How to Create a Cozy Breastfeeding Nook Right at Home

Nursery Breastfeeding Products to Have on Hand

A key feature of an effective nursing nook is having everything you need while breastfeeding or pumping easily accessible. To avoid having to stand and search for stuff with a baby attached to your boob (it’s not enjoyable, I’ve done it!) make sure your space includes these items:

• Water bottle. Keeping properly hydrated is critical to maintaining a milk supply. Make sure you have a water bottle on hand filled with some high quality H20 or your favorite flavored electrolyte beverage. It sounds silly, but I’ve loved having a water tumbler with a straw to make it super easy to hydrate, even one-handed.
• Nursing supplies. Having nipple cream and reusable breast pads on hand can be a huge relief for those early breastfeeding days. It can also be useful to have supplies such as cooling gel pads and ice packs readily available.
• Pumping supplies. For moms who exclusively pump, having an area already set up with your pumps and all their charging cords makes a big difference. Try setting it all up on a side table, or having a basket filled with nipple shields and bottles for easy, ready-to-go assembly.
• Nursing pillow. Using a nursing pillow is a great way to get some back support without having to hunch over while breastfeeding or pumping. It also makes getting your baby in the correct position very easy. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the Boppy pillow and couldn’t imagine nursing a baby without one.
• Diaper caddy. If your nursing oasis isn’t near a changing table, consider stocking a diaper caddy with wipes, diapers, a changing pad, diaper cream, and waste bags for easy, mid-feed changes.
• Bottle/pump holder. One genius product that I discovered way too late in my pumping game is the The Bokee is a unique solution to holding bottles or full pump bottles when you’re running short on hands yourself (you know, because they’re pretty much always full of a baby?) It’s a bottle prep accessory that can be used for prepping a bottle, storing a full bottle pump, fixing a cup for your little one—the sky is the limit. It has a suction bottom so it sticks to a flat surface and allows you to safely put your pumped milk in it without the risk of spilling. Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief there, shall we?
• Lots of receiving blankets. Pumping and breastfeeding can be messy sometimes. I stocked a large basket next to my recliner with a lot of receiving blankets and other blankets to grab easily from the chair—they’re great for cleaning up quick spills, spit-up, and I always keep a large blanket on hand for myself if I get cold for those middle-of-the-night feedings.
• Have a milk catcher on hand. Pumping is a ton of work, but you can take some of the pressure off yourself by using a Haaka or the Elvie Curve while you nurse or pump on one side; the Haaka and Elvie will both fit right into your bra, catching any excess milk that comes out with letdown. Genius.

Pumping Paradise: Your Nursing Nook at Work

Working moms know that finding the time in a stressful work day to relax can be difficult. Add pumping to your breaks and the relaxation becomes even harder to find. If you have the ability to create a pumping nook at work, consider setting it up with the following items on hand.

• Outlet and extension cord– This goes without saying, but finding a space with easy outlet access is important when you have a pump that needs to be plugged in. Bringing your own extension cord can open up some flexibility for where you can park and pump. If you haven’t yet, it’s also worth checking out those amazing options for cordless pumps.
• Pump wipes. Wipes that clean your pump without soap and water are great for quick cleanup without having to scrub out your pumping parts in the sink. These work well for cleaning milk in between pumping sessions.
• Nursing cover. For discreet pumping, having a large scarf or a nursing cover on hand can make a big difference in where you can pump with some peace and privacy.
• Pumping sign. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but you could stash a simple piece of paper (or laminate one if you have time) that you can affix to the door outside if you are using a shared space to pump. Something like, “Pumping in Progress, Done at X:00 PM” can be helpful to alert your coworkers of when you will be exiting the room so they can use it if needed.

Don’t Forget Your Own Care

Don’t forget to incorporate aspects of your own self-care in your breastfeeding nook. After all, the purpose of your breastfeeding nook is to cultivate your own relaxation as well as baby’s. It’s important to include some of your own enjoyments into your breastfeeding routine. You might want to have a book to read, a podcast downloaded, an episode of a cheesy show on queue or a meditation app ready to play in your breastfeeding and pumping space.

Now you can kick back and relax, embracing those baby cuddles as a slice of heaven itself.