Top Breastfeeding essentials for new mums

You would be forgiven for thinking that all a baby needs is your breasts and lots of love for a successful breastfeeding journey, but for new mums just starting out, there are a few breastfeeding essentials that will make it all go a lot smoother.

The early days and weeks with a newborn are about learning and exploring what works best, so with the right tools and advice, your breastfeeding experience can be a rewarding one.

Breastfeeding essentials for new mums

1. Establish a good breastfeeding support network

The most important breastfeeding essential is great support. Join the Australian Breastfeeding Association, put their Breastfeeding Helpline number on your phone, and go to one of their local face-to-face support groups. Find a good lactation consultant too, even if things are going well. They can help to identify any issues early on and help you to gain confidence as a new mum.

2. Medela 3 in 1 Nursing and Pumping Bra

The Medela 3 in 1 Nursing and Pumping Bra has been thoughtfully designed to combine the capabilities of a traditional nursing bra, a pumping bra, and in-bra pumping functionalities.

  • Perforated foam pads – help protect you from unexpected leakages
  • Adaptive Stretch™ – is a beautiful material that stretches and adjusts alongside your changing body
  • Fits most breast shields and in bra pumps – allows for a comfortable and discreet maternity experience
  • One handed unclipping and adjustments – instrumental in providing quick and easy access
  • Double clip design – this patented double clip is instrumental in providing three different uses in one bra. Simply undo the top snap to use as traditional and in bra pumping. Undo the second and it becomes a comfortable nursing bra
  • Full drop-down cups – for nursing that allow for maximum skin to skin contact to encourage bonding with your little one
  • Lightweight, soft and ultra-breathable fabric – means you’ll stay comfortable all day

2. Medela Family App

The Medela Family app is your personal helper. With the app you can easily track important stats for pregnancy, baby, and breastfeeding and it gives you tips and support to help you meet your goals.

  • Pregnancy tracking – With Medela Family you can track the duration, frequency and pain intensity of contractions.
  • Baby tracking – The following sessions can be tracked for one or more babies: breastfeeding, pumping, sleep, bottle feeding, diaper changes, weight and length.
  • Pump connectivity – Connect to Medela’s Freestyle Flex breast pump via Bluetooth and save time tracking sessions automatically.
  • Hands free voice control – Use your voice to track a session! Especially handy when changing a dirty diaper.
  • Virtual milk storage – With this smart milk inventory system you will always know how much milk you have in your stash.

3.Mininor Mini Chargeable Electric Breast Pump

Mininor Breast Pump – Mini Chargeable Electric Breast Pump

Key Features Include:

  • Easy to use – compact, portable and lightweight
  • Features two functions – stimulation or pumping, with 6 and 9 strength levels, respectively for efficient and comfortable pumping
  • Use as a single or double pump – plugged in or charged
  • Pump from a comfy seat or move around hands-free thanks to the lightweight design and landyard on the pump control
  • Up to 2 hours of use after just 40 minutes of charging
  • Closed-system pump

4. Medela Silicone Breast Milk Collector

Medela Silicone Breast Milk Collector

The Medela Silicone Breast Milk Collector allows breast feeding mums to collect 100mls of breast milk while breast feeding. This is truly a game changing product for breastfeeding mums and should be a staple on all baby shower registries.

  • Double leak proof design – means double the protection from both a stopper and lid
  • Secure suction base – prevents tipping over
  • Lanyard – with a convenient clip and for ease of use
  • One piece design – makes it easy to use and clean
  • Quiet, discreet and portable – collect milk anywhere!
  • No nasties – all contact areas are free from BPA. Silicone is 100% food-grade
  • Perfect capacity – holds up to 100ml of breast milk

5. Qiara Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

QIARA supports health during pregnancy and breastfeeding while reducing symptoms and occurrences of mild mastitis. QIARA is a breastmilk isolated strain that helps restore and maintain the balance of ‘good’ bacteria in the microbiome, which is critical to the pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. Read more here

  • Reduce and relieve symptoms of mild mastitis – along with reducing occurrences
  • Restore gut health – restoring good gut flora during and after antibiotic use, important for C-section or GBS positive mums
  • Improve healthy digestive systems – before, during and after pregnancy
  • Restore balance of good bacteria – in breastmilk that may have been reduced by antibiotics or other external factors
  • Maintain and support gastrointestinal system health
  • Help improve good bacteria growth

6. Weleda Nursing Tea

Weleda Nursing Tea

Enjoy peaceful and relaxing feeding times with your baby, thanks to Weleda’s delicious tea – especially developed together with midwives and pharmacists for breastfeeding mothers. 20 individually wrapped sachets in a handy, quick access box!

  • Helps to balance your fluid intake, thus supporting natural milk production
  • Delicious, refreshing taste
  • Carefully screened for harmful substances
  • Sugar-free & Vegan

7. Quax Rocking Nursing Chair

This beautiful nursing chair from Quax is stylish, practical and makes feeding your baby a joy. It is ergonomically designed to offer optimal comfort and features an integrated headrest and supportive armrests.

  • Ergonomic design
  • Integrated headrest
  • Supportive armrests
  • Soft, padded seat
  • Solid birch runners with felt underside

9. Pinky’s Boobie Bikkies Trio Pack

Boobie Bikkies have been scientifically formulated for breastfeeding mums. Created by International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Pinky McKay, alongside a team of dieticians, food scientists and nutrition professionals, our award-winning bikkies contain galactagogues – ingredients used for centuries to support a healthy milk supply.

  • No preservatives or additives – just natural and organic ingredients.
  • Each Boobie Bikkie is individually wrapped for maximum freshness, so you can pop some in your nappy bag for an easy and nutritious on-the-go snack.
  • Each box contains 10 generous and filling 30g biscuits.

10. Mustela’s Nursing Comfort Balm – certified ORGANIC

Mustela’s Certified Organic Nursing comfort balm is a soothing and restorative nipple cream that keeps skin comfortable while breastfeeding.

Specialy formulated to protect sensitised nipples, it soothes and helps to restore the skin, to enable new mums fully enjoy breastfeeding.

  • Fragrance-free
  • Made of 100% plant-based ingredients
  • The key ingredient is Olive oil – known for its nourishing properties.

11. Multi-Mam Compresses

Multi-Mam

Multi-Mam Compresses are designed specifically to soothe pain and reduce the swelling that occurs with breast feeding.

  • Naturally derived gel – excess gel does not need to be removed prior to breastfeeding.
  • Compress stays on the nipple – keeping the nipple moist.
  • Can be stored in the fridge – for extra relief the compresses can be kept in the fridge.
  • Optimises the condition of the nipple – generates moistness and forms a physical barrier against harmful bacteria.
  • Supports the natural healing process
  • Soft and comfortable against the skin – can be used under breast pads.

12. My Brest Friend Breastfeeding Pillow Super Deluxe

Wrap around nursing pillow design secures to the body helping mum and baby maintain positioning and latch-on. Back rest helps you maintain good posture during nursing and prevents sore back and neck. Firm, flat cushion keeps baby from rolling when nursing. Adjustable, silent-release strap fits moms or dads comfortably and unlatches without waking baby. Arm and elbow rests eliminate shoulder stress.

  • A convenient pocket keeps water bottles, burp cloths, phone, and other nursing accessories or items within reach.
  • Double-featured strap with Velcro and silent-release buckle for easy, one-hand use.
  • Slipcover stays fresh through dozens of washes.