Your Breastfeeding Must-Haves You didn’t know you Needed

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Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to bond with and nourish your baby. However, it can also be a bit challenging, especially in the early days. Who would have thought something so natural would be so challenging! That's why having the right breastfeeding essentials can make a world of difference. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the must-haves for breastfeeding moms and what personally helped me survive breastfeeding two babies.

Nursing Pillow

A nursing pillow is a lifesaver when it comes to breastfeeding. It helps support your baby's weight and brings them closer to your breast, making it more comfortable for you to nurse. There are many different types of nursing pillows available, so find one that works best for you. My top two favorites were the Boppy and the Brestfriend. I liked Boppy because it was more flexible and could also be used for tummy time. The Brestfriend was great for back support and having a more solid surface under the baby. It also buckles, so that it is more snug against you. I preferred the Brestfriend for the earlier days when baby is so tiny and the Boppy for when they are older, so they can wiggle around a little easier.

Nursing Bras

A good nursing bra is essential for breastfeeding moms. It provides support and makes it easy to nurse your baby without having to take off your bra completely. It also helps absorb any possible leaks. Look for a bra that is comfortable, easy to use, and fits well. There are a lot of options when it comes to nursing bras. I preferred to have a nursing tank top bra, so that if I were nursing in front of others my entire stomach wouldn’t be exposed, especially being more self conscious after having a baby. There is not right or wrong choice, just what works best for you. I highly recommend reading as many reviews as you can!

Breast Pump

A breast pump is a great tool for breastfeeding moms who need to express milk for their baby. It allows you to pump milk and store it for later use, or to relieve engorgement when your baby isn't feeding as much. More often than not your insurance should cover at least a very basic breast pump. We used a Medela pump and I also purchased an Evie handsfree, portable pump which allowed me to pump while being up and moving around. This was helpful with my second pregnancy, when I also had a toddler running around. I was able to pump and not be tied to the couch. I do feel like the pull on the Evie was not as strong as the Medela, therefore I wouldn’t recommend using it solely, but maybe only the times you need to multitask. Another great tool is the Haaka. I loved our Haaka and I often didn’t have to pump at all, because I would use the Haaka on one side when nursing on the other. I know this isn’t always recommended and can increase your milk supply, sometimes causing an oversupply, but can be very helpful!

Nursing Pads

Leaking breasts are a common problem for breastfeeding moms, especially in the early days. Nursing pads are an absolute must-have to prevent embarrassing leaks and keep you dry and comfortable.Choose pads that are made of a soft, absorbent material and that have a waterproof backing. I loved using a cotton material, reusable pad that I would just stick inside of my bra. I also liked using a collection cup, that would collect any leaked milk and you could save it to freeze or put in a bottle. I would generally only wear this type of nursing pad/collection cup around home, as they are pretty noticeable. Also, don’t forget that there is an opening at the top of the collection cup and will spill if you lean over causing you to cry over your spilled milk 😩

Nipple Cream

Breastfeeding can be tough on your nipples, especially in the first few weeks. Nipple cream can help soothe sore and cracked nipples, making breastfeeding more comfortable. There are also quite a few nipple creams out there. As you read in my post about living a toxin free lifestyle, I suggest using this one from Earthley. P.S. if nipple pain continues, please seek help from an IBCLC as your little one’s latch might not be correct.

“P.S. if nipple pain continues, please seek help from an IBCLC...”

A nursing cover

A nursing cover can give you some privacy when you're breastfeeding in public. Choose a cover that is lightweight and breathable, and that has a snug fit so that it doesn't fall off. I used a nursing cover with my first baby and preferred to have one that you almost put on like a shirt that stretches over you and baby.

A comfortable chair

A comfortable chair will make it easier to breastfeed your baby for long periods of time. Look for a chair that is supportive and has a footrest. And use extra pillows for back support!

A water bottle

Staying hydrated is important for both you and your baby. Keep a water bottle nearby so that you can easily stay hydrated while you're breastfeeding. I also find it super helpful to fill up as many water bottles as I might need for the day, to ensure I stay hydrated and don’t forget.

Electrolytes and Minerals

I used to always think that 1. Gatorade was the only electrolyte drink and 2. that you only needed electrolytes if you were working out and both of those are so very wrong. As a nursing mother you are using so much of your body’s energy to produce milk and feed your baby. Not to mention most Americans are dehydrated to begin with, so drinking electrolytes every day will help your body stay hydrated and replenish what is missing. I am loving LMNT and Just Ingredients Electrolytes. My favorite flavors of LMNT are Watermelon Salt and Raspberry Salt and my favorite of Just Ingredients’ is their Guava Mango. It is also important to add some minerals to your water. Our food, soil and water today is not as nutrient dense as it used to be and is often missing minerals. I love adding Trace Mineral drops to our water, as it is flavorless and I know it is helping us stay healthy.

A snack

Breastfeeding can be tiring, so it's important to have a snack on hand to keep your energy up. Choose a snack that is healthy and easy to eat. As a new mom, it is so important to make sure you are getting an adequate amount of protein. I would recommend you try to get at least 90-100g of protein per day. You will feel so much better if you are getting more protein in and you won’t be as likely to go on a blood sugar rollercoaster all day. And please, please, please, eat a protein rich breakfast before drinking your coffee!

Hair tie or clip

Baby will wiggling around and start to use their fingers to tug on your hair. There is also a chance that a loose hair could fall and get in their mouth or wrapped around a finger. I loved having extra hair ties or clips around the house so I didn’t have to go searching for one while carrying baby everywhere.

A caddy or cart

This is something that can move around with you to wherever you are going to be nursing your baby to house all your breastfeeding essentials. It can include a spot for your snacks, water, burp cloths, nursing pads, chapstick, etc. I had a little basket full of essentials that would sit on the couch, where I was mainly sitting to breastfeed with my first and then I used a cart when breastfeeding my second. I enjoyed using a cart, so that I could put some fun and attention grabbing toys on it for my toddler to play with while I was breastfeeding, and it was easier to move throughout the house if I needed to breastfeeding in other areas of the house.

Books

You can read books on breastfeeding or just have books that you enjoy to read on hand, so that you aren’t on your phone the entire time you are nursing your baby. It is especially important that you make eye contact with your baby while they are nursing as this helps with your bond and we absolutely don’t want baby to grow up looking at the back of the phone.

Notebook and pen

When you are sitting their nursing your baby your mind might start to wonder and if you’re like me, it is a great time to brain dump everything onto some paper, so I can process it all and figure out what needs to be done. I am old school and enjoy writing things out instead of typing into my notes section on my phone. For me, it is so much nicer to physically write it out and not forget what I needed to circle back to.

Phone charger

You never know if your baby is going to fall asleep while nursing, especially in those early milk drunk days. I truly think it is important to keep your phone down as much as you possibly can, but if they fall asleep you might need to use your phone and mine inevitably seems to be low on battery at the worst times.

An IBCLC

You absolutely must connect with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) I would even suggest setting up an appointment before baby is born to go over the essentials, take a class if they offer it and then schedule an in home visit once baby is here. I know hospitals have lactation consultants, but in my experience finding an independent IBCLC has served us FAR more than a lactation consultant at the hospital. If you are in the Louisville/ Southern Indiana area I highly recommend Bonnie Logsdon (who I personally used after both my girls were born) or Ashley Benz (who I have heard nothing but great things about.)

These are just a few of the must-haves for breastfeeding moms. With the right tools and support, breastfeeding can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both you and your baby. Most importantly, do not give up. Breastfeeding is unbelievably challenging for some babies, which can cause great frustration and worry, but with the right supports you can do it. And if it doesn’t work out, that’s okay, too. You know you tried the best that you could and your baby is fed and happy. What did I miss? Comment below with something that was super helpful for you during your breastfeeding journey.