Gear for Eating and Nursing
No matter what type of plans you have for baby’s nutrition there will be some gear that you will need to feed baby. For the first six months all baby needs is milk so if mom is planning to chest feed you may think it’s simple but there is still a lot to consider. If you ever plan to leave your baby for more than an hour or so, and you probably will, baby will also need bottles. After six months you’ll need a bit more gear to begin offering solid foods but you probably need less than you think.
Bibs
Do we need it?
Yes, most likely. There a couple basic reasons for a bib, to protect clothing from spit up, drool, and food.
Spit up happens for most babies but for some way more than others. Bibs rarely prevent or protect spit up because it always seems to go where the bib isn’t but if you have a high spit up baby you’ll probably go through more bibs.
The next big reason for a bib is drool. Drool happens most when babies are teething though some babies drool more than others. If you have a high drool baby you’ll go through more bibs than average. Finally no matter your baby’s spit up or drool rates eventually they will eat food and they will need a bib to protect their clothes. Some families encourage baby’s to wear a bib every meal and every snack others will only use a bib if at a restaurant or serving something particularly messy.
Right around age two most children’s bib use decreases dramatically. This is something you likely will need but if you’re a hard core minimalist a cloth napkin tied around the back could work just fine.
How to select a good bib?
Not all bibs are created equal. Different materials are better for different uses. A small cloth bandana style bib is great for drool but much less useful for food in the toddler years. Similarly a big silicone bib with a food catcher is great for table food but not helping with either drool or spit up in any meaningful way. The first step to selecting a bib is to know your use, then you can determine what you need.
How many do we need?
- Hard core minimalist, none. You can use other cloths and never buy a bib.
- Practical minimalist, 4 large cloth bibs OR 3 small drool bibs and one silicone food bib.
- Our recommendation, 3-5 small drool bibs, and 5 large cloth bibs OR 2 silicone bibs.
- More than 10-15 would be unnecessary.
Burp Cloths
Do we need it?
You are going to need something to wipe up all that baby goo. Spit up, food, and leaking milk all will leave you searching for a burp cloths. Burp cloths designed for baby messes, but other stuff can work too. Many parents opt to just use muslin blankets or bibs instead.
How to select a good burp cloth?
Burp cloths have a myriad of uses so I like the little thin cloths for wiping noses, mouths, and hands. The nice big thick cloths that are like the cloth diaper liners are super handy for bigger messes, large spit ups, laying under baby’s head for padding, and washing up when necessary. The cloth you choose will depend on the use.
How many do we need?
- Hard core minimalist, none. You can use other cloths and never buy a burp cloth.
- Practical minimalist, 4 burp cloths.
- Our recommendation, 4-8 cloths half thin and half thick.
- More than 10-15 would be unnecessary.
Bottle Brush
Do we need it?
Probably, bottles, sippy cups, and pump parts all are tiny and difficult to clean. A good bottle brush can make washing a lot easier.
How to select a good bottle brush?
Basically, to clean a bottle you need two things; to clean deep into the bottom of the bottle and to clean the nipple well. Some bottles have other internal parts that need special cleaning.
How many do we need?
You only need one but you will probably have to replace it every 4-6 months.
Bottles
Whether your baby drinks human milk or formula you will likely want at least some bottles. Most families have a set of four to eight bottles. Bottles come in two sizes, you will want at least half of your bottles to have a capacity of more than 4oz.Nipples come in flow sizes (slow, medium, fast or 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) and most babies will use slow or size one nipples first then around six months shift to a medium or size two nipple. Every baby is different but initially you don’t need to buy any very slow preemie nipples or fast flow nipples because you may never use them. Once you select a bottle and a nipple you’ll want to stick with one type.
Our Favorite!
Best Metal
Best Plastic
We have also reviewed other popular bottle choices.
Dr. Brown’s Bottle Review Comotomo Bottle Review Tommee Tippee Bottle Review
Chest Feeding Gear
Nursing Bras and Tanks
Do we need it?
Probably, if you’re Chest feeding you will need access to your chest for feeding 8 or more times a day. Nursing bras and tanks are designed for this!
Bras, tanks, sleep, pumping. Yes it’s a lot.
- So most parents need a nighttime bra for comfort beginning in pregnancy. Once nursing you’ll need support at night for your sensitive chest. Sleep bras also allow you to reduce leaking and wear nursing pads with ease.
- Pumping bras hold the flanges in place while pumping. Sometimes parents-to-be are surprised but the pump flanges don’t stay on themselves. If you’re pumping daily you may decide to buy and wear pumping bras to not have to switch.
- Nursing tanks have the full support of a nursing bra or sleep bra and the added coverage for your belly. Nursing tanks allow you coverage for your stomach particularly nice if you have an abdominal birth and dressing on your incision. Nursing tanks also allow you to nurse in any clothing by lifting the clothing up and keeping the tank down you have coverage for nursing no matter what you decide to wear.
- If you are wearing a regular nursing bra you can use a nursing shirt on top of it but if you wear a traditional shirt you have to lift it and expose your stomach.
How to select a good nursing bra?
- There are fierce preferences in the breastfeeding parent community. You need to find nursing bras that are comfortable, supportive, and give sufficient access for you and baby. There are a few designs to consider.
- Fit is probably the single most difficult thing to figure out because your body changes so much during pregnancy, birth, and post partum. Consider fit in cup size, chest circumstance, and tank length.
- Clip down or slide over? Basically there are two ways to get access to your nipples for feeding. You can slide the fabric over to the side exposing your areolas for breastfeeding or you can unclip and fold down the cup to provide access. Further some bras that clip down have an inner support for the chest and others open completely. Depending on your chest size, infant ‘s comfort with feeding, and support needs, you may have bras of all types in your collection.
- Things to consider include if the cup clips down how much does it clear out of the area to allow a proper landing pad for feeding. Similarly if the fabric slides over does it allow for comfort and sufficient landing pad when open. Will the slid over fabric stay clear during feeds? Could the fabric slide out of position when not desired?
- Underwire or not? Generally underwire is not recommended. Even women who wouldn’t have imagined not wearing underwear find comfortable and supportive options.
- Just tanks or do you wear a bra under it? The nursing tanks are enough to give you the support you need day to day.
How many do we need?
It will really depend on many variables. This is our best estimate knowing each parent may have more or less depending on their preferences. Consider how your current chest comfort is? How long do you plan to breastfeed? Will you need to pump daily? These questions will help you decide.
Sleep bras or nursing tanks (probably 3-4) to wear each night starting in your third trimester and until the end of your nursing career. Depending on your supply and chest you may not need sleep bras as much or you may have periods of time where you don’t need sleep bras. Nursing tanks can substitute easily if you decide you like one or the other better.
Nursing bras or tanks (probably 4-6) to wear daily. You will probably not be able to wear the same bra or tank for more than a day in the first few months so depending on how much laundry you do you’ll need a full wardrobe of bras or tanks.
Pumping bras (1+) if you’re pumping more than occasionally. Some brands offer pumping bras that are suitable to everyday wear others are designed to support pumping but do not function as a nursing bra.
Total you probably need at least 6-10 bras of whatever combination.
Supplies for Expressing Milk
Do we need it?
There are a number of different brands and uses for bibs throughout the first year and beyond. This is something you likely will need but if you’re a hard core minimalist a cloth napkin tied around the back could work just fine. We used the napkin trick many times traveling and it makes you realize how much you actually don’t need so much stuff.
There a couple basic reasons for a bib, to protect clothing from spit up, drool, and food. Spit up happens for most babies but for some way more than others. Bibs rarely prevent or protect spit up because it always seems to go where the bib isn’t but if you have a high spit up baby you’ll probably go through more bibs. The next big reason for a bib is drool. Drool happens most when babies are teething though some babies drool more than others. If you have a high drool baby you’ll go through more bibs than average. Finally no matter your baby’s spit up or drool rates eventually they will eat food and they will need a bib to protect their clothes. Some families encourage baby’s to wear a bib every meal and every snack others will only use a bib if at a restaurant or serving something particularly messy. Right around age two most children’s bib use decreases dramatically.
How to select a good bib?
Not all bibs are created equal. Different materials are better for different uses. A small cloth bandana style bib is great for drool but much less useful for food in the toddler years. Similarly a big silicone bib with a food catcher is great for table food but not helping with either drool or spit up in any meaningful way. The first step to selecting a bib is to know your use, then you can determine what you need.
How many do we need?
- Hard core minimalist, none. You can use other cloths and never buy a bib.
- Practical minimalist, 4 large cloth bibs or 3 small drool bibs and one silicone food bib.
- Our recommendation, 3-5 small drool bibs, and 5 large cloth bibs or 2 silicone bibs.
- More than 10-15 would be unnecessary.
Chest Pads
Do we need it?
There are a number of different brands and uses for bibs throughout the first year and beyond. This is something you likely will need but if you’re a hard core minimalist a cloth napkin tied around the back could work just fine. We used the napkin trick many times traveling and it makes you realize how much you actually don’t need so much stuff.
There a couple basic reasons for a bib, to protect clothing from spit up, drool, and food. Spit up happens for most babies but for some way more than others. Bibs rarely prevent or protect spit up because it always seems to go where the bib isn’t but if you have a high spit up baby you’ll probably go through more bibs. The next big reason for a bib is drool. Drool happens most when babies are teething though some babies drool more than others. If you have a high drool baby you’ll go through more bibs than average. Finally no matter your baby’s spit up or drool rates eventually they will eat food and they will need a bib to protect their clothes. Some families encourage baby’s to wear a bib every meal and every snack others will only use a bib if at a restaurant or serving something particularly messy. Right around age two most children’s bib use decreases dramatically.
How to select a good bib?
Not all bibs are created equal. Different materials are better for different uses. A small cloth bandana style bib is great for drool but much less useful for food in the toddler years. Similarly a big silicone bib with a food catcher is great for table food but not helping with either drool or spit up in any meaningful way. The first step to selecting a bib is to know your use, then you can determine what you need.
How many do we need?
- Hard core minimalist, none. You can use other cloths and never buy a bib.
- Practical minimalist, 4 large cloth bibs or 3 small drool bibs and one silicone food bib.
- Our recommendation, 3-5 small drool bibs, and 5 large cloth bibs or 2 silicone bibs.
- More than 10-15 would be unnecessary.
Nipple Cream
Do we need it?
There are a number of different brands and uses for bibs throughout the first year and beyond. This is something you likely will need but if you’re a hard core minimalist a cloth napkin tied around the back could work just fine. We used the napkin trick many times traveling and it makes you realize how much you actually don’t need so much stuff.
There a couple basic reasons for a bib, to protect clothing from spit up, drool, and food. Spit up happens for most babies but for some way more than others. Bibs rarely prevent or protect spit up because it always seems to go where the bib isn’t but if you have a high spit up baby you’ll probably go through more bibs. The next big reason for a bib is drool. Drool happens most when babies are teething though some babies drool more than others. If you have a high drool baby you’ll go through more bibs than average. Finally no matter your baby’s spit up or drool rates eventually they will eat food and they will need a bib to protect their clothes. Some families encourage baby’s to wear a bib every meal and every snack others will only use a bib if at a restaurant or serving something particularly messy. Right around age two most children’s bib use decreases dramatically.
How to select a good bib?
Not all bibs are created equal. Different materials are better for different uses. A small cloth bandana style bib is great for drool but much less useful for food in the toddler years. Similarly a big silicone bib with a food catcher is great for table food but not helping with either drool or spit up in any meaningful way. The first step to selecting a bib is to know your use, then you can determine what you need.
How many do we need?
- Hard core minimalist, none. You can use other cloths and never buy a bib.
- Practical minimalist, 4 large cloth bibs or 3 small drool bibs and one silicone food bib.
- Our recommendation, 3-5 small drool bibs, and 5 large cloth bibs or 2 silicone bibs.
- More than 10-15 would be unnecessary.
Nursing Covers
Do we need it?
There are a number of different brands and uses for bibs throughout the first year and beyond. This is something you likely will need but if you’re a hard core minimalist a cloth napkin tied around the back could work just fine. We used the napkin trick many times traveling and it makes you realize how much you actually don’t need so much stuff.
There a couple basic reasons for a bib, to protect clothing from spit up, drool, and food. Spit up happens for most babies but for some way more than others. Bibs rarely prevent or protect spit up because it always seems to go where the bib isn’t but if you have a high spit up baby you’ll probably go through more bibs. The next big reason for a bib is drool. Drool happens most when babies are teething though some babies drool more than others. If you have a high drool baby you’ll go through more bibs than average. Finally no matter your baby’s spit up or drool rates eventually they will eat food and they will need a bib to protect their clothes. Some families encourage baby’s to wear a bib every meal and every snack others will only use a bib if at a restaurant or serving something particularly messy. Right around age two most children’s bib use decreases dramatically.
How to select a good bib?
Not all bibs are created equal. Different materials are better for different uses. A small cloth bandana style bib is great for drool but much less useful for food in the toddler years. Similarly a big silicone bib with a food catcher is great for table food but not helping with either drool or spit up in any meaningful way. The first step to selecting a bib is to know your use, then you can determine what you need.
How many do we need?
- Hard core minimalist, none. You can use other cloths and never buy a bib.
- Practical minimalist, 4 large cloth bibs or 3 small drool bibs and one silicone food bib.
- Our recommendation, 3-5 small drool bibs, and 5 large cloth bibs or 2 silicone bibs.
- More than 10-15 would be unnecessary.
Gear for Solid Food
Around age six months your baby is going to start eating solid food and you may want a little bit of gear. If you’re a hard core minimalist you really don’t need anything special for your baby to eat solid food but here are a few useful things for babies.
Things We Use All the Time
Things You Probably Don’t Need
Nursing Pillow
There are many moms out there who swear by a nursing pillow but the truth is your nursing posture will be much better without a pillow. Instead of the standard U-shaped pillow you can easily use pillows you have around the house or buy a couple small throw pillows that you can use after baby.
Nipplesheilds
Nipplesheilds are thin silicone covers for your breasts to aid latching in the early months. They may be especially helpful for women with flat or inverted nipples. However you most likely won’t need or use them and even if you do you’ll need the correct size so you won’t be able to buy them in advance.
Breast Ice Packs
They make special ice packs just for chest feeding parents. It seems kind of nice and cute but you really don’t need it. A regular ice pack will almost always be all you need.
Special Drying Rack
You don’t need a special drying rock but you may want it. Babies use a lot of little dishware much of which will need to air dry after the dishwasher or hand washing. We recommend you look at what you have for dish drying now and how you might add regular small parts of breast pumps, bottles, and other things like medicine syringes and such.
Bottle Warmer
Most babies drink warm milk but you can easily warm a bottle on the stove in a pot of warm water or warm water in a bowl in the microwave then place the bottle in the bowl. At school we use a crock pot with water on warm. The one time you may need to plan for is during travel. When you’re traveling you’ll need a way to either get warm water in a large cup or bowl or otherwise heat the bottle.
Dishwasher Basket
You might want a dishwasher basket but you likely don’t need it. This whole section talks about all the little parts. If you intend to put those little things in the dishwasher you might need a dishwasher basket. Check your dish washer though because some dishwashers have built in solutions. We bought one of these and ended up not using it because the metal and glass bottle parts didn’t need it and the nipples and pump parts would fit on the little wine shelf or silverware space.
Sanitizer
Probably not but maybe. Most things don’t need to be sanitized and many dishwashers have a sanitize cycle. But some families decide to sanitize and the counter top sanitizers are great if you use them frequently. Some are designed particularly for specific bottles or pump parts. So be sure whatever you buy will work for the largest size bottle you intend to use.
Our Neighborhood is a part of the Amazon Affiliates program, if you click an Amazon link we make money for our school. You don’t pay more and we make a little money. Win, win. Click away and share with your friends!
More Baby Gear?
Explore Our Waitlist Details The Infant-Toddler Village Learn More About Our School
More to Pregnancy To-Dos
Our Neighborhood Resources Learn About Our NAEYC Accreditation Support for Educators