Must-Have Items for Breastfeeding Moms

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Congratulations on embarking on one of the most rewarding journeys of motherhood—breastfeeding! Whether you're a new mom or adding more wonderful chaos, navigating the essentials for successful breastfeeding can feel overwhelming.

From comfort to convenience, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference in your breastfeeding experience.

In this guide, I'll walk you through the must-have items that every breastfeeding mom should consider. These essentials are designed to support you every step of the way.

Let's dive into the essentials that will make your breastfeeding journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Nursing Bra

You need a comfortable nursing bra. You will find that different ones work better at different stages. You want one that won’t be too tight because of the engorgement you will go through. Tight bras can be detrimental to your supply. Shop around and try different ones and find the best fit for you.

Nursing pads

A must-have, unless you want milk stains on all of your bras and shirts. Lansinoh nursing pads were always my favorite. There are also washable ones which I never preferred simply because my letdown was so strong I would soak through them, plus it’s just another thing to wash!

Nipple Balm

Chapped, cracked, raw nips! It’s going to happen! If it didn’t happen, then your nips must be made of steel! Earth Mama and Medela Organic Nipple Balm were life savers during those times when my nipples were so sore, chapped, and cracked! Just apply one of these after every nursing session to help keep your nipples moisturized, trust me, you do not want them to dry out!

Nipple Shields

Now, here is an item that I wish I had with my first two. Koala Babycare Original Nursing Cups. These are silver nipple shields that keep your bra or nursing pads off of your nipples while they are healing. They were THE MOST beneficial item in the healing process, combined with the nipple balms. I’m so thankful I found these. They would have saved me a lot of turmoil with my other two had I known about them.

I wore these things day and night! One of the most beneficial parts of using these shields is that when you wear them and you have a letdown or some leakage, the milk is able to get caught in the shield and it allows your nipple to soak in the milk, and breast milk has amazing healing properties! I believe all of that combined aided in speeding up the healing process.

There are also silicone nipple shields that are used over the nipple while nursing. They are helpful if you have inverted or flat nipples or if you think they will help with healing. I did use these with my first and I regretted it after and never used them again. They work for some moms but in my experience, the initial latch was still painful, they were hard to juggle when trying to nurse and you want to keep them clean so you should wash them after every session, which can be difficult since you’ll be nursing around the clock! My other problem with them is if you don’t want to use them anymore you might have a hard time getting baby to latch without them. Baby has become used to latching to the shield and it can make them “lazy latchers” and you might have to go through the pain again as your nipples get used to the baby latching on to you and not the shield.

Silicone Pump

When your milk comes in and you get so engorged you are going to want some relief. This stage is where a lot of mommas mess up. They pull out the pump, and pump, pump, pump.

If you are planning on exclusively breastfeeding you do not want to over-pump and create a bigger supply. When more milk is expressed, more milk is made to replace that. Your body is trying to keep up with that demand. This can cause more engorgement which can cause clogged ducts and more pumping, it just turns into a vicious cycle.

I used a very handy tool to help gently relieve engorgement, keep from getting clogged ducts, and also give a little freezer stash in case of emergencies.

The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump was a lifesaver during the engorgement phase! Oh my goodness! After struggling with engorgement and clogged ducts with my first, this item was the best thing I could have bought. This version comes with a lid and has a suction cup on the bottom to help stand it up.

By using this pump on the opposite breast every nursing session, especially at night, I was able to relieve just enough milk to lessen the engorgement, avoid clogged ducts, and get a nice emergency freezer stash. Suction it on the breast and watch it do its magic as you nurse. When you are done pour the milk into a milk saver bag and freeze. You can also pour it into a collection bottle to make a few collections before freezing. I like to pour it into a bottle before putting it in a freezer bag so I can get an accurate measurement

*remember not to mix AM and PM milk! Check out my post about breastfeeding benefits to learn why!

During engorgement, you can use the silicone pump in the shower. The warm water feels great on swollen breasts. I would just suction the pump and let them dangle as the warm water flowed over me and the pump would catch any milk that was released. It can also help to gently massage your breasts to release the milk.

When the engorgement phase is over you may still want to build a small freezer stash. You can continue to use the Haakaa to catch your letdown so it's not wasted.

If you want to build a big supply and need a big freezer stash because maybe you are going back to work or you want to be able to leave baby for a little break, a pump is great. I highly recommend the Spectra S1 pump. It’s rechargeable so you can charge it and take it on the go or use it around the house and not worry about a cord. There's also an option to get one that comes with a tote bag for on-the-go here if you travel a lot. It has a handy night light for those late-night pump sessions and the option to pump both breasts at once or just one at a time. I didn’t use mine much but I loved it. Lots of handy features to make pumping a breeze. Most health insurance companies cover a pump either fully or with a minimum payment so be sure to check.

Glow Baby

Glow Baby is an app I used with all 3 of my babies. They have multiple apps to track periods, fertility, and pregnancy. Glow Baby is so useful for tracking which side you nursed on and how long baby nursed. You can track diaper changes, baths, growth, milestones and so much more. You can use it for free with limited access, which is enough in itself, or pay for a subscription to get full access.

Caddy

I love this caddy to keep everything I need with me as I move around the house throughout the day (and night) or to have everything organized in one spot. It can hold everything from diapering essentials to snacks and all your breastfeeding supplies. It also has a built-in nightlight!

Staying Hydrated

Along with being hungry, you’re also going to be thirsty! It is very important to stay hydrated during breastfeeding. Staying hydrated also helps keep up your milk supply. Check out my favorite cup to keep your water cold all day and to keep you from refilling so many times.

Burp cloths

I got these cloth diapers as a baby shower gift with my first (Thank you Sherry!). I remember opening them and thinking, “Umm I’m not using cloth diapers!” Then I realized they were to be used as burp cloths! Let me tell you they were the best burp cloths! I had some actual burp cloths but they're thin and basically nonabsorbent, just prettier. But these cloth diapers were the best. Definitely a must-have. Especially if your baby ends up being a big “spit-upper” (is that a word?) like my first was.

Nursing cover

When you breastfeed you might feel vulnerable to the world around you or you might not care what others think and do it openly. Being a private person, I was not very comfortable with nursing in public. Most of the time I would nurse in my car before going in somewhere. As I had more babies and nursed more on the go, I just became used to it and would do it in public but I made sure I had some kind of coverage. A good breathable nursing cover always came in handy for those times you felt like you were totally exposed. I love this one. It's made from muslin material so it's soft and breathable.

Nursing tops

When I didn’t have my nursing cover or I wasn’t as exposed to the public a good nursing top came in handy. Here are some cute ones for summer and winter. They can be very stylish and comfortable. Nursing tops help keep you covered while nursing without having to cover up baby. I don’t know about you but I don’t enjoy lifting my shirt for everyone to see my belly or pulling down to expose my whole boob!

Nursing pillows

There are a few different options when it comes to different nursing pillows. I used The Boppy because it was gifted to me with my first baby. If you get this pillow look into getting a protective cover for it to keep the pillow clean from milk and spit-up. You can also purchase different covers like these to go over the protective cover to match your style.

When I had my second baby I discovered this nursing pillow, I had used it in the hospital and I really liked it.

But in all honesty, I mainly used the boppy for baby to lay on or to use as a prop for baby to take pictures or as protection when baby was learning to sit.

Navigating the essentials of breastfeeding is about equipping yourself with the right tools to enhance comfort, efficiency, and overall satisfaction during this special journey of nurturing your baby. By understanding the importance of items like nursing bras, breast pumps, nipple creams, and nursing pillows, you're not just preparing for the practical aspects but also setting the stage for a more relaxed and enjoyable breastfeeding experience.

Remember, every breastfeeding journey is unique, and what works for one mom may not necessarily work for another. Don't hesitate to experiment with different products and techniques until you find what works best for you and your baby. Most importantly, give yourself grace and patience as you embark on this beautiful bonding experience. With the right essentials and a positive mindset, you're well on your way to creating lasting memories and fostering a strong connection with your little one through breastfeeding.