Home » 5 Tips For A Successful Breastfeeding Journey

5 Tips For A Successful Breastfeeding Journey

Breastfeeding can be a rather daunting experience. I learnt a lot of what I know now through trial and error. To help fellow moms along, here are some tips for a successful breastfeeding journey that I’ve benefited from breastfeeding my first born and will also be applying to my second born too.

New mums will definitely benefit from this!

#1: Join Breastfeeding Support Groups

Feel confident with breastfeeding by connecting with like-minded people on the same journey as you.

Join Singapore-based Facebook groups on Breastfeeding to gain knowledge, support and tips for a successful breastfeeding journey. Here are some that I am part of too:

Read also: To all first time moms, here’s why you should take your time to enjoy the newborn phase

#2: Prepare Milk Storage Bags

Once your supply has established, it’s time to pump and store milk for when you go back to work! Mistake I made with my first born was to start pumping and storing only 1 month before I’m due back at work. With this second child, I started once my supply exceeded my baby’s intake. I currently have 80+ packs of 150ml~180ml EBM now!! *Super happy*.

There are heaps of brands out there in the market for milk storage bags. During baby fairs, you’ll see plenty on offer but before you buy, make sure you check reviews of them online. I have heard of bags that break! Imagine wasting all that milk and heartbreak – I remember I cried the first time my helper accidentally spilled a huge bottle of freshly expressed milk.

I am currently using Pigeon milk storage bags because these have never failed me. They do not tear, are pre-sterilised with gamma ray, are leak proof with double zipper seal and I can freeze milk in them in nice flat packs (to save space). Check out how I store them in the chest freezer I bought specially just for breastmilk!

Tips For A Successful Breastfeeding Journey

Tips for storing EBM in freezer:
– Buy a nice basket to help organise your bags according to date
– Note down all the milk’s freezing date, time and amount (so that you may use them from earliest to latest)
– Buy a chest freezer if you intend to store a lot and for an extended period of time (chest freezers store longer than your normal fridge’s freezer)

#3: Get A Good Breast Pump

I have tried quite a few brands of breast pumps to date but you’ll realise that everyone has their own preferences because all our needs are different. Here’s 2 that I personally like based on my needs of portability and performance.

FOR PORTABILITY & COMFORT: Pigeon Single Electric Breast Pump

Tips For A Successful Breastfeeding Journey

I never quite associated Pigeon with breast pumps but I love how portable this is. See above? That’s ALL there is to bring if you want to pump outside! It’s unbelieveably light and convenient.

Pros: Very lightweight and quiet. This is EXCELLENT for when you’re out and need to pump, or when you are back at work – just use a/c adaptor or go wireless with 2x AA batteries. I also find it a very comfortable fit for me.
Cons: Only available as a single breast pump and accessories are only available at Takashimaya.

FOR VALUE FOR MONEY & PERFORMANCE: Gaksimil G1 Double Electric Breast Pump

Pros: My favourite for performance is the Medela PISA but this Gaksimil is a fraction of Medela PISA’s price (especially during babyfairs) and works just as well as Medela. Hospital-grade. Comfortable fit. Great suction. Great for moms who intend to breastfeed long term.
Cons: Heavy and spare parts & accessories are only available at MyMiracleBaby online store.

#4: Increase Your Milk Supply With These

How can any article on tips for a successful breastfeeding journey exclude a tip on how to increase your milk supply right! My gynae prescibred me Motilium to help kickstart milk supply. Concurrently, I also took Fenugreek tablets (lots of people buy from iHerb.com) and still do now.

There’s Fenugreek tea and lactation cookies to check out too. I tried some from Cookie4milk recently (you can buy these from www.cookie4milk.com) . These contain milk boosting ingredients like premium imported Brewer’s Yeast, Malt, and Organic Flaxseed. I love that this is loaded with oats, making it a great alternative as a snack even!

Tips For A Successful Breastfeeding Journey

Tips For A Successful Breastfeeding Journey

I have read many reviews online about lactation cookies in general and many have found consuming lactation cookies to be incredibly effective in boosting milk supply. Personally, after finishing the whole container within 5 days, I did feel like there was an increase in my breast milk supply. I used to pump like 150ml~180ml every 3 hours, but after eating the cookies, I can pump 200ml~210ml every 3 hours.

#5: Solution For Leaky Boobs

This invention is a god-sent. Before I got these, I was leaking milk every single time Nathen cried or fussed and once I got out of a hot shower.

I have soaked through heaps of tissues and even soaked through a bra once! It was not only embarrassing, it was also extremely frustrating when you are trying to feed on one side and the other side keeps leaking and leaking. I had milk everywhere and it was sticky.

Tips For A Successful Breastfeeding Journey

This is the one I am currently using – Pigeon Breast Pads Honeycomb. Very portable, individually packaged (hygienic) and I like how absorbent it is, even though it’s very thin. I’d hate if I had to wear a very thick breast pad in my bra, especially in this crazy humid weather in Singapore

Make use Breast Pads that absorbs all the leaked milk and keep your sanity in place. Best of all? I don’t have to change my bras or tee shirts as often!

Read also: My breastfeeding experience shared at a Beautiful Mums talk event.

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So there you go, 5 tips for a successful breastfeeding journey. Not everyone’s breastfeeding journey is going to be smooth. Hang in there, it’ll only get better. Good luck! :)

Check out other pregnancy tips here.

*Disclaimer: These tips for a successful breastfeeding journey are just from my personal experience. I count myself lucky to be able to provide breastmilk for my son. If I didn’t have any, I wouldn’t hesitate to give my son formula milk. I am also careful not to go overboard and to only keep wanting to produce as much milk as possible – that would be an oversupply and not a condition to be envied. 

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15 Comments

  1. May 26, 2016 / 9:04 am

    I haven’t figured out how to store milk in milk bags yet! Previously, my milk bags were all awkwardly shaped, and not as neat as yours. How much do you put into each bag?

    • Ju Ann
      Author
      May 29, 2016 / 1:01 am

      150ml to 180ml. Not too much cos some bags may burst if u put too much :)

    • August 27, 2020 / 1:37 pm

      This is very helpful information. Very glad this would help all the nursing mums. Thankyou!

  2. Ashlyn
    May 26, 2016 / 5:07 pm

    Good job mummy! I uses lots of pigeon breast pads too! And flat freezing the milk bags worked wonders for it as I don’t have a chest fridge. Keep up the good work!

    • Ju Ann
      Author
      May 29, 2016 / 1:00 am

      Thank u dear!

  3. May 26, 2016 / 5:31 pm

    I have been wanting to try lactation cookies but there are so many different companies selling different variations, really dunno which to try! Maybe I’ll take a look at yours, hehe.

    • Ju Ann
      Author
      May 29, 2016 / 1:00 am

      Try and lemme know if it works for u! ;)

  4. May 26, 2016 / 8:49 pm

    Very useful tips indeed. Enjoy the breastfeeding journey, is really worth it!

    • Ju Ann
      Author
      May 29, 2016 / 12:59 am

      Yes it is. I love the bonding!!

  5. May 26, 2016 / 9:34 pm

    I am not a pumper. Whenever I pump, I can hardly make up one feed. But when the babies nurse, they get what they need. So I assumed I never needed supplements to help boost supply. Hahah Truth is, I’m too lazy .

    • Ju Ann
      Author
      May 29, 2016 / 12:59 am

      As long as they gain weight and are healthy, tats all that matters!! :)

  6. May 27, 2016 / 4:36 pm

    Useful tips, will share it with nursing mummy friends.

    • Ju Ann
      Author
      May 29, 2016 / 12:55 am

      Thank u :)

  7. Magdaline
    February 20, 2017 / 10:31 am

    Hi babe! Can I know which freeze and basket you’re using to store the breast milk? I’m starting work soon and am hoping to store as much as possible now… hope to hear from you!

    • Ju Ann
      Author
      February 22, 2017 / 8:45 pm

      Hi Magdaline, I use Pigeon milk storage bags and farfella chest freezer :)