursing cover in my mei tai for cover up while nursing and carrying as well.

breastfeeding book

A breastfeeding reference book that I found very helpful as questions came up was The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers for $13.57. Another helpful book is The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding for $14.40.

nursing shirts

Since I don't like to show much extra skin, I made some nursing undershirts. I bought both t-shirts and camis at Target when they were on sale for $5 in the spring, and I cut slits down the sides of most of them. Works great to turn any shirt into a nursing shirt.

Mothering Magazine

I love Mothering Magazine. It has great parenting information and breastfeeding support in it.

You can get a free one-year (6 issues) online subscription at http://mothering.com/subscribe/ by using coupon code CSUBD. The print version is $15.95 with coupon code X9GIFT.

Another great online magazine for breastfeeding is the New Beginnings La Leche League magazine at http://www.llli.org/nbdate.html!

kellymom

Figure I may as well start out with the free stuff. I love the kellymom site for great breastfeeding information Here's an article on what to expect with nursing a newborn: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html

La Leche League

These aren't in any particular order, but the first one is La Leche League. You can find groups and leaders' contact information at http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html. Great support and encouragement and help through challenges!

breastfeeding helps

I'm going to post my 25 favorite breastfeeding helpers, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations on them!