How to Make a Nursing Basket

Having all of your breastfeeding/nursing necessities in one place is a lifesaver when your arms are full with a tiny human! I prepared two nursing baskets, one for my bedroom and one for the living room (I spend the most time in those two places). I made the baskets exactly the same, so I just ordered two of everything on Amazon!

10 Things to Include in Your Nursing Basket

1. Nursing Pads

You will want to put these on after each time you nurse, otherwise your clothes and bras will be covered in leaky breast milk, and nobody wants that. You can purchase reusable/washable pads, but I like these because I don’t want to have to do more laundry than I already do! Linked above is already a two pack for if you want to make two baskets like I did! Even if you don’t, this is something you will probably want to stock up on!

2. Nipple Butter and Vaseline

Breastfeeding can be painful and your nipples can get really tender! There are lots of ways to relieve the pain, but having this nipple butter in your basket is nice because it is something you will want to put on every time you nurse. There are several kinds of nipple creams out there, but I like this one because it is safe for mom and baby, and it has good ratings! It is only a one pack, so if you are making two baskets, be sure to change the quantity to 2! Vaseline is also nice to have in your basket because there are SO many uses for that amazing stuff! Here is a pack that I bought and LOVE! I keep the containers all over the house (If you are having a boy, this is also something that you will want to stock up on. You will need Vaseline if you’re getting him circumcised).

3. Chapstick and Hair Ties

Dry lips are the worst, so having some chap stick easily accessible is SO Nice! I also like having hair ties in my basket because babies love to pull hair. Sometimes it’s miserably hot and having your hair stick to your neck doesn’t make life any better. Chap stick and hair ties are always lying around my house, but there are plenty of cheap options at Walmart if you need to buy some!

4. Wipes and Tissues

I kept wipes in my nursing baskets because you never know when you need to clean up a mess. Wipes are also really good to help wake the baby up if he/she is extra sleepy! I got these wipes on Amazon because they are a good deal for a lot, and when you have a baby, you can never have enough wipes! I also added tissues because if momma needs a tissue, it is nice to have them easily accessible. I bought little packages at Walmart for this! Definitely not a need, but handy to have!

5. Hand Sanitizer

I always use hand sanitizer after nursing, so keeping some in my basket is a MUST for me. I got some small bottles at the dollar store, but here is a link to one on Amazon if you don’t want to go shopping!

6. Burp Cloth and Towel

After you nurse, you have to burp the baby and if you are comfy, it is nice not to move. I keep burp cloths in my nursing baskets so that I can just conveniently burp the baby afterwards! It is also good to keep a towel or extra burp cloths in the basket to roll up and put under the baby’s head while you are nursing, that way you don’t completely have to hold up their neck/head.

7. Nursing Cover

If you are at home alone, you might not use this all the time, but if you have company over and you want to cover up, it is nice to have a nursing cover in your basket too! This one is so soft and comes in a little bag to keep it together! It is also gender neutral and can be used as a car seat cover. Personally, I really like darker colored nursing covers so that when they’re stretching around your body and the baby’s, there’s less of a chance that you can see through them.

8. Stuff for Mom to Do

I kept a phone charger in my nursing baskets because the last thing I want is to have a dying phone when a nursing session is just starting. I’ve also known moms that keep the TV remote in their nursing baskets, or books/magazines, etc.

9. WATER WATER WATER!

It is so important to stay hydrated when breastfeeding, so always keep a water bottle near, whether you always have one in your basket, or you always carry one with you, stay hydrated! I don’t have a water bottle pictured, but I always had my husband restock my nursing baskets with plastic, disposable water bottles if he saw that I was out. Husbands like to feel helpful, so give him this job! So helpful!

10. Nursing Pillow

Obviously this won’t fit in a small basket, so it isn’t pictured above, but I had two pillows and I kept one next to each basket or at my “nursing station.” This was very handy so that my arms wouldn’t get so tired while nursing.

Breastfeeding is hard to get used to and there is a lot to learn, so make your life easier now by putting together a basket or two that will have the necessities ready for you! You won’t regret it! If there is anything else that you think is a must have for your nursing routine, please share in the comments to help other mommas out!