Here are 24 of my absolute must haves for the breastfeeding mama that are the ultimate in comfort, luxury and support.
As a new mama, breastfeeding can really suck sometimes. Nipple pain, spilled milk, anxiety about supply, demand and cluster feeding, and the lack of sleep, is like an initiation to motherhood boot camp. When my postpartum anxiety over breastfeeding crept in, it would hit like a ton of bricks. I started researching products that would help make breastfeeding easier, more comfortable and enjoyable. I’m now 17 months into breastfeeding and without these products, I’m not sure I could have made it this far.
1. Hotmilk Nursing Bras.
Whether you are a part of the itty-bitty titty club or have big kahunas like me, when you are breastfeeding, you’ll likely have honorary memberships in both clubs. So, how can you stay comfortable while going up and down bra sizes multiple times in a day?Pre-pregnancy I was a 32G, when my breastmilk came in I went up to a 32J. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could comfortably wear a wire-free nursing bra. I’d go into the maternity stores just to have them all be too small here or too big there. After my 6th nursing bra fail, and refusal to keep wearing my tired sports bra, I found Hotmilk. I ordered a couple brands and ended up returning the others to buy 3 more Hotmilk ones.
Best Features
- Comfortable, beautiful, and stylish
- Incredibly functional and long-lasting
- Instead of the typical 3 hook-and-eye closure, Hot Milk bras have 6, allowing your bra to comfortably grow with the ebb and flow with your breastmilk
- Sizing up to M-cup, and the styles are STUNNING! This ain’t your granny’s nursing bra
Where to Buy
I’ve seen them on Amazon, but I purchased directly from Hotmilk.com because they have better selection and more styles. I also ordered Hotmilk from Figleaves.com and was able to return and exchange my bras with no issues from both sites.
Pricing
$30.00 and up.
2. The OVer Co. Mama Robe
This is the kind of robe that makes you feel like you’re that old Hollywood mama who washes and sets her hair every morning, wears red lipstick and presses her kid’s onesies. It makes you feel beautiful, chic and so incredibly comfortable with the reality of the house that smells like spit-up, laundry piled to the ceiling and hair that hasn’t seen water in a over a week.But seriously, I love my mama robe, no matter how tired I am, sink full of dishes and another pooplosion, when I put my robe on, I feel like I can take on the day with class and style.
Best Features
- Beautifully cut to hug your curves in all the right places
- Designed for easy nursing
- ¾ sleeves and deep pockets to avoid messy cuffs and store the essentials
- Inner tie and outer back tie that allows you to adjust the size as your body changes
Where to Buy
The OVer Co. is a family-owned Canadian company. I love to support local and Canadian brands whenever possible. You can find them here.
Pricing
$90.00
3. Cozy Slippers
I wear my slippers from the moment I get out of bed to the second I get back into it and may or may not have accidentally left the house a time or two with them on. That feeling of slipping your tootsies into a warm plush cloud in the morning always starts my day right. Oh, did I mention it also is so nice to avoid stepping on spilled food, mashed bananas and toys? Yea, we all know that sweeping and mopping the floors every day is not happening, but that gross feeling of little crumbs on your feet is just so gross.
Aside: My hubs bought these Dream Pair slippers for me 2 years ago at Christmas, because my lower back had blown out again and I needed the extra support. We have all wood and slate floors at the house and bending over down into the crib countless times didn’t help recovery. If there was a day that I didn’t wear my slippers, I could feel it in my back right away.
Best Features
- The most comfy, cozy slippers I’ve ever had
- Backless, easy slip on/off
- Supports my lower back
- Super durable, after 2 years of every day use – they’re still in great condition
Where to Buy
Samer found these for me on Amazon. If you’re in the U.S. you can shop on their website, here.
Pricing
$88.99
4. A Chic Scrunchie
So you’ve slipped on your old Hollywood mama robe, dipped your feet into clouds and are wearing a killer sexy nursing bra, what about that hair that you haven’t washed in god knows how long? I got you covered Mama. Get those messy bun skills going in 3 seconds flat with a scrunchie from The Baesic Stitch. I have 4 of her handmade scrunchies and love them because they’re big, bold and beautiful. These scrunchies add volume and oomph to my limp locks and are all-day comfortable.
Best Features
- These scrunchies are nice and big so they add lots of volume to your hair
- She is always adding new colors, fabrics and patterns
- Headwraps are available too if that’s more your thing
- No uncomfortable tight ponies, these hold your hair in place without tugging or pulling.
Where to By
Local love! You’ll find The Baesic Stitch in Calgary and can buy online from her Etsy shop, here.
Pricing
$7.00 and up
5. Boob Design Clothing
I hate to say it, but there will come a time where you have to put clothes on and Boob Design should be your go-to. Who would have thought nursing clothes could be fashionable and flattering? Boob Design clothing is cut specifically for the modern breastfeeding mama.
Before I found this brand, I just thought I’d be living in loose tanks and button-ups so I wasn’t giving a free show to everyone. I love that I can nurse Sage without having to take off my clothes. I can just slip a boob out, leaving everything else covered.
Best Features
- Full range of clothing options from t-shirts, to dresses, rompers and swimwear
- Fashion meets function
- Lots of cute and comfy styles
Where to Buy
Find Boob Design clothing here.
Pricing
$39.50 and up
6. Rumina Naturals Tinctures
Rumina is the name of the Roman goddess that protects nursing mothers. I have tried and love both the Goat’s Rue and Milk Aplenty tinctures, even though they taste terrible (just chase it with that leftover OJ you forgot to drink in the morning). Rumina Naturals was designed and formulated by a lactation consultant and naturopathic doctor, to help to support, promote and boost milk supply.
Best Features
- Helps low milk supply
- Great for mamas whose breast size didn’t increase or have had previous breast surgeries
- Helps with blood sugar control
- PCOS hormonal fluctuations
- Handwritten thank-you notes with every online order
Where to Buy
Another great Canadian company, and local to Calgary. Shop online from their website, here. They also have a store locator if you prefer to shop in-store.
Pricing
$39.99 (I got mine for 25% off during a sale).
7. Milkin’ More Lactation Cookies
Triple chocolate explosion, birthday cake and lemon burst flavors that boost your supply? Bring on the cookies and milk, baby! When I asked my other mama friends about these lactation cookies, they all raved about them so they are a must-have by more than just this mama.
Best Features
- Umm, did you see the birthday cake flavour?
- 7 flavours in all to satisfy whatever cravings you’re having
- Premade Cookies, but they also have oatmeals, cookie mixes, powders and snacks
- Want to reduce your supply? Check out their Milk No More cookies and mixes
Where to Buy
Supporting my Canadian babes out in Saskatoon, SK. You can find them online here.
Pricing
$18.00 and up
8. Mother’s Milk Herbal Tea
This tea is a blend of traditional herbs that are know to help promote lactation. It has a slightly bitter, licorice flavor to it, and I drank a lot of this in the first 4 months or so. I’m a big fan of Traditional Medicinal teas, and usually have a few boxes of different herbal teas on hand. If you’re looking to boost your supply, give this a whirl. It can take up to 3 weeks or so for some mamas (like me) so see an improvement, but others say they’ve noticed in just a few days.
Best Features
- Promotes lactation
- If you like licorice, you’ll love this tea
- Helps keep you hydrated supporting your milk supply
Where to Buy
Traditional Medicinals teas are found at most grocery stores and Amazon
Pricing
$5.49
9. Nipple Balms
They yank, bite, tug and grind and you’re left with what resembles those rubber thumb covers that bankers used to use to count money. My little had a shallow and very poor latch that left me with nipples so painful I couldn’t face forward in the shower for months. I tried a bunch of different nipple creams and ointments. Breastmilk works wonders at helping to heal and repair, but for a good barrier ointment, these two were the best for me.
Rumina Naturals Totally Tallow
Contains organic, grass-fed beef tallow that helps to soothe irritated and dry skin. I found immediate relief with this product, and only discovered it a month ago. I wish I had it from day 1.
Where to Buy
You can find the Totally Tallow online here, or check out their store locator.
Pricing
$39.95
Island Naturals Surfer Salve
This was given to me by a close friend of mine who swore by it. I started using it after all my other nipple creams and ointments just didn’t do the job. It was the only thing that gave me relief until I found the Rumina Naturals Totally Tallow.
Something really cool happened, whenever I put it on. I would instantly leak breastmilk. There were many times that I would have to grab my Haakaa or Medela pump to collect the dripping milk. One time I filled 60mL in 20 minutes right after applying this.
Where to Buy
Good ol’ Amazon has this baby, or you can buy direct from Surfer Salve.
Pricing
$8.00 and up
10. Postpartum Queen Box
The last thing you want to be worrying about while you're breastfeeding is the pain and discomfort from your vaginal or belly birth. These boxes are customized to your birth and are jam packed with products to help you heal, survive and thrive during postpartum. Inside you’ll find tons of goodies like sitz baths, overnight pads, nursing pads, lip balm, skin and scar balm, a hot/cold pack, perineal spray and tons of local service discounts and coupons.
Best Features
- Customized products for your birth (vaginal or C-section a.k.a ‘belly birth’)
- There’s a box specifically for the non-breastfeeding mama too
- $100s in savings, coupons and discounts for local services and products
- Just a freakin’ incredible postpartum ‘survival kit’ to help support healing, comfort so you can get back to feeling like a Queen again
Where to Buy
Another local love company! Postpartum Queen is based out of Calgary, AB. You can purchase their kits here
Pricing
$109.99 (non breastfeeding kits start at $84.00)
11. Jolly Jumper Nursing Pillow
It’s not just a nursing pillow! This baby is freakin’ awesome. Samer, my hubs loves it too… for resting on the floor, not nursing… don’t be weird. I tried a couple of different nursing pillows and this was by far my favourite. It’s super soft, breathable and ohh so comfy. The boomerang style gives you plenty of support for whatever position you like to breastfeed. The breathability thing was the big factor though. I had another nursing pillow that I thought I would love more, but I’d end up getting some major sweats, and that pillow is now tucked in the back closet somewhere.
Best Features
- Very soft, non-allergenic material, cleans easy
- Great for nursing twins or switching left and right sides
- Relieves stress and fatigue from your lower back, neck and arms
- Multi-functional – use it for a body pillow, floor pillow
- Use as a support for tummy time
Where to Buy
You can find this at most baby stores, and Amazon
Pricing
$55.97
12. Haakaa
This baby saved my ever pumpin’ boobs and anxiety-filled breastmilk brain. By far the best investment I made for a whopping $22.00. This sucker attaches to one breast while the babe nurses on the other. Swap sides when the baby is done and it’ll collect the letdown milk and leftover milk, genius! No batteries, tubes or noise. You can legit walk around the house nat-geo style and they won’t pop off. I ended up buying multiple and cut way back using my electric pump.
Best Features
- Convenient and compact
- Comes in multiple sizes (100-250mL)
- Silicon base prevents tipping over
- Cute flower stopper accessory prevents spilling
Where to Buy
I bought mine off Amazon, but I’ve seen them in some select baby stores.
Pricing
$22.00 and up
13. Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
There are SO MANY breast pumps on the market that claim to be the best. Ultimately, there’s no one size fits all, every mama’s different and no two boobs are the same. Medela has a great reputation and is a trusted brand among many hospitals, clinics and lactation consultants. The Medela Freestyle breast pump worked well for me, it was very convenient, compact and could do housework while pumping. I do highly recommend a couple extras when investing in a breast pump.
- Getting a hands-free pumping bra or just making your own with some good old scissors and an old sports bra.
- Making sure the breast shields are fitted to you. I had to go out and get smaller breast shields than the ones that came with the pump and it made a world of difference with comfort and reducing nipple soreness.
Best Features
- Pump on the go, you don’t have to stay still the whole time (make sure you get the hands-free pumping bra though!
- Lightweight, compact and travel friendly
- Easy to set-up, take apart and clean.
- There is a newer version of the freestyle pump out now.
Where to Buy
Support your local Calgary business and buy from Nourish Lactation or Amazon
Pricing
$510.99 and up
14. Nuk Milk Storage Bags
Most milk storage bags are pretty similar, I just happened to really like the NUK brand. Maybe because it was the most reliably stocked breastmilk storage bag at most stores. When I’d run out of bags, I always knew that the Shoppers down the street would have them in stock and I didn’t see any other type. So the NUK bags are a win for me purely for convenience and availability.
Best Features
- Larger capacity
- Double zip lock so you can freeze the bags flat without spills
- Stocked at most grocery stores for those last minute pick ups
Where to Buy
You’ll find NUK storage bags pretty much anywhere that has a baby section. But if you don’t wanna leave the house, Amazon is here for you.
Pricing
$7.86 on Amazon, but there are lots of in-store sales at places like Shoppers
15. Nourish Lactation Consulting
If there’s one prenatal class I wish I would have taken, breastfeeding education and support would have been it. Even after my 3 day labour at home, I would 100% scrap the birth prep class for breastfeeding education! Leanne is the owner of Nourish Location in Calgary, AB and she is an absolute saving grace when it comes to breastfeeding/pumping. As a nurse, mother and IBSLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), she is invaluable with the knowledge, experience and her compassionate support for mamas. She offers in-home, online and phone support that will give confidence to even the most nervous, stressed out and anxious breastfeeding/pumping mama (like me!).
Best Features
- In-home, online, phone and drop-in breastfeeding support
- She’s been there! Leanne is a nurse, mama and IBCLC
- Nourish Lactation has an online store for breastfeeding supplies
- “Happy Mamas and Babies, Guaranteed”
Where to Buy
Locally loved in Calgary, AB at Nourish Lactation
Pricing
Services start at $175.00, gift cards are $20.00 and up
16. Booby Food
Long live your breastmilk! You’ve worked hard for that liquid gold, lets make sure you don’t waste a drop. Booby Food is a service based out of Calgary, AB that will pick up your frozen breastmilk and freeze dry it into shelf stable, travel friendly powder that lasts for YEARS. Yea, YEARS! Breastmilk stored in the freezer lasts only 3-12 months and looses nutrients the longer it’s in the frozen. Freeze drying your breastmilk locks in nutrients and takes out the water content – allowing it to be preserved for up to 10 years. I love Booby Food because you can add it to your babes food when their getting onto solids to help ease the transition, feed older babes discreetly and fortify any meal or beverage with more nutrients. Heck, you can make Mac and cheese healthier by sprinkling some of your own Booby Food on it!
Best Features
- Saves your breastmilk from expiring early or going to waste
- Use as much or little of your breastmilk as you want, no more thawing a whole bag just to use half
- Retains nutrients for years longer than traditional freezer storage
- Travel easily with your breastmilk, anywhere, anytime.
- Helps babes transition to solid foods when mixed in
Where to Buy
Born and raised in Calgary, AB at Booby Food
Pricing
Booby Food Service is $249.99 and up, Gift Cards $5.00 and up
17. Couch Storage Organizer
Let’s talk cluster feeding shall we? Cluster feeding is when your babe wants to nurse multiple times in an hour. This can extend for many, many hours and even a few days. Most of the time it happens in the late afternoon, early evening. I remember texting Samer saying that I have been a dairy cow for 10 hours straight and all I want are those snacks on the counter! This couch organizer is a new nursing mom’s best friend. Pack it full of snacks, magazines, baby wipes, you name it, you’ve got it within reach.
Best Features
- 6 pockets to hold all your cluster feeding necessities
- Anti-slip material
- Machine Washable
- Comes in 4 colours
Where to Buy
Find this baby on Amazon
Pricing
$24.00 and up
18. Portable Mini Fridge/Warmer
Okay, this is a perfect pairing with the couch storage. A girlfriend of mine told me her husband bought her a mini-fridge to put next to the couch. She would cluster feed for crazy long stretches every day too and I thought this was a genius idea and have to share!
Keep your fruit, water, sandwiches, pickles or whatever your breastfeeding go-to is ready and fresh and within reach for whenever you want them. This baby serves as both a fridge and a warmer so if you can’t eat your hot dinner now, you can still have it later.
Best Features
- You can eat Mama, EAT no more skipped meals or snacks
- Keeps your food cold OR warm
- Small and portable
- Comes in 3 cute colors
Where to Buy
Shop from your couch on Amazon
Pricing
$64.99 and up
19. Ello Devon Glass Tumbler with Straw
Who wouldn’t wanna drink more water out of this super cute glass tumbler? Breastfed babes drink on average, anywhere from 19-30oz in a day from month 1-6. That’s coming straight from you mama, how are you replacing all that fluid loss? I noticed when I didn’t drink enough fluids, it would be harder for me to pump more milk and whenever I felt really hydrated, the milk flowed easier and I could pump more. This glass tumbler is a rare find with a straw and the silicone sleeve helps to grip surfaces and avoid spills. It’ll also fit nicely in your mini-fridge or couch storage!
Best Features
- Wide mouth fits ice cubes
- 4 cute colours to choose from
- Large straw to easily sip smoothies
- Is it just me, or do you drink more when you’re sipping from a straw too
Where to Buy
I found this gem on Amazon
Pricing
$32.47
20. Morphie Wireless iPhone Charging Case
Your little babe falls asleep in your arms, milk-drunk and making all the sweetest little faces, smiles and lip puckers in their slumber, but oh no… your phone is dead. How are you going to capture this priceless moment…where’s the charger? 10 feet away on your countertop. Nightmare? No, not for you Mama because you’ve got your wireless charging case with a full battery at all times. This one is for my iPhone 11, but Morphie has cases to fit all brands of phones.
Best Features
- Never miss capturing a heart-melting moment due to a dead battery!
- Charge your phone on the go for those especially long days
- Lots of colours to choose from (but isn’t this blush pink just so pretty!)
- Ultraslim case for easy one-handed snaps
- High impact protection against drops, bumps and slips
Where to Buy
Where else? Amazon
Pricing
$90.28 (other models I’ve seen pricing at $28.00!)
21. Ergobaby 360 Cool Air Baby Carrier
When Sage was 6 months old, we hiked the Grouse Grind, I do it every time I’m in Vancouver and I always wanted to do it with my little one. I’m so glad that I had the Ergo 360 baby carrier – the mesh backing was breathable for those especially sweaty moments, the padded straps and low back support made it extremely comfortable and all I had to do was adjust a couple straps and I could easily breastfeed him. Which I did – 4 times while hiking. Sage must have been super comfy too because he fell asleep in it. I use it all the time when I’m out and about.
Best Features
- VERY supportive
- Breathable material
- Multi-positional, front-facing, back facing, backpack style.
- Hands-free nursing on the go
Where to Buy
Most baby stores will carry this, and guess where else… Amazon!
Pricing
$179.99 and up
22. Milk Snob Baby Wrap
For a less heavy duty baby carrier and more skin-skin comfort, the Milk Snob baby wrap is awesome. I did have the Moby wrap, but I felt it was a little too thick for my liking. The Milk Snob fabric is soft and light weight and feels like you’re babe is so snug and cuddly you hardly feel the wrap. There’s also a little hidden pocket so you can carry some essentials with you.
Best Features
- Great for snuggly skin-skin contact
- Easily adjustable to nurse in many positions
- Fabric is so soft and light-weight, you hardly feel like you’re wearing it
- Multi-positional baby wearing
Where to Buy
I’ve found a couple different styles on Amazon, but you can also buy direct from Milk Snob
Pricing
$79.99 and up
23. The OVer Co. Baby Cover
Okay, this baby cover is so much more than just a hooter hider. It’s a car seat cover for privacy and blocking out light while your babe sleeps AND grocery cart cover to protect them from getting their fingers and mouths over the handles and those gross key locks. Yea, seriously those key locks apparently are the tastiest thing this side of the Rocky Mountains, at least according Sage. I don’t mind nursing in public, but what is helpful about this nursing cover is that when your babe gets older and starts getting distracted easily, it helps to focus their attention on feeding. A.K.A. Nipple saver.
Best Features
- Made of thicker material to block out lots of light while babe sleeps/quiet time
- Give more privacy for mamas while breastfeeding in public
- Helps to focus babe on feeding and less on distracting surroundings
- Grocery cart cover keeps germs away
- Lots and lots of sales to choose from
Where to Buy
Buy from this great Canadian brand at The OVer Co.
Pricing
$35.00 and up
24. Hap Tim Insulated Baby Bag
The first baby bag I used was an expensive and very posh JuJuBe duffle baby bag. Although it is absolutely beautiful and very spacious, I found myself just digging through a pile of endless, unorganized stuff. I spent a good few weeks researching the bag I wanted that could insulate breastmilk, organize my chaos and was a backpack style. The Hap Tim had a couple of versions, but I went with the large capacity double zip and it is hands-down my fav. carryall baby bag. It handles everything I need and more. Sage and I went to Vancouver for a week and I fit everything we needed in that bag… that’s how awesome it is! There are honestly way too many great features I could highlight about this bag.
Best Features
- Extra-thick padded straps and back
- Anti-theft pocket that keeps your wallet/phone/keys hidden
- Multiple insulated pockets for travelling with baby bottles
- Huge storage capacity with 2 big compartments and 18 pockets
- Easy access baby wipe side pocket and change pad included
- Easily attaches to your stroller with extra straps
Where to Buy
Amazon, of course.
Pricing
$48.00
Did I Miss Anything?
What are some of your favourite breastfeeding must-haves? Contact me with your favs and instagram handle and you could be featured in our IG stories!
