5 breastfeeding products that your customers need

Breastfeeding may sound romantic but certainly at first, it’s not all smooth sailing. As a specialised storekeeper, you advise mothers (to be) and help them on their way with a wide assortment of nursing clothes, pumps and accessories that make breastfeeding easier. So your range must include these five essential breastfeeding products.

A good nursing bra is essential. Not only does it provide comfort during the breastfeeding period, it is also easy to put on and take off and enables mums to click open the cups in one quick, easy movement so they can feed their child. Nursing bras are handy for those who want to express milk, as well. Advise your customers to buy at least two nursing bras: an underwired one for daywear and a non-wired one for night feeds.

During pregnancy and after childbirth, a woman’s breasts may increase by two cup sizes. The circumference can change, as well. It is important that a nursing bra - just like any other bra - fits well and that the breasts are supported. A breathable, stretchy fabric provides comfort and support as well as absorbing leaks. Tip: to avoid wet patches on clothes, it is best to recommend the use of nursing pads. 

Those who do not want to or are unable to feed their baby every time, they can express their milk using a pump. Both electric and manual pumps are available for this. Women who want to express milk several times a day should opt for an electric pump. 

A two-sided breast pump is ideal during the first few weeks after childbirth. It helps to trigger and stimulate milk production. After this, a more compact breast pump is easier. Here again, many different models are available: electric, battery operated, or ultracompact pumps that simply fit inside a bra. 

A bottle with a natural or round anatomically shaped teat - that imitates the breast and nipple – is the best solution to give the baby expressed milk, especially with a combination of bottle and breastfeeding.

A bottle with a natural or round anatomically shaped teat - that imitates the breast and nipple – is the best solution to give the baby expressed milk, especially with a combination of bottle and breastfeeding. 

Expressed breast milk has to be kept cool and can easily be frozen. Breast milk storage containers, bags or bottles are available for this purpose. To take frozen milk along on an outing, a cool bag with a cooling element is very handy. And to warm up expressed milk, it is best to advise using a bottle warmer. 
Tip: a dummy is not recommended during the first few weeks of breastfeeding as babies may become confused and drink less at the breast. 

Buy wholesale bottles, teats and products to store breast milk for your store here. 

The correct position ensures relaxed feeding for both mother and baby. A breastfeeding pillow can really help. This way, the baby lies close to his or her mother and does not hang on the nipple. Mothers might have to search for a while before they find the right breastfeeding pillow: wedge-shaped, a total body pillow, one with polyester stuffing or a pillow with small pellets. It all depends on what the mother and baby find comfortable. 

Those with more space can also opt for a lovely (rocking) chair with a high back and armrests. 

When a baby is hungry, things have to be done quickly. And preferably also discreetly. A (deep) V-neck is always a good idea for breastfeeding mothers. Those who prefer not to breastfeed with a half-exposed breast in public can cover themselves with a shawl or a large tetra breastfeeding cloth. 

And of course, specific nursing clothes are also available: tops that only expose the nipple and leave the rest covered, wrap-overs, blouses that are easy to undo. A cardigan, jumper or jacket is ideal to wear over a top, T-shirt or blouse and handy to hide any milk stains.