Baby Feeding Support Tools
In Spring of 2025, I proudly launched a new baby feeding support business with my partner doula. It is normal to need breast/chestfeeding help, and we believe that learning to breast/chestfeed should happen within a supportive community. When we come to your home to create a feeding plan that works for your family, we bring along a bunch of equipment that may help support your journey. You may choose to purchase some tools from us during our time together, but perhaps you need to purchase a different size or would like to purchase multiples. Here are some of our favourite supplies to help support your feeding journey.
*Please note, there may be some affiliate links below, however these products are real verified recommendations.
Dr Brown’s Slow Flow Bottles - these are ubiquitously the most recommended bottles by feeding support professionals.
Medela Quick Clean MicroSteam Bags - I love using these during our time together, to quickly sterilize any equipment you would like to try out. You get 20 uses out of each back and means it just takes a couple minutes to clean and sterilize your feeding supplies, instead of 15-20 minutes like a traditional sterilizer. One less appliance occupying counter space is an added plus too.
Sterilizer - Unless you are using a lot of bottles/pumping frequently, you probably won’t need a sterilizer. Some families choose to just use a pot of boiling water, or their dishwasher’s high heat cycle. The MicroSteam bags above are also a great option for infrequent sterilization. If those aren’t enough, here is a sterilizer that many families I’ve supported have liked using.
Haakaa Ladybugs - These cute little bugs are wearable passive milk collectors. Simply place inside your bra, and any milk that might leak out will be collected in these instead of breast pads.
Haakaa Pump - Once applying this pump to your body, you can choose to either have it passively collect letdown for the side your baby isn’t feeding on, or you squeeze it and use it as a manual pump! Always get the one with the suction cup bottom. It would be so sad if you happened to accidentally knock over the base model that doesn’t have one and lost the milk you had collected! One size fits all, non-eletrical, super simple to use.
Haakaa Shells - These are the coolest. They are a combo between passive milk collectors and a traditional haakaa pump. They will apply some suction to your body once properly in place, however collect milk while you’re wearing your bra, similar to the ladybugs.
Haakaa Feeding Tube - I love utilizing these to support families meet their feeding goals! It helps keep baby at the breast, even if they need supplementation, and can eliminate having to use bottles. I probably recommended one of these to you during our time together, but if you need a replacement, here is the link for it!
Haakaa Nipple Evertors - We carry cheaper options to this in our support kit, however as far as an easily purchasable non-bulk order option goes, this is what is available!
Conical Nipple Shields - We bring a wide variety of nipple shield shapes and sizes to our feeding support sessions. If the conical shape is working best for you and your baby, here is an easily available option for you. Just make sure you get the right size.
Cherry Shaped Nipple Shields - This nipple shield is less common than the conical shaped, however many IBCLCs swear by them! If the cherry shape works for you and your baby, here are some that you can buy. We have a much cheaper option available for you to purchase, but these are the ones more readily available online.
Nipple Pads - Disposable breast/nipple pads can be really great, because some have a tiny bit of adhesive on the back of them, meaning that when you flip open your nursing bra, they stay in place and are ready to continue being used once you finish feeding. Reusable ones are obviously better for the environment, and if keeping track of where they might go when you are feeding seems doable for you, then I highly recommend this option. I ended up switching from reusable to disposable for simplicity’s sake, but that won’t be the case for everyone.
Silverettes - If you are dealing with cracked and sore nipples, some clients of mine have found these super helpful and soothing. If you put them in your fridge between uses, they can feel really comforting and the silver is supposed to promote healing.
Nipple Butter - Many breastfeeding parents love being able to lather on some nipple butter after feeds. Some IBCLCs are no longer recommending this product though and suggest focusing on drying out the area or using breastmilk to sooth it. The consensus for now seems to be plant-based alternatives are a better option than lanolin from sheep was once believed to be. We bring a sample of a nipple butter for you to try during our meetings, here is a link to a full-size option.
Nursing Bra - An absolute must. I tried a million throughout my 3 years breastfeeding. I love the way this one feels to the touch, the gentle lift it gave my body, and how it looks like a regular bra that you can wear under dresses or t-shirts.
Breastfeeding Shirts - Side-lying breastfeeding/bed-sharing is probably the best way to cope with lack of sleep while adjusting to life with your newborn (and beyond). Blankets shouldn’t be above your hip so it’s important to figure out how you will keep warm while feeding on your upper half. These shirts are my absolute favourite. I bought multiple packs of them throughout my breastfeeding journey. The pocket style front means that you are as covered as possible, thus as warm as possible, throughout feeding.
Mother's’ Milk Tea - During our time together, I will make you a cup of this tea. While keeping hydrated and eating nutritious foods is the best thing to support your milk production, some ingredients in this tea can have milk boosting effects. Please note, if you have hyperthyroidism, this may not be a great option for you.
Lactation Cookies - I always bring nutrient dense lactation balls to our meetings with active ingredients including brewers yeast and oats. These prepackaged cookies can make for an easy snack that also contains those supportive ingredients.
