Common breastfeeding challenges and the products we swear by to help solve them

For nursing moms, duct can quickly become a four-letter word when you suspect it’s getting clogged. By keeping these soothing breast pillows in your breastfeeding arsenal, you can immediately go on the defense against plugged milk ducts by heating the pads in the microwave or cooling them in the freezer.

For clogs that won’t quit, moms across every Facebook group swear by this little miracle. Just add a few scoops of epsom salts and water to this handheld silicone pump and bask in the relief that follows. (Learn more about the Haakaa hack here!)

Studies have shown the top reason women stop breastfeeding within the first year is that they are concerned about their milk supply being enough to nourish baby. Consider MilkBliss Lactation Cookies to be your secret weapon. Not only are they wholesome and delicious, but they were formulated specifically for breastfeeding moms based on the science of galactagogues—also known as milk boosters. They also come in peanut butter and wild blueberry flavors. (Check out our round-up of lactation cookies if you’re looking for more!)

Alternatively, you could also opt for the ultra nourishing Mama Balls! Formulated to help improve the quality of breastmilk, Nunona’s mama balls are made from all natural, plant-based ingredients like nut butters, dates, brewers yeast, flaxseeds and oats. Unlike power bars or similar energy-boosting snacks, these actually taste and feel good. They’re sweet but not overly so, have no weird artificial taste and digest so easily. And as any nursing mama knows, easy-to-grab, high quality snacks are clutch in those first months! There are several flavors to choose from, but we’re partial to the colorful cashew confetti and confess we eat them even when we’re not nursing.

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Also up there on the list of reasons women stop breastfeeding: the toll the early days can take on nipples. Heal and protect those most sensitive and crucial areas with this lanolin-free duo from Bodily. Nourish is a blend of hydrating ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic jojoba seed oil and calendula which is ideal for soothing chafed nipples, while Protect locks in moisture with a plant-based alternative to lanolin that’s rich with shea butter and olive oil. Together they make for a much more comfortable experience for mama as her body adjusts to the needs of a breastfeeding baby.

Soothing sore nipples has never been easier. Earth Mama’s Organic nipple butter is made of safe, healing ingredients that provide both instant relief and long-term healing. And because it’s free of petroleum, parabens and other chemicals, you don’t have to worry about your baby ingesting anything they shouldn’t be. It’s also melts right into the skin while maintaining enough of a coating to do the work.

This gorgeous breastmilk storage bag comes in a variety of color patterns, so if the bright mosaic isn’t for you, check out the black and white, or gray and white, or even the berry bloom pattern—you’re sure to find one you love.

And not only did the Sarah Wells brand think about aesthetics when designing their cooler bag, but they also thought about functionality a well. This bag comes with lots of extra features, including a baby photo / ID sleeve, an adjustable and detachable handle, and an extra pocket for valves and membranes.

Or, how about ditching the bag altogether and just pumping right into a bottle that keeps your breastmilk cold for 20+ hours? The Ceres Chill Breastmilk Chiller is compatible with all major breast pump brands and can hold up to 34 oz of breastmilk.

For quick trips, there’s no design handier (or more stylish) than Mila’s Keeper. The design, which looks like your standard reusable water bottle is outfit with a “colder than ice” ice pack which fits perfectly inside along with the included glass bottle to hold your milk. The bottles come in two different sizes to accompany a wide range of pumps so you can pump directly into the bottle for chilling.

With a higher capacity than the Willow 3.0 (5 ounces or 7 ounces per side, if you spring for the larger containers), the Willow Go is an all-around favorite wearable pump thanks to the fact that it’s dishwasher-safe, has no external wires or tubes, and operates on a connected app. It’s leak-proof for movement within 45º, and you can control the suction on each pump individually for optimal output. The clear front design lets you see how much milk you’ve pumped—especially helpful. 

“I found the design to be very respectful of women’s lives and impressively convenient as a busy mama. It’s honestly so much more woman-centered than the tethers and tubes of a traditional pump,” says Liz Tenety, co-founder of Motherly, the host of The Motherly Podcast and a mom of five.

As far as downsides go, the Willow Go isn’t completely spill-proof like the Willow 3.0, has more parts that need cleaning and can be kind of finicky to set up. Though it is quite a bit cheaper, and is more likely to be covered by more insurance plans (breast pumps are also eligible for reimbursement with your FSA/HSA card). 

Hands down, the Elvie pump is quieter than most other options, which, if you’re pumping through meetings or calls or while trying to get a baby to sleep, can be key. A connected app can help monitor suction modes, milk volume and session timing, and you can pump right into the container, which each holds 5 ounces.

Reviewers say one charge can get them through at least 3 pumping sessions, and the pumps charge using a micro USB cable, which you probably have lying around somewhere (good if you can’t find the ones it came with during those late-night sessions).

It’s pricey, similar to the Willow, but the shape is compact, making it one of the more discrete options. “I exclusively pump, and wanted to find a wearable pump so that I can be hands free, cord free, so that I can go about daily tasks and play with my daughter. I started using it at 9 months postpartum. After giving it a few weeks’ use, it works well, it actually feels more like breastfeeding than any other pump I’ve used,” says reviewer Dawn.

If you’re not ready to shell out for the Elvie double pump, you could opt for a single hub only, and just switch sides.

Just pumping from one side? The savvy pumping parent might also want to pick up the Elvie Curve, a passive milk collector in the style of Haakaa. But Curve sits in your bra to collect any leaks from the non-pumping breast—the suction happens with the push of a button. The best part? You can actually move around (or risk a baby kick to the collector) without panicking about it falling off the nipple. 

Throughout your breastfeeding journey, expect your boobs to leak at any given time. Your baby is hungry. A baby cries on TV. You think about your baby. You think about someone else’s baby. A cat meows in a way that sounds like a baby. You name it, they leak. The solution? Having an arsenal of cotton pads to stick in your bra to soak it up. The reusable organic cotton and bamboo pads from Bodily stay put with a grippy silicone exterior and feel soft against your sensitive areas. The six-pack comes with three low-profile pairs and three full-coverage pairs.

Throughout my nursing days, these disposable nursing pads were indispensable. The individually wrapped pads not only contain the inevitable leaks, they’re also totally imperceptible through your clothing. So much less bulky than the reusable kind!

From its clip-free design to its silky-soft fabric, every detail of The Effortless Bra from Bodily is thoughtfully designed with a lactation consultant to optimize breast health and make breastfeeding as easy as possible. It’s incredibly stretchy with an extra wide band under the bust to accommodate size fluctuations without restriction. (As any mama who has ever battled engorgement or mastitis knows, a too tight bra is something to be avoided at all costs!) There’s also five clip positions at the back to provide even more size variability. When it’s time to nurse, just pull it down. The high-stretch, low-tension straps provide easy, comfortable access without compromising support. And honestly, it’s so comfy you’ll wear it long after your nursing days are over!

A wireless style for larger busts, this bra offers a supportive and uplifted fit for mamas with up to J cups. (Just be sure to check the size chart to convert the sizing!) It’s also one of the prettiest nursing bras we’ve seen, with a lace design that’s sexy enough for date night yet comfortable enough for the inevitable post-date night feeding. (Plus-sized mamas can check out their sister line, Milkful for lacy beauties that fit up to a band size of 52.)