BONUS Feeding Info for New Mom Thoughts

Welcome to the feeding section of your New Mom Thoughts Keepsake Journal! Whether you choose to breastfeed, use formula or both (like me), there's no shame or judgement over here. I've added options and resources to help you once your baby is off the breast or bottle and eating solids, purees, and even the food off your plate. Products linked here are ones that I used and loved with William and highly recommend. They are linked directly to amazon for easy purchasing. I only recommend things that are 4.5 stars or higher, and I read the bad reviews, so you're in good hands.

Here's what I believe: Pumping is still breastfeeding. Fed is best. Your baby loves you and will be healthy either way. I did a combination of pumping and formula feeding after trying breastfeeding. William is healthy, happy, and growing. Choose what's best for you mama.

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Feeding your baby is a journey whichever option you choose.

Breastfeeding/Pumping Sites

Your insurance provider may have lactation consultants who you can speak with free of charge for in person or virtual visits. If not, here are some resources below.

National Women’s Health Breastfeeding Helpline
1-800-994-9662

Formula Sites

Similac Strong Moms Rewards Program

Enfamil Sisterhood of Motherhood

Favorite Bottles & Pacifiers

These helped to make sure our little guy wasn't gassy. The pacifiers have the same nipple, so that helped to decrease any confusion, and though they have a ton of parts, we loved them. They also have sippy cup nips for when you transition so you don't have to buy sippy cups if you don't want to. We used the 4 ounce ones when he wasn't drinking much and then switched to the 8 ounce once ones as he got closer to a year. Then used the 4 ounce ones for water bottles so they didn't go to waste.

For Pumping Mommas

I loved the Spectra S2 because it's quiet and has a night light which was perfect for pumping in the dark. You insurance may cover the pump, so check with them through Aeroflow Breast Pumps before purchasing. They set the whole thing up and send it to you a few weeks before your baby arrives.
The Kiinde system is one that will carry you from pumping to snack pouches. You can pump directly into the bottoms, add the bag to a bottle holder, freeze, use them for purees, etc. This is perfect for mamas who have to pump at work because the bags store easier than bottles. You will need the pump converter kit to pump directly into the bags.

For Breastfeeding Mamas

Here are some things that helped me while breastfeeding though I ended up having to pump. The lanolin cream was great for pumping and breastfeeding. I got the travel tubes to leave them throughout the house. The Haakaa pump was great to get milk out that my pump missed. The hardest part about both is not quitting! You got this mama.

Purees & Mashed Food Stage

Around 6 months is when it's recommended to start trying pureed foods for your baby. If you have something that's not pureed but you'd like our little one to gnaw on it, these feeders are a great way for them to still be able to taste the food without you worrying about choking. Also, I used the storage containers to make William's food ahead of time to then freeze in large batches like shown in the videos above. This made it super simple to pull out what I needed when it was time for him to eat.

Click the pic of William to see what I feed him and more tips.

What's William Eating?

Finger & Table Food

If you have Dr. Brown's bottles, you can switch out the nipple so that it's a sippy cup one. This means less storage and getting longer use out of your bottles. The other sippy cups here are great options as well. If you are expecting, don't be shy about adding things you'll need for your child's first year onto your registry.