As a breastfeeding mom, you’ll spend hours parked in one spot feeding your baby. A breastfeeding basket keeps everything you need within arm’s reach, so you’re not stuck on the couch thirsty, hungry or without a burp cloth. After nursing three babies, here’s exactly what I keep in mine, plus a quick checklist you can shop from.
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What Is a Breastfeeding Basket?
A breastfeeding basket (also called a nursing caddy or breastfeeding station) is a bin, tote or box of breastfeeding essentials that you keep next to wherever you nurse. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you’ll spend a lot of time sitting, so it’s really nice to have a designated spot with everything right there.
This is the basket I use. I like it because it has multiple compartments and dividers, as well as pockets on the side for easy access to smaller items. I keep it next to my primary pump and nursing pillow. Some of the items are hard to see in the picture, but here is what I have in my breastfeeding basket…
Breastfeeding Basket Checklist
Short on time? Here’s everything in my basket at a glance. Keep scrolling for why I love each one and where to get it.
- Large water bottle
- Easy snacks
- Silicone milk saver
- Nursing pads (disposable and washable)
- Nursing pillow
- Hands-free pumping bra
- Clean pump parts
- Milk storage bags
- Hands-free (wearable) pump
- Diapers and wipes
- Diaper trash bags
- Baby balm
- Baby nail file or clippers
- Blankets
- Burp cloths
- Pacifier and clip
- Vitamin D drops
- Nipple cream
- Nursing cover
- Nipple soothers
What to Put in a Breastfeeding Basket
Breastfeeding
- water bottle: Moments after I start nursing or pumping, I immediately feel thirsty. It’s important to always have water on-hand because your body needs lots of water to create breastmilk. Hydration is key for adequate breastmilk supply! This one is even better, because it holds a lot more water — and you’ll need to drink a LOT of water.
- snacks: Breastfeeding makes you so hungry! Having enough calories is also very important in maintaining supply. Lactation cookies and Figgy Pops are currently in my breastfeeding basket for much-needed easy snacks.
- silicone milk saver: I didn’t discover this until my third baby, and now it’s a must-have. It suctions to one breast and catches the milk that leaks during letdown while baby feeds on the other side. In the early weeks, especially at morning feeds, you’ll save a surprising amount of milk. It also works as a manual pump to relieve engorgement when you’re out. Tip: if you have other kids running around, spend a few extra dollars on the version with a stand and lid so it doesn’t get knocked over. To save money, this one is a similar option with good reviews.
- nursing pads: Essential to prevent leaking milk from seeping through your shirt! I like having both disposable and washable.
- nursing pillow: My Boppy is next to my basket.
Pumping
In addition to your pump (duh!) and the water and snacks mentioned above, you’ll need a few more things for pumping:
- hands-free pump bra: This is critical for not absolutely hating your time spent pumping. With free hands you can scroll through your phone, do work on your laptop or read a book to your toddler. You could get a bra specifically for pumping, or one that doubles as a nursing bra so you can wear it all day.
- pump parts: I currently am using the Spectra 2, so I keep my clean Spectra pump parts in the basket ready to go when I choose to pump. For on-the-go pumping, I use this battery operated pump.
- milk storage bags: You can keep your milk in the fridge in the bottles you pump into, or you can transfer the milk to storage bags. These are the bags I use to freeze my extra milk. I’ve tried a few kinds and had the fewest leaks or problems with these. Tip: Lay the bag flat when freezing the milk. You can then store several bags together like bricks and they will take up less space in your freezer.
- hands-free pump: A wearable pump lets you pump on the go or while chasing a toddler. Lactation consultants often like the Elvie Stride because the cups sit in your bra but the motor is strong enough for regular sessions. Momcozy is a popular budget pick. Most still recommend a regular double electric pump (like the Spectra) as your main pump, with a wearable as a backup. Tip: get your flange size checked. Fit matters more than brand.
Baby
- diapers: While you’ll likely do most diaper changes somewhere else, it’s convenient to have diapers nearby in case baby needs an easy change.
- wipes: I like these wipes because they can be used for diaper changes, but also to clean my children’s hands and faces.
- diaper trash bags: We have these wherever we may do a diaper change that is away from our diaper pail or garage trash. We also keep a lot of them in the diaper bag!
- baby balm: This stuff is awesome. The ingredients are safe and the balm can help heal baby’s diaper rash, dry/irritated skin and mom’s sore nipples. If you want something you can get on Amazon Prime (as a busy new mom, Amazon Prime is LIFE!), check out this baby coconut oil. It is multipurpose and free of chemicals.
- baby nail files and/or clipper: A nursing baby may be still enough to allow for peaceful nail trimming!
- blanket: I keep these everywhere. You never know when you need to cover up baby, lay it down for tummy time, or use as a breastfeeding cover.
- burp cloths: If your baby spits up a lot, you can’t have too many of these!
- pacifier: Your baby may not like the pacifier or may have a strong preference for a particular nipple shape. If you use a pacifier, a clip is helpful to prevent it from falling on the ground. Many lactation consultants suggest waiting until breastfeeding is well established (around 3 to 4 weeks) before introducing one.
- vitamin D drops: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfed babies get 400 IU of vitamin D every day, starting in the first few days of life. Ask your pediatrician which drops they like.
Other “Nice to Haves”
- nipple cream: Keep this on-hand if nursing is still painful for you!
- nursing cover: If a visitor shows up and you want to cover up when nursing, have a cover in your basket. Alternatively, you could just use the baby blanket to help give you some privacy.
- nipple soothers: Breastfeeding is painful at first. These are just some of the things that can help soothe irritated nipples.
Breastfeeding Gift Basket Ideas
A well-stocked breastfeeding basket also makes a great baby shower or new mom gift! Pick a cute basket and fill it with a few of these. Step it up a notch with a batch of homemade lactation cookies.
- A big insulated water bottle
- Lactation cookies to help support supply
- A Haakaa silicone milk saver
- Washable nursing pads
- Nipple cream
- A Boppy nursing pillow (if she doesn’t already have one)
Breastfeeding Basket FAQ
The basics are a big water bottle, easy snacks, nursing pads, nipple cream, burp cloths, a silicone milk saver, and diapers and wipes. If you pump, add clean pump parts, milk storage bags and a hands-free pumping bra.
Keep it right next to wherever you nurse most, usually the couch, a glider or your bed. Some moms keep a second, smaller basket by the bed for night feeds.
They are mostly the same idea. A nursing station usually means the whole setup (chair, pillow and side table), while a breastfeeding basket or nursing caddy is the portable bin that holds your supplies, so you can move it from room to room.
Yes! A basket filled with a water bottle, lactation cookies, nursing pads, nipple cream and a silicone milk saver is practical, and new moms use every item in it.
Lactation consultants often recommend a regular double electric pump (like the Spectra) as your main pump, with a wearable like the Elvie Stride or Momcozy for on-the-go sessions. Getting the right flange size matters more than the brand.
