Breastfeeding shouldn’t require 47 products and a Pinterest board to get right, but the internet sure makes it feel that way.

We’ve breastfed three kids (each completely different experiences) and here’s what we wish someone had told us straight: you need fewer things than you think, the first two weeks are harder than anyone admits, and the problems that feel catastrophic at 3 AM usually have solutions.

This guide covers the actual essentials (not the registry list), what really happens in those first weeks, and the fixes that worked for us when things didn’t go to plan. No perfection. Just what helps.

Breastfeeding Essentials: What You Really Need

Tier 1: The Real Essentials (You Absolutely Need These)

1. Nursing Bras (2-3 Comfortable Ones)

Why: You’ll live in them for months. Underwire bras can cause plugged ducts. Regular bras make middle-of-the-night nursing needlessly complicated.

What worked for us:

  • No underwire
  • Easy one-hand access (clips or pull-aside styles)
  • Soft, stretchy fabric that adjusts to engorgement fluctuations
  • Sleep-in comfort

Sizing tip: Buy one before birth in your late pregnancy size, then buy two more after your milk comes in. Your size will change, and buying too many too early is a waste.

Price range: $25-40 each for quality ones that last

2. Nipple Cream (Lanolin or Alternative)

Why: Prevention beats treatment. Apply after every feed in the first week even if you’re not sore yet.

What worked across all three kids:
Lanolin (specifically medical-grade like Lansinoh) or coconut oil for those sensitive to lanolin. Both are safe for baby—no need to wipe off before feeding.

Travel consideration: Lanolin tubes under 3.4 oz are TSA-friendly. Keep one in your diaper bag.

3. Burp Cloths or Muslin Squares (8-10)

Why: Spit-up happens everywhere—on you, on furniture, on visitors who don’t know better than to wear white.

Why muslins beat everything else:
Lightweight, dry quickly, fold small for travel, and work as nursing covers, sun shades, emergency blankets, and approximately 47 other things.

We actually sell bamboo muslins because we couldn’t find ones that were soft enough, large enough, and actually stayed soft after washing. But even generic muslins beat regular burp cloths for versatility.

4. Breast Pads (Disposable or Reusable)

Why: Leaking is normal for weeks or months, especially in the early days when your body overproduces. Waking up in a puddle or leaking through your shirt in public gets old fast.

Disposable vs. reusable:

  • Disposable: More absorbent, easier for travel, no laundry. Go through them quickly.
  • Reusable: Cost-effective long-term, eco-friendly, but require washing and drying constantly.

How many you need: In the first month? Change them every 2-3 hours. That’s 6-8 per day. Stock up or be prepared to do laundry constantly.

5. Water Bottle with Straw

Breastfeeding makes you intensely thirsty. Dehydration tanks your energy and can affect supply.

Keep one in every room you typically nurse—bedroom, living room, wherever you camp out most.

Tier 2: Helpful But Not Critical

1. Nursing Pillow

C-section recovery (takes pressure off incision), back issues, nursing twins, anyone struggling with positioning.

Adds bulk, doesn’t travel well, and regular pillows worked fine once we figured out positioning.

Skip if: You’re comfortable without one or prioritize portability.

2. Haakaa or Manual Pump

This catches letdown from the opposite breast while you’re nursing. Passive milk collection without any pumping effort.

When it’s useful: Building a small freezer stash without adding pumping sessions. Relieving engorgement.

When it’s annoying: Adds one more thing to wash. Can feel awkward to position. Sometimes pulls harder than comfortable.

It might be worth trying, especially in the early weeks when you’re leaking anyway. But if you hate it, don’t force it.

3. Nipple Shields (Have on Hand)

Don’t buy in advance, but know where to get them at 2 AM (24-hour pharmacy, Amazon Prime, hospital gift shop).

When they help: Flat or inverted nipples, shallow latch, extreme soreness, premature babies learning to nurse.

Tier 3: Nice to Have

1. Electric Breast Pump

When you might need one: Returning to work, exclusively pumping, low supply requiring extra stimulation, building a large freezer stash.

You might not need it. Some babies nurse just fine and you never have a reason to pump regularly. Don’t spend $300+ on something you might not use.

Most insurance plans in the US cover a breast pump. Check with your provider before buying one out of pocket.

2. Nursing Cover

Some babies hate them. They get hot, baby can’t see you, they draw more attention than just nursing discreetly without one.

Some alternatives are loose shirts, layering, or draping a muslin if you need coverage. More versatile and less obvious.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding essentials are simpler than the baby industry wants you to believe: a few good bras, nipple cream, something to catch spit-up, breast pads, and water.

The first two weeks are genuinely hard (harder than most people admit) but for most parents, it does get easier. The problems that feel catastrophic at 3 AM usually have solutions, and most of them don’t require buying more stuff.

Our experience across three kids taught us this: breastfeeding worked when we lowered our expectations, asked for help when we needed it, and gave ourselves grace when things didn’t go to plan.

What matters most isn’t perfect gear or perfect technique. It’s your well-being and your baby getting fed—however that ends up looking for your family.

Save this for when you’re in the thick of it at 3 AM. And if you know an expecting parent who needs the real talk instead of the Instagram version, share it with them.

FAQ

How long should I breastfeed each session?

There’s no universal “right” length. Newborns typically nurse 20-45 minutes per session, but some are efficient eaters done in 10 minutes while others comfort-nurse for an hour. Watch your baby, not the clock—they’re done when they come off satisfied or fall asleep.

What are the essential items for breastfeeding?

The real essentials: 2-3 comfortable nursing bras, nipple cream, 8-10 burp cloths or muslins, breast pads, and a good water bottle. Everything else (nursing pillows, pumps, covers) depends on your specific situation. Start minimal and add as you discover what you actually need.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?

Trust these signs over how your breasts feel:

  • 6+ wet diapers per day after day 5
  • Steady weight gain (back to birth weight by 2 weeks, then roughly 5-7 oz per week)
  • Baby seems satisfied after most feeds
  • Active swallowing during nursing

Your breasts feeling “empty” doesn’t mean low supply—it means your supply has regulated.

When does breastfeeding stop hurting?

Mild tenderness should improve by day 3-5 as your nipples adjust. Pain that persists beyond the first week or gets worse usually indicates a latch problem and needs attention from a lactation consultant. Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt once you and baby figure out positioning and latch.

Can I breastfeed while traveling?

Yes. It’s actually easier than bottle-feeding on the go—no washing, packing, heating, or carrying supplies. Nurse during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure. Breastmilk is TSA-exempt if you’re pumping. The biggest challenge is finding comfortable places to nurse in airports, but baby-wearing while nursing works in a pinch.

How many nursing bras do I actually need?

Minimum 2-3: one you’re wearing, one in the wash, one as backup. Buy one in late pregnancy, then buy more after your milk comes in when your size stabilizes. Sleeping in a soft nursing bra at night can prevent leaking disasters and provide light support when you’re engorged.

When should I start using a breast pump?

Most lactation consultants recommend waiting 3-4 weeks before introducing pumping to let your supply establish naturally. If you’re returning to work or need to build a freezer stash, start practicing 2-3 weeks before you need it. If you’re exclusively pumping or have supply issues, you’ll start earlier with professional guidance.