Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience, but it’s unique for everyone. Whether you’re a first-time mom or a seasoned parent trying breastfeeding for the first time, there are some essential things you need to know about your breastfeeding journey. 

Benefits of an IBCLC

Once you decide to breastfeed, one of the best steps you can take is to enroll in breastfeeding classes and contact an IBCLC.  These experts can significantly impact the success and duration of your breastfeeding experience.

An IBCLC is a board-certified lactation consultant. Most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff to help each breastfeeding mom get the hang of feeding her new baby before she leaves the hospital. If you are a new nursing mom, meeting with the staff IBCLC before leaving the hospital is the best thing you can do to make sure breastfeeding is off to a good start. Many hospital lactation consultants even provide contact information in case you need additional instructions or support during the first weeks of breastfeeding.

If your hospital or birthing center doesn't provide in-house lactation support, don't worry! Many IBCLC's offer free breastfeeding class options or private paid consultations you can sign up for. Check with your insurance because they often cover private lactation support as well!

An IBCLC can help with the following:

• Increase, decrease or maintain your milk supply (depending on your individual needs).

• Learn to recognize your baby’s hunger cues.

• Develop a feeding schedule.

• Help your baby latch properly

• Assess for oral ties.

• Treat sore or cracked nipples.

• Manage breast engorgement.

• Check if your baby is gaining weight.

• Support with pumping breast milk. 

• Address clogged milk ducts or nipple blebs. 

• Breast inflammation (mastitis), which may or may not lead to infection.

• Sore, cracked or painful nipples.

• Support for babies who refuse the breast or bottle.

Breastfeeding Essentials Every New Mom Needs:

*Image featuring Amelia Pumping & Nursing Crop Cami

Breastfeeding is the first of many "mommy" jobs you'll have that require its own set of equipment. Having the right supplies on hand can greatly impact the ease and comfort with which you breastfeed. Below you'll find a list of our top breastfeeding essential items that every new mom needs: 

Nursing Bra: 

A good nursing bra is one of the most important things you can invest in at the start of your breastfeeding journey. You are going to be spending a lot of time in these bras...trust me, you'll want a good one that is both comfortable and functional.

I highly recommend the Amelia Nursing Cami & Tank Collection. This collection includes three signature pieces: the classic Amelia Pumping and Nursing Crop Cami, the Amelia Compression Tank and the Ribbed Amelia Crop Cami. 

*Image featuring Amelia Pumping & Nursing Crop Cami

Each of the three bra styles in this collection is soft, comfortable, and offers excellent coverage.  Additionally, they eliminate the hassle of annoying clips, making it quick and easy to feed your baby when they’re hungry.

Nursing Pads: 

​Nursing pads also known as breast pads are absorbent pads that are placed inside a breastfeeding mother's bra to soak up any leaking breast milk. Whether you like it or not, you will leak especially in the beginning months due to your body trying to regulate your supply. Sometimes you won’t even realize it until you feel something trickling down your stomach, making you wonder if your child has had an accident on you.  Nursing pads not only absorb leaks but they protect clothes from milk stains and maintain hygiene because you need to keep your nipples dry to prevent infections like thrush. There are two types of nursing pads: disposable or reusable nursing pads. 

My personal favorite is the Paisley one-piece nursing bra liner. This unique nursing pad is one piece so you don’t misplace the pair. Super absorbent and keeps you from feeling wet with its moisture-wicking fabric. 

A Breast Pump: 

There are many different types of breast pumps available today. Even if you plan to feed at the breast most of the time, it's a good idea to have a hospital-grade breast pump on hand for times when you might need to feed your little one a bottle. (Think date nights, work days, sickness, etc.) Be sure to check with insurance. Many insurance companies cover, either partially or fully, a quality breast pump for nursing moms.

*Image featuring Riley Bralette

To learn more about different breast pumps (and which nursing/pumping bras pair well with each) check out our Breastfeeding Resource Guide.

Haakaa/ Milk Collector: 

A silicone breast pump that uses suction to draw milk from the breast. It's hands-free, doesn't require power, and can be used anywhere, anytime. Not sure how to use the Haakaa? Here are a few tips: 

• Use it on the non-feeding breast while nursing

• Roll the flange down to get the best suction

• Center the nipple in the middle

• Squeeze the bottom of the bulb to increase suction
  
  

Breastmilk Storage Bags: 

Breast milk storage bags are designed to store, protect, and freeze breast milk. This will be incredibly helpful, especially in the early days of breastfeeding when many moms are producing more than enough milk to feed their babies. Use the Haakaa milk collector on one breast while baby nurses on the other. This allows you to catch your letdown and store the extra milk in the freezer. 

Nipple Cream: 

Nipple Cream helps soothe and heal the skin around nipples, which can become sore, cracked, itchy, or even bloody during breastfeeding. This is a common issue, especially when nursing your first child. There are many types of Nipple balm to choose from. I highly recommend Earth Mama Organic Nipple Balm which does not need to be taken off before breastfeeding and it is also safe for babies. 

Nipple Shields: 

Nipple shields are silicone covers that are placed over a breastfeeding mother's nipple and areola to help babies latch onto the breast. They can be used to address a variety of breastfeeding challenges, including:

• Latching: Nipple shields can help babies who have trouble latching or staying latched onto the breast. They can act like a longer, firmer nipple, which can help babies learn how to latch and suck. Nipple shields are often recommended for mothers with flat nipples or if the baby doesn't latch effectively within the first two days after birth.

• Premature babies: Nipple shields can help premature babies sustain a latch.

• Nipple pain: Nipple shields can make breastfeeding less painful for some mothers.
  
  

My favorite nipple shields are from Ceres Chill. They make their nipple shields bright colors when cool, and turn translucent when on the body. This means you won’t misplace them like all of the brands that only make them clear!

Snacks and Water: 

While you are breastfeeding you need to stay hydrated and you keep lots of snacks on hand as you are burning lots of calories. Making sure to eat and stay hydrated will help keep your milk supply. When thinking about snacks try to do a snack paired with a protein. Some examples of easy and protein-packed snacks to support your milk production: 

• Oatmeal Protein Bars

• Cheese and Crackers

• Hummus and Veggies

• Peanut Butter and Bananas

• Trail Mix

• Eggs with Veggies 
  
  

Nursing Pillow: 

A good breastfeeding pillow helps position baby for a better latch. This is helpful for breastfeeding comfort and back and arm relief while nursing, bottle feeding and bonding. As a bonus...breastfeeding pillows make GREAT support when allowing a big brother or big sister to hold their new sibling. My personal favorite is the Boppy but a lot of moms also love the Mybreastfriend pillow. 

*Image featuring Riley Bralette

If you are a pregnant mama preparing for your first breastfeeding journey, having the right breastfeeding accessories and supplies on hand can make a world of difference. Don't forget to add these essential breastfeeding supplies to your baby registry. Already nursing a baby? Check out my amazing selection of nursing bras to carry you through every breastfeeding season. Available in sizes XS-4X and busty.

Looking for more? 

Check out my full Amazon list with some of my favorite items for breastfeeding, pumping, and new motherhood.