Breastfeeding Station Must-Haves: If you are considering creating a breastfeeding basket or breastfeeding station, I highly recommend it! You will spend countless hours feeding your newborn, so it is great to have all the essentials within arms reach.
Let me share some of my top picks for what to pack in your breastfeeding basket to have next to you. Feel free to tweak it to fit your particular needs.
Breastfeeding Station
Bra Pads
These reusable bra pads are great to stash in your basket so you don’t have any leaks that show on your clothing. Even after your baby is done feeding you might find you sit and rock them, so having pads handy will be helpful. If you have a lot of leaks you might want to buy a pair of these to collect all that milk!
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Drink and Snacks
Keep a drink by where you breastfeed and some snacks. Items like nuts, jerky, lactation cookies are all great options. I use an insulated cup that I sit at the start of the day where I plan to feed so I can have a drink and snacks at my fingertip if I get hungry.
Blankets
Stash a baby blanket or two, along with a blanket for you. I know for me I tend to get cold at times and having a blanket right there to grab is great so you don’t sit freezing as you are feeding. Or the same for your little one if you feel they need to be covered up. These are our favorite blankets that double as burp cloths!
Breast Cream
Lanolin or other creams (this is my favorite natural alternative) are great to have in your basket to rub on your dry or cracked breasts, or to use as a preventive. If you don’t want to put a full tube in it, use a travel container to put some paste/cream. Believe me, you need to have this on hand every time you nurse especially for the first three weeks!
Burp Cloths
Have a burp cloth or two to catch any spit up or accidents where you need to clean up. Or if you don’t use burp cloths have something in there that can catch any spit-up. These are our favorite burp cloths but they can be pricey, so we have two of them and we supplement with these cloth diaper/ burp cloths!
Pacifier
If you use a pacifier it is always nice to stash one or two to have on hand if you are working on getting your little one to sleep after you feed them.
Breast Pump
You’ll want to keep your breast pump somewhere convenient–and my favorite trick to producing more milk (and building up a freezer stash) is this inexpensive breast pump! WHY didn’t I know about this earlier? I popped it on my breast during my 9 AM feed every day with my newborn and I quickly started collecting between 2-4 oz. each session! *Make sure you get the one with the top! No one likes spilled breastmilk!
Hand Sanitizer
You might find hand sanitizer is a great item to keep on hand next to your feeding station especially when you are pumping.
Breastfeeding Pillow
I set my Boppy pillow by my feeding station, but it is great to help offer support to the baby as they feed and help your arms and back not feel so strained as you sit feeding for so long.
Optional Items to Add In Your Basket
- Nursing log
- Lip balm for you
- Book to read or something for entertainment
- Wipes and baby diaper
- Phone charger
- Lotion for your hands if you have dry skin
How Many Feeding Stations Do I Need
So this is up to. You might find that creating a breastfeeding station in a couple of areas of your home is key. Late-night feedings might take place in the nursery or even your bedroom. Then you might feed in the living room during the day. So feel free to create multiple baskets to have on hand, or tote it from one area to the other room if you don’t want a second basket.
Best Place to Nurse Baby
I recommend nursing where you feel comfortable. Using a chair like a glider or a recliner might help support your baby and body as you nurse your baby. Or you might find that sitting on a couch works best. This is our favorite glider–it looks just like a $1,200 one but is a fraction of the price!
It is all about what you have available and what is most comfortable for you. Especially with newborns, you will spend many hours a day feeding so you want to ensure that you are comfortable.
That is why having essentials at your fingertips will come in handy, that way as you sit for 30 minutes you have a drink or a snack so you don’t feel like you are counting down till your baby is done.
Filling Your Breastfeeding Station
If you end up using items out of the station, then before you feed the next time, replace the items. This will help you to not forget to replace the items you used. Mom brain is real, and it is easy to forget things after the baby arrives.
