Breastfeeding Supplies for New Moms

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Hey Mama!

Breastfeeding can be hard but it gets easier the longer you do it, especially if you have the right supplies! These are the key items I used. Each one really helped me along. If you are a first-time mom or expecting another baby, this list is for you. A lot of these items made the list because I tried them with my second daughter, so even if you are experienced, there is always something new to learn!

And if you aren’t a lactating momma, this list offers great ideas for a baby shower gift as well.

Breastfeeding Supplies you need now:

Nipple shields: Order these now, just in case. After using them with my first daughter, I purchased them again despite the fact that I hoped I would be able to navigate latching better with the experience under my belt. Well, that wasn’t the case. This is why I advise you to buy them now so you have them when needed later.
Reusable breast pads: My first time around I only used disposable pads. Spending that money and remembering to keep them in stock got annoying so I tried these out. I did like them but I ended up alternating between disposable and reusable ones. The reusable pads are a bit more bulky but they reduce waste, save you money and can easily be thrown in the wash with your dirty burp clothes and blankets.
Nipple cream (lansinoh): I’ve used a few different brands of nipple cream but I like the consistency of Lansinoh the best. You will need a reliable nipple cream in the beginning girl, trust me.
Milk bags: I don’t think the brand matters that much here, get whatever works best with your breast pump. The main thing is to be equipped to pump into bags and store them in the freezer. When my milk came in, I was really engorged that second week postpartum and my pump saved me! During that time, your baby isn’t drinking a lot of milk at once so pumping provides relief when you need it. Make sure you buy at least one box before the baby arrives.
Haakaa: This was really a game changer. I didn’t discover this until after I had weaned my first baby so I made sure to try it for the second. I really liked using this while nursing to catch the let down from my other breast. It helps build up your milk stockpile by saving the milk that would otherwise be wasted in a breast pad.
Pump (link back): You need a pump. Even if you plan on only nursing, when you are engorged or away from your baby at work you will need to release that milk. If you cannot afford a pump or don’t qualify for an electric one through your insurance, try using a manual pump. They are usually $30 or less and work great. If you need help choosing a pump, check out this post!
Cooler Bag: This is great for working mamas. You can use a lunch bag or a breastmilk bag that has a space fitted for bottles. This helped me out on my long commutes from work, my milk was always nice and cold by the time I got home.
Hot/cold packs: These help out so much when you are engorged from your milk coming in or if you end up with a clogged duct. Warming these up, in addition to light massaging and tylenol helps out a ton!
Bottle cleaner: I used my bottle cleaner for bottles (duh), but more importantly to clean my breast pump parts. Bottle cleaners just do a better job of getting into those small spaces than a dish rag or sponge would do. I would suggest buying more than one, especially if you plan to pump at work. Throw one of these in your bag to use at the office.