If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or thinking ahead about feeding your baby, it’s completely natural to ask:
“What do I need to start breastfeeding?”
With so much advice online and endless product lists breastfeeding can quickly feel overwhelming before you’ve even begun. So, let’s start with the most important, reassuring truth:
👉 You don’t actually need anything special to start breastfeeding.
Your body, your breasts, and your baby are enough. Breastfeeding is biologically designed to work through closeness, instinct, and responsiveness. Everything else is optional support not a requirement.
This post will gently guide you through:
- What you truly need to begin breastfeeding
- When you might consider optional tools like breast pumps
- How thoughtfully designed products from Breast Intentions can support your breastfeeding journey
What You Really Need to Start Breastfeeding
At the very beginning, breastfeeding is about connection not equipment.
Your baby is born with natural instincts to:
- Root for the breast
- Latch
- Suckle and feed
Your body responds by producing colostrum (your baby’s first milk), followed by mature milk as feeding continues. Frequent feeding, self-hydration, skin-to-skin contact, and time together are far more important than anything you can buy.
To start breastfeeding, you only need:
- Your breasts
- Your baby
- Time, patience, and support
Everything else exists to support you not to define your success.
Do I Need a Breast Pump to Start Breastfeeding?
Short answer: no.
You do not need a breast pump to begin breastfeeding, especially in the early days. Many parents don’t use one at all at first, and some never do.
Breast pumps can be helpful later on if you:
- Want to relieve pressure when breasts feel very full
- Plan to share feeds with a partner
- Are combination feeding
- Are returning to work or spending time away from your baby
A pump is simply a tool, not a requirement and not a measure of breastfeeding success. Your baby’s feeding at the breast is what naturally builds and maintains supply.
Supportive Breastfeeding Essentials (Nice to Have, Not Must-Haves)
While nothing is essential, many breastfeeding parents choose a few supportive items to help with comfort, confidence, and everyday life such that of a supportive breastfeeding bra and breast pads. What makes Breast Intentions different is that our products are designed by lived experience, not theory.
The brand was founded by a breastfeeding mum of two, who created the products after navigating her own feeding journeys and realising how many items on the market didn’t quite meet parents needs or did not exist.
Every product below is designed with real breastfeeding life and challenges in mind.
🩷 Contoured Reusable Breast Pads (Gold Award Winners)
Leaking breast milk is incredibly common, especially in the early weeks as your supply regulates. Reusable breast pads can help you stay dry, comfortable, and confident.
The Contoured Reusable Breast Pads from Breast Intentions are thoughtfully shaped to sit discreetly inside your bra, with soft, absorbent layers that feel gentle against sensitive skin. They’re washable, reusable, and OEKO-TEX certified (safe for both mother and baby).
These breast pads also won Gold at the Made for Mums Awards, recognising their comfort, practicality and design.
Helpful if you:
- Leak between feeds
- Want an eco-friendly alternative to disposables
- Prefer soft, discreet protection
- Value award-winning, mum-designed products
Breastfeeding in public can feel daunting, especially at the beginning. A breastfeeding cover shouldn’t be about hiding however helping you and baby feel comfortable and confident.
The Breastfeeding Cover and Scarf is made from breathable organic cotton mesh, allowing airflow while giving gentle coverage. The design lets you see your baby’s latch easily, helping you feel reassured while feeding out and about. It also doubles as a scarf, making it practical for everyday wear.
Helpful if you:
- Want discretion when feeding in public without the feeling of having to hide that your feeding (as breastfeeding is the most natural food and should be celebrated!)
- Like breathable, lightweight fabrics
- Want a multi-use product rather than something single-purpose
🩷 Portable Feeding Support Pillow (Breast & Bottle)
Holding your baby for frequent or long feeds can place strain on your arms, shoulders, and back. A feeding support pillow can make a big difference, especially when feeding often in the early weeks and as baby grows.
The portable breastfeeding and bottle-feeding pillow from Breast Intentions was designed specifically for life on the go. Unlike bulky feeding cushions, this pillow is fully portable and compresses down to roughly the size of a can of soda, making it easy to pop into your changing bag.
This means you can comfortably feed:
- At home
- At friends’ or family’s houses
- In cafés
- While out and about
All while maintaining supportive positioning for both you and your baby.
Helpful if you:
- Want ergonomic support without a bulky pillow
- Feed both at home and out
- Experience arm, shoulder, or back discomfort
- Are breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or combination feeding
Designed by a breastfeeding mum who understood how impractical traditional feeding pillows can be, this product reflects real-life feeding needs.
🩷 Innovative Breastfeeding Clothing Clip
Breastfeeding clothes can sometimes feel awkward or fiddly, especially when you’re tired and feeding often, not to mention the extra costs involved in purchasing them.
The innovative breastfeeding clothing clip is a simple but clever solution that helps keep clothing out of the way during feeds. It allows quicker access and less fuss, helping feeds feel calmer and more straightforward.
Helpful if you:
- Breastfeed frequently
- Want easy clothing access
- Prefer affordable, practical solutions
🩷 Breast Milk Face Mask (A Moment of Self-Care)
Breastfeeding is demanding, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Small moments of self-care can really matter.
The breast milk face mask combines French red clay with breast milk (or water) to create a gentle, nourishing skincare ritual. It’s a lovely way to use a little extra milk and remind yourself that your wellbeing matters too.
Products Designed from Real Breastfeeding Experience
What truly sets Breast Intentions apart is that every product is rooted in real breastfeeding experience. Designed by a mum who breastfed two children, these products were created to solve genuine challenges, from leaking and discomfort to feeding confidently out of the house.
Rather than overwhelming parents with unnecessary equipment, the focus is on:
- Comfort
- Confidence
- Practical, everyday support
This means you can choose what helps you, when it helps you.
What You Don’t Need (Despite What the Internet Says)
You don’t need:
- A huge shopping list including a new wardrobe!
- Expensive gadgets
- Perfect feeding days
Breastfeeding is a learning relationship between you and baby. How ever you decide to feed your baby and however long you feed for is ultimately your choice.
Final Thoughts: Confidence Over Checklists
To start breastfeeding, you don’t need anything in particular.
You already have what you need.
Everything else exists to support you, to make feeding more comfortable, flexible, and confident if and when you want it.
Breast Intentions was created to walk alongside parents on their breastfeeding journey, offering supportive, mum-designed products that fit real life, not an idealised version of it. You’re allowed to keep it simple, you’re allowed to choose support and most importantly, choose what makes you feel comfortable, because when you are comfortable, baby is more likely to be comfortable too!