Why are modern moms like me pushing nursing carts like they are the savior of motherhood?
They make your life so much easier, that’s why! Everything you need is within reach and organized when you have one central location that can follow you from room to room.
This is a game-changer, especially when you’re keeping two tiny humans fed, clean, and diapered.
Contrary to its name, you don’t have to be nursing or pumping to benefit from having a cart of your own. I loaded plenty of non-nursing/pumping necessities on mine and I continued to use it well after the boys stopped breastfeeding.
Now that my boys are pushing 4-years-old, mine is a catch-all for random items in my bedroom until I can find the time to build out my craft cart.
This nursing cart is the one I chose, but there are many varieties and colors to suit your taste and budget.
For additional organization, I used small baskets that fit down inside the trays.
I bought this caddy for my sister-in-law, which fits perfectly on top. Load it with all your diapering needs and you can just grab and go. I wish I had thought about it for myself.
STAPLES
1 & 2. DIAPERS AND WIPES
This is a dealer’s choice of brand. When I was pregnant, I asked a lot of mamas, read reviews, and researched extensively to try and find the best brand to stock up on.
I can tell you that the diaper brand we initially went was not our winning brand.
If we’re talking wipes however, Koala Pals from The Wellness Box wins hands down, scent-free, gentle, and safe for baby.
3. DIAPER CREAM
Diaper rash is going to happen, whether you obsessively change diapers or not. Having a good cream helps alleviate the discomfort. I’m also going to share, I just used my clean hands to apply and then washed again after and skipped the applicators.
Again, Koala Pals from the Wellness Box for the win with their diaper cream, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
4. PORTABLE CHANGING PAD/CLOTH
I changed diapers on the couch. I was not about walking back and forth from the nursery to the living room all day to change a diaper. In fact, my nursery didn’t even have a changing table until the boys were almost six months old.
I ordered some changing pads but ended up repurposing the thick swaddling blankets once the boys weren’t using them for swaddling anymore.
5. BURP CLOTHS
Spit-up is one of those parts of daily life you just have to roll with. Having plenty of burp cloths on hand helps keep the mess to a minimum.
I wouldn’t skimp on the amount you buy.
I bought multiple packs of Hudson Baby Burp Cloths. They come in multi-packs, different patterns, and they are really thick but still soft. We would go through like four of these a day initially, so I would have 8+ on hand and be prepared to do a lot of laundry.
NURSING/PUMPING
6. NURSING PADS/CUPS
There are a couple of choices in this category, disposable or washable pads.
I liked the washable pads at home because they are thicker but because of that noticeable in a snug top. I used the disposable if we left the house.
There are also plastic options that catch milk but I had a hard time transferring any milk they caught. They are also not subtle in a top.
7. NIPPLE CREAM
Nursing, and even pumping, can do some damage to your nips. Nothing impairs a good breastfeeding session like an uncomfortable mom.
Be advised, not all creams are created equal. I recommend finding one you don’t have to wash off before you nurse and that doesn’t have added ingredients you don’t need.
This organic nipple butter from Earth Mama ticks all the boxes.
8. BREAST PUMP/PARTS
My Spectra pump fit perfectly, along with all the flanges and extra parts.
Quick Tip: if you’re planning on pumping, check with your insurance company before purchasing because they may cover the cost. I ended up with two because I bought one before I realized my insurance covered it.
9. MILK BAGS/BOTTLES
No sense in pumping if it doesn’t have anywhere to go, right?
I used a bag system so opening a box and dropping it on the cart was my jam but multiple bottles could be stored as well.
10. HAAKAA
The Haakaa is a manual silicone breast pump that, when held against the breast, uses the suction from squeezing out the air to draw out the milk.
If you aren’t tandem feeding, its best use is to catch the letdown on the side you aren’t nursing.
As a twin mom, every drop counts, and I hated wasting any liquid gold on a nursing pad if I didn’t have to. Anything collected can be transferred to your breastmilk storage container of choice.
11. PUMPING BRA
Unlike a nursing bra, a pumping bra is for hands-free pumping. Multitasking is a twin mom’s way of life, and this leaves your hands free to eat, scroll on your phone, thumb through a magazine, and get that self-care in.
It also allows you to pump both sides simultaneously which is a time saver.
12. NURSING COVER/BLANKET
This is optional but I always had one on hand just in case.
HYGIENE/MEDICAL
13. THERMOMETER
I went with the glide across the forehead option.
If a forehead thermometer can be used to take temperatures and allow people into a medical building during a global pandemic, then it was more than good enough for me at home.
14. CRADLE CAP BRUSH
Cradle cap is the build-up on the scalp of newborns’ heads. You are not supposed to scratch or pick at it, but you can lightly brush it with a special soft-bristled brush.
I just took and used the brushes they gave us at the hospital.
15. ELECTRIC NAIL FILE
The file is soft so it doesn’t bother the skin. It’s quiet, easy to hold, and super effective. It also makes it much harder to “clip” too much.
The earlier you start the more time baby has to get used to it. My boys will both sit now and let me do their nails without issue.
Side Note: This could also be Nail Clippers or Scissors.
16. NOSE SUCKER
I was gifted the Nose Frida at my baby shower but could never bring myself to use it. Something about sucking the boogers and snot out with my mouth was too much.
I used the old-fashioned bulb kind. These pose some issue with the inability to get them truly clean but they’re also very inexpensive to replace.
17. BOOGIE WIPES
We invested in Boogie Wipes the first time the boys had a cold. They are still a staple in our home. They are moistened with saline, so it helps break up mucus and save tiny noses from redness.
They have naturally scented options and unscented which is what we used.
MISCELLANEOUS
18. WATER BOTTLE
Hydration is vital, especially if you are nursing/pumping.
I’m the worst at remembering to drink water. What helps me is to find a super cute water bottle with the right mouthpiece—I like a straw sipper rather than a pour spout.
19. POSTNATAL VITAMINS
I’m sure you know this, but postnatal vitamins are just as essential as prenatal. Your body is adjusting, and if you’re nursing, any vitamins you’re eating are still being reallocated.
20. EXTRA ONESIES
Having extra onesies on deck is going to save you trips back and forth to the nursery.
Real talk: I had a mini dresser in my living room for the first year with the boys’ clothes. Their nursery closet had fancy, nonfunctional outfits for photo ops and special occasions. In those first months, onesies and footed pajamas are everything.
21. BIBS
If you’re into multiple outfit changes each day, skip this one.
I’ll tell you, with two, time saved is time earned. I couldn’t imagine changing the boys every time they spit up after eating because they ate ALL THE TIME.
If you’re worried about style, bandana bibs are the solution.
At the end of the day, there is no wrong way to use a rolling cart, other than to not to. I’m so pro nursing cart that I actually build them out as baby shower gifts.
Is there something I missed that you think should be included?