Breastfeeding can be a bit challenging. With my son it took 3 weeks for him to finally latch on properly. My daughter had it down on the first try. Today I wanted to share some of the must have essentials when it comes to breastfeeding. Although the title of this post is 6 breastfeeding essentials, I feel that even if you are not exclusively breastfeeding, these items can still be very useful. I’ve rounded up a list of the 6 breastfeeding essentials. Keep reading to see which items made the list.
6 Breastfeeding Essentials For New Moms
Nursing cushion
This item is by far my ultimate must have. A nursing cushion makes nursing/feeding so much more easier. I highly recommend getting one of these and if you are going to a baby shower and you bring one of these, mommy will love you forever! It’s that ONE item that will be used the most. And even when baby is not feeding it makes for a great pillow for them to lay on during the day. I have one for my daughter and we use it all the time.
Nursing Bra
Want to know what’s annoying? Sleeping with a bra. I mean a bra in general is annoying but I find sleeping with one is even more so. I don’t like sleeping with a bra at all but when you have 10 lbs of boobs, the last thing you want to do is let them hang. Can you say OUCH?! Which is why I love using a nursing bra. They do not have that annoying wire but keeps the babes (boobs) nice and snugged. It also makes night feedings a breeze.
Disposable Breast Pads
No one likes to wake up in the middle of the night soaked in breast milk. I’ve had that happen a few times and let me tell you, no fun!! So I always try to keep some disposable breast pads near. I have them on my nightstand and my purse. I even keep a few in my office desk (you just never know!).
Manual breast pump
When my milk started to come in, it came IN! A lot. More than my daughter was drinking. Which means my breast would fill up and become painful from all the milk. I remember sending my SO out to get a breast pump early in the morning because it was getting too painful. We got a manual one because it was inexpensive and I knew I wouldn’t really be using it a lot. If you plan on pumping more, though, you might want to get an electric breast pump.
Breastmilk Bags
This one is optional but still good to have. The Medela Pump & Save Breastmilk Bags are great because you can pump directly into the bag. Milk storage is not something I did with my son, but I’ve had to do it for my daughter. If you plan on pumping and storing, you will need some storage bags.
Comfortable Rocking Chair
This is not a must but let me tell you, feeding on demand can make your bum numb! So you need somewhere comfortable to sit on while nursing/feeding your little one. I don’t have a comfortable chair like the rocker in this photo but I have a rocking chair, and I put a cushion to make it more comfortable. If you have the funds, I highly recommend investing in a rocker with a foot stool. Especially for those days you have to be sitting for a long stretch of time.
There you have it! My list of 6 breastfeeding essentials. Like I said before, even if you are not breastfeeding, a few of these such as the rocker and cushion are really good to have. Next time you are going to a baby shower see if the mom to be could use some of these items. Trust me they will, and they will love you for getting them.
Did I miss anything on this list? Let me know what other items would be perfect for nursing. Don’t forget to subscribe to more awesome posts. Thank you for reading and sharing!
**Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I have added links to where you can purchase the items mentioned above. Those links are affiliate links, which means if you place an order using my link I can earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
My daughter is due to have a baby in April. She definitely needs to stock up on all these essentials. Luckily we have the rocker and the nursing pillow covered.
I love the rocker. A nice glider rocker is so wonderful to have for breastfeeding. It helps keep both mom and baby comfy.
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This is a very thought out list and I’m sure it will help many. I didn’t have all of these extras way back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and my offspring were born :). I miss those days.
The breastfeeding pillow was my essential for sure! It made it easier on my body!
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I second the nursing pillow. I personally prefer cloth nursing pads over disposables.
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I was a breastfeeding Mama 17 yrs ago and these are really the necessities for a comfortable feed. I wish I had these before. 😀
A good rocker is key, for sure! I am still using my rocker from baby #1 (who is almost 4) with baby sis (who is 17 months)! We rock to sleep every night… it’s been the best purchase for both practical and emotional reasons. <3
These are all great items. I have the rocker and ottoman and it is amazing. I wasn’t able to breastfeed, but the rocker and the pillow were so handy anyway!
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I loved my Medela breast pump. It worked like a charm. I pumped breast milk for a little over a year after I had my youngest. I had returned to work.
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The comfy is the most needed. You will be spending many nights in that chair.
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It took my daughter three weeks as well, but I never had problems with my son. This is a great resource for new moms.
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I love the Rocker looks comfortable. My friend daughter is having a baby will have to check out these products for the baby shower thanks .
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Great suggestions! My daughter would be needing a nice rocking chair. I think I’d get her one so she and her baby would have a lot of bonding moments together!
What a great list! The rocking chair is the most essential LOL
Great tips and information. This is so helpful for those having baby.
Thanks for these suggestions. I wish they had these when I had my kids. I’d still love to have that rocker though. It would be great for relaxing.
It is important for both parties to feel comfortable when breast feeding takes place and the nursing cushion would help!
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I learned really quickly not to pump too soon. I would wait at least 1+ months before I pumped. My last baby I didn’t even bother to pump at all. My only essentials would be the nursing pads and a good nursing bra. After 6 kids and 4 years for breastfeeding I find less is more! Great essentials!
My cousin is about to give birth to their first baby. I’d love to give one of these to her.
Thanks for suggestions. My friend has a baby so I’ll tell you about these items! Pinned your post!
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I’m child free but that chair looks very comfortable!
A rocking chair is a nice idea. They also look good.
I would have to say, breast pumps saved my life. Especially since I have twins to feed and it was crazy during that time, having two demanding babies asking for your milk. These are definitely helpful!
These all seem like great products. I have a few friends who are planning on nursing. I should share this post with them.
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You are so right on with this list! That is awesome that your breastfeeding your little one. =)
I have a comfortable rocking chair, I still have it till now, Definitely agree with the list.
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This is a great list. A good pillow and chair are so important.
These are all great and wonderful products! And honestly, most are necessity for sure! What would I have done without them? Thanks for sharing!
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I didn’t have one of those cushions for nursing but everyone really does swear by them. I wish I had had one. 🙂
I had all of these things and they helped. I would add an electric breast pump. I really needed the boost!
Being a mom of two, I very much agree Breastfeeding is not an easy task. These are some great essentials that will be so helpful, particularly the Nursing cushion would be a great choice. I love that comfy Rocking Chair as well.
I didn’t have a rocking chair when my son was still a baby. But for sure I’ll have me one once I’ll have me another baby. 😉
Thank you for this! I’m due with twins this summer and plan on breastfeeding, so this is helpful!
These are some really great products for future use (when I do plan on having kids) this is a great post thanks so much!
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My cousin is due to have a baby in July and I’m sure she’d love that rocking chair!
I am loving all of these products! One day when I am a mother I am going to choose the option to breastfeed and I will look into these items!
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I’m a breastfeeding mama for 1 year and 2 months and I really need a comfortable chair in my first weeks of breastfeeding journey.
As someone who really wants to get pregnant soon I really hope to need all this info!
Rocking chair and breast pumps are definitely essentials that a new mom should invest in. I don’t know what I would have done without my rocking chair.
Omg I don’t know how I would of survived my daughters infant year without my rocking chair.Loved my chair!
This is great information for new moms! I totally agree with you these are must in every mommys life.
I breastfed all four of my babies, but didn’t have some of the nice accessories that are now available and my daughter has used for her two babies (my only grandchildren so far). I know she especially likes the horseshoe-shaped nursing pillow. I’ve watched her use it and it sure makes the experience much more enjoyable for mommy and baby alike!
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I breastfed both kids and only bought the pump. They look cool and sure will be useful.
Oh these are so very necessary!
I wish I had some of those as a new parent.
I wish I had a rocking chair when I was nursing my babies. I definitely think the nursing bra, nursing pads and breast pump are must-haves when it comes to nursing!!
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