Essential Nursing Accessories

• Antibacterial wipes

  Keep your breasts and breast pump parts clean and bacteria-free with antibacterial wipes. Bacteria can flourish in the moist areas created by breastfeeding. Regular cleaning with disposable wipes will help to keep your baby healthy and safe. Use only antibacterial wipes that are scent free and contain no alcohol or bleach.

• Breast pumps

  Many nursing mothers enjoy the convenience of breast pumps. Pumping breast milk and storing it in a bottle makes it easier to leave your baby with a sitter or get away from the house for a few hours without worrying about your newborn's nutritional needs.

  Manual breast pumps are inexpensive and simple to use. A range of prices and styles are available for battery- or electric-powered breast pumps. The Medela Company also has a patented hands-free breast pump that pumps both breasts simultaneously.

• Breast shields/breast shells

  Breast shields are essential nursing accessories for nursing mothers with breast pumps. Breast shields provide additional comfort and protection. Breast shells are used to collect leaking breast milk or protect sore nipples during pumping.

• Milk bags

  Milk bags are used with breast pumps to collect and store breast milk for use at a future time. Look for high-quality milk bags that can be frozen with minimal nutrient loss.

• Nursing covers

  Nursing in public can be uncomfortable for many women, even with specially designed clothing such as nursing tops. Nursing covers provide maximum discretion for breastfeeding in public settings.

  Some nursing women use simple children's blankets as nursing covers, but decorative nursing covers can look very stylish. Hooter Hiders from Bebe au Lait are colorful and decorative cotton nursing covers. Hooter Hiders are available in many visually appealing prints and patterns with such trendy names as Soho, Mod, Chocolat, and Yoko.