Supplies for Feeding & Lactation

Recommended Supplies for Feeding & Lactation

For General Positioning Support & Comfort:

My BrestFriend Nursing Pillow (with organic cover)
When you prefer an upright position for nursing, a properly fitting, flat-topped nursing pillow can make all the difference.

Adjustable Bamboo Nursing Stool
This stool adjusts to several different angles, allowing you to use it in both upright and reclined positions. If your nursing chair doesn't have it's own ottoman, this can dramatically in improve your comfort and positioning.

Glider by Nurture&
If you have the resources for a premiere level glider, this is the one to look into. They really seem to have considered all the issues nursing parents run into, including postpartum recovery-friendly electric control, separate head and lumbar supports, and it goes back far enough for comfortable and effective laid-back nursing.

Dairy Fairy Rose All-in-One Nursing & Pumping Bra
My clients rave about this brand! It's so much more convenient to wear a bra that can comfortably offer you good access for nursing (without limiting milk flow by applying pressure in the wrong places), as well as easy hands-free pumping. This version doesn't have an underwire, and looks super comfy.

Dairy Fairy Ayla All-in-One Nursing & Pumping Bra
This is the same loved brand as above, and offers the same benefits of full access for nursing plus easy hands-free pumping, but contains an underwire for additional support (and is pretty cute too). My client said this one made pumping at work a breeze, and she totally loved it.

For Sore Nipples:

Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads
Clients report that these pads ease their nipple pain between feedings, and can be used on their own or in combination with your preferred nipple balm or salve.

MotherLove Organic Nipple Cream
This salve has excellent ingredients, and is a client favorite as an herbal alternative to the commonly used lanolin products.

Mamivac Nipple Shields
When the standard 24mm Medela nipple shield doesn't fit you correctly, these are the often a better option. They have two different shapes and a few sizes, with a larger option than other brands offer.
(Please consult a Lactation Consultant before using a nipple shield.)

Medela Nipple Shield
This is the standard 24mm shield that most hospitals give their clients. They are available smaller as well, but the 24mm Medium is the largest they offer.
(Please consult a Lactation Consultant before using a nipple shield.)

Medela TheraShells
(for Sore or Flat/Inverted Nipples)
These shells come with two different sizes, so you can use the same kit for either need. For sore nipples these can take the pressure off in between nursings, and for flat or inverted nipples these can be used prenatally or postpartum to draw your nipples out gently over time.

Organic Sunflower Lecithin
For women who are prone to plugged ducts and/or nipple blebs, lecithin can reduce the frequency and facilitate the clearing of these frustrating and uncomfortable plugs. (Please consult a Lactation Consultant if you are experiencing chronic plugged ducts or other issues, and for dosage.)

For Pumping & Bottle or Finger Feeding:

Pumpin' Pals Breastpump Flanges
These are an awesome alternative that fit most pumps and offer a totally different shape and fit. Most clients report increased comfort while pumping, and sometimes increased output as a result.

Freemie Pump Flanges
If you need to pump hands-free, this is the way to do it! Unlike pumping bras and dangling bottles, these fit inside a bra and can be worn while you live your life. A great combination with a rechargeable Spectra pump so you can really unplug! (You may need a couple of adaptors to make it work with your Spectra or Medela pump, but these are easily found on Amazon.)

Medela Starter Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) with 80ml Bottle
For a breastfeeding-friendly method of offering baby pumped or donated breastmilk, or formula, while allowing them to still suck on the finger or breast, this is an excellent option.

Medela Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) with 150ml Bottle & Dual Tubing
For those who plan to use the SNS for breastfeeding, this is a great option. It allows for easy set-up before settling in to feed baby, has separate tubing for each side, and holds a larger volume.

Medela Haberman Feeder with 80ml Bottle
This is the only bottle I know of that does not flow until the baby sucks, and allows you to choose how easily it flows to strengthen their sucking skills without frustrating or overwhelming them. If your baby is still working on their suck-swallow-breathe organization and chokes easily on other bottles, then this one may be a great trainer bottle until they can handle a steadier flow from one of the bottles below.

{New} Dr. Brown's Wide-Neck Glass Bottles w/improved Nipples
The narrow-necked Dr. Brown's bottles have long been a 2nd or 3rd choice for me, not as ideal as the bottles below but often more accessible or already owned. The wide-necked nipples, on the other hand, were similar to the Avent, Como Tomo, and other nipples that are shaped like a nipple at rest, rather than a nipple during nursing, and I recommended heartily against them.
But now they've updated their shape, and I'm really loving them!
(Do check out the nipples below though, the one that comes with this bottle will probably be too fast for your newborn.)

Dr. Brown's Wide-Neck Preemie Nipples
I do recommend these nipples be purchased separately, for use with young babies and newborns. The size 1 nipple that comes with the bottle above can be a bit fast for babies used to or needing a breast/chest-like flow, and if breast or chest feeding is a priority then we want to optimize the friendliness of the bottle use as much as possible.

Pigeon Bottle
These glass bottles come with the nipples that I like best, and they come with the slowest flow nipple they make. They don't have silicone sleeves, which is a bummer, but clients seem to like them. If you like the nipple but prefer plastic or metal bottles, see below!

Lansinoh MOmma Bottle
For a breast-like experience and a smoother transition, this is a great option. The 'slow flow' nipples are still very fast and this brand does not offer a preemie-flow option, so I recommend this one for over 3 months or if baby is used to a fast flow. If you wish to use it with a newborn, the Pigeon nipples fit perfectly! (see below)

Pura Kiki Bottles
These bottles are all stainless steel and silicone, with absolutely no plastic! The nipples they come with work fine for older babies, but I'd recommend the Pigeon Nipple (see below) for a slower flow more appropriate to a young infant. Bonus feature of these bottles... when you're ready to try sippy cups or straws, you can buy those inserts to replace the nipples, and keep using these bottles for years more!

Pigeon Nipples (slow flow)
These nipples are my current favorite! They are super breastfeeding-friendly, non-toxic silicone, and fit both the Lansinoh bottle (if you prefer plastic), the Pura Kiki bottle (if you prefer stainless steel), and the Pigeon bottle (if you prefer glass)!

Joovy Glass Bottle
Another good option are the Joovy bottles. They are also very breast-like, and are in many ways the best of all worlds with silicone nipples and glass bottle options. The 'slow flow' nipples are still very fast, and I recommend the size 0 below if you're introducing these before 3 months.

Joovy Nipples (size 0)
If you are loving the Joovy bottles but the flow is still a little fast for your babe, Joovy makes a 'preemie' nipple that flows at a much more newborn-friendly rate.

Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
This is an amazing warmer, with multiple functions and the option to leave a bottle of water warming at all times (very useful for making formula as needed). It includes timers, is easy to adjust settings and gets great reviews.

Papablic Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer
I love this sterilizer. It holds six bottles plus nipples and other small parts, is super easy to use (just remember to add water!), and best of all, it dries everything when it's done. This is huge, as it means nothing will mildew or mold while it sits there waiting to get put away.

Silicone Bottle Brush Set
I am such a fan of brushes like these. They're silicone so there's no mold or mildew growing on them, you can sterilize it as needed, and the set gives you the options you need to reach into tall bottles, narrow nipples, and tiny 'colic prevention' holes in the small parts.

For Supporting Milk Supply:
(Please consult with an IBCLC if you have any concerns about your latch, milk supply, or are experiencing any pain or difficulty with your breasts or breastfeeding.)

Herb Lore
Herb Lore is a phenomenal company, with herbs for everyone and all stages of life. I refer frequently to their herbs for milk supply, teething and tummy help for babies.

Euphoric Herbals
If you are looking for nipple salves, thrush treatment or milk supply boosters, Euphoric Herbals seems to have it all!

Wellevate
If you're looking for other supplements or want additional choices, Wellevate is a great place to look. You can find some of my favorite products once you've created your account (just click the 'Shop Products' button, and my favs will appear at the top of the list).

Wellevate is a dispensary offered by Emerson Ecologics, which is a fantastic company that I really trust. (Click here for more info on why they're a safer and more reliable resource than Amazon.) If you create an account through this link, you'll save 10% off each order you place with them. Please do consult with the appropriate provider for your situation before purchasing, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Recommended Supplies for Feeding & Lactation

For General Positioning Support & Comfort:​

For Sore Nipples:

For Pumping & Bottle or Finger Feeding:

For Supporting Milk Supply:​(Please consult with an IBCLC if you have any concerns about your latch, milk supply, or are experiencing any pain or difficulty with your breasts or breastfeeding.)​

Recommended Reading:

For General Positioning Support & Comfort:

For Supporting Milk Supply:
(Please consult with an IBCLC if you have any concerns about your latch, milk supply, or are experiencing any pain or difficulty with your breasts or breastfeeding.)