Having the right baby gear to hand makes life so much easier, doesn’t it? So, let’s go through some of the amazing Haakaa products that go a long way to easing the path through pregnancy, the early newborn days and right through to toddlerhood!
Honeyze Mānuka Honey Drops
Mānuka honey is a wonderful substance – and did you know it can be an absolute lifesaver during pregnancy? We’ve brought together a range of drops to let you get some of that Mānuka goodness in a portable, handy-to-use option with our Honeyze Mānuka Honey Drops. Each box contains 16 easy-chew drops, which are conveniently boxed and sized to throw into your bag when you head out. Coming in three different flavours – blackcurrant, lemon or ginger – these tasty little lozenges are packed with vitamins to keep you going – and they are perfect for fighting the nausea that so many have to deal with during pregnancy. And that’s all without mentioning the sheer convenience of having beautiful Mānuka honey in solid tablet shapes to keep in your bag, rather than having to lug around a jar whenever you need a boost.
Belly Bliss Balm
Another key item to have in your arsenal while pregnant is the Belly Bliss Balm. This ultra-moisturising balm is made right here in New Zealand from all-natural ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, rosehip oil and essential oils of lavender, Ylang Ylang, mandarin and frankincense; as you can probably imagine, it smells divine. It’s even made to serve two functions – firstly, those essential oils aren’t just for smelling great (though they unquestionably do) – the fragrance is specially designed to help to calm, encourage sleep, and ease that nausea (some might even like to combine using a bit of balm on their belly with a Honeyze drop!). The combination of oils and butters helps support your skin, improving elasticity and alleviating stretch marks during and after pregnancy.
Nipple Aspirators
There can sometimes be a wee bit of anxiety for those with flat or inverted nipples about whether they will be able to breastfeed – luckily, this pair of Silicone Inverted Nipple Aspirators will see you through! These little domes use suction to gently draw your nipples out before feeding time, and they’re so easy to use. Simply press the back, pop over your nipples, and release. Leave them on until your nipple is drawn out, then remove them. You’re now ready to latch your baby! It’s good to remember that this is not a permanent solution – you’ll need to do this before each feed. Luckily, it’s quick and easy to do, and you’ll quickly figure out the perfect way they’ll work for you. Just remember to make sure they’re removed and left out of baby’s reach before feeding them.
Bras
Having a good bra for feeding – whether that’s nursing your baby or pumping milk for later – is vital. Fortunately, we have two options for you – the Hands-Free Zip-Up Breast Pump Bra and the Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra. While reasonably similar, they serve slightly different functions in slightly different ways. The zip-up version is designed with pumping in mind and is made from a 93% cotton/7% spandex blend, so it’s comfortable and will avoid irritating your nipples – and the zip is in the front, making it extremely easy to get in and out of. It even comes with a handy extender, allowing it to adapt to your body as it changes. The layered openings in the cup hold the flange of your pump securely, meaning you won’t need to worry about it popping off and spilling mid-use. While this bra is aimed at use while pumping, you can absolutely use it for nursing as well. Simply unzip the front and go!
On the other hand, the Pumping & Nursing Bra is designed for those who want to do one, the other, or both – it’s really up to you how you use it! It’s made from 90% nylon and 10% spandex, so it’s incredibly soft and smooth to protect your skin and nipples. It includes the same layered cup openings as the zip-up version to let you hold your pump in place (if you choose to use one!), but also features the easy-clip detachable outer layer you’re probably familiar with when it comes to maternity bras. This means you’ve got very quick access when bubs is demanding a feed right now!
Leakage & Let-down
Leakage and let-down don’t affect everyone, but when they do, you really need to have something to hand to deal with it. Leakage often occurs in those early weeks while your breasts are still figuring out how much milk to produce, while let-down is part of the body’s reflex to release milk and allow it to flow while baby is feeding. Both of these can sometimes cause clothes to become wet and stained – not ideal, especially when you’re out and about. As luck would have it, however, there are a number of methods to deal with this, keeping your clothes dry and unstained without having to change every hour or two. First up are our Disposable Nursing Pads. The super-absorbent polymer filling and soft, stay-dry lining keep that leaking milk from escaping. What’s more, they’re slim to remain discreet and comfy and have adhesive strips to hold them in place – and you get a whopping 36 pads per box!
For those who prefer a more eco-friendly option, you might think about trying out the All-Day Reusable Nursing Pad Set. This set includes eight reusable pads and a washing bag to make cleaning up even easier. These pads are made from soft bamboo and absorbent microfibre, meaning they catch a lot and are incredibly soft. They’re even contoured to shape around your breast without lumps or bulges!
Our final option, however, leaves both of those in the dust for many mums, because why throw away that milk your body has worked so hard to produce when you can save it without fuss and keep your clothes neat and dry? The Ladybug Silicone Breast Milk Collector does exactly that. It has very light suction that won’t affect your milk supply but will enable you to keep the Ladybug attached to your breast while you get your bra sorted – or simply put your bra on first and pop the collector in if you prefer no suction at all. There are three sizes to choose from, though it’s important to remember these sizes are based on capacity and have nothing to do with your breast size – instead, each size is aligned with how much leakage or let-down you have. The small 40ml is excellent for lesser amounts, while the 150ml is for those who produce a lot of extra milk they want to collect. There is also a 75ml for those who either leak amounts somewhere in the middle, or who just aren’t sure what will suit them. If you plan to feed this milk to baby, you’ll need to get that milk transferred to a storage container and in the fridge within two hours. Alternatively, you can use it to go into their bath water – it’s fantastic on their skin!