8 Breastfeeding Must-Haves to Help Make Nursing a Breeze

A good nursing pillow helps support baby on your lap, propping him up to reach your nipple more comfortably. While there are countless options out there, What to Expect community moms rave about the My Brest Friend Deluxe nursing pillow.

This firm, flat pillow delivers plenty of support, and has a Velcro strap for simple one-hand use. Not to mention, the wrap-around design helps infants stay in place (yes, please!).

“A lactation consultant had me use a My Brest Friend, and it was life-changing," one What to Expect community member wrote. "I literally couldn't have breastfed without it those first few months."

Weight: 1.4 pounds

Dimensions: 5.9 x 23 x 15.7 inches

Of course, a nursing cover is not a must-have — many mothers choose not to use them, and some babies don't like them either. But if you do want to use one, the Boppy Nursing Cover is a favorite for good reason. Not only does the Boppy offer plenty of coverage, but there are special rings to help you remember which side you nursed or pumped from last. The neckline is sturdy and the strap adjustable. Not to mention, it has a pouch on the front and is machine-washable.

“The top curves out a bit so you can see down it, and it doesn't fall on baby's face, just nicely over him,” wrote one What to Expect community member.

Dimensions: 25 x 35 inches

Weight: 6 ounces

Once your milk comes in, you may find your bra and shirts suddenly damp from drips. Enter nursing pads, which slip into your bra to protect your clothes. But not all breasts leak, so you might want to hold off on buying too many right off the bat.

If you find yourself needing them, we love Bamboodies Nursing Pads — they’re soft, effective and reusable to boot.

“I’ve been using reusable for over a year,” says one What to Expect community member. “My favorite are Bamboobies; it’s all I use. I highly recommend [them]. If you leak a lot, you’ll probably want many pairs to change them out if they get wet.”

Size: 8 pads

Your nipples may get sore from all that activity, especially if your baby has trouble latching early on. Dry, cracked nipples can be soothed with nipple cream that's safe for baby.

There are several types of nipple cream on the market, but Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream is a safe bet. It's hypoallergenic, has no additives and (most importantly) is safe and effective. Plus, when baby moves on to solid foods, you can use the Lansinoh for other purposes, such as lip moisturizer or cuticle care cream.

Size: 1.41 ounces

You’re going to be feeding your little one often, especially in the first few weeks, so you’ll want to have easy access. Nursing bras are probably the most important clothing item to buy, since they allow you to unclip each cup so you don’t have to take the whole bra off every time you breastfeed. And Kindred Bravely is a tried-and-true favorite, thanks to the support, soft material and easy pull-aside access of the cups.

Plus, these bras are wire- and clasp-free, making for more comfortable day-long wear. “[They're] super comfortable, breathable and so easy on my back and shoulders!” wrote one What to Expect mom.

If you plan on spending any time away from baby — whether for work, travel or just a few hours of “me” time — you’ll want to have a stash of milk available so someone else can feed her. You don’t need to have a breast pump on day one (although some hospitals now encourage moms to bring them in so the on-staff lactation consultants can help with any questions), breast pumps can help get your production up in those early days.

The Medela Pump in Style with Max Flow is a What to Expect favorite. It's a double-electric model pump (so you can pump both breasts at the same time), and includes a stylish tote to make for easy transportation. Also good? A portable battery pack and two sizes of breast shields.

Weight: 1.18 pounds

Dimensions: 13.14 x 6.12 x 9.08 inches

Once you start pumping, there are a few new supplies you’ll need. First, you’ll want bottles to attach to the pump. Washing all the pump parts multiple times a day can get time-consuming, so you may also want to invest in steam clean bags, like these from Medela. You simply put all the pump parts and bottles in the bag with a little water and microwave it. Best of all, they’re BPA-free and reusable.

“The sanitizing bags are nice and cheap and can be reused up to 20 times, so they are definitely worth it,” writes one What to Expect community member.

Size: 12 bags

If you’re pumping, a pumping bra is be a huge time-saver. It keeps bottles positioned at your breasts so you can be hands-free.

This Simple Wishes bra checks off all the must-have features you want in a pumping bra: It lets you be totally hands-free, is fully adjustable (it’s designed with a 10-inch Velcro back panel) and works with most major brands, including Medela, Lansinoh and Philips Avent.

“The greatest thing for me was the hands-free pumping bra. I HATED having to hold double bottles to my breast when pumping because I couldn't do anything else for 20 minutes,” writes one What to Expect community member.