Buying Guide

The Breastfeeding Supplies That Made It Past Week 2 (And The Ones I Never Touched)

I almost quit breastfeeding three times in month one. These six products are why I didn't.

I had a birth plan, a nursing cart, and a Pinterest board full of breastfeeding tips. What I didn't have was any idea how hard the first two weeks would be. I almost quit three times in that first month: once when my nipples cracked and every feeding felt like glass, once when my supply dipped and I panicked, and once at 3 a.m. with a cluster-feeding baby and wrists that ached like my grandmother's.

I'm still nursing a year later, and I can tell you exactly what got me through: the right supplies at the right moment. These six products are the reason I made it past week two. I'll also tell you about the three that sat in my drawer, untouched, gathering dust — so you don't waste your money the way I did.

The Six That Earned Their Spot

Spectra S1 Pump ($216) — My insurance covered the S2 for free, but I bought the S1 because it has a rechargeable battery. I pumped on the couch, at my mother's house, and once on a camping trip. Being unplugged from the wall was the difference between pumping and not pumping.

Haakaa Silicone Pump ($13) — The $13 pump that built our freezer stash. Suction it onto the other side while you nurse and it catches the letdown you'd otherwise waste. By three months I had forty bags of milk without ever sitting down to "pump."

Bamboobies Nursing Pads ($17) — Nobody warns you about the leaks. These are soft, washable, and saved every shirt I own. I bought two packs and rotated them like a laundry ninja. They also doubled as burp cloths in a pinch.

Lansinoh Nipple Cream ($9) — The single product that got me through week one. Safe for baby, so no wiping it off before feeds, and the cracks healed within days. I kept one in the nursery, one in the living room, and one in my purse. Yes, three tubes.

My Brest Friend Pillow ($49) — It looks like a flotation device, but it has a firm back and a strap that buckles around you, which means the baby stays exactly where you put her. No more hunching. My wrists and shoulders finally recovered, and feedings went from a 3/10 to an 8/10 overnight.

Legendairy Milk Supplements ($19) — I was a skeptic. I'm still a skeptic, honestly. But during the week my supply dipped and I was crying over a bottle of pumped milk, my lactation consultant suggested trying one. Whether it was the supplement or just the extra water and sleep, my supply came back. I'm not here to oversell it — I'm here to say it got me through.

The ones I never touched: a nipple shield (I could never get it on, let alone the baby), a nursing cover (she screamed under it, and I gave up and used a blanket), and breast shells (one fell out of my bra at a family brunch. That's the whole story).

Why We Recommend These

These six got me through three quit-moments in the first month, which is the real test. I bought every one with my own money and I'd buy them all again. If a product didn't survive the 3 a.m. feeding, the laundry basket, or the crying, it didn't make this list.

What to Look For

• Get sized for pump flanges. The wrong flange size hurts. Measure, or get fitted — seriously.
• Check insurance coverage. Most plans cover a pump for free; only buy the upgrade if you need portability.
• Fragrance-free everything. Your baby's face is against your chest. Nothing scented.
• Ask a lactation consultant. These worked for me; a consultant can tailor the list to your situation.

🛒 Where to buy: All products available on Amazon. The Spectra S1 goes on sale around holidays, and some insurance plans reimburse pump purchases — check before you order.