Breastfeeding supplies you need before you start breastfeeding your newborn:

• Breastpads
• Breastpumps
• Breastfeeding pillow
• Comfortable/large sized bra
• Milk storage containers 
• Lotion for sore nipples

Breastfeeding for a mom-to-be can be quite a hands on job specially if she is doing it for the first time. There are a few supplies that you might need before you embark on this beautiful new journey of holding your baby and feeding him/her! Here are a few that may prove essential on this adventure! 

A nursing pad or a breast pad is a cloth or disposable pad that is used on the nipple and breast of a breastfeeding mother to absorb any additional milk that may discharge between feeds. They are absorbent, removable and work as liners to prevent any embarrassing wet spots or potential stains. It is placed between the bra and the breast skin and are easily available at specialty stores. 

Breast pumps

Breast pumps are hand held devices that are used to regulate and increase a mother’s milk supply in breasts, relieve breast swelling or tightness or pull out flat or inverted nipples; all of it making breastfeeding easier. It is not a necessity but goes leaps and bounds for working women who do not have consistently free time slots for their baby to nurse. 

Breastfeeding pillow/ Nursing pillow

Breastfeeding pillows help nurse babies bottle-feed and breastfeed and helps mothers raise newborn babies while giving you extra support for back, shoulders and arms. Remember that your baby needs to be brought up to your chest and close to your breasts in order to be able to suckle properly. 

A comfortable and large sized bra/ nursing bra

During pregnancy and during breastfeeding extra fluid and blood collects around the breast area in order to prepare for the milk supply. During this time, a good fitted bra being worn at most times can help your days and nights pass comfortable and give you the extra support so your breasts don’t become sore in any way.

Tip: buy one cup size larger than your pregnant bra size 

Buying storage containers can be confusing. Always take extra hygiene precautions before you handle milk storage containers, these are a source of infection to your baby if you fail to do so. Try to label the containers, with date and time and store them at the back of refrigerator or freezers, preferably where the temperatures are the coolest. 

• At room temperature- use freshly expressed stored breast milk within four hours
• Insulated coolers- use freshly expressed stored breast milk within a day with iced packs 
• Refrigerator- use freshly expressed stored milk within 4 days 
• Deep freezer- use freshly expressed stored milk stored within 12 months

Lotion for sore nipples

It is very common for breastfeeding moms to experience sore or cracked nipples and using a nipple cream or moisturizer for this maybe just what you need before the scars get worse. These over-the-counter products are safe and harmless and provide timely relief.