The act of breastfeeding is hard enough. Between teaching a baby how to latch, painful beginnings, and just how demanding it can be to a woman, the last thing we should be worrying about is what clothes to wear or HOW to nurse the baby.

I don’t consider myself an expert in lactation but I do see myself as pretty in the know when it comes to what I have found helpful in my few years experience.

So I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 can’t live without for the breastfeeding mama!

1. A Legit Everyday Nursing Bra

This is hands down the most important thing (besides the baby) in what you will need. Believe me when I say I have tried a ton of nursing bras. Specifically, a ton of terrible nursing bras. It wasn’t until my second baby that I found the PERFECT nursing bra.

The Auden nursing bra is a must.

I literally own one for every day of the week in every color. They are off the charts in comfort, they pull down nicely without having to take both sides off, and the most important: they look normal in a shirt. My main issue with most bras are the horrific pads and how every shirt I wear screams I’M WEARING A MOM BRA UNDERNEATH. Think of this as the perfect Tshirt bra!

2. A Beautiful Nursing Bra( for days you want to feel more cute and less mom-my)

Before having kids I was all about the showing a little bra off trend. I’d wear the slouchy tanks with a cute bra peeping out. This was a serious no-no once I found I was constrained to a nursing bra.

Then I found the perfect cross between function and sexy: The MAMA bra. The lace is beautiful but it also has padding and support. It shows a little skin but still covers the girls. For days you want to not be only a mom this is your bra!

3. The High Impact Sports Bra.

I struggled so bad to find a bra after having my first baby. My workouts are composed of a lot of running, jumping, and high impact tasks and the girls were not a fan. I started wearing two bras for better support but once the baby came I quickly realized that wasn’t realistic.

That’s when I found the VS knockout bra. It’s almost like wearing two bras in one with a clip front support bra and a zip layer on top to really hold down the fort. Not to mention it’s front easy access for a quick nursing session. Win-win!

4. The Nursing Tank.

You will quickly learn that nursing in public is a major learned skill. There is no easy way to pop a nipple out, place it in a screaming hungry baby’s mouth, all while discreetly trying not to flash everyone in a 20 foot radius.

You will also learn of the infamous t-shirt trick.

Wear a nursing tank under your shirts so that when you lift up your shirt and lower your bra your belly is not exposed to the world adding to the list of indecent exposure.

These MAMA nursing tanks are not only super cute and come in different designs and colors (something that’s not easy to find in nursing clothes) but they’re easy to use and comfortable!

5. The Perfect Zip Up Sweatshirt.

I’m the queen of loungewear. I’ve been sporting leggings, a mom bun, and the perfect zip up hoodie long before quarantine made it a thing.

I’m not sure about you but when I am home I want quick, easy boob access. I don’t mess around with sweatshirts or even T-shirts for that matter. I want a zip down sweatshirt so I can feed my baby in seconds.

And you would be surprised on how hard it actually is to find the perfect zip up!

“The Hoodie” is the perfect fit, just enough slouchy, just enough fitted. It’s not tight on the arm pits causing weird sweating and it’s not too long! It also comes in so many colors! I literally wear one whenever I am home.

6. Nipple Cream.

If you’re already a nursing mom you know.

If you’re not yet, don’t ask questions just be prepared and buy ahead of time. You’ll thank me later!

This is my favorite!

7. Reusable Nipple Pads.

Don’t be me.

Don’t be Made of Honor in your best friends wedding and forget to pop these bad boys in.

Just don’t.

These are comfortable and unnoticeable and awesomely reusable!

8. Muslin Blanket.

I didn’t learn this one until my second baby. My first son literally never spit up once. I didn’t even know how lucky I was until my second came along and now I am followed by the constant smell of old milk.

What’s even more fun is when you’re in public trying to “discreetly” nurse your flailing baby and then they spit up. Everywhere. So not only are you naked but now naked and covered in milk trying to find something to wipe it up without full exposing yourself.

The muslin blanket!

It’s the answer to everything. It’s perfect to just throw over your shoulder and nurse privately with. It’s light so the baby can breathe. It’s small so you won’t sweat and you can easily move it to make sure you’re latched properly AND when your baby projectiles all over you it’s right there to clean up!

I also use them at nap time to cover my baby’s eyes to make the room darker ( I’m a nap holder).

So many uses!!

9. Portable Pump (or a way to make yours portable).

These next few are for the pumping and nursing mama.

I had an insurance issued pump for my first baby. It was free and it did the job but it wasn’t very user friendly for on the go. BUT if you head to Amazon and google your pumps name and car charger you’ll find some and it will be so convenient!

OR if you don’t mind spending a small fortune for a life changing pump that will literally make pumping on the go a complete breeze then splurge and get the Elvie. It is worth every. single. penny. 

10. Ice Packs and Storage.

You’d be surprised how little you have in your freezer to store your milk on the go.

You’ll need it and you won’t realize it until you need it!

Not everyones must have but I can’t live without it! : Baby Tracker App.

Not everyone will agree with me on this one but if you don’t want to keep track of the last time you fed your baby or what boob you started on, get it.

Your jumbled mom brain will be happy and if you’re a real crazy like me then it also tracks baby’s nap times and you’ll learn your child’s schedule. I paid extra to get the charts and I’ve used it for both kids!

I have been blessed to have been given the opportunity to nurse both my babies and I hope that if you wish that you will too! These items have made my goal even just a little bit more attainable so I pass on my knowledge to you!

If you have any questions at all feel free to reach out!

 

XO

Karlene