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Mom Matters

20 Breastfeeding Essentials to Add to Your Baby Registry ASAP

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So you’ve decided you’re going to breastfeed. Or maybe you’ve decided you’re at least going to try to breastfeed. Regardless, if nursing is in your future, it’s best to start preparing for nursing sooner rather than later. After all, nothing incites stress and panic quite like being handed your newborn and realizing you have zero ideas what to do— and you have absolutely nothing you need. Shouldn’t this be something they teach you in school?! Where’s the beginner’s guide to breastfeeding?! Were you supposed to just know all of this?!

First, take a deep breath. Even if your little one is already here, it’s not too late to stock up on all the essentials for breastfeeding that will take you from nervous nursing to fabulous feeding. With the help of Bobbie moms—including the ultimate expert in the field when it comes to assembling a breastfeeding essentials checklist, Jadah Parks Chatterjee, RN, Lactation Consultant, and Bobbie Medical Advisor—we’ve rounded up all the must-have breastfeeding products for nursing mamas to put together their breastfeeding essentials kit below, from the best bottles for breastfed babies to the best electric breast pump to nipple creams and balms that will make your life (and breasts) a lot less painful. Get ready for the 20 Breastfeeding Essentials: What to Add to Your List.

Breastfeeding Essentials List

1. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump 

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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.  

2. Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump 

Breastfeeding Essentials List

3. Comotomo Baby Bottles

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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. 

4. Munchkin Sponge Bottle Brush Set

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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. 

5. Frida Mom Sore Nipple Set

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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. 

6. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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.

8. Medela Soothing Gel Pads

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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.

9. Earth Mama Booby Tubes

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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.

10. Bobbie Organic Baby Formula Subscription

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula is a USDA Organic, EU-style infant formula that meets all FDA requirements. It is a complete nutrition milk-based powder modeled after breast milk and is easy on tummies. It is non-GMO and doesn't have corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin. Learn more about Bobbie.

Shop Bobbie

New moms may start hearing about supplementing with formula or combo feeding (using breast milk and formula together in any capacity) from their friends or pediatrician as they work out their feeding plan. We love a mom-founded organic formula brand like Bobbie. Since it’s subscription based, it shows up at your doorstep each month just when you need it. The best part is that you can dial your subscription up or down at any point, so whether you need a few cans for night-time supplementing, or a little more for when you go back to work, it’s up to you. We love moms that think of everything that other new moms need.

11. Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Drink Mix

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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.

12. 321 Strong Foam Roller

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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. 

13. Momcozy Hands-Free Pumping and Nursing Bra

Breastfeeding Essentials List

14. KeaBabies Organic Bamboo Nursing Breast Pads

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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. 

15. Kindred Bravely Hands-Free Pumping Tank

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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.

16. Lasinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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!

17. ALOHA Organic Plant Based Protein Bars Variety Pack

Best protein bars

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!) 

18. Evolur Raleigh Glider, Recliner, and Rocker

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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!

19. LaVie Lactation Massager

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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. 

20. Bodily The Effortless Nursing Bralette

Breastfeeding Essentials List

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. 

Breastfeeding Essentials

Welcome to the wonderful world of breastfeeding and all the items that can support you in your journey. This list is a great one for remembering all your first-time mom breastfeeding essentials, or for those who are pros, but need a little refresher. So, while they may not teach us this in school, mom-to-mom, we’ve got you and your boobs covered.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant's pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.
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The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant’s pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.

Producer Jenny Altman

Jenny is the head of content at Milk Drunk and a writer for all of her favorite wellness and mom sites including Well+Good, Peanut, Motherly and Scary Mommy. Mom to Luisa, she can be found talking bras and beauty with the moms at school and on instagram.