10 Must-Have Breast-Feeding Accessories

When it comes to breast-feeding, all you need is yourself, right? Well, sort of. If you’re planning on going back to work or sharing feeding duties with another family member, there are plenty of accessories that are designed to make your life easier. We asked doulas, lactation consultants and moms like you to weigh in on their breast-feeding must-haves.

If you’re headed back to work and want to continue breast-feeding, a pump is essential. While a hand pump is enough for occasional use at home, you should think about investing in a double electric pump for more frequent use. While that type of pump can cost $300 or more, most insurance companies are required to offer some sort of breast pump coverage as of Aug. 1, 2012, so check with yours. If that is not an option, Steph Calvert, a mom of a 21-month-old, is a fan of the Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump, which she says is quiet and efficient. Frequent pumpers should also consider an extra set of pump parts, so you don't spend time cleaning your only set during those 3 a.m. feedings.

To buy: Ameda, $138

Have a water bottle at the ready when you’re breast-feeding, says Gay Berazi, a registered nurse and lactation consultant at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Breast-feeding moms should be sure to drink plenty of water. Be sure to pick a BPA-free option that has an easy-to-drink-from spout, since you’ll have to keep one hand on the botte and the other on your baby.

To buy: Bobble Water Bottle, from $10

RELATED: Top Breast-Feeding Problems Solved

If you’re pumping milk to feed your baby at a later time, you’ll need somewhere to store it. So don’t forget to stock up on breast milk storage bags. If you don’t like the idea of filling your freezer with plastic bags of milk and only need to store a small amount at a time, try filling up extra baby bottles with pumped milk. Then label and store them in the refrigerator for up to eight days.

To buy: Simplisse Breast Milk Storage Bags, $13 (50 count)

RELATED: Read More Breast-Feeding Stories

Having a lactation consultant on speed dial will become an invaluable resource for you. Some offer gift certificates (hello awesome shower gift!), and some insurance plans will cover them. “They make a world of difference when you are just getting started,” says doula Carie Connell of Westport, Conn. They can ease your worries (“Is my baby eating enough?”) and troubleshoot your problems (“Why won’t my baby latch on?”). Attending a breast-feeding support group can also be invaluable, says Berazi. Other moms can share their tricks for what works well and you’ll have plenty of ears ready to listen to you vent your frustrations.

RELATED: Your Best Post-Pregnancy Body

Just because you're breast-feeding doesn't mean you don't need bottles—unless of course you plan to be in-person for every single feed. However, it’s more realistic that you’ll pump and bottle-feed from time to time whether you’re going back to work, want to give a family member a chance to help out or are ready for a night on the town sans baby. Berazi suggests trying a bottle at around 2 or 3 weeks to ensure you’ll have this option going forward. “If you give it too soon, your baby may not want to take the breast. If you give it too late, the baby may not want the bottle,” she says. Try a regular baby bottle first, but if your baby doesn’t go for it, try a bottle designed to be more breast-like, such as this Very Hungry Bottle by Mimijumi.

To buy: Mimijumi, $15

Most nursing moms couldn’t live without a nursing pillow. You might be surprised how heavy a newborn baby is to hold for a whole feeding! Having a pillow to prop your little one on while nursing can lighten your load, ease back pain and make the experience easier. You’ll find lots of options to choose from, such as My Brest Friend Pillow, which has a strap that holds the pillow on your body in case you need to stand up mid-feed, and the Comfort & Harmony Deluxe Nursing Pillow (pictured), which has a firm side for feeding along with a soft side for baby to lounge on or practice tummy time.

To buy: MyBrestFriend.com, $44 and Comfort & Harmony, $50

Even though breast-feeding shouldn’t hurt if you are doing it correctly, the first week or two can leave you with raw, painful, blistered nipples. Connell says having nipple pads and nipple ointment on hand is a must. “It could make the difference between a mom who stops or continues,” she says. Try Mustela Nursing Comfort Balm and a set of cotton nursing pads that you can wash and reuse.

To buy: Mustela Nursing Balm, $14 and Medela Cotton Washable Nursing Pads, $7

There’s a lot to remember when you’re breast-feeding, and chances of you being bleary eyed from lack of sleep are high. Luckily, there’s an app for that! In fact, there are several breast-feeding log apps available to help you track breast-feeding and pumping sessions, diaper changes, sleep schedules, weight and more. Try Medela’s free iBreastfeed app, which also includes helpful tips to help you start breast-feeding successfully.

To buy: iTunes, Free

There are plenty of basic nursing bras out there, but you deserve a couple of pretty ones, too! You should have at least three nursing bras so you can wear one, have one in the wash, and have one ready if you need to change. Every mom is different, but in general you should be safe to buy nursing bras in your eighth month of pregnancy. But be forewarned, says Berazi, right after delivery your breasts may be engorged, making the bras seem too small. Not to worry though: They should go down in three to seven days.

To buy: Amoralia Nursing Bra, $49

RELATED: Nursing Bras That Are Cute. Really.

You may not think you need a bra to sleep in, but Calvert swears a wrap nursing sleep bra is a must have. “The truth is, your boobs are just all over the place when you're nursing, and this gives you a little more comfort when you're sleeping,” she says. As an added bonus, it’s a super-comfortable option for those days when your breasts are feeling painful and engorged.

To buy: Wrap Nursing Sleep Bra, $17