In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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Whether you're nursing or relying on bottles, our list of favorite gear can help make feeding your baby easier
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By Molly Bradac and BabyGearLab Review Team ⋅ Sep 17, 2024
Every baby needs to eat. Whether you plan to nurse, bottle feed, or combine breastmilk and formula, we've got the gear you need. Our list exclusively focuses on our favorite feeding and nursing gear, highlighting only the greatest award-winning options.
So, please take advantage of our expertise.
Over the years, we've tested loads of baby gear. It's safe to say that nobody intensively tests baby gear like BabyGearLab. We do deep-dive research into every product before purchasing contenders that show potential for hands-on testing. We determine the best by testing all performance aspects that make a top-notch product. In the end, you can feel confident about our award winners. We regularly update our lists when new and compelling products become available and outperform the competition.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on September 17, 2024, to incorporate our latest picks for Breast Pumps.
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Nursing Gear
Breastfeeding is a unique journey for every mother and baby. However, some nursing staples can ease the learning curve.
Nursing Pillow
With feeding sessions taking time, a top-ranked nursing pillow can help prop up your baby for a more comfortable latch or bottle-feeding position. We think you'll quickly consider this supportive accessory a must-have companion for your baby's feeds.
All babies spit up, and some more than others. Be ready with the best burp cloth that's soft and absorbent to catch and wipe up messes on your baby's face and folds of their neck.
Unfortunately, nursing isn't always sunshine and rainbows. The reality is that until you and your baby get the hang of things, nipple soreness can occur, and it's common. Our lineup of top-ranked nipple creams can help moisturize and bring soothing relief until you're back to normal.
We tested each shirt with nursing mothers to get real-life feedback.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Clothing for Mom
After your baby is born, you will want comfortable clothes that accommodate changes in your body and provide easy access for nursing or pumping. While you may be tempted to use your regular bras and tops, they are unlikely to give you the support or easy access you need. Our hands-on testing of various maternity apparel and accessories can help you create a wardrobe for the postpartum period.
Nursing Pads
While leaking is a normal part of breastfeeding, it can happen at inopportune times. The best nursing pads are a wonderful invention that you tuck inside your nursing bra to absorb leakage. They are available in disposable or reusable and washable styles, and you'll want to have a few on hand to stay dry. Pro tip: stash a few in diaper bag.
Comfort will be key to your nursing or pumping wardrobe, and a top-ranked nursing bra can provide the necessary convenience and a supportive fit without being too tight. We recommend purchasing a few nursing bras, so you always have a clean one available.
The Baby Buddha is easy to use and has a wearable pump that lets you move about while pumping.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Pumping Essentials
Even if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding, you'll likely need a breast pump and all the accessories that make using and maintaining easier.
Breast Pump
Whether you're exclusively pumping, returning to work, running errands, or heading out for a much-needed date night, you may want a top-ranked breast pump to continue expressing your breastmilk while away from your baby.
A breast pump bag can help you carry everything you need for pumping on the go. Our recommendations deliver high-quality materials and organizational compartments to store gear and expressed milk.
The shape and texture of the Comotomo create a more breastlike feeding experience for baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Bottle Gear Basics
Regardless of which feeding route you travel, you will likely use a baby bottle at some point in your baby's first year.
Baby Bottle
A quick search for baby bottles will reveal that the number of options is plenty. Thankfully, our baby bottle lineup can help you navigate the types and offers the details you need to find the perfect match for your baby.
Some babies prefer formula or breast milk warm, and one of the best bottle warmer can be a handy tool that makes the bottle-making task easier and more efficient. However, not all bottle warmers are created equal. We can help guide you to the right option for you.
It's essential for the health and safety of your baby that their feeding items fully dry in a clean area to avoid the growth of germs and bacteria. Select one of the best baby bottle drying racks that are worthy of taking up countertop space and provide a designated area to dry your baby's items.
You should wash all bottle and pump parts in hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. A bottle brush will be a much-needed tool to help with this cleaning task, especially to remove residue and reach small spaces.
Whether you're exclusively nursing, pumping, formula feeding, or doing a combo of it all, our comprehensive list of nursing and feeding gear will help you be ready for whatever comes your way. If you don't see something you're seeking on our list, don't worry. We've tested lots of baby gear over the years, and we likely have reviewed what you need, including several crash-tested car seats, strollers made for cruising, and items for baby's nursery.
