Are you expecting a new baby, but you’re not sure what “must have’s” or items you need to breastfeed? Many moms have that same question. Babies need a lot of different items, especially when you’re breastfeeding. Although saving money where you can is important, some of these “breastfeeding must have’s for moms” will make your breastfeeding journey a lot easier. I was in your same boat a couple years ago and wondered what I needed, so I’ve compiled a list of 9 must have’s for breastfeeding moms like yourself!
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #1: Breast Pump
All nursing mamas need a breast pump. Even if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding, a pump is still handy to have for excess milk. If you have a low supply, a breast pump can help you pump more. Essentially, the pump is telling your body that you need to produce more milk, and the supply meets the demand.
My favorite pump is the Spectra 2.0, and I love it because it has a night light on it, different suction strengths, a massager button to help with soreness, and it’s a “closed” pumping system. This just means that there’s a lesser chance of mold or mildew. However, many people prefer the Medela breast pump because that’s what many hospitals use, which is totally fine. Just do your research before deciding which pump is best for you, Mama!
Just so you know also, your insurance company is required to cover a breast pump for you. This is part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. If it doesn’t fully cover the costs, it may cover half. It’s also important to ask which pump brands your insurance covers when you call them. If you plan on going back to work, you might ask them if they will cover a hands-free pump instead.
If you have additional questions about the legalities or questions to ask your insurance company when it comes to breast pumps, find more information below at OASH:
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #2: Nursing Pillow
While nursing an infant, it is important for you to notice your posture. Do not hunch over the baby while feeding. The best way to feed is to prop baby up and make it more comfortable for you. To do that, you need a nursing pillow (some people call these a “boppy”). They’re U-shaped pillows that fit around your belly and help support any breastfeeding position your little one prefers. It also holds baby closer to you so you don’t have to. You can relax your shoulders and sit up this way. With less stress on your body, it makes it easier to bond with baby and enjoy that time together.
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #3: Nursing and
Pumping Bras
According to research, breastfed babies metabolize their milk faster than most formula fed babies (Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding (for Parents) – Nemours Kidshealth). For this reason, they feed more frequently than formula babies. So when they’re hungry, they are HUNGRY. Therefore, convenience and speed are the best for a nursing mama. What’s more convenient than a nursing bra?
Nursing bras provide both convenience and speed for those hungry baby days. Many of them have the latches on the straps for an easy drop down; this makes milk easily accessible for baby. Nursing bras are sold at stores and online, but I encourage you to get ones without the underwire. Underwire can cause clogged milk ducts and just be uncomfortable for a nursing mom.
If you use an electric breast pump, you’ll love a breast pumping bra. These have slits on the side of the bra so you can easily insert your breast pump flanges into the bra. The bra holds the pump in place for you so that you have your hands free to do other things. Keep in mind that the electric pumps still are connected to cords, so you can’t exactly fold laundry or clean with these on because you must be near a power outlet. That would require a total hands-free pump.
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #4: Bottles
In case you’re wondering, most of your breast pumps come with bottles. However, some mamas choose to buy a different brand of bottles. That’s totally fine too! Do what’s best for you, Mama! Just make sure if you’re breastfeeding and bottle feeding your baby the breast milk, check the nipple size. Make sure that it’s still difficult to get the milk out of the nipple. If you use a nipple size that has a larger flow opening, baby might decide that he/she likes the easier way of getting milk and quit nursing from the breast.
There are also bottle inserts that you can get to help reduce the air in the bottle. By reducing the air, it will help eliminate the possibility of baby getting gas. Sometimes, baby gets gas anyway depending on what you eat, but I do know these are supposed to help. Again, these are not necessary, but they can be helpful to have on hand if your baby keeps an upset stomach.
Special note: You may want to exclusively breastfeed, or you may end up with a picky baby like mine who hates bottles completely. I still recommend having bottles on hand in case of an emergency. You never know when you’ll be in traffic or not be able to get to your baby right away. Keeping a bottle and pumped milk on hand for the babysitter can help hold the baby off until you get there. On the other hand, you may end up with a baby who hates breastfeeding completely and prefers the bottle. Either way, I encourage you to be prepared for either scenario because all babies are different!
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #5: Breast Milk Storage Bags
I would personally recommend getting the breastmilk storage bags that match the breast pump brand. However, I have tried other bag brands that do just as well and were cheaper than name brands. Whichever brand you look at, make sure you read the reviews carefully. When people complain about the bag breaking, make sure they list why it broke. Too many mamas put too much milk in one bag. When milk thaws, it expands, and the bags can leak if there is too much milk stored in them.
No matter which brand you go with, milk storage bags will be a lifesaver. These will be especially useful if you plan on going back to work or must quit breastfeeding before the baby is one year old. There are health circumstances that can come up that prevent you from breastfeeding for a full year. However, it is recommended that all babies drink breastmilk or formula until they are one year old; they will start whole milk after that. Because of the unknown, storing extra breastmilk is a wise decision.
Note: Breastmilk has other uses too such as milk baths if baby has irritated skin, using it in baby food, making your own milk soap, etc. The possibilities are endless! Just make sure the milk is stored properly!
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #6: Nursing Pads
When you first start breastfeeding, you’ll have to wake baby up to eat every 3 hours (sometimes, baby will wake up every 2-3 hours without your help). However, once baby exceeds their birthweight, the pediatrician will let you know when you can start waiting longer in between nursing sessions. When this happens, your body must make an adjustment, and sometimes, that means your breasts start leaking milk because your body is not used to waiting 4 hours for the baby to wake up. It’s used to your every 2-3 hour schedule.
For that reason, nursing pads are a wonderful thing to have inserted in your bra. It catches the excess milk. I really like the reusable ones that you can just wash. I think they’re softer and last longer (just a personal preference). They also have disposable ones for when you’re in public all day. You can easily throw them away after use.
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #7: Nursing Cover
Although it is your right to feed your baby in public, there are some of us that prefer to be conservative. For this reason, many moms opt for a nursing cover. Many covers can be used as a car seat canopy and a breastfeeding cover all in one. Whichever cover you decide on, I’d make sure it’s stretchy and light weight. Some mamas prefer a blanket. That will work while they’re newborns, but it will not work as well when they’re older. Many babies become curious and start kicking that blanket off on their own because they want to see the world around them. So the nursing covers will be best long-term.
This particular item above can be found on Amazon.
If you want to read more about breastfeeding covers, please read my other post:
https://momheadquarters.com/breastfeeding-covers/
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #8: Nursing Friendly Tops
Again, convenience and speed are essential, but being comfortable is also a priority for mom in this case. Many nursing friendly tops have the option to just move the material aside that covers your bra so you don’t have to lift your entire shirt up. This is wonderful because some of us don’t want others to see our post-pregnancy bellies yet! These are super handy to have when you’re in public, and many of them are very comfortable. Anymore, many of the nursing tops look like a normal blouse also.
Breastfeeding Must Have’s #9: Breast Shells
Because I over produce milk, breast shells are necessary. Nonetheless, I understand that not everyone may like them. These are containers that catch extra milk. Essentially, while I feed baby on my left breast, I can have one of these cup containers in my bra on the other side. It will collect milk on my right while feeding baby on my left. Usually while breastfeeding, you have a let-down on both breasts at the same time while baby eats. So, you can catch the extra milk with your nursing pads. However, if you have a lot of extra milk, the breast shells will help collect the excess. Again, this is just your preference.
If there are other items that you’ve enjoyed using as a breastfeeding mom, feel free to mention them in the comments! I’m interested in knowing what other breastfeeding must have’s other moms use! 🙂