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Are you planning to breastfeed or currently breastfeeding? I put together a list of essentials that have helped me along my breastfeeding journey. These are items that I truly found so helpful during my first month of breastfeeding. Most of these I found out I needed during the first week of motherhood. I bought most of them when I was desperate so you are already one step ahead of being prepared for that first week with the baby if you are still pregnant.
As a first-time mom not knowing what to expect about breastfeeding, I wish I had the essentials. I just thought, “Okay, I am breastfeeding; I just need my breast,” but little did I know in that first week I would be panic buying things to heal my nipples and help me get through that first month. Breastfeeding in the first month comes with challenges. It’s full of discomfort, sore and cracked nipples, engorgement, and leaking milk. These items help me get through those discomforts.
Nursing Bras
• The nursing bra is my breastfeeding cornerstone – I have to have it. You will use them throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Multi-Pack Nursing Bras – Shop on Amazon
Nursing Pads
• There are both disposable and reusable nursing pads. I found that disposable pads can be a little harsher on the skin and may harbor more bacteria, so changing them often is key to preventing infections like thrush (I’m thankful I didn’t experience that!). Nursing pads are super helpful in the early weeks of breastfeeding, when your body is still adjusting and figuring out how much milk to produce. It can be really frustrating to wake up soaking wet through your nursing bra every night, but once your milk supply evens out, leaks usually become much less frequent.
Lanolin Nipple Cream
• Nipple cream provides a protective barrier and acts as a lubricant. It can be applied before and generously after breastfeeding. It is great to lather on your breast pump to prevent soreness and irritation.
Lanolin Nipple Cream – Shop on Amazon
Hydrogel Breast Patches
• Promotes healing
• Soothes sore nipples between feeds
• Tip: store in fridge
Momcozy Hydrogel Breast Patches – Shop on Amazon
Silverettes
• Silverettes are nipple guards meant to protect the nipple from rubbing on clothing. They really helped when having sensitive nipples in the early days.
Nursing cover
• If you want one, this is definitely optional. A nursing cover did help me feel more comfortable feeding in public. This is a personal preference.
Momcozy Nursing Cover – Shop on Amazon
Nursing pillow
• Provides firm support. There are many options out there. Even regular firm pillows will work. I had the Boppy nursing pillow and loved it in the early days. Now I just use whatever is around, pillows or blankets.
Bobby Nursing Pillow – Shop on Amazon
Cold packs
• Cold packs help with engorged breast sore nipples and helping milk flow. I never used heat on my breast to help milk flow just massages and cold packs.
Momcozy Hot and Cold Breast Pads – Shop on Amazon
Breast pump
• Breast pumps can relieve engorgement, build a freezer stash, or allow someone else to feed the baby. There are quite the options on the market. The type of breast pump is a personal preference and what suits your lifestyle. My favorite was a good old-fashioned hand pump. I liked being able to control the pump and flow. There are also wireless and wearable pumps that are great for travel and more heavy-duty pumps that plug in.
Haakaa
• Haakaas catch leaking milk on the opposite breast when feeding. Haakaas are a great tool to use to collect milk that is already going to fall and refrigerate to build a freezer stash.
Supportive Chair
• A supportive chair and comfortable chair is a must for good posture, positioning, and comfort. I recommend a rocking chair recliner. I was fortunate to be gifted one, but there are affordable options from Walmart, (where mine is from) and I love it, or you may be able to find something from your local furniture store or Facebook Marketplace.
Bonus Night feeding Essentials:
- Dim light or lamp
- Accessible, easy snacks
- Water!!
- Burp cloths
Once I got past the first month, it is pretty smooth sailing. It takes time for you and your baby to get comfortable. They are learning a new skill with you. Remember to give yourself grace and patience.
Check out my post for the Best Breastfeeding Positions After a C-section
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