Breastfeeding Essentials—Recommended by Experts (and a Mom of Two)

The Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime Nursing Bra is a staple for breastfeeding parents thanks to its soft, stretchy fabric and thoughtful design. The seamless, wire-free construction offers gentle support without creating pressure points. This aligns with guidance from Dulabon, who shares that “a good, supportive but not compressive bra can also help to take some of the pressure off the breasts.” Easy, one-handed clip-down access makes nursing sessions smoother, especially in the middle of the night when convenience matters most.

The bra’s flexible fit adapts to the natural size fluctuations that occur throughout the day with breastfeeding, while the removable padding helps with both modesty and leak management. Moms also appreciate the wide band and adjustable straps, which offer stability without digging in. Presley P., a mom of a 7-week-old, tested this bra for The Bump, and shares that “this bra was great for nursing…I was able to clip my breasts in and out easily.” She adds that the flaps fold down cleanly and the overall fit made sessions more comfortable for both her and her baby.

The Bodily Always-On Nursing Tank is a breastfeeding staple thanks to its incredibly soft, stretchy fabric, gentle support and effortless pull-aside access. With my first baby, I practically lived in nursing tanks. I had one in every neutral color and would throw a cardigan over them to nurse whenever visitors came. I love this set—basic black and white quickly became my go-tos because they paired easily with anything in my wardrobe and made discreet feeding a breeze.

Adjustable straps adapt to your changing postpartum body without feeling restrictive, and the built-in shelf bra offers light support without wires, which is ideal for those early weeks when comfort matters most. Laurie Jones MD, Founder of Dr. MILK and chief medical officer at Willow recommends “nursing tank tops or dresses with easy drop down access that can be worn outside the home and inside.”

The streamlined fit works well on its own or as a base layer, and the value-friendly 2-pack ensures you’ll always have a clean option ready, which is something every new mom can appreciate when the newborn laundry piles up!

A button-down shirt is a no-brainer when you’re breastfeeding and still want to look effortlessly put together. Jones recommends oversized long-sleeve button-downs for easy, comfortable nursing access, and this option from Quince fits the bill perfectly. (Bonus: it transitions seamlessly from pregnancy into postpartum). The crisp, breathable organic cotton feels light and gentle on sensitive skin while offering just enough structure to help you feel polished, even on the days when you’re running on very little sleep. Paired with a nursing tank or bra underneath, it creates a functional feeding outfit you can easily dress up or down. For moms who want one reliable top that works everywhere, this shirt is an effortless go-to.

Lansinoh’s Lanolin Nipple Cream was my holy-grail product during those early nursing days. It was one of those products I kept within arm’s reach at every feeding. It’s made with just one ingredient: ultra-purified, medical-grade lanolin, so it’s gentle on sore, cracked nipples and safe to use right before baby latches. As a bonus, Braden tells us, “they work great as lip balm once you’re through the cracked, sore nipples phase!” And honestly? She’s right. Once I no longer needed it for breastfeeding, it became my favorite lip balm. Just note, as Jones reminds parents, that if you have a wool allergy, you’ll likely react to lanolin too. Otherwise, this simple little tube can be a total sanity-saver in those first weeks. Our product tester Janae tells us, "If it wasn’t for this cream I would have given up breastfeeding."

The Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads were truly essential for me during both breastfeeding journeys, especially in those early weeks when leaking felt nonstop. These pads can absorb up to 20 times their weight thanks to Lansinoh’s InvisiLock core, which pulls moisture away from your skin and locks it in. They’re thin, contoured, and surprisingly discreet, even under fitted tops, and the soft lining feels gentle on already-sensitive nipples. A waterproof backing keeps your clothes dry, and each pad is individually wrapped, making them super easy to toss in your bag for on-the-go changes. If you’re nursing, pumping, or dealing with unpredictable let-downs, these really are critical for breastfeeding moms. One thing to note: there's no hydrogel layer or other nonstick feature on these pads, so be sure to use enough nipple cream to prevent your nipples from sticking to them.

The My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow has earned its reputation as one of the most beloved breastfeeding pillows for a reason. Its firm, flat surface and wrap-around design keep baby securely positioned at breast height without slipping or constant readjusting. “My Brest Friend Pillow is the most universally loved nursing pillow,” says Jones, and so many parents agree, thanks to the way it supports both mom and baby during long feeds.

When my first baby was tiny, I tried several nursing pillows, and this was the only one that consistently kept him high enough and well-supported for a better latch. Unlike softer, squishier pillows that let him slip, this one provides structured, reliable support that helps you maintain good posture and sustain a comfortable latch, which is key for preventing nipple pain and reducing strain on your arms, neck and back. Many parents consider it an absolute essential for the early weeks of round-the-clock nursing.

My best friend gifted me The Cocoon when I had my second baby, and it was the only nursing cover that my little one and I could tolerate. Jones is honest about the reality of most covers, noting that “only very young babies will allow it—it’s a sweaty, distracting mess trying to get it set up right.” And honestly? I agree. That was my experience with nearly every cover I tried… except this one.

The Cocoon is different. Made from soft, breathable cotton, it’s lightweight enough to keep both you and your baby cool, and long enough to provide coverage while still allowing freedom of movement. It drapes more like an easy, oversized shirt than a traditional cover, so it doesn’t trap heat or feel fussy to move around in. Product tester Ashleigh felt the same way: “My son was not disturbed by the nursing cover as it is very breathable. Wearing the Cocoon is literally just like wearing a loose shirt, so it was comfortable to sit, nurse and hang out in.”

I received these aden + anais Burpy Bibs when my first baby arrived, and they became indispensable. Made from soft, breathable muslin with four layers of absorbent material, they handled everything from spit-up to milk spills, which became especially important for my very drooly little one. I loved that they doubled as bibs with the snap closure, making mealtime and feedings so much easier. Whether draped over your shoulder during nursing, snapped around your baby’s neck at the table, or tucked into your diaper bag, they’re a multi-use essential that keeps both baby and mom a little drier!

Even if you plan to nurse exclusively, having a reliable electric pump can make a world of difference, whether you’re building a small freezer stash or simply want your partner to take over for some feedings. I tested 14 different pumps for The Bump with my second baby and the Pumpables SuperGenie quickly became my favorite (it also earned a Best of The Bump award!).

While the SuperGenie is compatible with standard plastic flanges, I always recommend upgrading to the liquid shield kit. The ultra-soft silicone molds to your breast, reducing friction points that can make pumping uncomfortable. With the liquid shields, I could finally pump at the highest settings without wincing, which was a first for me after trying so many other pumps.

The foldable handle doubles as a nightlight for middle-of-the-night sessions, and the Pumpables app lets you fine-tune settings, log sessions and even try pumping patterns other moms swear by. The SuperGenie is definitely a tool you’ll want in your breastfeeding arsenal.

The Haakaa was a true lifesaver for me, and it’s a favorite among so many breastfeeding parents. I pumped much less with my second baby, but I still used this constantly in the first several weeks of nursing. What I love most is how simple it is: there are no parts to assemble and no cords or settings to manage. You just suction it onto one breast while nursing on the other, and it quietly collects the letdown that would otherwise get soaked into a bra or nursing pad.

The curved, one-piece silicone design makes it incredibly easy to pour milk directly into bottles or storage bags without spills, which is especially beneficial in those early weeks, when letdown is abundant and every ounce is precious. I tested the Haakaa for The Bump and continued using it with both of my children because it made saving milk practically effortless. For breastfeeding parents who don’t pump often—or at all—the Haakaa offers a low-stress, low-effort way to collect milk you’d otherwise lose, without overstimulating supply or committing to full pumping sessions.

I can still picture those early-morning fridge runs to check my neatly lined-up milk bags, each one labeled in my sleepy Sharpie handwriting. Breast milk storage bags became one of my most-used breastfeeding essentials, and even though my insurance sent me free ones, I kept coming back to Lansinoh.

Every mom knows how precious pumped milk is (it’s literally referred to as liquid gold), and Lansinoh’s double-zip seal helps prevent leaks, the bags lay flat to maximize freezer space, and the curved pour spout makes transferring milk a whole lot less messy (especially in the bleary-eyed hours of the night). You can also pump directly into the bags using Lansinoh’s pump-into-bag adapters, which are compatible with most major pump brands. Whether you’re building a freezer stash or just saving a few bottles ahead, these bags make storing liquid gold simple and surprisingly stress-free.

A good set of slow-flow bottles is a must-have for breastfeeding moms, and the Chicco Duo Hybrid was my go-to for my second child, whom I breastfed for nearly two years. And I’m not the only mom who thinks so—the Chicco Duo earned a Best of the Bump three years in a row. Even though I loved another brand for my first child, my primarily breastfed baby loved these bottles, and the transitions from bottle to breast with the Chicco Duo were seamless. My baby latched on to this bottle easily; however, it's important to note that experts recommend introducing a bottle only after breastfeeding is established. But as Jones notes, having “slow-flow nipples and simple bottles [if] there is a medical need for supplementation,” can be incredibly helpful during the early weeks.

What I love about these bottles is that you get the best of both worlds. Chicco’s innovative design combines an outer shell of lightweight plastic with an inner layer of glass—so only glass ever touches the milk, while the protective plastic exterior removes the worry of breakage.

The bottle’s slightly curved shape is also comfortable to hold, and it naturally helps you position the bottle at the right angle for paced feeding—an essential technique for breastfed babies learning to go back and forth between bottle and breast.

One of my biggest mistakes with my first child was choosing a nursery glider based solely on aesthetics. It looked beautiful, but nursing in it was uncomfortable, and my back paid the price. With my second, I knew better. The Babyletto Cali Pillowback Chair and a Half Glider is everything I wish I had the first time around: wide, supportive, and thoughtfully designed for feeding.

True to its name, the Cali’s seat is one-and-a-half times wider than a standard glider, giving you plenty of room to get comfortable, switch positions, or hold your baby with more ease. The perfectly positioned armrests make an even bigger difference. Our product tester Haley, a breastfeeding mom of a 5-month-old, shares that “the armrests were comfortable for resting my elbows. It seemed like they provided enough height to keep my shoulders relaxed while nursing in the football hold position.”

The chair’s Eco-Performance fabric is another important feature—it’s water-repellent and stain-resistant, which feels essential during the newborn months when milk stains and spit-ups are pretty much guaranteed. And the glide itself is smooth and quiet, ideal for nighttime feedings. While Jones cautions that designated nursery chairs can sometimes make parents feel “trapped in one particular room to feed,” I found that having one truly comfortable, supportive spot, especially in the nursery, made nighttime nursing feel calmer and more enjoyable.

A small rolling cart can turn any corner into a cozy, fully stocked nursing station. I had one for my second child, and it honestly made the early days so much easier. I kept essentials like burp cloths, my breast pump and swaddles within arm’s reach, along with little comforts for myself like a book, headphones, and even a few snacks. The 3-Tier Metal Utility Cart from Brightroom is perfect for this, offering plenty of storage without taking up much space.

Turnbull stresses that keeping protein snacks and electrolytes in your cart isn't just about nutrition, it’s about self-care, too. “Stock your cart with snacks and little comforts—it’s just nice to have so you don’t have to move around as much,” she says. “Mental health is such an important part of postpartum—even small treats, like a favorite chocolate, can go a long way to lift your mood.” With a cart like this, you’ve got everything you need right at your side, making feeding time a little more functional and comfortable.