11 breastfeeding essentials for new mums

The Natal Active Cosy Nursing and Maternity Hoodie was awarded Bronze and Gold for Best Product for Breast Feeding (excluding Breast Pumps) at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.

The Natal Active breastfeeding, nursing and maternity hoodie is a stylish hoodie that's suitable during pregnancy and post-natal when breastfeeding. We love that it is made from thick cotton/spandex fabric with a fluffy fleece lining for added comfort and to make it extra cosy when breastfeeding in colder months. One reviewers said, "The hoody is really comfy and excellent for the colder months. The stretchy material makes it good for pregnancy (I received mine after the baby was born) and also for changing body shape in post-natal days."

While one reviewer commented, "the zips are an excellent size and position for access and not in any way scratchy for the baby," it was noted by others that "it’s difficult to do the zips one handed," with one mum suggesting, "I think because of the length."

However, this cute and practical hoodie was also seen on former Love Islander Camilla Thurlow, who looked very comfortable in it. Mums also loved that it makes breastfeeding in public easier with tester, Kay, saying, "I felt so confident breastfeeding in public. The colour was perfect and it didn't show much when my baby dribbled some milk onto the top." Plus we love the thumb holes to ensure your hands keep warm.

Read our full Natal Active Cosy Nursing and Maternity Hoodie review.

The Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags was awarded Bronze for Best Product for Breast Feeding (excluding Breast Pumps) at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags have been specially designed so that your precious breast milk can be stored safely, either in the fridge or freezer and our testers were pleased they didn't take up too much room commenting, "they don't take up much space when storing in the box and when full of breast milk". In particular, testers were impressed that they are self standing when full of milk, with mum, Kelly, noting, "I like the fact the bag stands up once full (and even half full) which makes freezing easy and its space saving."

They are BPA and BPS free so no harmful substances can contaminate your stored breast milk and reviewers commented that they are "good and quite thick and durable." You can now pump directly into bag using any Lansinoh breast pump and
Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags are pre-sterilised with hygienic secure tear-away tops making them really convenient. Reviewers did say they were disappointed more sizes are not available, in particular smaller bags for newborns.

Reviewers found the "label at the top where you can write the date and amount etc" really useful as well as the markers so you can see how much milk is in the bag. Our Group Digital Editor also used these breastmilk storage bags and said "I love Lansinoh as a brand and during my breastfeeding journey with my first, I used Lansinoh' storage bags a lot. They stored in my freezer safely, never tore and were just spot on."

Read our full Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags review.

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream was awarded Silver in the Best New Mum/ Maternity Skincare Products, and Bronze in the Best Pregnancy/Maternity Product in the Mother&Baby Awards 2023.

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin helps soothe and protect sore, cracked nipples and one mum tester said, "Lansinoh nipple cream literally saved my breastfeeding journey especially when my nipples have become a little sore or chapped." It is 100 per cent natural and hypoallergenic with no perfume, taste, or additives, which means there is no need to remove it before breastfeeding because it is safe for both mum and baby, with one mum saying, "I love the fact that it is safe for babies so I didn't have to worry about wiping it away before every feed." Plus, it is also the only lanolin product to have received the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval.

Testers liked how effective the product is with one mum tester, Lorna, commenting,"the product worked quickly, it was very soothing and really helped to protect sore cracked nipples." They also liked the texture describing it as "lovely and smooth." With a new baby they often don't have patience for you to apply a cream before feeds and one reviewer found the "the flip-top lid is perfect for juggling whilst holding on to baby." Although other testers did suggest a pump dispenser would "make it easier to use with one hand, and make it easier to use every single bit - as the tube made it tricky to get it all out."

We like the fact that mums use the cream for breastfeeding but also it has others uses too. One mum tester said she uses it as a lip balm, with another adding, "it's great for sore lips, so an extra bonus too." One reviewer said she even uses it for cloth nappies, saying, "I have also used a little bit of this product on the seams/binding of cloth nappies which helps soften them rubbing against my baby's skin."

Read our full review of Lansinoh HPA Lanolin

If you need to relieve engorged breasts, or are stashing milk for a night feed, you’ll need a breast pump. Whether you opt for a hand pump, which is the cheaper option, or go for an electric version which is quicker, it’s a useful item for your breastfeeding kit.

We love the Elvie Pump, which is the world's first silent wearable breast pump, plus it is discreet and comfortable to wear. Our Group Digital Editor, Maria Martin, said, "I popped mine under the bra and it sat so snug, that I never used the bra adjusters." Although she did comment that it " may leave your chest looking slightly more inflated than usual, but it’s a small price to pay for such a genius device."

As mentioned, a big plus of this pump is that it is silent and Maria Martin loved this, adding, "I could sit silently feeding on one breast and pump with the other. " While it is silent for night feeds it is important to note that you can't lay down while pumping. It really is discreet too because the suction modes can be adjusted from your phone so you don't need to rummage around in your bra to change any settings, which makes it great to even use in public.

The design of the Elvie is clever too making it convenient to pour the milk straight from the pump into a breastmilk storage bag. Maria Martin explains, "you can pour it straight into a bottle or milk pouch with the silicone spouts already inserted. These spouts help to connect the bottle to hub, but are handy for pouring." However, one flaw is that you can't pump when the Elvie is charging which Maria notes, "caused slight frustration when I needed to pump but the Elvie wasn’t charged," especially as some reviewers have found the battery life to be quite short. Overall though this is a great breast pump and Maria admits, "there are not many changes I'd make."

Read our full review of the Elvie Pump

In the early days when your breasts are particularly engorged, it’s handy to put breast pads into your bra to soak up any milk that leaks out. We love these Medela disposable bra pads because they are made with absorbent materials and designed to prevent leakage and remain discreet.

We like that they come in a larger size for added protection and testers said they gave them confidence against leakages. One reviewer commented that they, "they are contoured and flexible to fit nicely into your bra. The two adhesive strips also ensure that the pads stay in place no matter what you’re up to." However some reviewers found they were bulky under clothes and at times could become visible over the top of the bra cup.

Overall, testers liked these pads for their great value and reliability. One reviewer, Rachel, commented, "they are firmer so they stay in place better, whereas the Lansinoh ones are softer they always end up scrunching up." While another mum tester agreed that "These pads have better adhesive, they stick to the cloth more even when they’re heavy."

Read our full review of the Medela Disposable Bra Pads here.

To make it easier when feeding your baby every few hours, wear a maternity bra. It has cups that you can unclip from the strap so your baby can reach the nipple without you having to remove bras etc. What’s more, today’s maternity bras can be as glamorous as a regular bra and we love the Cake Maternity Tutti Fruitti Bamboo Wire Free Nursing Bra and so did our testers with one commenting, "it's an attractive design and very flattering - it really makes your boobs look good!"

From a practical point of view we were impressed with the quality of the clips with one reviewer saying, "I’ve clipped and unclipped them hundreds of times and they still feel new." Plus one mum, Harriet, said "the drop-down cups make feeding really quick and easy." One disappointment with reviewers was the fact the washing instructions stipulate a cold hand wash which is not convenient, especially with a small baby, plus one reviewer also noted "when the bra has had milk or dribble on it I just don’t feel a cold hand wash is sufficient." Some reviewers would also have appreciated more choice of colour.

That said, overall, mums were pleased with this nursing bra and Lori, one mum tester, said "it offers great support for your fluctuating breasts and also allows you to wear breast pads without them slipping down, falling out etc." We also like the sustainability factor, because it is made from bamboo, which mums appreciated too, commenting, "when you invest in this bra and brand, you feel a little better about being kinder to the planet."

Read our full review of the Cake Maternity Tutti Fruit Bamboo Wire Free Nursing Bra

While it’s not imperative to cover up while you’re breastfeeding, if you'd feel more relaxed by being a little covered, you can drape a cardigan, large muslin, or even a special breastfeeding cover over you. Try the BebeChic Breastfeeding Cover for lighter, looser, and more comfortable coverage.

To help with night feeds, a bedside cot is ideal. It means you can slide your baby across without having to get out of bed, so it’s also handy if you’re not particularly mobile after birth or have had a c-section. This bedside crib sits flush with your mattress and one side drops away, making a safe extension bed for you and your baby. It’s also available to rent with a new mattress and fabric panels.

Check out M&B's guide to thebest bedside cots for co-sleeping.

Ideal for resting your baby on while you feed, a breastfeeding pillow can be a great support and ensures your baby is at the right height so they can feed well. The pillow can also be used to support your baby so he can sit up unaided.

For badly cracked nipples that are stopping you from breastfeeding, nipple shields can provide temporary relief. However, they shouldn’t be used in the long-term as they can prevent your baby suckling correctly, which could affect your milk supply.

We're huge fans of the Medela Contact Nipple Shields. They are made from soft silicone which is odourless and tasteless for your baby.

If you’re breast pumping to keep milk for later, you can store them in plastic bottles (that have been pre-sterilised) or breast milk bags. They need to be strong, durable and leak-proof.

Try Vital Baby NURTURE™ easy pour breast milk storage bags from John Lewis.

For engorged breasts that feel sore, or to soothe pain if you have plugged ducts or mastitis, try a hot or cold breast compress. You can create your own using a muslin soaked in warm or cold water, or you can buy a specially shaped gel compress.

Try the Lansinoh Therapearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy.

The BABYGO Nursing Pillow was awarded Silver for Best Product for Breast Feeding (excluding Breast Pumps) at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

From feeding sessions to precious bonding moments, the BABYGO® Nursing Pillow is a heavenly oasis of comfort for you and your baby.
A premium and plump filling for optimal cushioning and incline to help assist breastfeeding mums latch and reduce reflux, promoting better swallowing and digestion for bottle fed babies.
Maximise your little ones comfort with BABYGO® cooling technology! Our super soft fabric helps to promote temperature regulation, and prevent overheating.

Our mum tester said: "There was a good selection of prints for the cover which can be removed for washing. The cover is soft and feels nice to touch. It came vacuum packed in a small box which was convenient. The BABYGO® Nursing Pillow can be used for a few different things and in different positions. It does take up quite a lot of space though."

Read our full BABYGO Nursing Pillow review.