Everything you NEED for Breastfeeding! (And everything you don't!)

There are so many supplies and gadgets that are supposed to help you breastfeed. How do you REALLY KNOW which ones you need and what is just going to pile up unused? In this post I have compiled a list of all the products you NEED, some items that are not exactly necessary, though can be useful, AND a list of things commonly recommended that you REALLY DON'T NEED.​

​Hey there! My name is Kelly Maher Carvell, CLC, CLE.
I offer effective telehealth lactation support and education to modern families.  
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WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THIS POST CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MOST POPULAR BLOGS.
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As always, you can find support and community in The Successful Breastfeeding Community on FB

And before you go Take the Prenatal Quiz

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Now, let's get to it! 
Here is the list of things you ACTUALLY NEED. 

First the obvious; you need at least one breast. Yes, you could literally breastfeed with just one breast. (Women who have had a mastectomy have breastfed with just one breast!) You also need a baby (or a pump).  And that's it. Literally. That is all you need to breastfeed. 

One of the most beautiful things about breastfeeding is that it is virtually FREE. You DON'T NEED ANY GADGETS, special creams, pillows, or gimmicks to make milk or nurse your baby. There are some physical things that may be helpful, however not one of them is necessary. 

There is one exception to this rule. There is one other "thing" you need, though it's not a "thing" it's a "who". You need SUPPORT, and maybe a little knowledge too. The KEY for successful breastfeeding is surrounding yourself with the RIGHT support at the RIGHT TIME. Find your village before you need it. Join a support community (like our Successful Breastfeeding Community on Facebook), attend a mother to mother support group, and work with a lactation counselor (someone like me) before your baby arrives. Then you'll have your support in place before you have questions so you don't need to go blindly searching for answers. (I highly recommend straying away from google when you need support.)

However, there are a few things that can add a level of convenience to breastfeeding. Some extra stuff that may make breastfeeding a little easier and more comfortable. 

#1.  Mini Hand Held Massager

Purpose: To help break up clogs in your milk ducts.
​My recommendation: HoMedics Quatro Mini Hand-Held Massager

When milk sits too long in the breast, especially in the early days, pea sized lumps may form in the breast. These lumps are clogged ducts, and clogged ducts can turn into a painful breast infection called mastitis if they don't come out. The fastest way to break them up and get them out is to use vibration on the clogs! This handheld mini massager by HoMedics is my personal favorite. I keep one in my bag of tricks when I do home visits and teach prenatal breastfeeding classes. The vibration on it is strong enough to break up a clog quickly, and efficiently, and with it's four prong design you can get to a clog from multiple angles all at once! 

#2. Hot and Cold Packs

Purpose: To manage discomfort in the early days, and beyond!
My recommendation: Lansinoh TheraPearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy

Did you know that your breasts are not fully developed until you breastfeed? A lot of things are growing, connecting, and developing at a rapid rate in the early days, and for a short time you may feel like you took a softball to the chest. Though uncomfortable, it is normal! Thankfully you can use a combination of cold and heat to help soothe swelling from all the extra blood flow in your newly developing breasts. 
Disclaimer: Tenderness is normal. Pain, and engorgement are NOT. Please seek expert help ASAP if you are more than just uncomfortable. You can find supportHERE.

#3. Large Volume Water Vessel

​Purpose: Combat Breastfeeding Thirst! (Yes, it's a thing.)
My recommendation:Contigo AutoSpout 24oz Waterbottle with straw.

Breastfeeding thirst is REAL and can be really annoying when you don't have enough water next to you. I encourage you to keep a large volume water bottle, like the Contigo 32oz, by your side at all times while breastfeeding. The thirst can make you feel like your mouth is a desert, and it hits you suddenly when baby comes on to nurse. When it comes to staying hydrated while breastfeeding, it's easy. Just drink when you're thirsty, and believe me you will be! There's no need to drink water in excess. Drinking more water won't increase milk supply. (This is a common myth.) Stay hydrated by drinking to thirst and keeping a water bottle of this capacity nearby will make that easy!

#4. Breast Pads

My recommendations:Lansinoh Stay Dry Pads Disposable Pads

Leaking is common in the early days, and for some leaking can last for months! It's also normal to not leak at all. Having a good nursing pad on hand could make all the difference. Expert tip: Change your pads every two hours to keep your nipples dry, and help prevent a painful breast infection called thrush. 

Disposable Pads vs. Washable
Disposables are great and easy to use when on the go. They tend to be very absorbent, and wick away moisture. Downside is they are individually wrapped, and one time use only, which means more in the landfill. Some women find them itchy.

Reusable pads are great for the environment and over time are cost efficient. Bamboo nursing pads, like these Eco Nursing Pads, are very absorbent, and naturally antimicrobial. They are soft, and comfortable.  Downside is that you have to wash them yourself, which makes a little more laundry. 

#5. Snacks!!!

Purpose: To curb the nursing munchies!
​My recommendation: Anything that's easy to eat with one hand! 

When you're breastfeeding, you're going to get hungry, and likely, just maybe, a little HANGRY too. Luckily, you can prevent this by having some handy nursing snacks. Anything that is easy to eat with one hand, convenient, and also won't burn baby (so maybe avoid a hot fresh plate of spaghetti and meat sauce). 
Some of my favorite healthy, one handed snacks:

• Veggies and Hummus
• Fresh hand fruits
• Hard boiled eggs 
• Smoothies
• Oat jars
• Breastfeeding Energy Bites (Recipe Here!)
• RXBAR Whole Food Protein Bars

#6. Burp Rags

Purpose: For catching spraying milk, and for supporting your breasts. 
​My recommendation: Gerber Prefold Cloth Diapers

These burp cloths are great for keeping nearby, for more than just burping baby too! They're perfect for catching milk drips when baby unlatches, or even while baby is nursing. They are also a great tool for supporting the breast while nursing. When I support moms, I teach them a hands off latching technique. Sometimes though, the breast needs some extra support or "propping" and these birth cloths work perfectly! Just roll one up, and stick it under your breast to  prop it up, and keep your hands off your breast when latching your baby. 

#7. Nursing Basket

Purpose: To store, and easily tote, breastfeeding supplies. 
My recommendation: Baby Diaper Caddy- Portable Nursery Storage Bin

Keep all of your top nursing supplies, neatly, in one place! From your water bottle and snacks to nursing pads and your massage your items will be nicely organized and readily available. amzn.to/2VXqSEKThis one has three separate compartments on the inside, and some smaller compartments on the outside, perfect for holding a snack!

#8 A Breastfeeding Class for YOU and YOUR PARTNER!

Purpose: To prepare you to feed your baby, and what to expect while breastfeeding.
My recommendation: The N.E.S.T. for Success: Prenatal Breastfeeding System

There is so much you need to know BEFORE you breastfeed your baby. After all, that's why you're reading this guide. The BEST thing you can do to prepare before baby comes is to get the right info and proven methods for a Successful Breastfeeding Experience AND gives you all the tools you'll need to be fully prepared and feel confident in your journey! 

So, why not join the N.E.S.T. for Success Prenatal System!

• Build an abundant milk supply
• Be confident in yourself from the start
• Trust that your baby is getting plenty of milk

The N.E.S.T. for Success Prenatal System is designed to give you your best start, and a strong foundation for Successful Breastfeeding. Be fully prepared with our prenatal checklist, postpartum plan, and all the knowledge and tools you'll need to do well from the start!

Now, for the breastfeeding items you DON'T need, though are popularly recommended. 

#1 Breastfeeding Pillows

Intended purpose: Breastfeeding Pillows are supposed to make breastfeeding easier by properly positioning baby. 
Why you don't need it: You already have what you need laying around your house, and sometimes breastfeeding pillows can cause a painful latch. They are awkwardly shaped and create spaces for baby to slump into, or are just too hard.
What to use instead: Standard Bed Pillows! 

Some moms swear by breastfeeding pillows, and with my first I relied on one for a long time too. However, if you ask those same moms if they had a painful latch in the beginning, I would bet money they say yes. In my practice, and my own personal experience, I find it to be true. When I support new moms, I almost always replace their breastfeeding pillows with regular bed pillows. Popular brands, like the Boppy and Breastfriend, are akwardly shaped, and make gaps for baby to slump in, or are too hard for baby's body to properly mesh with mom's. This makes latching, and staying latched well, more difficult for baby. When baby isn't latched well, it hurts! 

Standard bed pillows are perfect for supporting baby at the breast, and you can more easily adjust them to fit both your body, and baby's. It's nice to have one or two for under baby (depending on your anatomy) and one behind your back for lumbar support. 

It's round overly circular center doesn't compliment most body types.  The overstuffed pillow may put your baby in an awkward slump, which could make latching unnecessarily painful. 

This pillow tends to fit the body a little better than the boppy, and is adjustable so you can fit it more snuggly against you. However, the pillow is very firm, and can interfere with getting baby latched on deeply enough. 

#2 Nipple Cream

Intended Purpose: To soothe sore nipples.
Why you don't need it: Nipple creams are not good for baby to ingest and can breed infection! Yikes!
What to use instead: Breastmilk! It contains all the necessary proteins and immunologic properties to soothe and heal sore, chapped, or cracked nipples. 

Nipple creams, lanolin, and butters are a staple when people are thinking about preparing for breastfeeding. However, they aren't exactly the best thing to keep around. Nipple tenderness is something that will be unavoidable in the early days of breastfeeding. Unfortunately, the tenderness is largely  due to a change in hormones after the placenta is birthed. Using creams, won't really help with this. That being said, there are other reasons nipples can  be sore and painful too- like baby's latch and position is off. It is normal for your nipples to be a bit tender it is NOT NORMAL FOR YOUR NIPPLES TO BE CRACKED, BRUISED, OR BLEEDING! It's common, but definitely not normal. If this is the case for you, please seek expert lactation support immediately!

If your nipples are injured, using a cream may trap bacteria in the open wounds on your nipples, and breed infection. You definitely don't want to deal with a nipple infection! ​

The creams are also not safe for baby to consume (even the organic ones), though they say they are on the box! You don't want to introduce any foreign proteins into the gut of a newborn, as it can permanently alter the function of their gut. If you do choose to use a cream like this, it will be very important to wipe it off fully before nursing your baby!

Your breastmilk contains antibodies that fight infection, and proteins that will heal and soothe chapped, cracked, and sore nipples. Use clean hands to rub some of your hand expressed milk onto your nipples, and that's it! Plus, it's free!! If you feel you need more than just breastmilk and want to use a cream, I recommend asking your doctor for Dr. Newman's prescription All Purpose Nipple Ointment. It contains antibacterial and anti-fungal agents to help prevent infections from forming. (And again, your breastmilk contains it too!)

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#3 ​Nipple shields

Intended Purpose: To help premature babies, with tiny mouths, latch onto the breast. Sometimes suggested to help with painful latch, or to encourage babies to latch if they are refusing the breast.
Why you don't need it: Nipple shields will not fix a baby's latch, rather just mask a poor latch. Babies can easily become dependent on them. Putting a barrier on your nipple will affect milk transfer, and lower your milk supply. 
What to use instead: ​Work with a lactation expert to help your baby latch properly onto the breast!

Nipple shields are commonly suggested in mom forums as a way to fix a baby's latch when it is painful. However, the use of a nipple shield is not a replacement for skilled lactation support. A good Lc will know exactly how to help you so your baby can latch well, on their own! 

Nipple shields can also make your milk supply drop. If you are using one, you should be working closely with a lactation expert to monitor your milk supply, and you'll likely have to pump while using it to protect your supply. ​

Instead of investing in a product that could make you struggle unnecessarily, invest in support from someone like me (yes, that's me in that picture!) who can provide education and support BEFORE YOU NEED IT! Get into our Group Coaching Program and I'll support you through your entire Successful Breastfeeding Journey!
YES, I GIVE ME EXPERT SUPPORT!!!

Comment below any other items you found helped to make breastfeeding a little easier.