20 Breastfeeding Essentials to Add to Your Baby Registry ASAP

Girl’s gotta pump, you know? And for that, you may want a quality hand pump like this one from Haakaa, which has raked in more than 75,000 glowing reviews on Amazon (even Chrissy Teigen is obsessed with it!). There are no cords, no complicated parts—just a single silicone pump that uses natural suction to collect all that liquid gold for your little one. The flange can fit snugly over almost any size breast and is designed to be comfortable on even the most sensitive of skin.  

With so many makes and models available these days, picking out a breast pump can feel as overwhelming as picking out a new car. While there are a ton of great options out there, lactation consultant Jadah Parks Chatterjee—along with thousands of other moms—is a big fan of the popular Spectra S1 electric pump. She likes that it’s both reliable and portable, saying, “It’s a strong pump that works well for most people.” 

Just because you’re nursing doesn’t mean you won’t need (or at least, want) a good set of bottles. Because at some point, you’ll likely have to pump or you’ll want Dad to do nighttime feedings. Bobbie mom Orly Amsalam swears by Comotomo baby bottles. She likes that they’re easy to clean and have minimal parts—both extremely important when you feel like your life has just become a cycle of wash, rinse, repeat with the endless flow of baby paraphernalia. 

Right up there with cleaning up diaper blowouts and waking up 20 times a night, washing bottles is one of Mom’s favorite pastimes—not. But it’s an unfortunate reality. These BPA-free Munchkin brushes make things easier. They’re dishwasher-safe (praise be!) and have both nylon bristles for scrubbing and a sponge tip for sudsing up. Even better? They come with a rubber nipple brush, too, so you can clean every part of your bottles with one convenient tool. 

Ah, cracked nipples. One of the oh-so-lovely side effects of nursing your newborn. A must-have breastfeeding product for moms, because you can survive all the chafing, soreness, and splitting with the Frida Mom Sore Nipple Set, which includes a tube of No-Mess Nipple Balm and Cracked Nipple Spray. Both are easy to apply—a must-have when you have zero energy to do one more thing and your baby is screaming to be picked up. “I like this one because you can spread it with the bottle and not get your hands slimy,” Orly explains. 

Fun fact: Your baby feels less like an adorably tiny human and more like a 2-ton elephant when you have to hold them in the same position for what feels like an eternity without moving a muscle (and while they’re tugging on your breasts). Enter the My Brest Friend nursing pillow, which relieves some of the aches and pains common with breastfeeding. It wraps around you to provide an ergonomic backrest along with plenty of cushioned support for your arms in the front.

We love us some nipple cream, but to be honest, it can get a little messy. That’s why Jadah recommends these reusable hydrogel pads from Medela. The contoured shape helps them fit perfectly over your sore nips and they’re designed to provide almost instant cooling relief as soon as you put them on. Ahh, much better. You can use each pad for up to 24 hours after opening it.

To be fair, “booby tubes” sounds like something your 4-year-old would unashamedly call your nipples. But in actuality, they’re a must-have accessory for breastfeeding, according to Bobbie moms. The hot and cold organic cotton breast packs are filled with flax seeds to stay warmer (or cooler) for longer and help unclog milk ducts or provide comfort if you’re dealing with engorgement.

Trying to drink enough water for one person is hard enough. Trying to drink enough for two? Ugh. That’s essentially what you have to do when you’re breastfeeding, though. If you’re struggling with staying hydrated—or if milk production is low—electrolytes might help. At the very least, mix-ins like Liquid I.V. will make your 16 cups of water taste better. Each packet contains more electrolytes than a Gatorade along with good-for-you vitamins. Wins all around.

When you think of working out, you think more spin class than breastfeeding sesh. But nursing takes its toll on your back, neck, and arms—which is why stretching post-feeding can really help with soreness and pain. This foam roller features 3D bumps and tread that mimic hands so it can really massage out knots and tension. Use it on your upper back and shoulders for instant relief. 

When you have to pump, you don’t want to be messing with pesky straps and cups that won’t stay put while you try to get everything set up. That’s where a good hands-free pumping bra comes in. With more than 50,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this gem from Momcozy is arguably the most popular out there. It’s made of a cozy (and stretchy) cotton spandex blend and has convenient adjustable and detachable straps for when you want to nurse. Bonus: It’s compatible with all breast pumps.

Yes, we all know that breastfeeding is a totally natural part of being a woman, yada yada yada. But that doesn’t mean that all of us are comfortable with our milk leaking through our bras (and worse, through our shirts) during everyday life. To help protect against the stains and embarrassment, more than 24,000 moms recommend these organic breast pads. They’re made with four strong layers of absorbent bamboo, along with a waterproof exterior. People like that they’re machine-washable, so you can wash and re-wear them as much as you need to. 

Multitasking while pumping is totally possible with a hands-free pumping tank like this one from Kindred Bravely. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a tank top with, yes, a hands-free breast-pumping bra built in. Genius. It fits flanges from all the big breast pump brands (including Spectra, Medela, and Lasinoh), and when you aren’t pumping, it looks just like a regular old top. A.k.a. you can easily wear it out in public and not look like a nursing mama.

Meal prepping for newborns looks a little different than meal prepping for yourself. Instead of neatly compartmentalized Tupperware, you’ll need breastmilk storage bags for stashing away your precious liquid. You can pump directly into these BPA-free ones from Lasinoh and then store them upright or lying flat in either the fridge or freezer. With nearly 84,000 positive reviews from Amazon shoppers, the bags are also praised for their secure double-zipper seal. No leaks here!

Remember when you thought your insane appetite would go back to normal as soon as you gave birth to your little gal or guy? HA! For many breastfeeding mamas, you’re just hungry in the fourth trimester, if not more so. Your body is using a lot of energy! So you’ll want to keep plenty of snacks on hand even after your stash of pregnancy snacks has run out. Our favorites are these protein bars which are packed with plant protein to keep you fuller for longer and, more importantly, taste exactly like a candy bar. (Special call-out for the chocolate mint!) 

Babies breastfeed anywhere from 20 minutes (or longer) every two hours or so, which is akin to watching 12 episodes of Schitt’s Creek. Pro tip: Unlike holding your phone while you watch Moira change wigs, babies get heavy. So, Chatterjee suggests sitting down in a comfy chair while you breastfeed. The Evolur knows what a breastfeeding mama needs and comes with an ergonomic backrest support, multiple reclining positions, and can swivel or rock depending on your baby’s preference. This recliner is padded so you and your baby can rest comfortably while you’re breastfeeding, oh…and it’s easy to clean!

While breastfeeding, you may realize your breasts require a great deal of self-care all their own. Hot showers, massages, and loving words are all things your breasts need. Add a good lactation massager to your list and you’re good to go. With over 12,000 positive reviews on Amazon, the LaVie is a breastfeeding massager designed to improve milk flow, help you empty your breast (to avoid mastitis), and restore your flow. Made from soft medical-grade silicone, the LaVie has multiple massage modes and is fully waterproof, so you can use this in the shower, too. 

Remember when you could sleep without waking up in pain when you rolled over on your boobs? Those were the good ole days. While breastfeeding, your boobs need extra support, and a comfortable bra to sleep in can help you sleep those full 23 minutes at night while you’re taking care of your newborn. The Bodily Effortless Bra is made from fabric that feels super soft and gives you enough support that keeps you feeling comfortable all day—and even all night.