7 Must-Haves for the Breastfeeding Mom

There are so many things to do to get ready for the arrival of your little one. Sometimes moms put off getting ready for their breastfeeding journey until the baby arrives. Don’t stress. We have you covered with a look at what you need before you being pumping and nursing. 

High-Quality Breast Pump

Breast pumps can be a key part of your breastfeeding journey. You may find yourself in a situation where you cannot or do not want to nurse. That’s where breast pumps come in! There are a variety of options available on the market today, ranging from manual to electric and from hospital-grade to wearable. Do you research, see which options your insurance covers (if that’s important to you), and find the breast pump that suits your preferences and needs. We have put together a full blog (with mom reviews) on some of the most popular options available today. 

Nursing Bras

Nursing bras are key! A good nursing bra should be comfortable, provide support, and make nursing or pumping easier. Find a brand that you trust and stock up on enough to last until your next laundry day.

Nursing Clothing

Take it from me: Breastfeeding clothes are a game changer! I tried the two-shirt method and covers, and didn’t realize what I was missing until I tried a nursing shirt.

This mom is wearing a purple asymmetrical nursing sweatshirt. There's lift-up flap access to feed your baby on the go. So cute with leggings! 

There are so many options online, but not all are created equal! When building your breastfeeding wardrobe as a first-time mom, look for high-quality fabrics, convenient access panels, and comfortable, non-clingy styles. We suggest stocking up on a handful of tees and tops, as well as pajamas or sweatshirts, depending on the time of year when you’ll be breastfeeding. Many styles have zipper access (this way you can zip your shirt open as far as you like - it can be really useful for pumping or tandem feeding). There are also lift-up flap and pull-aside options. 

This mom is nursing in a 3-block green shirt with hidden zipper access. You can open (or close) the zipper as much as you like when feeding your baby. 

This mom is wearing a black ruffle tee with zipper pumping and nursing access. You can see how the pump parts fit in both sides (and you can close the shirt around them). 

Nipple Balm

Nipple soreness is, for better or for worse, a common experience during the first months. As you think about how to prepare for breastfeeding, definitely add a lanolin or other plant-based nipple cream to your shopping list. These creams are safe for you and the baby and don’t need to be washed off before nursing.

Reusable Breast Pads

Leaks are nothing to be embarrassed about, but still, who wants to showcase them to the world? Look for absorbent, reusable pads made from bamboo, fleece, or terry cloth. Most moms need between 6 and 7 pairs of washable breast pads during their first year of breastfeeding, though some may need more or less depending on their needs.

Nursing Pillow

These wrap-around pillows take the strain off your neck, back, and arms during nursing. Given that moms spend, on average, almost 2,000 hours pumping and nursing in their baby’s first year of life, this investment is one hundred percent worth it for breastfeeding first-time moms.

Milk Storage Bags

Start with a pack of 100 BPA-free, accurately marked breastmilk bags. After the first few weeks, you’ll have a better understanding of how many bags you’ll need for your lifestyle.

Medela makes these storage bags that many moms use to freeze their milk. You can use these to put flat in your freezer for easy storage.