Lactation Room Essentials: Creating Cozy Spaces for More Ease While Feeding at Home

Creating personalized spaces in homes can make your home feel like it's yours; a safe space that’s warm and cozy. Personalized space can also be great for your lifestyle! Working from home? Create a home office. Fitness lover? Add in a home gym. The options are endless. For breastfeeding parents, especially in the early days, much of your time will be spent feeding, cuddling, and bonding with your baby. And, it can be helpful to have a dedicated space or even just a station to create a bit of ease while feeding. This space doesn’t have to be complicated, and parents don’t need 100 new items to create it. Let’s talk about what a nursing/pumping area might look like.  We’ll also add in some of our favorite inpos from parents around the world.

The basics:
A comfortable chair: a comfortable chair can make things much more comfortable. No, it doesn’t need to be a breastfeeding chair specifically, but a chair that’s comfortable for you.  Some features that would be helpful:

• Ability to recline or have a reclined resting position for ease in different positions (not required but can be helpful)

• Padded armrests can be a great addition for comfort and back support

• Comfort above all else.

Nursing pillow or regular pillow: pillows can be a great support while feeding and switching nursing positions. Pillows can also be great to give your arms a bit of support when holding your baby.

Nursing and/or pumping supplies basket or caddy: this is the big one! A basket or caddy (a plus if it has wheels for ease) that holds all essential items that get you through a nursing/pumping session. 

• Nipple cream

• Haakaa or hand pump

• Sterilized pump parts and accessories

• Storage bags

• Nursing pads

• Nursing/pumping bra

• Nursing tools that may have been recommended by your IBCLC (nipple shields, alternative feeding tools, etc)

• Emergency diaper/wipes/cream

Water bottle: it is important to remember to hydrate as much as possible while feeding, keeping a bottle or thermos near you can be so helpful to ensure you have access to water when needed.

Diaper changing pad: convenience is your friend!

Snack: grab food that feels nourishing for your body or feel comforting to you to curb those hunger pains that can arise when expending so much energy while nursing

Entertainment: phone, earphones, phone charger

Having essential items in one spot can be convenient and convenience in whichever stage of parenthood you are in! Setting oneself up for success can be a game changer.