Breastfeeding and Pumping Essentials

As a brand new first-time mom, breastfeeding definitely did not come easy for me!  I desperately wanted it to work for my baby and I. So thankfully, after a couple of weeks and many many tears, we both got the hang of it! Unfortunately, as a working mama, the breast pump and I soon became BFFs. Since I had to work at my computer while I pumped, I was always looking for ways to make it easier and more efficient. I eventually discovered a group of essential products for breastfeeding and pumping that I couldn’t live without! These products literally saved me from abandoning pumping sooner that I wanted to and made pumping so much more efficient. I couldn’t have continued pumping as long as I did without these breastfeeding and pumping essentials!

9 Breastfeeding and Pumping Essentials for the Busy Working Mama!

1. Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra

If you only buy one bra for nursing, this is the one to get! The Bravado Body Silk Seamless bra is so unbelievably soft and comfortable. I bought them in a few different colors and lived in them during my maternity leave! One thing I really loved about this bra, was that it is lightly padded. Many nursing bras aren’t and I wasn’t a fan. The light padding works amazingly for absorbing small leaks and giving you extra coverage. They also come in super cute colors!

2. Dairy Fairy Bras

Okay ya’ll, if you pump or plan to pump, you absolutely have to check out The Dairy Fairy! They have so many amazing bras and tanks (and they are actually cute!) for nursing and pumping mamas. If you are nursing and pumping, I couldn’t recommend the Arden bra enough! It is seriously amazing and so unique in its design. Out of all of my essentials for pumping, this one is my absolute must-have! Before I bought this bra, I was pumping one side at a time, holding the breast shield in one hand and typing with the other. (haha can you just imagine!) The Arden bra was a definite game changer for me. With other pumping bras, I would have had to change out of my regular bra and into the pumping bra, which was definitely not efficient for this working mama! The Arden bra has panels that cross in the front so you can pump hands free (and they adjust as the size of your breasts change!) and a pull down panel that allows you to nurse… you can even nurse on one side and pump on the other! I seriously cannot recommend this bra enough. I honestly would not have been able to keep pumping for 12 months without it! Get the amazing details on all of the products they offer and get 15% off your purchase by clicking here!

3. Boppy

If you are breastfeeding, you will definitely need a Boppy! Breastfeeding a tiny new baby is so much easier (and more comfortable for mama!) if you have Boppy to get the baby properly positioned. I used my Boppy for almost six months for breastfeeding and it was a great baby-propper for when he wasn’t quite able to sit by himself yet. Boppies also come in many cute patterns and the washable covers make cleaning up a breeze! I bought two covers so I would have a back-up while the other was being washed!

4. Covered Goods Nursing Cover

This nursing cover = the cutest thing ever! I love Covered Goods! When I was pregnant, I knew I didn’t want a nursing cover that looked like an apron! I wanted a nursing cover that was stylish and cute and my Covered Goods nursing cover definitely did not disappoint! These nursing covers are so soft, they come in the cutest colors and patterns, you can wear them as a scarf, use them as a car seat cover, and they even work as shopping cart covers! They also take up hardly any room in your diaper bag.

5. Double-electric Breast Pump

If you are a going to be pumping frequently, a double-electric pump is an absolute must! I used the Medela Pump In Style Advanced and was very happy with it. Also, be sure to check with your insurance, because usually you can get one for free!

6. Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Pouches

These pouches are the absolute best things ever! I NEVER spilled milk when I used these! Ya’ll know how precious every single drop of milk is and these little babies are absolute lifesavers. When I pumped into the bottles that came with the pump, I would inevitably spill some milk when putting the caps back on or transferring the milk to a storage bag. With these Kiinde pouches, you can pump directly into the pouch. No transferring milk after pumping! They have adapters available for most of the different brands of pumps in the Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Starter Kit, which also includes a tray to store your pouches in the freezer and attachments that turn the pouch into a bottle (which means you never have to transfer the milk at all!)

7. Bamboobies Nursing Pads

If you go through tons of nursing pads, I can’t recommend Bamboobies washable nursing pads enough! Since they are washable, you can re-use them and save money! These are also super soft and comfy and look how cute they are! Bamboobies also has a disposable version that is available here.

8. Sarah Wells Breast Pump Bag

For all of us working mamas, this Sarah Wells Breast Pump Bag is amazing! It is large enough to hold your pump (and a laptop!), has insulated pockets, you can wipe it clean, and it is so much cuter than the bags that sometimes come with your pump. This would be a great item to put on your baby registry! 

9. Medela Quick-Clean Micro Steam Bags

These Micro Steam bags disinfect your pump parts with just water and a microwave. They are so convenient to have if you pump at work! I packed all of my pump’s parts into the micro steam bag and put the steam bag into my breast pump bag before heading to work. After a pumping session, I put all of the parts back in the bag and either stored it in the refrigerator (saves time by not having to wash) or disinfected the parts in the microwave. And the best part about these bags is that you can use the same one up to 20 times! There are check boxes on the back of each bag so you can keep track of how many times you use each bag. Genius! 

If you haven’t started your breastfeeding/pumping journey yet or if you are in the middle of it and looking for ways to make it more efficient, I hope these breastfeeding and pumping essentials of mine will help you too! I also linked some of my favorite cute nursing bras, tanks, and outfits below!

If you are a breastfeeding or pumping mama, I would love to know what your essentials are!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure here.