Top 5 Breastfeeding Friendly Christmas List Items
If you’re shopping for someone who is breastfeeding this season (or putting together your own Christmas list), these are the products I recommend again and again because they’re genuinely helpful and actually get used.
For those who are new here, my name is Kaylee Rabaja. I’m a registered nurse (RN) and board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), the CEO of lactationconsultant.com, and I run a virtual private practice with a team of IBCLCs supporting breastfeeding families all around the world.
Here are my top breastfeeding friendly products that make the holidays easier for nursing families. The following links may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I professionally recommend and love. Your support using these affiliate links helps me continue creating free content for breastfeeding families.
#1 Ninni Co Pacifier
The Ninni Co pacifier is my favorite pacifier to recommend for breastfed babies. Its unique shape and structure encourage a deep latch. The soft, flexible material is designed to conform to the shape of your baby’s mouth, which encourages proper sucking function.
Although you’re never able to fully replicate the breast, some families want to find a balance and offer the pacifier in times when it’s not applicable to offer the breast (think driving down the highway with a screaming baby).
It’s got a wide base to ensure babies open their jaw when sucking, just like they would at the breast. They actively engage their muscles to suck and keep this pacifier in their mouth.
My Favorite Pacifier for Breastfeeding Babies
Many families find the Ninni Co pacifier to be helpful for offering a pacifier with mechanics similar to the breast. When used appropriately, babies can actively suck and support the pacifier using their own skills and strength, without relying on the structure of the pacifier to support them. This can help create healthy sucking habits while using a pacifier for comfort.
This pacifier comes in many cute colors, including pinks, blues, and neutrals. My personal favorite is the oatmeal color. The Ninni Co pacifier is BPA-free and made as a single piece, which makes cleaning quick and easy.
The Ninni Co pacifier is a great gift for anyone who is pregnant or anyone with a newborn.
Keep in mind, it’s not appropriate to offer a pacifier to a hungry baby. It’s also best practice to wait 2-3 weeks before introducing a pacifier to your baby.
#2 Ceres Chill
The Ceres Chill is hands-down the easiest way to store breast milk. If you pump at work, travel frequently, or are just on the go a lot, the Ceres Chill will make your life easier. It allows you to safely store breast milk at the right temperature without needing immediate access to a fridge. It holds up to 28oz of milk and keeps it cool for up to 24 hours. That’s an entire day!
This is one of those gifts parents don’t always buy for themselves, but once they have it, they end up wondering how they ever lived without it.
Easiest Way to Store Breast Milk
The Ceres Chill was designed with pumping parents in mind. It’s easy to use, it’s highly functional, and it reduces stress while pumping on the go. You’re able to add ice to the inner chamber (or add water and freeze it) to keep your milk chilled. It’s also TSA-friendly! You’re able to take this through the airport by tossing the ice out right before going through TSA, and then refilling with more ice at the next Starbucks inside the airport.
You can even use their adapters and pump directly into the container. The lid screws off and is compatible with many bottle nipples, so it works for feeding too. It’s clear they thought of everything to make pumping and storing milk easier for parents.
#3 Pumpin’ Pal Flanges
The Pumpin’ Pal flanges give you more flexibility and freedom than any other flange on the market. These flanges let you lean back and relax while pumping.
Flanges are an important aspect of pumping and the Pumpin’ Pal flanges offer a wide variety of sizes and kits. The variety of options makes it work for a range of breast shapes and sizes. Flange sizing plays a big role in comfort level and milk output, meaning it’s important to use a flange that fits right.
Make Pumping Comfortable While Lying Down
The Pumpin’ Pal flanges are patented flanges that allow you to lie down while pumping. You won’t find flanges like these anywhere else on the market. They’re angled flanges that can help reduce pressure on the back, shoulders, and arms. You can lean back while still allowing the milk to flow into the bottles. And they’re compatible with most bottle types!
These flanges are an ideal gift for families that need a hands-free, comfortable option when pumping.
#4 Hope & Plum Carrier
The Hope & Plum baby carriers are some of my favorite baby carriers. You truly can’t go wrong with any of their carriers. They’re breastfeeding friendly, supportive, and ethically made. Not to mention, they have many beautiful designs. It almost makes it hard to choose!
They offer a variety of carrier styles to fit your preferences and lifestyle best. I personally love the wrap style for its versatility and looks, however, a lot of people prefer a more structured carrier, like the Lark. The Lark is easily adjustable with straps and clips, making it quick to use. On the other hand, wrap carriers are made to wrap snugly around you and baby, creating a beautiful drape, but they tend to have more of a learning curve.
These carriers come in multiple sizes to offer fits for all body types. Many family members can enjoy the benefits of these carriers. These carriers are made with quality and last for years.
Cute and Comfortable Carriers for Nursing
One of my favorite parts of the Hope & Plum carriers is how breastfeeding-friendly they are. You are able to loosen the straps or wraps to position baby to feed at the breast. This gives you more freedom and mobility while nursing. It can be extremely helpful for cluster feeding, feeding discreetly on the go, or for those babies that love being held closely.
In addition to nursing, these carriers provide adequate support for both the parent and baby. This helps distribute the weight evenly and keep baby snug and secure.
#5 Elvie Catch
The Elvie Catch fits right in the bra to collect leaking milk. The inner silicone cup fits softly against the breast, while the sturdy outer shell protects the cup from getting knocked or crushed. It’s thin and provides for a discreet solution to collect milk. Some parents even use the Elvie Catch to collect leaking colostrum during their pregnancy.
Another great use for the Elvie Catch is to use it with sore nipples. Oftentimes, the nipples rub against the shirt or bra, creating constant friction. This gives the nipple no space to heal. The Elvie Catch can be placed in your bra throughout the day (or at night) and shield the nipples from touching anything.
Catch Milk While Nursing
The Elvie Catch is perfect for catching let-downs during feeds, collecting leaks between feeds, and avoiding constant shirt changes. This small gift item can make a surprisingly big difference in daily comfort and convenience.
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What Next?
Hopefully you found this gift list to be helpful. If you or someone you know needs support on their feeding journey, my team and I offer virtual consultations all over the globe. We would be more than happy to support you and your family. Our practice accepts many insurance plans and offers self-pay for those without insurance.
If you have any concerns about the health of your child, reach out to your care providers. They have the most information on you, your baby, and your specific case.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician, pediatrician, or a qualified lactation consultant regarding any medical concerns or questions.
