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When you’re breastfeeding during the newborn stage, the nursing sessions almost feel constant. With 8-12 feeds a day on average, you spend a lot of time feeding your sweet baby. In our work as postpartum doulas, we find it’s super helpful to create a simple basket of essentials that is portable and easy to grab with one hand. Here’s our go to guide for creating a Breastfeeding Basket!

1. A lightweight basket with a handle

   You’ll want something like this large market basket from Plum + Sparrow that you can easily move from the sofa to the bed to the nursery chair.

2. Water Bottle

   Breastfeeding makes you THIRSTY! Get something durable, easy to drink from and large enough that you don’t need to keep refilling it. The Yeti rambler fits the bill.

3. Nipple Balm & Chapstick

   An organic balm that you can rub in to keep the area hydrated helps bring some relief to your nipples. Left over breastmilk and coconut oil are great options as a nipple cream too. Along the same lines of being so thirsty during nursing, we find having chapstick always on hand is great.

4. All the Burp Cloths

   SO MUCH spit up. Squirting milk from oversupply. Milk everywhere is inevitable. Keep a good stock of these on hand. We’re loving these organic ones by Milkbarn with the loveliest whale design.

5. Extra Onesies

   Again with the fore-mentioned spit up, along with poop explosions; we recommend having a few clean onesies within reach. The ethically made and environmentally friendly clothes at Shop Nature Supply have the cutest selection of onesies.

6. Rattle

   There are some babies that are always waving their hands around or trying get their fist in their mouth during feeding. Having an easy to grab rattle nearby helps!

7. One Handed Snacks

   Whether you stock up on some nutritious store bought granola bars or make your own food; always make sure to have plenty of nutrient dense snacks. Nut butter packets, bars, sunflower seeds, dried fruit and of course chocolate are all great options.

8. Diapers + Wipes

   When you’re in the middle of catching up on episodes of your favorite TV show, the last thing you want to do is climb up the stairs for a diaper change. Always stock a few extras in your basket for convenience!

We hope this gives you something to do during the nesting weeks before you baby’s arrival and helps to make those first months of breastfeeding a little bit easier on you. Check with your favorite OC Postpartum Doula for more baby gear recommendations!