Breastfeeding Must Haves: 8 Items Every Mama & Nursing Baby Need!

Motherhood is full of ups and downs. From sneaky, sweet little giggles while playing peekaboo to overdramatic tantrums when she doesn't get her way, Delainey is already keeping me on my toes and she's not even a year old yet. While she's keeping me on my game, I'm doing my best to keep her as healthy and well-fed as possible!

I'm happy to say, she loves food... but the girl is still very much a milky baby and while it's been a tough journey, breastfeeding seems to work well for us. With that said, we had a learning curve... just like all new moms and little babies. It took me a little while to figure out what all we really need to make our breastfeeding journey successful, but I think I've finally narrowed down that list and today is the day I'm sharing it with you.

So if you're an expectant or new mom that wants to give breastfeeding a good ol' "college-try"... then take notes, girlfriend! These items are all MUST HAVES for breastfeeding and should be on your registry or added to your to-do list pronto!

1. Breastfeeding Pillow - Seriously everyone needs a breastfeeding pillow, not just new moms. It makes lounging the most comfortable ever and I'm not gonna lie, I sometimes use it to support my arms while I'm reading... because hello comfort! *giggles*

But in all seriousness, we wouldn't have made it this far in our breastfeeding journey without a great nursing pillow to support us. When D was a newborn, she was a constant cluster feeder - without having a pillow to help support her, I would've had truly wobbly arms and never have gotten anything done.

2. Nose Aspirator - While the idea of dealing with the removal of boogers and snot isn't so appealing, it's just the part of the reality of parenthood. With that said, a nose aspirator is a must on days when baby is a little stuffy and won't latch correctly. We've had a few meltdowns mid-feed due to a little congestion and once her nose is cleared, she's good to go again!

3. Evivo - Speaking of good to go, I had no idea that Delainey needed a probiotic already... until recently! No shame here though, as I said, we're on a learning curve! After finding out a probiotic is not only recommended but necessary for my little milky milkerson, I started giving my sweet girl Evivo.

What exactly is Evivo? You can get the full details here. But in short, it's an activated probiotic, clinically proven to restore her little belly back to it's natural state. The first of it's kind, it helps release nutrients in my milk to create a protective environment in her gut, which in turn helps her build a better immune system and builds a healthy foundation for her life.

Plus, I think she likes the fact that this "medicine" includes her favorite thing ever... milk! Find out more about Evivo can help you on your breastfeeding journey here.  Plus you can use the code "ev7-t6tbadc8" to save $10 off your Evivo 4-week starter kit!

4. Baby Toothbrush - The next item on my list of must haves for a breastfeeding baby may seem strange. But once your sweet baby gets to the "teething stage" a finger toothbrush is a must. Not only does she enjoy gumming on it, she is learning a life skill at a super young age and you're preventing bad bacteria from growing in her mouth - it's a win - win situation, really.

5. Tank Tops Galore (and Nursing Bras) - If you're in for the long haul with nursing, you'll want to learn the double shirt method pronto!

It's simple really - wear your nursing bra, a tank top, and an overshirt. When it's time to feed baby, remove your tank strap, unhook the clasp of your nursing bra, and bon appetit for baby!

Side note, I often just take the straps and entertwine them with my nursing bra clasps so my tank stays up but my bra is easy to unhook at a moments notice.


6. A Good Pump - Another item that's great if you're extended breastfeeding, a reliable pump! I actually don't pump as much as I thought I would, but when I do it's important that it works well! Find one with adjustable speeds, easy to use dials, quiet features, and (while you can't predict this) hopefully one that allows your milk to flow! Read reviews and make decisions based on what your insurance will cover!

7. Lactation Cookies - I'm a hardcore believer that cookies are necessary for everything... but these cookies really do help increase milk production. Check out this recipe and make a batch to see for yourself.

8.  Reusable Water Bottle - The last item on my list, but definitely not the least important - a water bottle. Staying hydrated is the MOST important thing to keep your milk flowing... at least for me! Be sure to have water with you at all times, drink it like it's your hobby, and then drink some more. It's so important for both you and baby, so don't skimp!

While I'm not an expert, I think breastfeeding for almost 11 months, without ever supplementing, now gives me a little bit of authority... right? With that said, I'd love to hear if any fellow nursing mama's have any tips for new mom's... or if any of my new mama friends have any questions about breastfeeding, I'll do my best to answer them - leave a comment below and let's chat!