Breastfeeding can be hard, but there are products available that can make it a little bit easier. I received UpSpring breastfeeding products free to review from Influenster, but all opinions are my own. They sent me Milk Flow Drink Mix, Wellmom Nipple Balm, & Milkscreen.
Milk Flow is a drink mix that contains both fenugreek and blessed thistle to increase milk supply. While I know removal of milk (supply and demand) is the most important factor in maintaining a good milk supply, I'm always up to try anything that could even potentially increase milk supply because you don't want to stop breastfeeding because you dried up before you or your baby is ready to stop. It comes in three flavog-» Chocolate, Citrus, & Berry. I mixed the chocolate with milk and and the other two with water. None of them tasted very good to me, but orange was most tolerable (chocolate and then berry). Fenugreek is such a strong taste, it's just very hard to hide. I did feel like my milk supply was better after drinking it, but it's hard to really tell because I don't pump. I probably would take a pill form over the drink mix, but if I felt like my milk supply was dropping I'd take any form that would help me.
The Wellmom Nipple Balm is made with organic coconut oil and is used to soothe, moisturize, and heal cracked nipples. I really like this as an alternative to lanolin. I felt like it moisturized really well and it's nice to know I don't have to worry about wiping it off before my baby nurses because it is made with clean, pure ingredients. I even used it on my lips like chapstick and it moisturized well.
Milkscreen are test strips that detect alcohol in breast milk. Breast milk is like gold and I don't want to have to throw away anything I pump. If you have had some drinks, these strips can tell you whether you need to pump and dump afterwards or if it is safe to save the milk for later. I think this is great because you don't have to guess when it is safe to feed your baby, you can just test and be sure. They are easy to use and tell your results fast.
