How To Set Up The Ultimate Baby Feeding Station

No matter whether you choose to breast or bottle-feed, there’s so much to think about when feeding a new baby, that often we forget the most basic things: our space.

Having a good feeding space, is a great way to ensure that your experience is well organised. Of course, there’s always a chance that things won’t go off without a hitch, but with these simple tips you can at least make sure you have everything you need.

The Basic Essentials

There are certain things that every mum wants when she’s focused on feeding, and there are certain things you need. Here are a few not to forget when you’re setting up your little feeding station.

A Nice Comfy Chair

In the early days of feeding, and really just in general, you can spend quite a bit of time feeding your baby. You definitely want to be in a chair that is as comfortable as possible during this time. Some Mum’s say that glider chairs, which offer a kind of porch-swing rocking motion, are the best, while others say any really comfy chair will do.

The Betty Rocking Chair from Brosa Furniture

A Quiet Space

A quiet space certainly isn’t a necessity, but it can be a relief for mum’s, particularly when they’re trying to calm their baby, get them to sleep, or keep them focused on eating. So, try and pick a spot in your house where you’ll be able to accomplish this, if possible.

Nursing Pillows

Sometimes if you’re breastfeeding, it’s hard to get into the right position to nurse, or it’s uncomfortable to hold your baby in a way that ensures they’re feeding right. That’s where nursing pillows come in, helping to prop up your child as they nurse.

Pads + Creams

There’s nothing more important when you’re nursing than looking after your breasts. Keeping your feeding station stocked with some nipple cream and nursing pads is the smart way to do this, so don’t forget!

Burp and Spew Cloths

Babies can be messy little things, which is why having a solid stack of burp cloths on hand in your feeding station is a smart idea. After all, there’s spit-up and your own milk leakage, so you’ll definitely use them.

Mum Snacks

Breastfeeding can be tiring work, and you need to keep up your energy through the process. This is particularly true for very long nursing sessions, so have some snacks close by to keep you satisfied. Water is also important! If you are breastfeeding make sure you drink a large drink of water both before and after feeding which helps your milk supply!

Clock + Log

While you’re still working to figure breastfeeding out, many mum’s choose to use a clock or timer to keep track of how long they nurse on each side, and whether it’s long enough for their baby. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a nursing log, which helps to get you into a good routine.  A clock that has the temperature of the nursery is also handy for deciding if baby is dressed warmly enough.

Entertainment

If you spend a lot of time feeding your baby, you’re probably going to get a little bit bored eventually. That’s why it’s a good idea to have some entertainment on hand, like an audiobook or some music. Of course, you should still be carefully watching your baby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t relax too.

Having a phone charger within arm’s reach is really handy for your baby feeding station!

Things To Remember

Think About Storage

Your feeding station will need to have some kind of easily accessible storage, preferably something that allows you to get what you need without standing up. Some kind of multi-level card would work, but a side table of some kind is also a smart idea. We like the side table with drawers because it means we can keep things neatly out of sight.

Consider The Lighting

It’s nice to have cozy low-lighting in your feeding station, but you need to think practically as well. Breastfeeding can be difficult to get right, particularly early on, and the last thing you want is to be unable to see what you’re doing. Consider lighting that can be easily turned up or down from your chair, either through a remote or by using a smart bulb and an app on your phone.

Your Other Kids

If you have other children and you’re setting up a feeding station for your newest, it’s a smart idea to include some stuff for them to do while you are feeding bub. If you have some young ones, add some books and toys to a basket and keep it close by, so you can feed your baby and watch them if nobody else is around to do so. This can be a lifesaver in the early days, when newborns cluster feed!

Did you create a nursing/feeding station?