Learn about the best breastfeeding gear for new moms. We cover everything from breast milk pumps and nursing pillows to clothing , nipple shields and more!
When I first started breastfeeding, I honestly had no idea what to expect. It was a much bigger struggle than I expected, so I found myself leaning on a lot of breastfeeding products to help get me through.
And get through it I did! I breastfed my older daughter for 13 months (when I got pregnant again) and I made it 18 months with my younger daughter!
These are some of the best breastfeeding products I’ve found to help new moms. Each of them have ways of making life with a baby just a bit easier.
1. Nursing Bra
I went through a few nursing bras before I found what worked best for me. I got one from Target and it was never very comfortable. I also got a little bit nicer one at JC Penny. It was a little better, but still wasn’t as comfortable as I would have liked.
So, I finally broke down and spent the money on a Bravado Seamless Nursing Bra. It may have been a little pricier, but it was well worth it! The quality is great. I wore it the entire time I was nursing Zoë and have still been wearing it through this pregnancy (I weaned her right when I got pregnant).
It is extremely comfortable and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, quality nursing bra. I actually just bought another one.
2. Nursing Tanks
I bought two Glamourmom Nursing Tanks before Zoë was born, thinking they would be good to have in the hospital. I didn’t wear one until the day I was released from the hospital, but I was instantly in love with them.
I picked up a couple of Gilligan & O’Malley nursing tanks at Target and the quality just wasn’t the same as the GlamourMom nursing tanks. So, I ended up going back to the store pick up a couple more GlamourMom tanks. I think I have about six of them and they get used all the time. I’ll definitely be pulling my nursing tanks out and washing them soon.
3. Nursing Pads
I started off just using the disposable nursing pads. I tried the Lansinoh and Medela brands, and of the two, Medela was my favorite by far. They didn’t show through my shirt the way the Lansinoh ones did because of the shape.
But after the first month, I decided to explore my other options. A friend gave me a pair of washable nursing pads and I fell in love. I picked up a few more pairs. They were a little bulkier, so I couldn’t wear them with everything, but they were super comfortable.
Then I read about LilyPadz. I picked up a pair, tried them and realized that they were perfect for wearing with anything. Instead of absorbing the leak, they prevent you from leaking. They are also very thin, so they don’t show through your clothes.
So I ended up with a hybrid model with my nursing pads: LilyPadz during the day, washable nursing pads at night and disposable nursing pads at the gym. It worked for me!
4. Nursing Cover
I didn’t get a nursing cover before Zoë was born. I actually didn’t even hear about them until she was about a month old. I had a really hard time nursing in public early on, partly because breastfeeding was so painful for me in the beginning and partly because my boobs were bigger than her head and difficult to manage (I went up to a 34G!).
After getting a nursing cover, I felt a lot more comfortable and would breastfeed anywhere. But, for us, using the cover only lasted a couple of months. Zoë hated being covered up and her comfort was more important, so we didn’t use it much.
The second time around I had absolutely no shame and would breastfeed anywhere, anytime without a cover. Kaylee wouldn’t have tolerated one anyway!
The Bebe Au Lait Nursing Covers are great, but I wouldn’t worry about the brand too much. As long as it has boning in the top so you can see your baby while he or she is nursing… that’s the most important feature in my opinion.
5. Breast Milk Pump
Since I was originally planning on returning to work, a pump was a necessity. I was lucky enough that my mother in law bought me a Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Milk Pump. My husband actually asked her for it for his birthday – good hubby ☺
Of course I didn’t go back to work, but I did use the pump regularly. As much as I hate pumping, I was glad to have a double electric pump. I also had the smaller manual breast pump that I kept with me when I was away from Zoë, but I can’t imagine having to use it all the time.
6. Nursing Pillow
With Zoë, I had a Boppy breastfeeding pillow and I would have said that it was absolutely essential. She loved to chill in it next to me on the couch when we weren’t using it for breastfeeding.
However, with Kaylee I didn’t use a breastfeeding pillow and I never missed it! She was easy to hold and feed without the pillow, but I loved it with my first baby.
7. Nipple Shield
When I was still in the hospital, Zoë had no problem latching, but the day we came home, suddenly she couldn’t latch anymore. I tried everything. I was in tears because I thought I was going to have to give up.
Then I got on the internet and did a few searches and found a few things to try. I hopped in the car and drove to Babies R Us (still crying the whole way). I picked up a nipple shield and a Latch Assist because I had read that both could help with my issue.
I got home, broke out the nipple shield and Zoë latched immediately. I was so happy I cried some more. I had read horror stories about moms not being able to wean their babies from the nipple shield, but I was lucky and only needed to use it for about a day and a half before tossing it.
The trick for me was to just use it to get her latched, let her nurse for a minute or two and then sneak it off. It worked like a charm!
I hope that you enjoy a wonderful breastfeeding relationship with your baby and that these tips about breastfeeding gear to invest in is helpful for you on your journey.
