Are you looking to learn all the breastfeeding must haves?
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You have made the choice to breastfeed, and now you need to know all the breastfeeding must haves! There are so many things that nobody mentions about that I learned along the way. Through personal experience and chatting with mommy friends, I have put together all the breastfeeding must haves. All in one place. We all know breastfeeding comes with so many benefits. What we may not realize is that there are so many essentials that make your breastfeeding journey SO.MUCH.EASIER!
You are probably wondering what do I need for breastfeeding and pumping? You are going to learn breastfeeding station must haves, breastfeeding must haves 2022, breastfeeding must haves first time mom, what to buy for a nursing mother, and more!
After reading about these breastfeeding must haves you are going to have a successful nursing journey with your little one!
Essential Breastfeeding Must Haves
Breastfeeding Benefits
Breastfeeding is super beneficial for both you and your little one. Babies who are breastfed have a lower chance of getting asthma, obesity, diabetes, SIDS, ear infections, as well as stomach bugs.
When you breastfeed you also give antibodies to your baby that will help build their immune system.
It is also convenient to be able to feed your baby on demand.
To read about more details about the many benefits of breastfeeding, check out this post. It is super informative.
Let’s get into the breastfeeding must haves!
What To Buy For A Nursing Mother
What do you buy a new mother for breastfeeding?
1. Snacks, Snacks, and more Snacks!
Breastfeeding requires us mamas to take in additional calories. So of course we are more hungry! There are great snacks to gift breastfeeding mamas.
Beef Jerky
Beef Jerky is an excellent snack for a breastfeeding mama. This beef jerky is grass-fed. So no need to worry about antibiotics, hormones, or grain.
Lara Bars
Lara Bars are healthy for everyone! These bars are the best. They are a really great and easy gift for a nursing mama. They are made with real ingredients.
Personally, I craved sweets while breastfeeding. Which is so interesting because I do not typically have a sweet tooth. Anyway, these bars satisfy that sweet tooth AND they are actually healthy for you.
Nursing mamas need snacks that they can grab on the go. These are great.
(RELATED POST: 14 Ideas For A Baby Care Package I Wish I Was Gifted)
Breastfeeding Station Must Haves
2. End Table
An end table is an absolute must!
Sit the end table beside the rocking chair and store all the items you will need. Trust me on this one. I started breastfeeding without one and life was a major challenge!
To see exactly how I organized my nursery, including how I organized the end table, click on the post below.
(RELATED POST: Secrets To Baby Room Organization)
3. Small Lamp
A small lamp is crucial. It will come in handy during late night nursing sessions.
Having a small dim light is important so you can see as you are trying to quietly leave your little one’s room.
Be sure that the light is not too bright. You do not want it to disturb or distract your baby from sleeping.
4. Vitamin D
Your pediatrician will quickly tell you the significance of giving your baby Vitamin D.
I keep the Vitamin D on the end table as a reminder to give it to my daughter daily.
5. Large Water Bottle
Making sure that you are hydrated is so important.
Your baby relies on you to stay healthy. Eat well and drink lots!
This water bottle is great because it is BPA-free and has time stamps on it to help remind you to meet your daily water intake.
6. Rocking Chair
You are going to be spending so much time with your little darling, you are without a doubt going to need a comfortable rocking chair.
Rock away for as long as you need to before buying the rocking chair. You are going to be spending so many hours in this chair. So of course comfort is key!
I bought mine from Havertys and I absolutely love it.
7. Boppy Pillow
The Boppy Pillow makes breastfeeding so easy. My daughter loves her Boppy Pillow. Honestly, so do I.
The cover can easily be removed for cleaning.
The best part about the Boppy pillow is that it grows with your baby. It can be used for feeding, propping, tummy time, and sitting.
GET ONE! You won’t regret it.
(RELATED POST: 17 Insane Baby Essentials First 3 Months That Will Simplify Mom Life)
Breastfeeding Must Haves For New Moms
Keep reading to learn the top breastfeeding accessories and breastfeeding must-haves for new moms!
8. Nursing Bra
As a first time mom, I had no idea how great nursing bras are. I bought one way too late and highly recommend you buy one as early as possible.
They make nursing so easy and convenient.
I bought mine from Soma and it is incredibly comfortable!
9. Nipple Cream
This is a must. When you just begin breastfeeding, it can be uncomfortable. Especially if your baby has a tongue tie and lip tie like my little babe.
This cream was recommended to me from a mommy friend and I love it!
It is hypoallergenic, compatible with sensitive skin, and tested for irritation. It also has no parabens, petroleum, or preservatives. Check, check, and check!
It does a great job of soothing your nipples.
10. Nipple Shields
I never knew about nipple shields, but am so glad that my lactation consultant recommended these!
If your baby has issues latching, has tongue tie, or lip tie these are for you!
They come in different sizes. Be sure to order the size that is right for you.
These nipple shields are BPA and BPS free.
11. Breast Therapy Pack
This was another product I had no clue about. This therapy pack is so soothing during those early breastfeeding days.
The cool feature about these pads are that they are designed to help when they are cold and hot.
Cool the pads if you are experience engorgement, swelling, or pain.
Heat the pads if you have clogged ducts or need to encourage let-down.
12. Breast Pump
I highly recommend buying two breast pumps. I loved having my Medela pump bedside during those early days so I could pump whenever I needed to.
Engorement is no fun.
This pump is really easy to use and is a hospital grade breast pump. It works really well!
(RELATED POST: 11 Incredible Baby Care Products That All Moms Need To Know About)
Breastfeeding Accessories
13. Electric Breast Pump
If you are a working mama, you need to invest in this breast pump! When I had to go back to work, these were a lifesaver!
As you may know, I was a teacher. I asked my principal for breaks to pump during the day, and nobody came to relieve me. I really quickly realized that they did not care. So I invested in this breast pump. It is pricey but I promise it is so worth it. I was able to go to the bathroom, pop them in, turn it on from the app on my phone, and leave to empty them once it was done pumping.
The best part is that I just threw on a sweater or a jacket, and no one could tell that I was pumping.
It is quiet. It will automatically stop if you have filled the bottles.
I really can’t say enough great things about this pump. If you need to pump at work and your boss is not supportive, buy these!
14. Prenatal Vitamins
Your doctor will remind you about the significance of continuing to take your prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding.
This vitamin contains EPA, DHA, Omega-3s, as well as Vitamin D3.
15. Nursing Cover
You will want to keep a nursing cover in your diaper bag.
In the beginning, it can feel like you are constantly nursing.
This nursing cover is so versatile. Besides using it as a cover, it is also a shopping cart cover, and high chair cover.
16. Bottles
Dr. Brown’s bottles are my favorite!
These bottles are air-free. So it reduces gas for your little one.
It reduces gas, colic, and spit-up.
I highly recommend these bottles.
17. Breast Milk Storage Bags
You need to have breastmilk storage bags handy right away. I was producing a lot of milk so in addition to feeding my baby, I also needed to pump to relieve engorgement.
It is really nice to be able to fill these bags and begin a freezer stash of milk. Frozen milk is so nice to have prepared. This makes it so easy for a family member to watch your baby while you get some chores or errands done.
18. Cooler Bag
If you are a working mama, you will need to have a cooler bag ready to go.
This cooler bag is great because it is water resistant, really easy to clean, and stores different size bottles. This bag comes with an ice pack. It also looks stylish.
19. Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer is the best! Especially when you have one that pairs with Bluetooth!
This warmer has different settings. Quick warm does exactly that. While, steady warm takes longer. It is so neat that you can control the warmer from your phone. When your milk has finished warming, it alerts your phone.
This warmer is compatible with all types of bottles.
20. Bottle Brush
You will need a few bottle brushes. I like to have a few. I keep one on top of the sink ready to go and the others under the sink ready when I need to replace it.
It is really important to use a bottle brush to clean your babies items. I do not use this on anything besides my daughter’s eating and drinking utensils.
The scrub brush for dishes does not touch her things. You want to keep everything as sanitary as possible.
21. Drying Rack
A drying rack dedicated to baby items is essential.
It holds bottles, bottle parts, cups, bowls, and utensils.
It is really easy to clean which I always appreciate.
22. Nursing Shirt
A nursing bra and nursing tops make feed SO SO easy!
I made the mistake of not buying them in the beginning of my breastfeeding journey. Learn from my mistake, and go buy yourself some nursing tops!
23. App For Recording
Mom brain is a real thing. If I do not write things down, I do not remember.
When you first bring your little one home from the hospital, you will quickly experience exhaustion from all your late night feedings.
I used the Ovia Parenting App to log when my baby ate. This really helped me remember when my baby needed her next meal. She was always really great about eating every few hours.
You can record the time, how long your baby fed for, and other information. I highly recommend using an app to track all meals!
This post was all about breastfeeding must haves.
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