Breastfeeding is magical. However, it can be slightly uncomfortable if you don’t have the right items with you.
You’re most likely going to have a designated area in your house where you’re going to nurse that little baby. It may be in your baby’s nursery or it could be on your couch or your bed. It doesn’t matter where you do it! But what does matter, is the items you have in reach.
Once you sit down, you’re gonna be trapped there for quite some time! It’s sooo important you have everything you need.
PSA: Don’t forget to use the bathroom and grab your phone!
I can’t tell you how many times I’d sit down and have to yell to my husband to grab me a drink or or a snack. There’s nothing worse then finally getting into that perfect breastfeeding position and realizing you forgot something.
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Before I give you the run down of everything you need. You should have a little bin or caddy you can put all your smaller must haves in. One with a handle would be ideal so if you decide to switch rooms, you can easily pick it up and bring it with you. This one below is super convenient. You could also transfer it to your baby’s nursery after you’re no longer breastfeeding!
1. Boppy or Pillow
Depending on what works best for you, you’ll want either a Boppy or a pillow. I brought my Boppy to the hospital to use to nurse my son. The lactation consultant actually told me that these do not work well. Instead, she said pillows work best. She showed me how to set up the pillows to help my baby latch.
Once I got home, I could not for the life of me get the pillows to work the way they did at the hospital. So I stuck with my Boppy and I used it every single time I nursed my son. I love the Boppy because you can also buy cute cases that are machine washable. Which is definitely a plus!
2. Nipple Cream
You will definitely want to have this close by. Breastfeeding can be really tough in the beginning for some momma’s. My nipples were so sore when we first started. At one point, they had scabbed up. Nipple cream can help with cracked nipples and relieve the pain. The best part is, you don’t have to wipe this off before you nurse again.
You can also use nipple cream before you pump so your nipples are lubricated and it can help with any discomfort. Earth Mama Organics Nipple Cream has great reviews and is actually chosen by hospital NICU’s!
3. Haakaa
This is a total game changer if you have let down while you’re nursing your baby. Before Haakaa’s were around, momma’s would just use nursing pads to soak up any breastmilk. Now if you’re someone who has a heavy let down, or has any let down, think about how much breastmilk is getting wasted. You cannot waste liquid gold.
The Haakaa will simply suction cup to your breast and catch all the breastmilk that’s coming from your letdown. It’s so easy to use! So many momma’s are able to use this to help build their breastmilk stash.
4. Nipple Shield
This may not be for every momma. Breastfeeding was a huge struggle for my son and I. My son had a hard time latching because he had a tongue tie so I was given a nipple shield in the hospital.
The nipple shield actually makes it easier for your baby to suck by extending the nipple and it gives the baby a larger “nipple” to latch onto. This is perfect for babies with tongue ties, lip ties, preemie’s or ill babies.
5. Burp Cloths
Do not forget this must have. You should actually have multiples of these in your caddy. Babies spit up. All the time. Some times they nurse too fast and the breastmilk just comes back up. Having a heavy let down can also cause spitting up.
You should burp your baby after every nursing session and sometimes in between. When I breastfeed my son, I would use both breasts so when I switched sides I would burp him once and then at the end. Make sure you put that burp cloth over your shoulder or under their chin because you don’t wanna have it dripping down your back. And yes, that has happened to me!
These Burt’s Bees Baby Burp Cloths are affordable and come in so many different colors/styles.
6. Water
This may seem obvious but I’ve forgotten it many of times. Just have a bottle or two ready to go. You have to stay hydrated to produce enough breastmilk for your baby so this is super important. Breastmilk is made up of almost 90% water. So drink up momma’s!
7. Snacks
I saved the best for last! Breastfeeding makes you hungry!! When you’re up at midnight and then again at 3 in the morning, you get hungry. Always keep healthy snacks handy. Let’s be real….. it’s not always healthy. Just something to get you by until the morning or your next meal.
