Breastfeeding Essentials

The honest answer: less than you think. Start with a comfortable nursing bra, breast pads for leaks, and a good nipple balm. Everything else can wait until you know what your feeding journey looks like. Our essentials edit is built around exactly this — the things that genuinely help.

Most mums find two or three is plenty. A soft sleep bra before baby arrives is a great starting point — your size may change once your milk comes in, so hold off on buying a full set until you're a few weeks in. One sleep bra plus one daytime option covers most situations early on.

Almost certainly yes, especially in the early weeks. Leaking is very common and often happens at unpredictable times. Disposable pads are convenient for the first few weeks; reusable ones are worth switching to once your supply has settled.

Nipple balm applied after every feed makes a real difference — look for lanolin-free options if you prefer. Hydrogel pads offer immediate cooling relief for cracked or very sore nipples. Nipple shields can help if latching is painful. And a soft, non-wired bra that doesn't press on tender skin is essential.

Keep it simple: a nursing bra or two, breast pads, nipple balm, and ideally nipple shields on hand just in case. You don't need to buy everything upfront — once your baby is here and you know how feeding is going, you'll have a much clearer idea of what else you need.