Consumer Reports: Breastfeeding tips

Breastfeeding is often seen as something that should come naturally. But for many new moms, it can be anything but easy. So, Consumer Reports has expert tips and products to help support the process and make the experience more manageable for both moms and babies. Firsttime mom Paula Machado knew she wanted to give her baby boy her breast milk because of the many benefits, but it didn't come as easily as she expected. >> You see in the movies, you just kind of attach the baby and it and it works. And it doesn't normally work like that for many moms. I was one of them. >> In fact, 97% of moms seek breastfeeding support. From home visits to inoff guidance and counseling with a lactation consultant. >> The right products can also make a big difference, especially in those early weeks and months. >> One product many parents swear by is a nursing pillow. It can make feeding more comfortable for you and your baby, but safety experts stress it must be used correctly to reduce the risk of suffocation or injury. >> Nursing pillows should only be used when babies are awake and supervised, never for naps or sleeping. >> CR safety team reviewed pillows that meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission's new safety standards that went into effect in April, which required them to be firm enough not to conform to a baby's face and wide enough not to trap the baby's head. These two stood out. The My Breast Friend original nursing pillow and updated Boppy nursing pillow are both firm and easy to use safely. >> I also had to look at other options to be able to provide my breast milk that was not just breastfeeding. You know, there's there's pumping. >> CR asked dozens of moms to test popular products and these came out on top. The Motif Medical Luna double electric breast pump and Spectra S2 Plus double electric breast pump received good scores for setup and pumping. If you're looking for a wearable pump, high on CR's list was the Mom Cozy S12 Pro wearable breast pump. And remember, your insurance should cover the cost of a breast pump. Other helpful products are good nursing bras and a comfortable nursing chair. And don't forget to stay hydrated and have snacks on hand while nursing or pumping. I will also say I did not find breastfeeding easy. So, I will say happy mommy, happy baby. So, just give yourself a break. And formula is okay. Yes, the baby not crying and being fed is the most important