I thought I was prepared for breastfeeding when we got home from the hospital. I. Was. Wrong. Breastfeeding is hard. It’s especially hard in those first few weeks. There are so many little things you need while breastfeeding and the last thing you want to do is get up after you finally got a good latch. It didn’t take long for me to realize I needed a breastfeeding supply basket that I could carry around the house with me as needed. You spend so much of those early days feeding that you may as well be comfortable and get things done while you’re at it. Plus, there’s just something about it, EVERY TIME I started nursing I would realize I forgot something. Lucky for me, my husband is amazingly helpful, no questions asked. Still, a basket of breastfeeding supplies made it easier on all of us. My breastfeeding kit contains things for both baby and I. There are a few other tips and items you’ll need as well that won’t fit in the breastfeeding supply basket that I’ll include as well.
Breastfeeding Kit Tips:
Tip 1: Get a little basket to hold everything. So. Much. Easier. I got mine from Target. I was initially using one from around the house but it had large holes in the weave so small items would slip out. This one is the perfect size and design. It’s also plastic and easy to clean if something spills and they come in a bunch of cute colors.
Tip 2: Even though travel sizes are not a great deal, they work really well in this breastfeeding kit. It allows you to keep your basket small and easy to bring with you.
Tip 3: When you move your breastfeeding supply basket from room to room with you always keep it in the same place so if you’re sleeping or it’s dark you can easily grab it without turning on a light and waking everyone (mainly baby).
Tip 4: This is a great baby shower gift for a momma-to-be! Even if she doesn’t know it yet 😉
Breastfeeding Supply Basket: The Essentials Kit
Nose Frida + Little Remedies Nose Drops – Something we came to realize early on, babies with plugged noses don’t eat well and don’t sleep well. I hated the Nose Frida until I was told to get saline drops. Little Remedies Saline Drops softened dried boogers making the Nose Frida work like magic! Anytime I hear a stuffy nose while nursing (or bottle feeding) we stop and suck them out. It really makes everything better.
Vitamin D Drops – Breastfed babies need vitamin D supplements. I keep them in the basket and give them to him while I’m feeding him once a day. He likes the taste and goes from breast milk to drops and back to breast milk with no problem.
Gas Drops – We have a really good sleeper. I know we’re very lucky. If for some reason he is fussy and we can’t console him we’ll give the gas drops a try. We’ve only had to use them a few times in 4 months but they are nice to have when you’ve tried everything else.
Nail Clipper – Best time to clip a babies nails is when they are content, quiet, or sleeping. I take advantage of meal time or bed time as much as possible with this easy to use baby nail clipper.
Baby Lotion – When you’re breastfeeding you just have time to notice things. I would find little dry patches here and there and lotion him up. I keep both a light lotion (Aveeno Baby) and a thick lotion (Aquaphor Baby) in my breastfeeding supply basket.
Baby Body Wipes – We primarily use WaterWipes but they come in a big pack. I keep a small pack of Up & Up Baby Body Wipes in the breastfeeding kit, just in case.
Nipple Cream – Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream worked the best for me. I used it after every feeding and every pump. It really helped in those early days when you’re struggling with latch and everything hurts.
Nursing Pads – Good to have on hand in the early days. While you’re regulating your supply you’ll likely be leaking, especially at night. Change them often to keep everything clean. I liked Lansinoh Nursing Pads.
Nipple Shield – Controversial but I like them for several reasons. If you have sore, bleeding, flat, or inverted nipples or latch problems, have a Medela Nipple Shield on hand.
Burp Cloths – I keep at least 2 burp cloths on hand at all times. Babies spit up a lot! I also like to put one under babies head while I’m nursing since sometimes they drool while eating, especially when they are sleepy.
Hair Brush for Cradle Cap – I keep a soft bristle baby brush in the breastfeeding supply basket because I often notice dry scalp while I’m feeding. It’s nice to be able to utilize that time for little things like this.
Lip Balm – Residual effects from the hospital. Your lips will be dry. Plus there’s just something about lip balm, you always need it when you don’t have it. Everyone’s got their favorite, and probably 10 tubes of it laying around. Toss one into your breastfeeding kit.
Hair Tie – I basically live in a scrunchie while at home since they are easier on your hair and these ones are especially cute. I also keep a small hair tie in my basket in the event I need something with extra hold.
Pain Meds – Speaking of everything hurting. I have a small container of Ibuprofen in my breastfeeding basket. This was mainly for my postpartum pains but it’s still in there just in case (though I rarely take any medication and if I do it’s Tylenol)
Snack – Early on, when it seems like you’re nursing 24/7 (because you are) it’s good to keep snacks on hand. I was hungry at 3 am feedings sometimes. Again, hopefully, you have a helpful partner but make it easy on everyone and keep a snack nearby. Eating regularly is also a contributor to keeping your milk supply up!
*Birth Control – Ummm, yeah, I’m giving myself a break before the next one. My breastfeeding kit is always nearby when my reminder alarm goes off so why not keep it in there?
Other supplies for your breastfeeding kit that won’t fit in the basket:
Water – Oh my gosh, water. Breastfeeding makes you so thirsty. Even when I pump, if I forget the water, it’s tragic. I get SO thirsty! Keep a big water bottle with you at all times. It also helps with milk production so drink up!
Phone – For taking pictures, entertainment, communication, emergencies… It’s probably already with you most of the time so just keep doing what you’re doing.
Breastfeeding App – I used Baby Tracker early on to track feedings (how often, how long or how much) and diapers (dirty or wet) to make sure he was getting enough to eat and he had enough dirty diapers. It also tracks which side you’re on when you’re going back and forth. It was a God send!
Nursing Bra/Tank – This makes life so much easier. Over time I’ve become partial to my breastfeeding tanks because they are just so easy and comfortable but I also wear a lot of nursing bras. I break down the tanks and bras over on my best nursing bras blog.
Nursing Pillow – I don’t use one (long story short, nursing pillows are too thick and I lay back to nurse because I have a fast letdown) but I know most people do. Boppy is probably the most popular option but I’ve heard the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow is amazing.
Nursing Cover – For nursing or pumping with company or in public. I pump and bottle feed when we’re in public because it’s easier for me. I keep a nursing cover in my pumping bag in the event I need to pump in the car (NOT while driving haha!) or in public, which rarely happens unless I’m out for the entire day. If you have company over often you can keep it with your breastfeeding kit, otherwise, keep it with your diaper bag or pumping bag for when you’re on the go!
Nipple Gel Pads – Keep them in the fridge for extra relief. They’re so great when your nipples are sore and the cream isn’t cutting it. I tried several brands. I thought these nipple gel pads were the best.
A Stash of TV Shows You Love – For entertainment and to pass the time. Little tip, turn on the closed captioning for the middle of the night when you’re trying to get baby down or when the hubs goes back to work and needs sleep.
This was everything I needed to make breastfeeding a new baby so much easier. The great part about having a basket to carry with you is you can periodically add items as needed. I would throw in things like throat lozenges when my throat was sore from the dry hospital air or nail polish, tweezers, and a mirror when I want to spend some time on myself.
Do you have a breastfeeding supply basket? What did you add to your breastfeeding kit that I don’t have listed?
Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
XO,
Meg
