Products That Are NOT Worth Buying, From Someone Who Knows

Nothing says welcome to motherhood  quite like spending $50 on a tiny metal nipple cap or washing milk-soaked pads at 2 a.m. while your uterus still feels like a crime scene.

🚫 1. Silverettes: Pretty Little Nipple Torture Devices

You’ve seen them on Instagram: tiny silver domes promising magical nipple healing powers - like breastfeeding armor for your cracked, sore, exhausted nipples.

✨ “They’ll heal your nipples!”✨ “They’re made of silver!”✨ “They look bougie and European!”

But let me hit you with the truth: Unless you're diligent and only using these sparingly, these things are a hard pass.

What’s the problem?

• They macerate your skin (read: trap moisture = soggy, broken-down tissue)

• They can congest milk ducts because they trap milk and pressure

• Worst of all? Perfect warm, moist environment for yeast to party = hello, thrush!

What to do instead:

• Express a little breast milk and air-dry. It's antibacterial and free!

• Keep the area clean and dry. Yes, dry - not silver-sealed like an old yogurt lid.

• Use a gentle nipple cream or lanolin-free balm only if needed (and if baby tolerates it).

• Most importantly: correct latch and positioning are 95% of the battle. Talk to an IBCLC before investing in silver-plated accessories for your nipples.

  
  

🚫 2. Baby Swings: Furniture Your Baby Will Scream In (Or Get a Little Too Comfortable In)

Ah, the baby swing: the holy grail of hands-free parenting... in theory. “Put baby in the swing and take a shower!”“Have a hot coffee while baby swings peacefully under a mobile of plastic pandas!”“Regain your freedom!”

...except most babies last about 7 minutes in that thing before going full pterodactyl, while their body stiffens up like a plank and their head slumps like a baked potato in a bucket seat.

What’s the problem?

• Often used incorrectly and for too long (wrong angles, added padding, etc.)

• Can lead to flattening of baby’s head, poor body alignment

• Doesn’t meet baby’s biological need to be held close

• Reinforces the myth that babies should be independent from day one (they shouldn’t)

  
  

What to do instead:

• Invest in a quality baby carrier and wear your baby (bonus: you can pee and soothe them at the same time!)

• Learn about contact naps (they’re normal, not bad habits). If you're nervous about falling asleep too, put baby down, or get more educated with a service like CoSleepy.

• Ask your partner/family to hold the baby when you need a break instead of relying on batteries and bucket seats

  
  

Your baby doesn’t need a swing. They need you.

🚫 3. Reusable Breast Pads: For Moms Who Also Enjoy Washing Blood Out of Period Undies

Sounds great, right? Save the environment! Be sustainable! Be that organized mom who hand-washes tiny bamboo circles and then line-dries them in the sun like an eco-goddess all while making organic muffins and wearing a gingham dress.

No. Just no. And I claim to be pro-sustainability too... but really, lets make a teeny tiny pile in the landfill right beside all the paper cups and carrier packaging. Its. not. worth. it.

What’s the problem?

• High maintenance: most brands require you to immediately rinse and soak them after use (because, sour milk), AND you have to wash and dry them gently

• They often move around in your bra

• And honestly, your boobs stop leaking after a while anyway

  
  

What to do instead:

• Go for disposable breast pads for the short season you’ll need them - they have sticker backing so they stay in place

• Keep a stash in your diaper bag and car so you're not sniffing through damp fabric wondering, “Is this tiny bamboo circle clean?”

• When the leaking stops (and it will), you won’t miss the laundry

  
  

Save your time, energy, and sanity for the real eco-friendly act: raising a baby without throwing your mental health in the trash.

💡 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need All the Things

Postpartum is not the time to sacrifice some basic comforts that will help you comfortably navigate new motherhood.

It’s the time to:

• Protect your nips

• Hold your baby

• Prioritize convenience over aesthetics

• And yes, sometimes use disposable things and skip expensive gadgets marketed to your hormonal exhaustion

Thanks for reading!

-Nicole

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your postpartum care.