Baby Registry Breastfeeding MUST HAVES, recommended by lactation consultant

Baby Registry Breastfeeding Goodies

If you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed, it’s very easy to end up with a registry full of things marketed as breastfeeding “must-haves.”

Bottle warmers. Nursing pillows. Milk catchers. Fifteen different kinds of bottles. Nipple shields. Silver cups. Lactation massagers. Supplements promising to boost your milk supply before you even know if you have a supply problem.

As an IBCLC, my baby registry for breastfeeding would be a lot shorter.

You don’t need to prepare for every breastfeeding problem by buying something for it. In fact, some of the products marketed as breastfeeding essentials are things I’d rather you wait to buy until you actually know you need them.

So what would I put on a breastfeeding registry?

1. A Spectra Breast Pump

If you’re going to own an electric breast pump, a Spectra is one of my go-to recommendations. Even if you’re planning to feed primarily at the breast, having access to a reliable pump can be useful if you return to work, need to be away from baby, or run into a situation where milk needs to be removed while baby isn’t effectively nursing. Most of the time it's covered through insurance, but many of my clients use their insurance benefit for a wearable pump and end up ordering a spectra anyway.

Why it earns a place: A good pump is useful for more than building a freezer stash. Sometimes pumping becomes part of protecting milk production while you figure out why breastfeeding isn’t going as planned.

Who needs it: Especially helpful if you’ll be returning to work or regularly separated from baby, although I like most breastfeeding moms to have access to an effective pump if possible.

When to wait : I recommend using your insurance benefits for this pump, then buying a wearable OOP if you want one... but if you already used your insurance benefits on a wearbale pump, I recommend getting this one too, so you'renot left scrambling if something unexpected happens.

2. A Flange Sizing Kit

This is one of those tiny, inexpensive breastfeeding supplies that can save you a surprising amount of frustration. The flange included with your pump is not automatically your size.

And yes, flange size matters. An incorrectly fitted flange can make pumping uncomfortable and may affect how effectively milk is removed. A simple sizing tool gives you a starting point instead of assuming the standard size in the box must work for you.

Why it earns a place: Because your breast pump is only useful if you can use it comfortably and effectively.

Who needs it: Anyone who expects to pump.

What to know: Your measurements will change after baby arrives and can continue changing through the first year. Your pregnancy size may not be accurate. Schedule a virtual postpartum pump fitting and then you can invest in flanges (instead of just inserts) that fit.

3. Motherlove Nipple Cream

I don't think you need a cabinet full of nipple creams, sprays, shields and other products before your baby arrives. But having one simple nipple cream available? Sure. Motherlove is one I personally like.

Why it earns a place: The early days of breastfeeding can come with some tenderness as you and baby learn, and it’s nice to already have something soothing on hand. It's great for nipple healing, diaper rashes, and every other use you can imagine too! It's herbal base makes it a winner on my list of recommendations over lanolin.

Who needs it: This is a reasonable just-in-case item for pretty much any mom planning to breastfeed.

What to know: This brand is an awesome option for nipple healing and way better than lanolin in many cases. If you're experiencing significant nipple pain, cracking, bleeding or damage, don't just keep applying nipple cream and hoping it gets better. Pain is information. The question becomes why breastfeeding is hurting and what needs to change. Book a virtual lactation consult.

4. The Art of Breastfeeding

Yes, I'm putting a book on the registry. Because I'd rather you have a solid breastfeeding reference sitting on your nightstand than another gadget you may never use.

The Art of Breastfeeding can give you something to refer back to when you're trying to understand what's normal, what might be changing and what questions you should be asking.

Why it earns a place: Breastfeeding gets much easier to navigate when you understand what your body and baby are actually doing.

Who needs it: Any mom who wants to breastfeed and likes having a physical resource she can return to.

What to know: You don't need to read it cover to cover before your baby is born. Use it as a resource, not another pregnancy assignment you need to complete perfectly. I jokingly refer to it as the car-manual for breastfeeding, so dads can help solve feeding challenges too!

5. A Manual Breast Pump

Even if you already have an electric pump, I'd still put a basic manual pump on the list. They're inexpensive, portable and don't require you to plug yourself into anything. Sometimes you just need to remove a little milk. Sometimes you're away from home. Sometimes you don't want to drag your entire electric pump setup with you.

And sometimes simple wins. These dudes can get more than a spectra in some moms I work with... it's all about having options!

Why it earns a place: It's an easy backup that gives you another way to remove milk without needing your full pumping setup.

Who needs it: I think it's useful for most breastfeeding moms to have one available.

What to know: Don't assume you need to start pumping just because you own a pump. If baby is nursing effectively and you're together, there may be absolutely no reason to add routine pumping in those early days. Ohh. And manual pumps need a proper fit too!

But the Most Important Thing on Your Breastfeeding Prep Checklist Isn't Something You Can Add to Your Cart

You can have the perfect pump.

You can know your flange size.

You can have nipple cream sitting beside your bed and a breastfeeding book highlighted and dog-eared before your baby is even born.

And then it's 2 AM, your newborn suddenly isn't latching well, your nipples hurt, baby has barely eaten, and someone is suggesting you give a bottle.

What do you do? That's the part you can't put on a registry.

Breastfeeding preparation isn't just about having the right supplies. It's knowing how to respond when feeding doesn't go according to plan.

If baby isn't feeding effectively, there may be two things that need your attention at the same time: feeding your baby and protecting your milk production.

If breastfeeding suddenly hurts, the answer isn't necessarily another nipple product. You need to know what the pain is telling you and what needs to change.

If someone recommends supplementation, you need to understand why it's being recommended, what your options are, and what needs to happen alongside supplementation if protecting breastfeeding is important to you.

That's the gap a pile of breastfeeding gadgets can't fill.

Prepare for the Decisions, Not Just the Feeding

That's exactly why I created the Breastfeeding MAPP Workshop.

MAPP stands for Master the basics. Advocate for yourself. Pivot to Protect.

We'll talk about what you actually need to know before your baby arrives—not just how breastfeeding is supposed to work, but how to recognize when something isn't working and what you can do next.

Because you can Amazon Prime a breast pump at 2 AM. You can't Prime yourself the confidence to know what to do when the plan changes.

Join me for the Breastfeeding MAPP Workshop and prepare for the moments your registry can't prepare you for.

Quick note: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use, trust, or would recommend to my own clients.