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You have received the news that you’re pregnant, and now that the initial excitement has died down, you’re already preparing to shop. While you may only be thinking about shopping for your maternity wear and baby clothes, you may be wondering what else you will need for the new baby. Bibs, onesies, rompers, and diapers are lovely, but what are the must-have newborn feeding essentials?
Motherhood comes with many changes, and feeding the baby is just one piece of the puzzle. Although feeding the baby before they are weaned is pretty much easy as their meals are made of only one component, it helps to have the things that make it easy and manageable for you. But wait, what things are we talking about? Read on to find out the 15 must-have newborn feeding essentials you need and why they’ll be invaluable for your breastfeeding journey.
In this article
Should you Breastfeed or Formula Feed?
The general expectation is that the baby will get nourishment from breastfeeding from birth. Breast milk is the best food for the baby as it’s loaded with nutrients and antibodies to help the baby’s growth and development and boost immunity. If it’s only the breast needed for feeding, do you need other feeding essentials for moms after delivery? Yes, mama, you do, and it’ll be right for you.
Breastfeeding is hard enough; it’ll take a few days to get the hang of it for both you and the baby. When you’re fresh from the hospital with pains and aches in your back, tummy, pelvic area, and most likely other places you didn’t imagine existed, you’ll be in dire need of the proper postpartum essentials kit.
In some instances, breastfeeding is not possible either by design or due to unavoidable circumstances. A new mother may choose not to breastfeed because of personal or medical reasons. Whether the baby is feeding on the breast or from a bottle, both new mothers will need feeding essentials to make the feeding comfortable.
Related article: 10 Natural Ways to Boost Your Milk Supply
When Should You Buy the Newborn Feeding Essentials?
Some baby feeding essentials might not be used until a few weeks or even months later, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy them in advance. If you feel that the feeding essentials checklist budget has shot above what you intended, prioritize the things you’ll need in the early weeks first.
If you’re not planning to bottle feed, some equipment that involves bottle feeding can be purchased later when the baby is ready for the bottle. Focus only on what will give you comfort during breastfeeding and get the rest as you move along.
Read more: How to Survive the First Month with a Newborn
13 Newborn Feeding Essentials for New Moms
Ensure that your newborn feeding essentials checklist contains the following things:
#1 A Breastfeeding Pillow
One of the best newborn essentials you will get as a new mom is a breastfeeding pillow. Breastfeeding pillows are excellent for giving you the support you need to breastfeed the baby without straining your sore back.
A Breastfeeding pillow will also help keep your baby raised well enough to get good access to the breast. This ensures that the baby has a good grip on the breast, giving them a good latch. When the baby latches appropriately, they don’t swallow much air, preventing colic.
A breastfeeding pillow will also give your back the support it needs and prevent straining. In the first few weeks after delivery, your back is still healing and getting back together after months of supporting a heavy load. Many new moms complain of backache that could worsen if the back is not adequately supported while breastfeeding.
Putting your baby on a breastfeeding pillow also gives them the comfort they need to fall asleep quickly. Propping the baby on the pillow also helps a baby struggling with reflexes from throwing up.
Best Breastfeeding Pillows
Also Read: 10 Common Breastfeeding Problems and How to Solve Them
#2 Bibs
Bibs are not just for the babies who are eating but also for the younger breastfeeding babies. Babies sit up quite a bit, and a bib will help you capture all the cuds before they make you or the baby wet. Cuds from breastmilk will smell awful in a very short while if left on the clothes for long. They may also make your baby if he’s the type who rewards you with a generous amount when he burps.
Bibs are also perfect for protecting the baby from drool, especially those with a water-proof base. Infants will need the bibs for feeding since they will be spilling quite a bit and spoil their lovely little onesies.
Related article: Tips to Burp a Baby That Won’t Burp
#3 Breast Pump
Once the milk starts flowing well, you will need to pump and store it for the days when you will be leaving the baby to either go back to work or run an errand. There are many types of breast pumps; find the one that works best for you.
You have a choice between manual pumps, battery-powered pumps, and electric breast pumps. You can also choose a concealable pump and use them in public without feeling over-exposed. Check that your pump has the right fit for your nipples. The nipple tunnel should be the appropriate size for your nipples to prevent you from getting bruises or feeling uncomfortable.
| TYPE OF BREAST PUMP | BUY ON AMAZON |
| Best Manual Breast Pump | Haakaa Manual Breast Pump for Breastfeeding |
| Best Electric Breast Pump | Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump | Wearable, Portable and Discreet |
| Best Battery-Powered Breast Pump | TSRETE Breast Pump, Wearable Breast Pump, Electric Hands-Free Rechargeable |
Also Read: 10 Best Hospital Grade Breast Pumps
#4 Breast Milk Storage Bags
Breast milk storage bags are essential things a newborn baby needs. Most of the milk storage bags have labeling to help you know which milk was stored first.
The storage bags must be food-grade storage plastic and the recommended material for breast milk storage. You can attach the bags to the pump and put them directly into them to avoid contamination from exchanging the storage bags. To make more bags fit in the freezer, lay them flat in the freezer. Frozen breast milk should be removed on a first-in, first-out basis.
Buy Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags on Amazon
Also read: 10 Best Breast Milk Storage Bags
#5 Baby Bottles
Whether you’re planning to feed your baby on formula or to breastfeed exclusively, you will need baby bottles at one time or another. Baby bottles are one of the must-have newborn feeding essentials. If you’re formula feeding, you will need to get the bottles and have them washed and sterilized before you check in for delivery.
Babies usually feed immediately after they are born; their feeding essentials should be ready to avoid a hungry, screaming beauty in your hands. Choose the baby bottles with nipples appropriate for the baby’s age.
Choose a brand that is the same as your breast pump to make it easier to pump directly into the bottle. Choose bottles that have a broad neck since they are easy to clean. Bottles with angled necks are also better for babies who are prone to colic.
Here are some of the best baby bottles for newborns available on Amazon
- Philips Avent Anti-Colic Baby Bottles with AirFree Vent on Amazon
- Comotomo Baby Bottle Bundle, Green, (7 Piece Set)
- Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Anti-Colic Options+™ Narrow Baby Bottles
Also read: 10 Best Baby Bottles Reviews
#6 Bottle Warmer
If you’re worried about getting the right temperatures for the milk when heating it to feed the baby, get a baby bottle warmer. This will also save you lots of time when faced with an impatient hungry baby.
Using a bottle warmer to warm the baby milk also preserves the milk’s nutrients and keeps it nutritious.
Check out this Philips Avent Fast Baby Bottle Warmer with Smart Temperature Control and Automatic Shut-Off
#7 Baby Bottles Sterilizer
Hygiene plays a massive role in keeping your baby healthy. If your baby ingests pathogens from his feeding equipment, they may have infections and diarrhea, which can quickly dehydrate the baby.
The baby bottle nipples must be washed with the utmost care and kept clean at all times as they are prone to having residue milk. You can use various products to sterilize baby bottles and choose the one you’re most comfortable using. Sterilize the baby bottles via the best and easiest method for you.
To sterilize the baby utensils, wash them with clean water and soap and remove all dirt and residue. Rinse out all the soap and inspect to ensure that they are clean. Use running water for the last rinse to get rid of the dirt.
You can also buy a sterilizer on Amazon. For example Dr. Brown’s Clean Steam Baby Bottle and Pacifier Sterilizer and Dryer
Use a sterilizer such as Milton Solutions or Milton tablets dissolved in clean, boiled water and put the baby bottles inside. Ensure that they are fully immersed in the solutions and let them sit for at least one hour. The bottles do not need rinsing after being drained from the solution; you can use them immediately.
Buy Milton sterilising fluid: 2 x 28 Tablets Milton Sterilising Baby Bottles Teats Spoons Soothers Pacifier on Amazon
These sterilizing solutions are safe and should not cause worry. If you have misgivings about the solutions, you can put the baby’s feeding equipment in boiling water to kill germs. Ensure that the plastic you’re using doesn’t burn when submitted to heat.
Also Read: How to Sterilize Baby Bottles
#8 Bottle-drying Rack
Although a bottle-drying rack might not seem like a crucial baby feeding essential, it’s a need that will set the baby’s things apart from everyone else.
Sometimes, the baby bottles might be so many and small that they clutter the dish rack. Having a separate bottle-drying stand will keep your kitchen neat and organized. You can also get clean storage for the bottles to keep them sanitized.
Buy OXO Tot Bottle Drying Rack, Gray, 1 Count (Pack of 1) on Amazon
#9 Baby Formula
If you’re planning to formula feed the baby, shop for the baby formula in good time. Do more research and buy the formula that will be most fitting for a newborn baby. Try more than one brand as some babies may react to certain brands.
Also Read: How To Increase Breast Milk—10 Natural Ways To Boost Your Milk Supply
#10 A Nursing Cover
The debate about breastfeeding in public and whether to cover or not to cover is not about to end soon. But if you strongly feel that you should cover up when breastfeeding, then get an elegant cover-up for the moments you’ll be breastfeeding in public.
A regular shawl would also be perfect as a cover-up, especially when breastfeeding in the open when it may be windy or cold.
Buy the WeeSprout Nursing Cover for Breastfeeding – 360 Degree Privacy, View Baby Hands-Free
#11 Nursing Bras and Pads
Getting a perfect nursing bra will be an excellent help when breastfeeding. Nursing bras will give you a good hold when the boobs get heavy and full. A right nursing bra also gives you a good hold and prevents you from having backaches and your breasts from getting engorged.
Acquiring a well-fitting nursing bra is one must-have newborn feeding essentials beneficial for you. It will give you comfort and make breastfeeding an enjoyable experience. Get some nursing pads to keep your clothes from getting wet and messed.
Here are some of the best nursing bras available on Amazon:
- Momcozy Nursing Bras for Breastfeeding, YN21 Seamless Ultra Comfort Maternity Bra
- Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads, Soft and Super Absorbent Breast Pads, Breastfeeding Essentials for Moms
Also read: 10 Best Nursing Bras for New Moms
#12 High Feeding Chair
Once the baby is six months old and you have weaned them, a high feeding chair will come in handy. Feeding times need to be serious, and the baby needs to know that it’s time to eat. A feeding chair also restrains the baby and keeps them from moving about when feeding.
If you plan to do finger-feeding as the baby’s first food, you can pour the finger foods into the feeding chair. This encourages the baby to play with the food and to eat.
Here are some of the best high feeding chairs available on Amazon:
- 3-in-1 Convertible Wooden High Chair, Baby High Chair with Adjustable Legs & Dishwasher Safe Tray
- Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair with Tray. The Perfect Adjustable Baby Highchair Solution For Your Babies and Toddlers
Related Article: 13 Best Finger Foods for Babies
#13 Nipple Cream
Once you start breastfeeding, the nipples are very prone to cracking and getting bruises. To prevent your nipples from cracking, get a nipple cream and apply it on the nipples to keep them soft and supple. For example, this Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream, Safe for Baby and Mom, Breastfeeding Essentials on Amazon works perfectly.
Nipple cream is a must-have newborn feeding essential that will save you lots of pain and tears. Lanolin nipple cream is considered safe, and you don’t need to wash it off before breastfeeding the baby. However, it would be best to keep the nipples clean and change the bra as soon as the milk leaks.
Check out the package below which contains nipple cream, nursing pads, breastmilk storage bags, and breast therapy packs such as this Lansinoh Breastfeeding Essentials for Nursing Moms: Nipple Cream, 48 Nursing Pads, 25 Breastmilk Storage Bags, 2 Hot & Cold Breast Therapy Packs, Silicone Breast Pump, 77 Pieces
FAQs
- What essentials should I buy for my newborn?
Some of the newborn essentials you need to buy is diapers, bibs, baby bottles or cups, a nursing pillow, changing mats, and bath essentials.
- What do I need for feeding newborn?
Feeding your baby may mean breastfeeding or bottle feeding depending on the age and available feeds. You will need baby bottles, burp clothes, a bottle warmer, a breast pump, and a breastfeeding pillow.
- What do you need to buy before baby is born?
Before delivery buy newborn baby essentials such as a bathtub, soap, diapers, bibs, and baby wipes.
- What does a newborn need the most?
Ensure you have these newborn baby essentials such as a swaddling blanket, diaper, clothes, changing mat, and bath essentials such as soap and baby oil.
Final Thoughts
Breastfeeding is a beautiful season as it also gives you time to bond with the baby. While it is a fantastic experience, not having these must-have newborn feeding essentials can make it a less-than-perfect experience.
Perfection is hard to attain where babies are concerned, but when you’re well-prepared and well-armed, you’ll be one step closer to having the perfect breastfeeding experience. Keep your expectations realistic, and enjoy the journey the way it comes.
Read Next:
- How to Increase Breast Milk—10 Natural Ways to Boost Your Milk Supply
- 9 Best Gift Ideas for a New Mom That She’ll Actually Use
- 10 Common Breastfeeding Problems and How to Solve Them
- Baby Weaning Guide: 6 Best Weaning Recipes
- 8 Foods to Avoid to Prevent Colic
