For something that seems relatively straightforward, breastfeeding can sometimes be complicated. Thankfully, if you’ve made the decision to breast feed, there are plenty of products out there to support you in your breastfeeding journey.
All feeding journeys will look different, with some parents feeding directly from the breast, some feeding their babies pumped breast milk, and still others doing a combo, there are many different types of products that can help you reach your own breastfeeding goals.
From nipple shields and nursing bras to pumps and breastmilk bags, we’re here to guide you through all the breastfeeding essentials that can make your life easier. Here’s a breakdown of some of our favorite breastfeeding products and how to choose the best items for you and your baby.
In this article:
Nursing Bras
If you’re currently pregnant, you’ve probably noticed your belly isn’t the only thing getting bigger. Your breasts are also changing as your body starts to produce milk, and it isn’t unusual to go up a cup size or two. While you may be tempted to simply buy a bigger bra to accommodate for this, investing specifically in a nursing bra is worth considering.
Not only are nursing bras designed to be more comfortable and supportive than regular bras, but they make nursing easier with clips or pliable fabric that allow you to bring your baby to your breast without needing to take your entire bra off.
As with regular bras, there are several different types, styles and colors of nursing bras. Choosing the right one for you will depend on many factors, like whether you’re planning to go back to work and need a bra that can easily accommodate hands-free pumping or if you’re looking for a bra that will provide extra support and comfort in the early days when you might be engorged. No matter your needs, there is a style out there for you. Here are a couple of our favorites.
Best Nursing Bra
Bravado Designs Buttercup Nursing Bra
This style has clip-down cups that you can easily unfasten one-handed, which comes in handy when you’re holding a hungry baby. Plus, this style allows for easy access and skin-to-skin contact for your baby while feeding. This particular bra is also quite comfortable and versatile. You can wear it under T-shirts, blouses, to work, or out with friends. The soft gel cups also provide comfort and support while giving the bra definition and shape.
Best Nursing Bra for Sleeping
Motherhood Maternity Women’s Wrap Front Nursing Sleep Bra
The name might suggest this is only for nighttime, but this bra provides ultimate comfort no matter what time you wear it. This nursing bralette is a wrap style that you pull over your head, made with stretchy fabric that can be easily pulled aside for feedings. The cotton/Spandex blend is especially comfortable for sore nipples or engorged breasts, and with no hooks or plastic digging into your skin, it’s perfect for lounging around in. At about $17, this is also an affordable option you can stock up on and it comes in a range of sizes from small to plus size.
Best for Pumping
Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping and Nursing Bra
Kindred Bravely has a plethora of gorgeous, mama-friendly products and their line of nursing products is comfortable, made of quality fabrics, and supportive in all the right ways. This hands-free bra features snaps for nursing, and can be used as a pumping bra as well. But we especially love the range of sizes it comes in, the way from small to XXL busty. Because there's no "one size fits all" when it comes to breastfeeding, am I right?
Most Comfortable
The Larken X Nursing Bra
The Larken X is on the higher end of price points, but it’s a Team Truly Mama favorite because the fabric is the softest one you’ll ever one—and it’s the perfect fit for breastfeeding because it won’t constrict your breasts in any way. You can wear it all day, at night, or while pumping. One mom who is prone to mastitis found this bra to be a lifesaver, because it allowed support while still being comfortable. And as a bonus: it doubles as a hands-free pumping bra.
Nursing Pads
Nursing pads are a pretty crucial item, especially for first-time breastfeeding parents. When you’re new to the nursing journey, it can be difficult to know exactly when you might experience leaking or how much milk your body will produce. It can also take some time for your body to regulate its milk production and especially in the first few weeks of nursing, your body may produce a lot of milk that can lead to leaks.
Your breasts may also leak when you start nursing or pumping on one side; milk lets down on both breasts, so if your baby is nursing or you’re only pumping one side, the other breast will leak. Additionally, there can be other triggers that can lead to your milk letting down. For instance, if you hear a baby cry when you’re out in public or if you’re wearing a tight sports bra or you work long hours and your breasts get engorged, leaking and let-down can occur.
To help with that, you can line your bra with a nursing pad that will catch excess milk and prevent it from soaking your bra.
Best Disposable Nursing Pads
Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads
These Lansinoh disposable nursing pads are a favorite among breastfeeding parents everywhere, and the Lansinoh brand in general is known for its supportive products for breastfeeding. These pads come with dual sticky pads for adhering to your bra, tank top, or even nightgown if needed. Although the pads are thin and discreet in your bra, let me tell you what—these bad boys will hold a lot of leaking breast milk. And the best part? You can simply toss them in the trash when you need a new one.
Best Reusable Nursing Pads
KeaBabies Reusable Organic Bamboo Nursing Pads
If reusable nursing pads are more of your jam, these organic bamboo pads come in a pack of 14, so you’ll have plenty last you a week or more. They are machine-washable (it’s recommended you wash in a laundry bag so you they don’t go to spare-sock heaven) and have 3 layers of absorbent bamboo topped with a waterproof layer to really hold in leaks. These pads also feature a unique contoured cone design so they don’t bulge awkward, and will fit in sizes B through D bras.
Nipple Shields
Breastfeeding may be natural, but it doesn’t always come easily. Some moms need some extra help to boost their milk supply or get their babies to latch and there’s nothing wrong with that! If your baby is having trouble latching, a nipple shield can help.
These devices are made of silicone and designed to resemble a nipple that you place over your own. The shape of the shield helps draw the nipple out, making it easier for the baby to latch, and the hole in the tip of the shield allows milk to pass through as the baby feeds.
There are many reasons why a baby might have trouble latching, so if you are experiencing breastfeeding issues, it’s best to consult with a lactation consultant who can troubleshoot with you and offer guidance. A nipple shield is a tool that can help you and your baby get off on the right track, but it is intended for short-term use, typically under the guidance of a lactation consultant.
Nipple shields come in a variety of sizes and designs and a lactation consultant can help you determine the size you need.
Most Eco-Friendly Nipple Shield
These nipple shields are ultra-thin and have a cutout near the tip to allow for skin-to-skin contact as baby feeds. This option is especially good for flat or inverted nipples because it helps to draw the nipple out as your baby drinks, which can help increase the flow of milk.
Best Nipple Shields with Sterilizer
Dr. Browns Two-Pack Ultra-Thin Nipple Shields with Sterilizer Case
One of the challenges with nipple shields is that they are often hand-wash only and can't go in the dishwasher, yet need to be sterilized frequently (for obvious reasons). So this smart product from Dr. Brown's solves that issue with its own included sterilizer case. The case keeps the shields safe so that you can simply throw them in the microwave or boiling water to clean them. Done and done.
Best Silicone Nipple Shield
Philips Avent Nipple Protector
Not only can nipple shields help your baby to latch, but they can also protect cracked or sore nipples, giving the area time to heal while still allowing your baby to nurse. This style is particularly sturdy and durable, offering all the protection and benefits of softer models while holding up through multiple uses and washes.
Breast Milk Storage
If you’re planning to go back to work, or even if you just want someone else to feed the baby every now and then, you’ll need a way to safely store your breast milk. Some parents may choose to freeze and store breast milk in prepared bottles, but if you plan on pumping regularly, breast milk storage bags are the way to go. They are the most efficient way to store milk, letting you freeze your breast milk a few ounces at a time, take up less space, and make thawing faster and more convenient as well.
And although you might think a plain Ziploc bag could do the trick, you want the secured protection an actual breast milk bag provides, plus they have handy measuring guides on the side so you know how much milk your baby will get. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends against using any storage bags not made for storing breast milk since it can increase the risk of contamination.
All breast milk storage bags are made with food-grade BPA-free plastic, designed to keep your milk safe and sanitary. However, they do differ in styles and features. Here are a couple of the best options out there:
Best Overall Breast Milk Storage Bag
Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags
The Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags are a #1 best seller in the U.S. for a reason. These bags come highly rated with thousands of online reviews. Lansinoh is a well-known brand for all things breastfeeding, and their products are clearly trusted and well-liked. The Lansinoh bags have a double zipper seal to prevent leaks and also lay flat for easy storage. These bags also attach directly to Lansinoh pumps and most other brands with an adapter, so you don’t have to transfer milk from a pumped bottle to the bag.
Best Twist-Off Breast Milk Storage Bag
Kiinde Twist Breast Milk Storage Bags
These breast milk storage bags have it all. They attach to just about every major brand of pump (with an adapter) and also come with nipple and bottle attachments so you can feed baby directly from the pouch. They come in 6 ounce and 8-ounce sizes, are easy to label and have a twist top closure for extra protection against spills and leaks. At $26 for 80, they’re a little more expensive than other brands, but their efficient and time-saving features are hard to beat.
Best On-the-Go Storage
Skip Hop Grab & Go Bottle Bag
You can certainly use just about any type of cooler to transport pumped milk (and some pumps have their own type!), but we love this convenient and stylish grab-and-go bottle bag. It’s insulated, has plenty of room for up to 2 full-size bottles, or several bags of milk, comes with its own freezer bag, and features a double zipper and stroller attachment for easy access.
Breast Pumps
If you intend to have anyone else feed the baby, a breast pump is an obvious necessity. As with most baby items, there are many different styles and features to choose from when considering a pump — all with different price points. The best one for you will depend on your needs. Will you be going back to work and need to pump a few times a day? Or are you looking for a pump you may use every now and then when you’re separated from baby?
From powerful electric models that let you pump both breasts at the same time to manual pumps and everything in between, there’s a pump out there to fit your needs (and wallet!). Here are two of our favorites.
Best Overall Pump
Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump Hospital Strength
The Spectra is one of the #1 hospital grade breast pumps chosen by pumping parents for a few reasons: it's incredibly powerful, it's covered by almost all insurance plans, and it's easy to use. You can customize your own settings and save them once you establish a pumping pattern that works for you and thanks to a closed system, safety and cleaning is a breeze. The rechargeable battery is built right into the unit, which makes charging and taking it places a breeze and it's lightweight to boot. The Spectra S1 comes with: the pump, a 12 volt AC power adapter, detachable power cord prongs, wide neck bottle, back flow protector, Spectra duckbill valve, tubing, and two different flange sizes (24mm & 28mm).
Best Wireless, Hands-Free Breast Pump
Elvie Pump
The Elvie breast pump is a wearable, hands-free, and completely wireless breast pump that has revolutionized the pumping game. For full-time or exclusively pumping moms, it can give a freedom like never seen before. Truly Mama's Elvie pump users swear the pump changed their lives for the better and allowed them to pump full-time just when they were about to give up. It's battery-powered, rechargeable, and easy-to-use and operate. While it is an investment, the pump is covered by some insurances (check with yours to confirm) and is HSA and FSA eligible.
Read Review
The Best Manual Breast Pump
Haakaa Manual Silicone Breast Pump
If you choose to breastfeed your baby, the Haakaa pump is likely a good option to use especially for collecting breast milk while nursing. Using natural suction, the Haakaa gently pumps from the non-nursing breast to collect milk that otherwise would have been wasted. You squeeze to activate and it will attach to your breast and can be used hands-free. It requires no cords or batteries. This is also a great option to use during feeding (on the opposite side your little one is nursing on) to catch letdown and not let any of that liquid gold go to waste. The Haakaa pump is BPA, PVC and phthalate-free, lightweight and easy to store and transport. Just make sure to sterilize it after each use by boiling in water for three to five minutes.
Read ReviewNipple Balms
Whether you’re pumping or feeding from the breast, nipple balms can help soothe cracked or sore nipples. Many types of nipple balms can be applied directly to the nipples and you don’t have to worry about wiping it off before nursing, but be sure to check the brand you choose.
And, of course, if you are having consistent issues with cracking or soreness, be sure to work with a lactation consultant who can help you determine if there are any latching issues that you can remedy.
Best Nipple Cream
Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream
Lansinoh lanolin nipple cream is the #1 recommended cream by lactation consultants and it's the brand that you're most likely to find in hospitals, because it's safe, effective, and easy-to-use. You can simply apply the cream directly to your nipples to help relieve any cracking or soreness--and then leave it there. There's no need to wipe off the cream when your baby is ready to nurse.
Most Versatile Nipple Cream
Mini Bloom Hallelujah Nipple Balm
This nipple balm will help soothe your sore nipples with naturally-derived, plant-based ingredients including sunflower seed oil, aloe leaf juice powder, olive fruit oil, and calendula flower. You can apply it liberally as needed to soothe your nipples and bonus: it can be used on your lips and cuticles as well. It's 100% free from synthetic fragrances and is dermatologist-tested, but the Tot recommends that you ask your baby's pediatrician before using it if your baby is under 3 months old.
For Moms Fighting off Mastitis
If you’ve had mastitis, you know how difficult—not to mention painful—it can be. And the hardest part about mastitis is that once you’ve had it, you can be prone to getting it again, so it’s important to have an arsenal of tools to fight it off if you can.
Aside from the #1 prevention and treatment measures of rest and hydration, here are some tools that worked for us at Truly Mama. And not don’t forget to call your doctor ASAP if you experience worsening symptoms or develop a fever.
Best Supplement for Mastitis
Sunflower Lecithin Supplements
You should always talk to your doctor and a lactation consultant before taking any supplements, but if you’re prone to recurrent mastitis, lecithin supplements may help. Some parents can benefit from the supplements because they help make the milk thinner, and thus, less prone to clogging in the ducts. For instance, one Truly Mama found them very helpful after a combination of milk duct damage and having naturally high-fat milk left her prone to mastitis.
Best Tool for Mastitis
LaVie Lactation Massager
One of the best ways to break up a clogged duct is to massage the area and use a hot compress on it. That can be time-consuming and tedious, however, and this lactation massager can help manually break up the clot instead. And it’s waterproof, so you can use it in the shower while letting hot water help release the area even more.
Best Water Bottle for Hydration
Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle
Truly Mama writer and mom of three Mandy Lange is a big fan of this stainless steel water bottle. It comes in several ounces (honestly, the bigger the better, so yo udon't have to refill as often) and has three lids you can swap out. We personally love the straw lid, which makes sippin' one-handed or in between diaper changes super easy. The Iron Flask is made of 18/8 stainless steel and is 100% BPA free and non-toxic. However, you do need to hand-wash it, so maybe leave that one to your partner. Hey, breastfeeding is a team effort, right?
Other Breastfeeding Essentials
Breastfeeding is basically a full-time job, so you’ll need some other tools to support you in your journey, from clothes to wear that are nursing-friendly to lactation cookies that 100% necessary for obvious reasons (aka, chocolate).
Best Lactation Cookies
Munchkin Milkmakers Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookie Bites
Truly Mama editor and mom of five Chaunie Brusie swears by these lactation bite cookies. When her fifth baby was born prematurely and she had to rely on full-time pumping to feed her, she needed help boosting her milk supply. She quickly learned to toss a few of these in her grocery cart each week—the mix of oats, Brewer's yeast, Flaxseed, and fenugreek were a delicious way to boost her milk supply.
Best T-shirt for Nursing
Easy Breastfeeding Shirts
Cute? Check. Easy access to the boobs? Double check. Will ship to my house so I don’t have to move because of keeping tiny human alive with said breasts? Also check. And these shirts comes in a range of styles and colors, so you can choose the best one for you (or buy two for those inevitable milk stains.) They feature a pull-down closure option and a double-layer that makes breastfeeding super simple and discreet.
Best Nursing Cover
Milk Snob French Floral Multi-Use Car Seat Cover
You should only cover if you want to, but for parents who want some pumping or nursing privacy, we love this option because it doubles as a scarf and can a car seat cover, so you can use it a variety of ways. It's stretchy at the top so you can pull it over your head or use it on the car seat, but loose and breathable at the bottom so your baby won't overheat.
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