Easy List: Breastfeeding Must Haves
Breastfeeding is so rewarding and a great experience. But there are some down sides, like leaking, and the fact that your little one might want to latch for 40 minutes or more! Here are a list of items that will make your breastfeeding journey so much easier on you, your back, your little one and your breasts!
Cloth Breast Pads – You need pads because you will leak. Even 9 months to a year in you will have moments when you leak. Save the money on disposable pads and buy the cloth ones.
Pump – You will want a pump even just a manual one to help increase milk supply and to help build a freezer storage as a backup. If you can afford to spring for the luxurious electric pump it is well worth it. Manual Pump or Electric Pump.
Milk Storage Bags – Since you will be pumping extra milk you will need something to store the milk in. Make sure to write down the date and even the time it was pumped. Milk changes consistency from morning to night.
Nursing Pillow – This is a must. A Nursing pillow will be a life saver on your arms and your back. It helps with tummy time and it is also a great positioner to help as baby starts sitting up.
Lanolin – Nursing hurts, it hurts at the beginning when your nipples are getting used to feeding, it hurts when your little one gets in teeth, it hurts when they change how they latch, and well its hurts! It’s 100% worth it, even then but to help with the pain invest in some lanolin.
Gel Pads – For the same reasons above gel pads are a life saver. They also are helpful when you become engorged in the first few days of breast feeding and as baby starts sleeping through the night.
Nursing Cover – Now you might be ok feeding in public without covering up and that’s ok, but what about your parents’ house or grandparents? It’s always a good idea to have one you never know when it might come in handy.
Tank Tops – This is an essential part of your wardrobe. You will not be able to pull down every shirt to breastfeed. So when you have to lift your shirt up to get baby fed, I’m sure you don’t want to show off that post-partum baby belly. I know I don’t. You can buy simple tanks tops in just basic colors or buy then in every color you can to match every shirt you own. I like the tanks from Forever 21 you can’t beat $1.90 for a tank top in 48 colors!
Refillable Water Bottle – You will need to drink LOTS of water. So taking a refillable water bottle on the go is a must. If you don’t get enough water your milk supply goes down. I was also told once, if you don’t drink enough water you are dehydrating you baby. That really stuck with me and helps me make sure I get at least 70oz of water a day, normally more!
Sprout Phone App – This phone app has been a life saver. It allows you to track feedings and how long your baby nurses for. You can also track on what side. Other features include a diaper tracker, sleep tracker and more.
What items are on your list of breastfeeding must haves?
I didn’t ever breastfeed but sometimes I wish I would have. These suggestions would surely help any young mom who goes that route.
As it is not applicable to me, I am sure this is a great list! I will be sharing your post with friends who are breast feeding at the moment and am sure they will appreciate it too!
To the list I would add extra blouse in case of accidents. Other than that you have a great compilation and super suggestion with the tanks tops
Im not yet a mom but I think this is a great list that you’ve put together. I also found your post very informative and definitely useful when that time comes. Breastfeeding sounds a bit like a lot of work. Didn’t know that there were so many things needed for breastfeeding. The app sounds very convenient to have.
These are all great suggestions. Nursing is painful and often difficult, so anything to make it easier and more comfortable is great.
See for me in the beginning I used a nursing pillow for the first I’d say 2-3 weeks then I used nothing. All I used are breast pads! Tank tops are a MUST have for me, such a great idea to get a bunch!
I wish I have this app when I was still nursing my babies. It would have been nice! I can’t believe how many apps are coming out these days.
There is so much to offer nursing moms now a days. I remember when I had my first child 24 years ago. Boy have things changed. Seems less people are choosing to breast feed. I always suggest to all mothers to try and breast feed if their are able. It gives the baby an immunity boost better than any formula that si on the market.
This is a great list. I wish I had this app when my kids were babies. New moms will find these things very useful.
I’m not sure if I’ll have more children down the road, but this is wonderful advice, nonetheless. Thank you for sharing!
This is awesome information for those moms breastfeeding. I didn’t know that there was a different consistency between night and day. I haven’t breastfeed for 18 yrs either though. Thanks for sharing.
I thought Lanolin was definitely a must-have when I was nursing. It really does hurt the first week or so and Lanolin def. helps.
Great list for breastfeeding mammas. My sister is having her first baby soon and has decided to breastfeed. I will share this list with her.
This is a helpful list. I used most of these items on your list. My breast pump was a must with my 3rd. I pumped at work once I returned. I would pump 3 times at work and first thing in the morning. I did this for 18 months.
Amen to that water bottle! that was the one thing I was so glad to have with my at the hospital!
I received a ton of breastfeeding gear at my shower but I had to return some of it. I liked to see what I needed THEN buy it. That is my baby gear tip! lol
What a great list! You seem to have it all covered. I need to pick up some of those tank tops for $1.90 each!