16 BEST Breastfeeding Products & Pumping Accessories (Updated 2019)

Inside: A comprehensive list of the must-have breastfeeding products and pumping accessories to make nursing easier. Updated for 2019!

A comprehensive list of the must-have breastfeeding products and pumping accessories to make nursing easier. Perfect gift ideas for new moms!

Must-Have Breastfeeding Accessories for New Moms

I was unbelievably uninformed when I first tried to breastfeed. I thought it would be easy and natural — it’s all instinct right?

Wrong!

Last year, I wrote about my early struggles to let other mamas know if they were having a hard time too that they weren’t alone. In that piece, I touched on a few of the best breastfeeding products that made the process MUCH easier.

I received such positive feedback that I decided to provide a more comprehensive guide to my breastfeeding and pumping essentials. This is everything I used, why I used it, where to get it, as well as a few things you might think you need…but can probably skip.

The Best Breastfeeding Products

These 8 breastfeeding accessories are total must-have for new moms! Perfect to add to your baby registry! This list includes shop-able ad links for your convenience; disclosure policy here.

UPDATED 2019: I nursed my first baby until almost 2 years, and am currently nursing my youngest. I still stand my these breastfeeding products and use them daily!

1. Seamless Nursing Bra

Breastfeeding Essentials and gifts for nursing momsA good nursing bra is a lifesaver! I tried a few different kinds during my two-year nursing adventure, but one stood out above the rest.

The Bravado! Designs Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra is so soft and smooth, it feels like second skin. It comes in a variety of colors, and actually isn’t that bad looking (especially for a nursing bra!) Honestly, all I really cared about during that time was comfort and I actually forgot I was wearing it sometimes!

This is also the most durable nursing bra I own. I found some other styles that were cute, but the seams frayed and the straps stretched after just a couple months. If you’re planning to nurse for a year of longer, your bra should last that long too!

CLICK HERE to view all product styles/colors on Amazon.

 

2. Breastfeeding Salve

The one thing I least expected about breastfeeding was PAIN. Sometimes that pain was caused by cracked, bleeding nipples (sorry, there’s really no pretty way to describe it!) Fortunately, that pain decreases over the first few weeks and eventually goes away (until you hit the biting phase…)

However, in those early days, lanolin salve helped protect my nipples from the chafing and allow them to heal. (Warning, lanolin may stain, so use with loose clothing or nursing pads).

Quite a few moms raved to me about Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter, so I thought I would mention it as an alternative to lanolin.

breastfeeding essentials and gifts for nursing moms3. Absorbant Nursing Pads

I vividly remember the moment I discovered that my boobs truly possessed a mind of their own. I was resting on the couch and felt the front of my top growing wetter. Confused, I looked down to discover that milk was just squirting out on its own. Oh the joys of breastfeeding!

Eventually your boobs get the hang of the routine and settle down. Whew! However, in the meantime, to avoid changing clothes more than you already do with a new baby, nursing pads are a must!

There are disposable nursing pads and organic reusable nursing pads available, depending on your preference.

4.  Thermal Gel Pads

breastfeeding essentials and gifts for nursing momsThese are useful for a variety of reasons! Slip a heated or chilled gel pad into your bra:

  • Heated, to stimulate milk production
  • Heated, to help release clogged ducts
  • Chilled or frozen, to ease tender or swollen breasts
  • Chilled or frozen, to ease pain during weaning

Click here to view more or purchase.

5. Prenatal/Postnatal Vitamins Breastfeeding essentials and gifts for nursing moms

Even after you give birth, it’s important to continue taking prenatal vitamins as long as you are nursing. Not only for your own health, but for your baby as well, since they’re getting their nutrition from you!

I am a huge fan of SmartyPants Vitamins because they are non-GMO, gluten-free, and allergen free. They also contain NO synthetic colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives.

SmartyPants also make vitamins for the man in your life and big kids. They’re they ONLY vitamin that my toddler will eat, which says a lot about how delicious they taste!

Click here to purchase SmartyPants Prenatal Vitamins.

6. Simple Cloth Diapers

Believe it or not, cloth diapers and burping cloths are perhaps my number one best breastfeeding product that I recommend to other new moms!

One of the ways I used these cheap, plain cloths is to tuck them in my nursing bra to prevent drips while breastfeeding (babies are messy y’all!)

I also keep a couple cloths in my diaper bag to use while changing diapers in public restrooms. These are beyond useful for baby business, cleaning, even mini-blankets in a pinch! We have stacks upon stacks at home. Stock up!

Click here to view/purchase 10 pack cloth diapers on Amazon.

7. Boppy Nursing Pillow

Not only did my nursing pillow take some of the weight off my arms while nursing, it protected my c-section scar while it healed.

breastfeeding essentials and gifts for nursing moms

Removable and washable covers made cleaning easy. I recommend purchasing a couple different covers so you have an alternate in case baby spits up. Did I mention that breastfeeding is messy business?

Click here to find the original Boppy pillow on Amazon or click here to see ALL of our picks for the best nursing and pregnancy pillows!

Breastfeeding essentials and gifts for new nursing moms8. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding –

This is THE definitive guide for new nursing moms, from La Leche League. Recently updated, it contains over 575 pages of invaluable information.

I will readily admit that I expected breastfeeding to come easily, since it’s “natural,” right? Well it’s surprisingly not easy for most of us, so there’s no shame in reading to learn all you can for success.

Click here for a sneak peek and purchase information for The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

The Best Pumping Accessories

Breastfeeding and pumping often go hand in hand, so I’ve included in my list of best breastfeeding products all the things that helped make pumping less of a chore!

I used the Medela Pump In Style Advanced, so all the parts/accessories shown here are what I bought to accompany that model. But this should still give you an idea of what is helpful for the task of pumping!

best breastfeeding products and pumping gear

1. Extra set of pump parts

If you work outside the home, an extra set of pump accessories/parts will save a ton of time!

Bringing a set of accessories for each session means that you don’t have to wash between breaks. You simply rinse and bag up to take home instead of washing and laying out to dry at work.

View Medela Breast Pump Accessory Set on Amazon.

2. Replacement Pump Tubing

Unlike other pump parts, you don’t need to clean the tubing often since it doesn’t come in contact with breast milk. In fact, I found the tubing to be an ordeal to clean. Boiling/steaming melted the tubing. Washing in soapy water doesn’t clean the inside thoroughly, but water ends up stuck in there.

best breastfeeding products and pumping gear

Every few weeks I just replaced the tubing altogether. I found a set of 4 replacement tubings that fit my Medela pump for about ten bucks. No more hassle and I know they’re clean.

View/purchase replacement tubing for Medela Pump in Style here and click here for tips on night pumping.

3. Extra bottles

I think bottles are one of those things you can never have to many of! I used them both for storing breast milk in the fridge and for bottle feeding when I was away from home. Also, those little bottle nipples are so easy to lose that it’s a good idea to have a bunch of them (make sure your extra bottles come with nipples and not just lids!)breastfeeding essentials and gifts for nursing moms

My little one was quite picky and would only drink from the Medela bottles that came with our pump. However, this actually turned out to be super convenient because I could pump directly into her bottles instead of transferring the milk.

Click here to purchase a 3-count Medela Breast Milk Bottle Set on Amazon.

4. FizzWizz Cleaning Tablets

Cleaning bottles is a pain…unless you find an easier way!

FizzWizz sent us a supply of their bottle cleaning tablets and they are AWESOME! Hands-down, this is the easiest way to clean baby bottles!

Simply pop a tablet into a bottle with a couple ounces of water and shake for two minutes. Rinse and voila! Clean bottle anywhere, anytime!

The fizzing tablets get into every nook and cranny for a literally sparkling clean result. Accompanying cleaning wipes take care of the outside surfaces.

Get the run-down on common methods to clean baby bottles and sippy cups. What's the easiest way to prevent mold? How often should you sterilize?

Tip: These also work perfectly for sports bottles and other water bottles!

Click here to purchase FizzWizz cleaning tablets on Amazon.

5. Sterilizing Steam Bags

breastfeeding essentials and gifts for new momsThese microwavable sterilizing steam bags are one of the most amazing inventions…ever!!

Normally, to sterilize your breastfeeding products or pumping accessories, you need to wash and boil them. That takes a while!

However, with these convenient steam bags, all you have to do is pop items into the bag with a little bit of water, seal, and microwave according to the directions on the box (about 3 minutes).

Best of all, the bags are reusable up to 20 times, so one box lasts a while!

You can sterilize just about anything that will fit in the bags: bottles, lids, nipples, pump parts, pacifiers, and small toys. (I don’t recommend steaming pump tubing however, as it melts easily).

Click here to buy Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags.

6. “Grass” Bottle Drying Rack

Not only is this fake grass bottle drying rack adorable as all get out, but it works! You can cram tons of bottles, lids, spoons, etc. to dry because you’re not limited like standard dish racks.

Get one here!

best breastfeeding products and pumping gear

7. Breast milk storage bags pumping-breast-milk-stash

If you’re trying to build a “stash” you’ll want to have plenty of freezer-safe breast milk storage bags. I’m a fan of the Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags because they were easy to use and I never experienced leaks.

Click here to purchase Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags on Amazon.

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8. Hands-free pumping bra

Somehow I missed the memo on this one during my 6 months of pumping! However, pretty much ALL of my nursing friends insist that a hands-free pumping is crucial equipment. I’ll show a few of the most popular on Amazon since I haven’t personally tried them:

Amazon Prime will be your new best friend!

Sometimes it takes more time to get all the kids and yourself ready to go on an errand than the actual errand itself! I’ve always loved online shopping, but once I had a baby, I was totally hooked because it’s so darn easy!

Amazon Prime is my go-to for quick ordering and delivery of everything from household products to holiday gifts. 2-day delivery is free and in some areas they have a same-day Prime Now service. (I have no clue how they pull that off…but they do!)

If you don’t have Prime yet, trust me, it’s worth it. Put it on your baby shower list, Christmas list, etc. or gift it to a loved one. It’s amazing. That is all.

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Breastfeeding Products You Can Skip

UPDATE 2019: These are the breastfeeding accessories that sound like a good idea, but either don’t work or aren’t worth the money.

1. Nursing cover

Unursing-memegh. I’ll admit I never tried using a nursing cover. Texas weather is brutally hot half the year, so I just couldn’t imagine my poor little one trying to eat while sweating under a stifling cover. I’ve also seen these in action, and they are awkward and cumbersome.

I think my biggest problem with nursing covers is that they exist for the convenience of other people. Nursing covers are not comfortable or convenient for mom or baby. No thanks!

Image: Tula Baby Carriers

 

 

 

2. Nipple Shield — A nipple shield is made to help protect the nipples from cracking and chaffing. However, a baby might not get as good of a latch when using a nipple shield and might not be able to drain the breast completely.

Is there something I missed? Feel free to let me know your best breastfeeding products in the comments below!

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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