Breastfeeding comes with a learning curve, especially during those early newborn weeks. After going through it myself, I've found a few products and simple tricks that made a real difference. From soothing nipple care and comfortable nursing bras to one-handed snacks and a good water bottle, these are my favorite breastfeeding essentials and tips for making those long nursing sessions a little easier.

With so many baby products available, it can be hard to know what's actually worth buying. Now that I'm a toddler mom, I'm sharing five of my favorite newborn essentials that made those early days easier, including a few we still use today. From middle-of-the-night feedings to getting outside in rainy Southeast Alaska, these are the products I'm so glad we had.