Ten essential breastfeeding items to pack in your hospital bag (& 5 things you shouldn't!)

Dr. Alexandra Prosser
Jan 9, 2023
7 min read

Updated: Jan 14, 2023

Search the internet and you'll find numerous examples of pack lists for your big day. From the basics to the bougie, leave no item unchecked. But what about breastfeeding? What items should you include in your hospital bag to set your breastfeeding journey up for success? And bonus: what can you leave at home?

What to bring?

1. Breast Pump & Supplies

Even if you have no intention of pumping, it's a good idea to bring yours along. There are several circumstances in which a lactation consultant may encourage you to pump while in the hospital. Even if you end up not needing to pump, bringing your pump and supplies along can give the lactation consultant an opportunity to teach you how to use the pump and how to set it up for an efficient pumping session. Lactation consultants can also help you determine your appropriate flange size! Pro tip: bring our handy nipple sizer with you to help them find the best size!

2. Nursing Bra & Pumping Bra

Once baby arrives, your little one will want to nurse a lot. Having easy access to the ladies is crucial. I recommend packing just one nursing bra (with several nursing pads...see below) that you feel comfortable wearing all day and night. These are one of my favorites due to their simplicity, price, and comfort, but there are several styles to choose from. Pro tip: don't wear the nursing bra during labor & delivery -- it will only get in the way.

If you anticipate pumping at all throughout your breastfeeding journey, I recommend purchasing (& bringing with you to the hospital) and hands-free pumping bra. The Simple Wishes pumping bra is a tried and true style that fits essentially any size and pump. This Kindred Bravely design functions as an all-day bra, a nursing bra, and a pumping bra -- all in one!

3. Cozy blankets

When you're snuggling up with a naked baby, it's nice to have a familiar and cozy blanket to wrap around your bare shoulders and baby. Skin-to-skin is an intimate component of breastfeeding, which involves both you and baby wearing little clothes. Have your partner or nurse place your cozy blanket over baby's body once you both are situated in a comfortable nursing position.

4. Robe or Nursing clothes

A maternity robe is not only cute, it is functional. Baby will want frequent access, so a front-opening robe is so convenient! A comfortable robe can stay on day and night, and can even serve the function of a cozy blanket to keep you warm while nursing or pumping. If a robe isn't your thing, or if you want extra modesty, bring along a nursing tank or tee to allow easy access. Although nursing tops allow access to your breasts, a robe is easier to allow skin-to-skin with your baby. These robes are soft and light enough to wear around-the-clock and come in a variety of colors. Bonus: the company also sells matching swaddle sets! Pro tip: don't wear your robe or nursing clothes at delivery -- they'll only get messy and in the way.

5. Nursing pads

After delivery, your body will experience a large hormonal shift which prompts your body to make milk. In the first few days postpartum, your breasts make colostrum, which is high in nutrients and low in volume. Most women will experience their milk "coming in" around day 3-5. We call this galactogenesis II, when milk transitions to high volume milk. This may cause you to feel breast engorgement, swelling, discomfort, and leaking. This is when breast pads some in most handy. Some mothers may only need them for a short period of time while their body adjusts, whereas some mothers use them through month 2-3, and some need them throughout their breastfeeding experience. I recommend bringing a handful of disposable ones or 1-2 reusable ones to the hospital. You may not experience any leaking while in the hospital, but the pads also provide cushion in your bra while your nipples are adjusting to their new role. Several brands make disposable pads (Momcozy, Zomee, Philips Avent, Nanobébé, Lansinoh, and Medela) which conveniently stick to the inside of your bra, but my personal favorite are Bamboobies because they are so soft, washable, super absorbent, and cute!

6. Prenatal Vitamin

A prenatal multivitamin is just as important while breastfeeding as it is during pregnancy. Your prenatal vitamin is the one "medicine" I recommend you bring with you to the hospital. In the height of the moment, you and/or your medical team may not recognize your prenatal vitamin (or any vitamins for that matter) as a medicine when registering in the hospital. In my personal and professional experience, the PNV is not regularly given to postpartum mothers while in the hospital. Thus, I recommend you bring your own.

7. Water Bottle & Snacks

This one probably does make it's way onto every pack-list on the internet, but I list it here for emphasis. Breastfeeding uses on average 500 calories per day and requires adequate hydration. This remains true throughout the entire breastfeeding journey, not just postpartum. Most hospitals will provided some form of water bottle or cup for you to use, but it may be nice to have your own. And although postpartum units usually have a storage of some basic snacks and juices (for emergencies), there may not be a great selection of snacks for you or your partner between meals. Consider packing some apples, oranges, or nuts in your back for some healthy and easily transportable snacks.

8. Breastfeeding Pillow

There is no amount of hospital pillows and blankets that will do the job as well as a dedicated breastfeeding pillow. Nursing takes a considerable amount of your time and focus during the postpartum stay, so prioritize your comfort. Hunching over your baby and holding them for extended periods of time is sure to cause you some lower back strain. Every lactation consultant I've worked with (again personally and professionally) endorse either a Boppy or BreastFriend. They both come in a variety of colors, so choose one that will make you happy when you reach for it every 2-3 hours. They are a tad bulky and may be hard to stuff into your duffle bag, but it's totally worth it!

9. Nipple Butter

I strongly believe that breastfeeding should not hurt. If it is uncomfortable, please ask for a lactation counselor for assistance. However, even with the perfect comfortable latch, a new mother's nipples go through an adjustment period. Again, they shouldn't be in pain, but you may experience some dry skin, some swelling from hormonal shifts and IV fluids, or just hypersensitivity. These can be normal, but please ask for a LC to evaluate just in case. A calm soothing nipple butter can provide some relief between nursing sessions. Although lanolin has earned their market share as the gold standard nipple ointment, I don't routinely recommend it because it can cause an allergic reaction (ie skin irritation, rash) in some people, particularly those with preexisting skin conditions or allergies. If you are passionately vegan, lanolin is not vegan because it is produced from sheep's wool. Rather, reach for something like Earth Mama's organic Nipple Butter, which is made from a collection of edible oils and fats that are organic and dermatologist tested. Technically the beeswax is not vegan, so if you're interested, they do make a vegan version.

10. Expressed colostrum

Last but not least, if you have collected any colostrum before delivery, save it in the freezer and bring it with you to the hospital. Keep an eye out for a future blog post all about colostrum harvesting. There are some medical nuances and reasons this practice can be unsafe, but if you've been given the OK by your obstetrician, remember to bring it with you to the hospital. Personal tip: for these perishable or "last minute grab" items, consider writing a list of all the things you need to pack in your bag at the last minute, and place this list on the top of your bag. When the day comes, run through the list to grab the remaining items.

What Not to bring?

1. Bottle cleaning supplies

There's really no need to bring any cleaning supplies for bottles or pump parts. If you end up needing them, the hospital should be able to provide you options. Best case scenario, you acquire a bottle brush or other goodies from the hospital to take home.

2. Medicines

Besides the prenatal vitamin, as discussed above, you don't need to bring any of your medicines. if you take medications regularly, the medical staff will provide and administer these to you. I would, however, recommend you bring a list of your medications just in case.

3. Pacifier

This isn't meant to be a controversial one. Whether you plan to offer a pacifier to your baby or not, there's no need to pack one. The hospital will usually provide one, if asked. Pacifier use can jeopardize the breastfeeding relationship, especially in the newborn phase, so I encourage you to offer the breast instead of a pacifier whenever possible! Why give the manufactured nipple if you can offer the real thing? All this stimulation will improve your milk supply.

4. Complex Baby Outfits

Skin-to-skin is recommended immediately after birth, but it's helpful to do throughout the newborn stage to encourage baby to latch to the breast. Thus, your baby will be naked -- a lot. Consider packing one cute outfit to take baby home in, otherwise baby will be spending a lot of time in a diaper and swaddle.

5. Formula

Again, not intended to be controversial. Whether you are willing to consider formula as an alternative or absolutely not, there is no need to bring this to the hospital. First off, having this "back up" in your back will only undermine your breastfeeding confidence. You can do it. Don't doubt yourself! Second, if you do need to supplement with formula for a medical reason, the hospital will provide formula for you.