If you have ever walked down the baby aisle, scrolled through social media, or searched for breastfeeding advice online, you know there is no shortage of feeding products! From nursing pillows and reusable breast pads to wearable breast pumps and silicone milk collectors, it can feel like you need an entire cabinet of supplies before your baby even arrives.
But do you really need all of those things?
The short answer is no—but let’s dive into why!
Some feeding tools can make breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle-feeding more comfortable or convenient. Others can be helpful in specific situations but may not be necessary for everyone. And sometimes, a product that works wonderfully for one family may not be the right fit for another.
As lactation consultants, we love helping families understand their options so they can make informed decisions that support their individual feeding goals. Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, bottle-feeding, using formula, or combining feeding methods, the right tools are the ones that work for you and your baby.
Let's look at some common feeding tools, what they do, and when they may—or may not—be helpful.
1. Feeding Pillows: Comfort and Positioning
A comfortable feeding position can make a big difference, especially during those early weeks when you and your baby are learning together. Feeding pillows are designed to bring your baby closer to your body and provide support for your arms and back during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
When they may help:
Supporting your arms during longer feeding sessions.
Helping you find a comfortable position while recovering from birth.
Bringing your baby closer to breast level so you aren't constantly leaning forward.
Providing support while bottle-feeding your baby.
What to keep in mind:
A feeding pillow is a comfort tool, not a requirement for successful breastfeeding. Some parents love them, while others find that regular pillows or a different feeding position work just as well.
The goal is to bring your baby to you—not to hunch your shoulders or lean forward to reach them. Your baby should be positioned close to your body, with their head and neck supported by your arm and hand and their body comfortably aligned for feeding. Remember, everyone has different proportions, so a breastfeeding pillow may be helpful for some people but not work for everyone. You can also use pillows from around your house to find a setup that fits your needs. A feeding pillow is simply something you can grab quickly and easily if your current setup isn't working well.
If you are experiencing nipple pain or your baby is struggling to latch, a pillow alone may not solve the problem. A lactation consultant can help you adjust your positioning and determine whether something else is affecting the latch.
Safety reminder: Feeding pillows are for supervised feeding only. They are not safe for infant sleep or unsupervised lounging. If your baby falls asleep during a feed, move them to a safe sleep space on their back, on a firm, flat surface.
2. Silicone Milk Collectors: The Haakaa and Similar Products
Silicone milk collectors, including products commonly called a Haakaa, are popular because they can collect milk more passively than a single user breast pump.
However, not all silicone collectors work the same way. Some rely primarily on passive collection, while others use suction to draw milk from the breast.
When they may help:
Managing engorgement.
Occasionally collecting a small amount of milk for a stash.
Providing a simple, portable option when you want to collect milk without using an electric pump.
What to keep in mind:
A silicone collector that uses suction is not necessarily a passive milk collector. Depending on your body's response, the amount of suction, and how often you use it, it may remove additional milk and contribute to increased milk production or oversupply for some people. If you are already making more milk than your baby needs, routinely collecting milk with any amount of suction may contribute to oversupply or discomfort.
And remember, the amount of milk you collect is not a reliable measure of your milk supply. Some parents collect several ounces with little effort, while others collect very little—even when their babies are feeding effectively.
Another thing to consider when you use a milk collector- As a general rule, offer both breasts first, then use the collector. This helps ensure your baby has access to the milk available before you remove milk they might otherwise need.
Our tip: Use a milk collector thoughtfully. If you are managing engorgement or working to regulate your supply, a milk collector may offer a lower-stimulation way to gently remove milk, with less risk of increasing supply than an electric pump. Milk collectors can be used in different ways to help increase milk supply, manage engorgement, or collect extra milk for a small stash. Working with an IBCLC is a great way to make sure you are using methods that support your baby and help you manage your supply effectively.
3. Silverettes and Silver Nursing Cups: Do You Need Them?
Silver nursing cups, often called Silverettes, are small cups worn over the nipples between feeds. They are marketed to help protect uncomfortable or damaged nipples and support healing.
Nipple soreness is common during the early days of feeding, but persistent or severe pain, cracking, bleeding, or damaged skin deserves attention.
When they may help:
Some parents find silver nursing cups comfortable because they provide a protective barrier between sensitive nipples and clothing. Depending on the product and the individual, this barrier may reduce friction and make the time between feeds more comfortable.
What to keep in mind:
Evidence that colloidal silver nursing cups themselves improve nipple healing or prevent nipple damage is limited. They should not be considered a proven treatment for every cause of nipple pain. If you choose to use Silverettes, try not to wear them 24/7. Giving your skin time in the open air and taking breaks from the cups can also help prevent skin breakdown from prolonged exposure to leaked milk.
If breastfeeding hurts, it is important to look at why. A shallow latch, pump-related injury, skin irritation, dermatitis, infection, or other issues may require different approaches.
Silver cups also are not essential for healing. Other options, such as reducing friction, addressing the cause of nipple damage, and using appropriate nipple care when indicated, may be more useful.
Our tip: If you choose to use silver nursing cups, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and use. If your nipples are persistently painful or damaged, seek support rather than relying on a product to manage the symptoms.
4. Nipple Shields: A Helpful Tool for Some Feeding Challenges
Nipple shields are thin silicone devices that fit over the nipple during breastfeeding. They can provide a firmer surface for babies who have difficulty latching directly to the breast.
Like other feeding tools, nipple shields are neither inherently good nor bad. Their usefulness depends on the individual feeding situation.
When they may help:
Babies who have difficulty latching or maintaining a latch.
Some premature or late-preterm babies who need additional help with feeding.
Certain situations involving flat or inverted nipples.
Some babies transitioning from bottle-feeding to feeding at the breast.
What to keep in mind:
A nipple shield does not automatically correct the underlying cause of a latch difficulty. Some babies transfer milk well with a shield, while others may remove less milk than they need.
The fit matters, too. A shield that does not fit properly may contribute to discomfort or interfere with feeding.
Our tip: If you are considering a nipple shield, an IBCLC can help assess your baby's latch, select an appropriate size, and monitor milk transfer.
Some babies transition away from a nipple shield quickly, while others need more time. There is no single timeline that works for every family, and using a shield does not mean you have failed at breastfeeding.
5. Wearable Breast Pumps: Convenience Meets Real-Life Feeding
Wearable breast pumps have become increasingly popular, especially for parents returning to work, caring for older children, or trying to fit pumping into a busy day.
Unlike traditional electric pumps, wearable pumps sit inside a bra, allowing you to move around while expressing milk.
When they may help:
Pumping at work or while traveling.
Having more flexibility during the day or on one-off date nights.
Occasional pumping for parents who want a more portable option.
What to keep in mind:
Wearable pumps can be incredibly convenient, but they do not work equally well for everyone. Some parents express plenty of milk with a wearable pump, while others find that they remove less milk than with a traditional electric pump. The motor in a wearable pump is more compact to fit inside your bra, which may make it less efficient for some people.
Fit, flange size, suction settings, breast shape, and the specific pump all influence comfort and milk removal.
If you rely on pumping to provide most or all of your baby's milk, it is especially important to make sure your pump is removing milk effectively. Regularly replacing a more effective pump with a wearable that removes less milk may affect milk production over time.
Wearable pumps can also be harder to position correctly, and movement may cause milk to spill or affect the seal.
Our tip: If possible, use a wearable pump for one-off situations as needed rather than as your primary pump. Compare comfort and milk removal with your usual pump, and check that your nipples are centered comfortably in the flanges. If you notice a drop in output, pain, or persistent fullness, an IBCLC can help troubleshoot your pumping routine.
Convenience matters, but effective milk removal matters, too!
6. Breast Pump Flanges and Inserts: Small Details, Big Difference
Sometimes, the most helpful feeding tool is not another gadget—it is making sure the equipment you already own fits properly.
The flange is the part of the pump that fits over your nipple and surrounding breast tissue. Some pumps come with multiple flange sizes, while others require you to purchase a different size or an insert separately.
When a flange assessment may help:
Pumping is painful or uncomfortable.
Your nipple rubs against the sides of the tunnel.
You notice swelling, blanching, or irritation after pumping.
Milk removal seems less effective than expected, or you are getting less milk output from your breast pump.
What to keep in mind:
A flange that is too small or too large may affect comfort and milk removal. Bigger is not automatically better, and a smaller flange is not always the answer.
Your nipple size, breast tissue, pump design, and comfort all matter. The appropriate fit can also vary between pump models.
Our tip: A flange fitting can help you find a comfortable starting point, but the real test is how your body responds during pumping. Pumping should not cause ongoing pain or nipple damage. You should also reassess fit if your comfort or milk output changes.
7. Breastfeeding Apps and Timers: Helpful Information or Extra Stress?
There are apps for tracking feeds, recording pumping sessions, counting diapers, monitoring sleep, and keeping track of which breast your baby last fed from.
For some families, these tools are helpful. When you are sleep-deprived, they can help you remember small details, manage concerns about weight gain, or feel more confident about breastfeeding. For others, tracking every detail can become overwhelming.
When they may help:
Remembering when you last pumped or which breast you last fed from.
Tracking milk expressed or bottles offered.
Keeping a record of diaper output when your healthcare professional asks you to monitor it.
Sharing feeding information between caregivers.
Identifying patterns that help you plan for work or other separations.
What to keep in mind:
You do not need an app to breastfeed successfully! Many babies feed irregularly, and feeding patterns change as they grow.
Timers can also encourage parents to end feeds based on the clock rather than their baby's cues. For many breastfeeding babies, it is more helpful to observe active sucking and swallowing and respond to hunger and fullness cues than to aim for a specific number of minutes on each breast.
There are situations where a structured feeding plan is important, particularly when a baby has feeding difficulties, is not gaining weight adequately, or needs scheduled milk expression. In those cases, tracking can be a useful part of the plan.
Our tip: Use tracking tools if they make your life easier or help you follow a healthcare professional's recommendations. If they increase anxiety or make you feel like you are constantly behind, it is okay to simplify.
Your baby is not a spreadsheet, and feeding does not need to be perfectly predictable to be going well.
So, Which Feeding Tools Do You Actually Need?
With so many products available, it can be tempting to buy everything before your baby arrives. But you do not need a perfectly stocked feeding station to get started.
Instead, consider beginning with the basics that fit your plans and adding tools if a specific need comes up.
You might find that a simple pillow makes feeding more comfortable, a breast pump is essential for returning to work, or a nipple shield is useful while your baby works on latching. You might also discover that a popular product does not make much difference for your family—and that is okay, too.
The best feeding tools are not necessarily the newest, most expensive, or highly recommended. They are the ones that address a real need, are used safely, and make feeding more manageable for you and your baby.
When Should You Reach Out to an IBCLC?
Sometimes, a feeding tool can help you work through a challenge. Other times, the challenge itself needs a closer look.
An IBCLC can help you decide whether a tool is appropriate, demonstrate how to use it, and assess whether it is accomplishing what you hoped it would.
Consider reaching out if you are experiencing persistent nipple pain, difficulty latching, concerns about milk transfer or supply, difficulty finding a comfortable pump fit, or uncertainty about how to combine breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle-feeding.
You do not have to wait until feeding becomes overwhelming to ask for support. Early guidance can help you make informed decisions and avoid spending money on products that may not address your needs.
At Bay Area Breastfeeding & Education, we believe feeding support should be individualized, evidence-based, and free of judgment. Whether your family is breastfeeding, pumping, bottle-feeding, using formula, or combining methods, we are here to help you find a plan that works for your real life.
You deserve feeding tools that support—not complicate—your journey. And sometimes, the most helpful tool of all is having someone in your corner who can help you figure out what you actually need.
Helpful Resources
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: What to Know When Buying or Using a Breast Pump
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pumping Breast Milk
This article is intended for general education and does not replace individualized medical or lactation care.
