Breast Pumping Station Essentials for New Moms

When setting up your breast pumping station, these are some of the top pumping must haves you will want to have on hand!

Pumping is no easy task, especially if you aren’t planning on pumping right from the start. However, there are many things that will help make it so much easier and more enjoyable!

Here are my pumping station essentials for new moms. They were a lifesaver for me, so hopefully these pumping must-haves will help you too.

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What are Pumping Stations?

Pumping stations are where you have all your pump parts and breastfeeding support items to help you pump.

A breast pumping station is all set up nicely with everything you need so you can easily sit down and pump.

Breast pump organization was crucial for me and helped ease my stress, which helped my pump more breast milk!

You can find plenty of breast pumping station ideas online, but I really like a rolling cart to make a mobile breast pumping station.

Sometimes even just a diaper caddy helped me out too! Find something that works well for you.

My Breast Pumping Story

With my first baby, I had no idea that I would need to pump. I planned to breastfeed and thought that since it was a natural thing for my body to do, that it would be naturally easy. I was so wrong.

At the hospital as soon as I tried to breastfeed, I was left with a hungry baby and a very bruised up breast. So, the nurse hooked me up to a pump and I had to figure out what to do.

Later, we learned that my baby was tongue tied and needed surgery. I had to pump and syringe feed her until after the surgery.

However, even after the surgery and with help from multiple lactation specialists, breastfeeding still did not work. It would take a minimum of 20 minutes, sometimes up to 40 minutes for her to even latch.

We were both in tears and exhausted, to the point where as soon as she would latch, she would be too tired to eat and would fall asleep.

So, I tried pumping at home. When I first gave her that bottle, oh my goodness. There were no tears. It was pain free and so easy. We both were relieved and happy. We never went back to breastfeeding.

Now, pumping was not easy and I had no idea what I was doing to the point where I made many mistakes and ended up losing my milk supply.

With my second baby I was determined to exclusively pump and did tons of research so I could keep up my supply and be more successful and a lot easier.

A mobile breast pumping station really helped me out.

There has been a lot of trial and error, but that is not a bad thing! It means that I have found some of the best products for pumping!

Top Breast Pumping Station Essentials

Here are some of the best pumping essentials to include in your breast pumping station.

Each of these items help make pumping breast milk a lot easier.

1. Double Breast Pump 

Breast pumps are essential to pumping so of course I had to include them. You don’t want just any type, you want a good pump.

If you plan to pump often, a double pump is a must. It will save you so much more time. With my first child, I only had a single pump and it took so much more time and was so much more of a hassle.

You will definitely want a reliable and strong breast pump.

Most insurance companies will give you a free breast pump! Check out Aeroflow Breast Pumps to see if you qualify!

Medela is a wonderful breast pump to get. I used one and loved it. I also really liked my Motif Luna that I used the second time around.

However, I recently got Momcozy breast pumps and they are my absolute favorite!

2. Hands-Free Pumping Bra

I pumped for my first child without a hands-free pumping bra and I could not regret it more. It is more time consuming for one thing. It is also more stressful and just not convenient.

With a hands-free pumping bra, you can relax in your chair, read a book, or be on your phone. You don’t have to hold the flanges the entire time! Some are more expensive; however, I think they are totally worth it.

I loved the one I got from Nurturally. It was easy to use and one size fits all so I didn’t have to worry about getting the wrong size. It also came with a transporting bag so if I had a battery-operated pump I could use it on the go!

With this one, you don’t have to worry about zipping anything at all. It is a super easy pumping bra!

I also got the Simple Wishes pumping bra and loved it as well. It is comfortable and very easy to use. It also holds the flanges in really nicely. The only thing I didn’t like is that I couldn’t wear it as a regular bra all day long.

3. Milk Savers

When you get your milk supply, the first couple of days you are going to leak a lot of milk. Why not save it instead of wasting it on your breast pads?

These milk savers helped me save a ton of milk! I would get 2oz normally between pump sessions and feedings. That adds up!

It is a super-easy way to increase your freezer stash while doing nothing! These are other serious pumping must-haves for new mamas. You don’t want to waste any milk!

4. Haakaa Pumps

I love these and will tell every new mom she needs to get herself some! Even if you double pump already, you can still benefit from these!

A haakaa is a manual breast pump that will help you save milk and are super easy to use. They literally do all the work for you. The haakaa is a hands-free manual silicone breast pump that helped me boost my milk supply!

I used it in the shower, because that is where I leaked no matter what I did. Most women do leak in the shower because the hot water naturally starts your body to let down your milk. Sometimes, I would save up to 8oz just from the shower!

If you breastfeed, put one on the opposite breast while you feed your child and then switch. You’ll save milk that way as well!

These are also a great alternative when you need to switch it up from just using an electric pump all the time, or while you are in your car, or out and about.

I liked having two but even just one is totally worth it and another one of the top breast pumping station essentials.

Learn more haakaa tips and tricks

5. Nipple Cream

Of course, your nipples are going to be sore for the first couple of days. Having a nipple cream on hand and applying right after you pump will help heal them faster!

If you are struggling to pump because it hurts, also apply a tiny bit before you pump. It will allow your nipples to go more easily into the flanges and won’t irritate them as much. This was a lifesaver when I exclusively pumped.

In some rare cases, you might need a special nipple cream from your doctor that they prescribe. I had this with my second and it helped tremendously. If you are still sore after a couple of days, it might be worth a try! Let your doctor know.

6. Reusable Breast Milk Storage Bags

One eco-friendly option while you are pumping is reusable milk storage bags! I love this as you will go through so many plastic bags that are not safe for the environment.

Plus, sometimes the plastic bags leak. These reusable bags don’t leak and are super easy to use! They even work as great snack holders for your toddlers when you are finished pumping.

7. Earth Mama Booby Tubes

These are gel-free hot/cold packs that fit your breasts perfectly. You can either use both on one side or one of each breast. These are made to heat up or freeze to provide you with help with whatever your breasts need!

I loved these as they helped with let down, but also prevent clog ducts and mastitis. They are made with organic cotton and flax seeds and were another pumping essential I used daily.

8. Reusable Breast Pads 

I only used reusable breast pads at night because the milk savers don’t work when laying down.

These are also an eco-friendly option instead of the disposable nursing pads. Plus, you only have to purchase once instead of regularly for disposable ones.

My favorite are the organic bamboo ones. Or, you can make your own super easy as well!

9. Gel Soothing Pads

These are also a great thing to help you when you get sore nipples. They are gel pads that you rinse under water and help keep your nipples nice and cool.

These also protect your sensitive nipples from touching your clothing which helped me so much! It was even better than cabbage at times.

10. laVie Massagers

I always wanted to try these LaVie Massagers but I never got one. However, I have heard countless raving reviews on them, so I included them on my list.

These massagers help with clogged ducts, which are so painful. If I ever have another child, this will definitely be at my breast pumping station!

11. Milk Supply Tea

Why not sip on some herbal tea while pumping to increase your milk supply?

Pink Stork has an awesome lactation tea that sounds and tastes delicious! It has fennel which is so important for your breast milk supply. I used to use a fennel essential oil blend but this sounds even better!

It is one of the top gifts for breastfeeding moms that anyone will love.

12. Mama’s Magic Milk Boost

I found Earthley way after I finished pumping, so again, I have seen and heard hundreds of great reviews from other moms.

This is an herbal tincture that helps increase your milk supply unlike anything else. If you love herbal remedies like I do, this is a must!

It is one of my breastfeeding must haves for sure!

Breast Pumping Station Essentials Wrap-Up

The most important thing when you are pumping is to relax. The more stressed you are, the less you will produce. Try to have your baby around you, or think about them and just meditate. It will make all the difference.

These are just some of my favorite breast pumping station essentials. These pumping must-haves helped me so much, hopefully they help you too!

You got this!