Key takeaways: Breastfeeding needs very little equipment. Helpful items include a few supportive nursing bras, breast pads, a nursing pillow if it helps your positioning, and a pump if you’ll be separated from your baby. Never let your baby sleep on a nursing pillow. Many gadgets aren’t necessary.
Baby stores sell a lot of breastfeeding gear. Here’s what may help and what you can skip.
Often Helpful
- Nursing bras: comfortable, supportive, and easy to open. Avoid underwire that presses into breast tissue. Buy one or two late in pregnancy and more after milk comes in.
- Breast pads: disposable or washable, for leaks. Change when damp.
- Nursing pillow: can help support your baby at the right height, especially after a cesarean. Your own bed pillows may work just as well.
- A comfortable chair with arm support.
- A water bottle and snacks.
Helpful in Some Situations
- Breast pump: if you’ll be separated from your baby, returning to work, or need to boost supply. Check insurance coverage.
- Milk collectors (silicone cups or manual pumps): catch leaking milk from the other side.
- Hydrogel pads or nipple cream: for sore nipples, though fixing the latch matters most. Lanolin is commonly used; evidence on nipple creams is mixed.
- Footstool: helps you sit comfortably.
Probably Not Needed
- Nipple shields “just in case.” Use only with guidance.
- Bottle sterilizers before you know you’ll use bottles.
- Special teas or cookies to boost supply; evidence is limited.
Safety With Nursing Pillows
- Never let your baby sleep on a nursing pillow or in any pillow.
- Stay awake and watchful while using it.
- The CPSC has issued a federal safety standard for nursing pillows and warns against using them for sleep or propping a baby.
The Bottom Line
You need little to breastfeed. A few good bras, breast pads, and comfortable seating go a long way, plus a pump if you’ll need it. Never use a nursing pillow for sleep.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Nursing pillows safety. https://www.cpsc.gov
- Dennis CL, Jackson K, Watson J. Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(12):CD007366.
- Health Resources and Services Administration. Women’s preventive services guidelines (breastfeeding support and supplies). https://www.hrsa.gov/womens-guidelines
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
