There is nothing like the experience of trying to buy “all the things” when you’re in your third trimester. The birth is getting closer, we start feeling a sense of urgency (or panic), but don’t want to get stuff that will gather dust in the corner of the room.
To me, it felt like I needed to see into the future, but I couldn’t get past the next day. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your 1st or 6th child, your brain is probably getting a little overwhelmed by all the recommendations from friends, social media, and Google.
I did think of covering all the essentials for a new baby, but there is no such thing as a “one fits-all” list when it comes to babies. While our second baby never took a soother, we found it very useful with our first. You will have people tell you: “You absolutely need this” or “You won’t need that, it’s a waste of money”, but at the end of the day, everyone parents slightly differently, especially when it comes to feeding and sleep.
So I’ve decided to concentrate on “all the things” you might need or think you might need if you’re planning to breastfeed (and might end up co-sleeping whether you plan to or not).
And remember: at the end of the day, I don’t know your specific needs. YOU know better. (And it’s OK to get something and not use it. Pass it to another new mum.)
The breastfeeding essentials: products and support that made all the difference for me
An easy-to-drink-with-one-hand water bottle
You will need a big water bottle that lives beside where you nurse (or moves around with you, along with snacks, your phone and the breast pads). Breastfeeding thirst is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, like you’ve been crossing the Sahara for weeks.
Check Earthmother.ie or Faerly.ie for reusable water bottles (but you probably have one already!)
A stack of breast pads
For those early weeks when you might leak a lot (I did, but some don’t!). You might want to buy reusable ones. Some brands are more absorbent and comfy than others, but I needed the Lansinoh disposable pads for the first few months.
When buying washable pads, start with just a few to see if they work for you. No need to stock up on either kind until you know what you prefer.
Reusable Nursing Pads: Check Earthmother.ie, Faerly.ie and Littlegreenshop.ie (I like the brand they stock) as well as SLACF’s handmade pads. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads: Check price on Capital One (US), Buy on Amazon.co.uk or find in most pharmacies).
Nursing access options
Dedicated nursing tops with hidden openings are fantastic for quick, discreet access when your baby is hungry and impatient. But here’s a budget-friendly alternative that works just as well: layer stretchy, long tank tops under your regular t-shirts. Pull the t-shirt up and the tank top down for nursing. This combo gives you versatility, costs less, and you’ll actually wear the pieces after breastfeeding ends. Having a mix of both specialised and DIY options gives you the best of both worlds.
Check out Ireland’s first fashionable, sustainable breastfeeding clothing brand: Feedmemother.ie and the range of nursing bras and clothing at Hipbaby.ie. Ask the Midwife also stocks a “Breast vest” which is the equivalent of my stretchy tank top.
Nipple care arsenal
Lanolin cream saved many mums’ breastfeeding journeys. Silver cups work wonders for others. Have nipple shields on standby too, they can be lifesavers for inverted or severely cracked nipples. Those first latches can hurt! (But it shouldn’t hurt for long, if it does, speak to a lactation consultant.)
Check Earthmother.ie for nipple care products (including silver cups), Ask the Midwife for a wide range of postpartum products, Organico.ie for the Weleda range or buy Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream on Amazon.co.uk.
A nursing pillow
This will be useful during the day, to support your baby while nursing, but if you can, find one that will support you while nursing lying down because sitting upright at 3am and try not to fall asleep is a form of torture.
Check Babylove.ie for nursing pillows and I’ve used inhealth.ie for baby & post-partum-related products.
A bedside co-sleeper
A bedside co-sleeper cot that attaches securely to your bed provides the closeness for easy night feeds while giving baby their own sleep space, BUT, a lot of babies want full on contact and a lot of parents choose to co-sleep safely. A lot of families choose to use a mattress on the floor for safety. We got a long mesh bed rail. Please note that bed rails can help prevent falls but come with important safety warnings.
This is the bed rail that was recommended to us: Safetots Extra Tall Bed Rail on Amazon.co.uk. We love it, but we do have to fill the gap between the bed and the rail tightly with rolled towels and check it regularly.
Mattress protector (and lots of muslins)
Not just for the crib, but for your bed. Leaking breasts, diaper blowouts, and spit-up don’t wait for you to be “ready”. I also had a stack of soft muslin cloths at the ready. You can never have enough! (I know some babies don’t spit at all, but mine both did if I put them lying down after a feed).
Check Earthmother.ie for eco-friendly mattress protectors and Jiminy.ie for these zero-waste production cotton cloths (Jiminy Eco Toys is all about sustainability and her new owner is a retired Cuidiú BFC).
Front-opening PJs and V-neck tops
Invest in button-front pyjamas (even if buttons aren’t ideal, they’re what’s available) and long-sleeve stretchy V-neck tops. These are perfect for night feeds in winter, keeping you warm while allowing the duvet to stay below the baby’s face. The front openings make middle-of-the-night access much easier, and the stretch works like a nursing top. Practical warmth that doesn’t compromise safety during those countless night feeds. (Adult sleepsuits also exist!) I got my PJs from Mark & Spencer and my stretchy tops came from Penneys.
A physiological baby carrier or stretchy wrap
A stretchy wrap (or equivalent) may well save your life if you have a “velcro baby” (hint: a lot of babies only sleep well against their parents’ chests in the early days, so if yours is the same, no panic: it’s normal). I loved loved loved my stretchy from Love Radius (previously JPMBB). It’s so soft and easy to wrap and then slide baby in snuggly. When baby is asleep in the carrier, you can do everything, short of having a shower.
While this is not directly breastfeeding-related, it will be useful for most mums (breastfeeding or not).
Here is the stretchy wrap I had on Love Radius.
Earthmother.ie also stocks baby carriers and slings and you might want to check out The Sleepydust Wrap Collection designed in Co.Kildare by Rachel and the wide range stocked by Tricia at Snugglebugs. Tricia also offers sling consultations to help you pick the best one for your needs.
Finally, you can learn about safety and also rent and try before you buy at Babywearing Ireland.
Nightlight with warm bulb
Doesn’t disrupt melatonin production, so you can check on baby without signalling to everyone’s brain that it’s morning.
I’m not recommending a particular brand, but this type worked great for us: Amazon.co.uk (also they did become a little too bright after a while and we managed without it).
Phone charger with extra-long cord
For every nursing station in your house. Being trapped under a sleeping baby with 2% battery is not fun. I did watch my baby while nursing, but I also caught up with family & friends, watched my favourite series and read on my Kindle.
Breastfeeding Support Contacts
Add these to your phone BEFORE birth:
- Lactation consultants’ numbers (Rebecca McAllister, Niamh Cassidy and Nicola O’Byrne are amazing – Ireland-based)
- A Cuidiú Breastfeeding Counsellor on speed dial
- Local breastfeeding support group contacts (see below)
A note about links
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and genuinely believe in.
Buying local and sustainable
While some links connect to larger retailers, I’ve also included recommendations for local businesses (without affiliate links) because I believe in supporting local (and if possible) eco-friendly shops. Their ethos aren’t all about profits and they need as much support as possible to survive the big corporations.
What you can skip buying (or wait)
Here are the items that may be recommended by friends and family (or lists you find online), but you may want to skip them entirely or wait until you’re sure you need them.
Nursing cover
You’ll either get comfortable nursing in public or find it extremely awkward. Either way, nursing covers are not the way to breastfeed with ease at your local coffee shop. I had to have one for my first baby and used it a couple of times.
Traditional crib
If you’re leaning toward co-sleeping, a bassinet or side-sleeper is a better starter option. Your beautiful crib could become an expensive space for the laundry-you-still-have-to-put-away.
Fancy nursing chair
Your bed or couch will work fine at first. Comfy cushions will help. However, if you do have the space and budget, I must say they are very comfortable.
Sleep training books
If you’re breastfeeding on demand and/or co-sleeping, most traditional sleep advice won’t apply. Save your money and your sanity. (See below for THE sleep book to read)
Expensive baby monitor
If you’re co-sleeping and breastfeeding, your baby will likely be right next to you for most sleeps. A simple audio monitor is usually sufficient, rather than the high-end video monitors. The only time we need one has been when travelling, and I found a free app to create my own video monitor!
Bottle warmer
If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you might never need this. And if you do use bottles, running them under warm water works just fine.
Baby schedule trackers
Co-sleeping and breastfeeding on demand means your baby’s schedule is “whenever they want.” I did use one for the first few days after birth with my second (but more for the memory).
Pre-Birth Preparations
Join a breastfeeding support group BEFORE baby arrives. In Dublin, check out:
- Cuidiú (great not just for breastfeeding parents)
- Friends of Breastfeeding
- La Leche League
These groups are worth their weight in gold. You’ll meet experienced mothers who can share tips and be there for you during those 3am “Is this normal??” moments.
Book Recommendation
Rather than telling you co-sleeping is wrong (like many mainstream baby books), this one gives you evidence-based guidance on how to do it safely if that’s your choice. It’s judgment-free and practical, exactly what I needed.
(I got the eBook version.)
Best Instagram Account
I only found out about this account a couple of months into my cosleeping journey, and this is GOLD. I particularly think that the videos showing real-life co-sleeping are very helpful. It can daunting at the beginning, trying to find the right position etc.
Isadora Ambrose also posted videos that show exactly why knowing how to co-sleep safely could avoid falling asleep with your baby in an unsafe way. The reality is that it is near impossible NOT to fall asleep while nursing a baby around the clock, and not something you are fully in control of.
https://www.instagram.com/happycosleeper
Finally, remember: babies haven’t read the baby books. Your intuition matters more than any list, including this one. The journey of figuring out what works for you and your baby is the reality of parenthood.
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