Breastfeeding Essentials

While you don’t need much to breastfeed, there are several breastfeeding essentials that will help to make life easier – and you a lot more comfortable - when the baby arrives.

If you are intending to breastfeed, it is a good idea to prepare your essentials for breastfeeding while you are still pregnant. This means that you can be ready to go with everything that can help you get off to a good start.

Read our guide to breastfeeding items to make sure you are all stocked up with first time mum breastfeeding essentials.

Breastfeeding Essentials Checklists

Breastfeeding Bra

Breastfeeding-friendly bras as a key breastfeeding essential, as they will give easy access when you’re feeding your baby. Breastfeeding bras are soft, comfortable and allow you to unclip each bra cup when it’s time for feeding, meaning you don’t have to remove your bra every time. Look for breastfeeding bras that are wire-free and made of breathable fabrics that are easy to wash.

You can also buy vest tops that have with integrated breastfeeding bras, which offer more coverage when you’re out and about with your baby.

Breastfeeding Pillow

Support is vital when it comes to breastfeeding, and a good breastfeeding pillow will make sure you and the baby are in a relaxed and comfortable position for feeding. A breastfeeding pillow will mean the baby is positioned so you don’t have to bend over and risk damage to your back and shoulders.

Different styles shapes of breastfeeding pillows are available, but generally they will fit snugly around your body and position the baby near your chest. Having twins? There are special pillows that allow for tandem feeding with both babies at once. To save money you can buy pregnancy support pillows that are also suitable for use during breastfeeding, meaning you don’t have to buy two items.

Nursing Pads

Nursing pads or breastfeeding pads are absorbent pads that fit in the cup of your bra to absorb any leaks. A small but important breastfeeding essential, they are designed to stop your milk leaking through your bra onto your clothes. You can buy disposable single-use pads, or reusable pads which can be washed and reused again and again. Slimline pads are less likely to show through your clothes, and look for pads made of absorbent fabric such as bamboo.

Breastfeeding-friendly Clothes

While you don’t need to invest in an entirely new wardrobe for breastfeeding, it can make you more comfortable and confident to wear clothes that offer easy access during feeding. Most high street stores that have a maternity range will also sell clothes designed specifically for breastfeeding, and you can look on site like Vinted and eBay for second hand breastfeeding style bargains.

It is also easy to adapt your existing wardrobe for breastfeeding. Wear clothes that fasten down the front, such as button-down shirts or dresses. Two piece outfits like jeans or skirts and separate tops also work, as well as anything you can lift or pull aside when it’s feeding time.

A good tip for your breastfeeding wardrobe is to wear a vest top under another layer you can pull up, which offers you more coverage on your stomach if you are feeling self-conscious.

Nipple Cream

You may find that you nipples become dry, sore or cracked from the early days of breastfeeding. A breastfeeding essential is nipple cream, which can help soothe sore skin. Look out for nipple cream that contains lanolin - which is considered safe for your baby - as well as products that are hypoallergenic and additive-free. And here’s a beauty tip - did you know nipple cream containing lanolin is also a good lip balm?

Breast Pump, Bottles And Sterilising Kit

Some women like to express breast milk for when they are away from the baby or to let other family members help with feeding (it is recommended that you wait until breastfeeding is established before you start pumping milk).

If this is something you would like to do, then it can be good to be prepared with breastfeeding and pumping essentials, such as a breast pump. While you can express by hand, breast pumps mimic the baby’s feeding action to extract your milk quickly. You can buy manual breast pumps – which you must pump with your hand – or electric pumps that will do the job automatically. Wire-free electric breast pumps that sit in the cup of your bra are also very handy, but can be more expensive.

If you are planning on giving the baby expressed milk, you’ll need baby bottles to use with it. You can also buy pots and plastic bags that let you chill and freeze breast milk, which can be handy for establishing a supply.

All your breastfeeding and pumping kit, from bottles to the breast pump, must be sterilised each time you use them. Follow the NHS guidelines on expressing and storing breastmilk.

Muslin Cloths

Having a supply of muslin cloths is a baby essential, and they are essential for breastfeeding too. You’ll soon find there are a million different uses for muslin cloths, and during breastfeeding they can be invaluable – use them to mop up milk or baby dribble, add a barrier between you and your baby on hot days, provide a sun shade or offer privacy during feeds if you want it!

Snacks And A Water Bottle

Breastfeeding will make you thirsty, so make sure you stay hydrated and have a drink to have when you sit down to feed. Carrying a water bottle can be a handy reminder to drink more – and is also less likely to spill!

Breastfeeding might make you hungry, so keep a supply of snacks to hand that you can eat one handed while feeding. Good snacks for breastfeeding include flapjacks or oat bars, veg sticks and hummus, or fruit.

Books, Magazines Or Box Sets

The final item on our breastfeeding essentials checklist is things to keep you awake and occupied on feeds. A Kindle with a light can be a good night feed companion, and look out for magazines, books or good TV series you can watch during this time.

The following items aren’t essential, but can be helpful during breastfeeding:

Nursing Chair

It will make you more comfortable during feeds to have a supportive place to sit. Specialised glider chairs that have a rocking motion can be soothing for both you and the baby when you’re feeding. Even if you don’t have a specialist chair, it can be helpful to have a chair in the nursery or your bedroom where you can sit and feed.

Nightlight

Having a soft glow nightlight can help you see what you are doing during night feeds, without being so bright it will disturb the baby.

White Noise App Or Machie

A while noise machine, or an app on your phone, can help soothe the baby if they are unsettled during feeds. You can even play white noise on Spotify or on speakers such as the Amazon Echo.

Our Breastfeeding Vitamins for New Mothers

Another breastfeeding essential for new mothers is a healthy, varied diet, as this will help to produce nutritious breast milk and maintain their own health during the demanding postnatal period. Find out more about what you can and can’t eat during this time in our post on a healthy breastfeeding diet.

We know the postnatal period can be hectic, and some women choose to continue taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement that is suitable for breast-feeding in order to support their diet and for peace of mind that they are safeguarding their diet with all the nutrients they need.

Our breastfeeding supplements Pregnacare Breast-feeding contains essential vitamins and minerals including calcium which contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. Plus, 10µg vitamin D, which is recommended by the Department of Health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It also includes an Omega-3 capsule which provides DHA. Maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal brain and eye development in breast-fed infants*.

Did you take Pregnacare in pregnancy? Pregnacare Breast-feeding is an ideal follow-on once your baby has arrived.

Find out more about Pregnacare Breast-feeding on our website.

* A beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200mg DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids for adults.