How to Organize the Perfect Breastfeeding Station in 4 Steps

How to Organize the Perfect Breastfeeding Station

When setting up your baby’s nursery, you’ll want to spend some time organizing a breastfeeding station (or bottle station). You can do this in just 4 simple steps:

  1. Choose a comfortable chair or rocker
  2. Keep nursing, feeding and cleanup essentials close at hand
  3. Create a comfort station for Mom (or anyone else handling feedings)
  4. Set up soothing music and lighting for easy transition back to crib

(Keep reading — detailed tips and ideas below!)

As a mom who breastfed my son for almost a year, I spent countless hours in his room rocking and nursing him day and night. It’s a beautiful bonding time with your baby. Especially when you have everything you need right within arm’s reach.

Here is my no-fail plan to organize the perfect breastfeeding station. Take it from a mom who has definitely been there and learned what to do (and what not to do)!

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Step 1: Choose a Comfortable Breastfeeding Chair or Rocker

Step one is the most important step (in my opinion). A comfortable chair, rocker or glider is a breastfeeding station MUST for YOU. Your comfort is as important as your baby’s — if not more.

Why? When you’re comfortable, you’re more relaxed and calm, and you can focus more on your baby and your time together. My son used to be easily distracted when he was breastfeeding. I noticed that when I was feeling calm and relaxed, he was too, and nursing was easier for both of us.

Plus, if you breastfeed exclusively like I did, expect to do it quite often in the first weeks and months! You can review CDC guidelines on how much (and how often) you’ll breastfeed here. Regardless, comfort is a top priority, and it all starts with the nursing chair.

How to Find the Right Breastfeeding Chair

Breastfeeding Station: Choose a Comfortable Chair

So, how do you choose the perfect chair for your breastfeeding station? Honestly, it comes down to personal preference.

I highly recommend doing a little research beforehand. Go into a physical store (Target, Pottery Barn Kids, your local furniture store) and try out as many rockers, gliders and chairs as possible.

As you sit in the chair consider these questions:

  • Is it easy to get in and out of while holding a baby? (A rocker or glider that locks is always a good idea.)
  • Does it provide enough lower back support?
  • Do you feel support for your head and neck?
  • Does it rock smoothly and silently?
  • Will you want to sit in this chair for an hour at a time, multiple times a day?
  • Is it stain-resistant or easy to clean? (Keep in mind: babies spit up and have diaper leaks all the time…)
  • Will it fit nicely in the space you have in mind?

Once you’ve found the perfect nursing chair, consider the price. Is it within your budget? Can you fit it in your car, or will it have to be delivered (and does that cost extra)?

I suggest doing a little research online as well, to see if: 1) it’s less expensive elsewhere and 2) if there are any reviews on the model you’ve chosen.

Highly-Rated Breastfeeding Chairs

To help give you an idea of your options, here are a few highly-rated breastfeeding chairs available on Amazon:

Swivel Gliding Recliner

Baby Relax Mikayla 4-in-1 Swivel Glider Rocker Recliner Chair, Gray Microfiber

The Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner earned 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon with 1,132 reviews. According to the manufacturer, the upholstery is easy to clean. It features three positions (upright plus two reclining) as well as swivel and glide functionality.

Glider and Ottoman Set

Brisbane Nursery Glider & Ottoman Sets, Glider Recliner Nursery Rocking Chair, Nursery Glider Rocker with Ottoman, Reclining Gliders & Chairs for Breastfeeding, Maternity - Espresso/Dark Gray

The Naomi Home Brisbane Glider and Ottoman Set earned 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon with 2,640 reviews. The chair features handy side pockets for burping cloths, bibs, books, magazines or snacks for mom. (Gotta keep up with nutrition when you’re breastfeeding!)

Recliner (No Rocking)

JUMMICO Recliner Chair Adjustable Home Theater Single Fabric Recliner Sofa Furniture with Thick Seat Cushion and Backrest Modern Living Room Recliners (Aurora Grey)

The JUMMICO Fabric Recliner Chair received 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon with 5,564 reviews. This looks like a nice option when you want comfort but don’t care for a rocking chair. It features thick cushions, curved armrests and reviewers stated that it’s comfortable and easy to put together.

Step 2: Keep Breastfeeding Essentials Close at Hand

Once you and your baby get settled in and are nursing comfortably in your chair, you’ll want to stay there for the duration. This means stocking your breastfeeding station with the essentials (don’t forget a nursing pillow!), and keeping them within arm’s reach. Here’s how:

Set a small end table, nightstand or rolling cart next to your breastfeeding chair.

Stock your table with items like:

  • burping cloths
  • bibs
  • wipes
  • nipple cream
  • nursing pads
  • breast pump
  • charger and cradle for your phone or tablet so you can watch a show or listen to music while you nurse
  • feeding journal
  • (maybe) a disposable changing pad to place under the baby

My son used to have an occasional diaper blowout while he was nursing, and keeping a disposable pad under him helped keep me from having to take a shower after a breastfeeding session.

The table doesn’t have to be big; something like this with handy storage baskets could work perfectly:

Giantex Wooden Nightstand 3-Tier Modern Bedside Table with 1 Drawer and 2 Storage Baskets, Sofa Storage Organizer for Bedroom, Home Cosmetic Storage Organization Furniture End Table (1, White)

Small Nursery? Use a hanging diaper caddy to store burping cloths and bibs.

No room for a table in your breastfeeding station? No problem! My neighbor re-purposed a hanging diaper caddy for her baby’s burping cloths. She attached it to the end of the crib right next to her glider.

Breastfeeding station: diaper hanger

You can also stock a diaper caddy bag to move from room to room if you don’t nurse in the same place all the time.

Use hanging wall baskets for breastfeeding station essentials.

Another solution for a small nursery: use empty wall space to hang soft rope baskets near your chair, and store your supplies there. I love these:

4 Pieces Wall Hanging Organizer Storage Basket Cute Rope Woven Basket Closet Storage Bin Hanging Rope Basket with 4 Wall Hooks for Baby Home Room Closet Decoration

Step 3: Create a Comfort Station for Mom

Sometimes we get so focused on our baby’s needs that we forget our own. Make sure your breastfeeding station includes everything YOU (or anyone who handles feedings) need for complete comfort! Keep a basket or tote next to the chair filled with:

  • Water bottle(s)
  • Snacks — breastfeeding burns a lot of calories! Keep your nutrition up with healthy snacks you can easily eat while nursing
  • Books and magazines
  • Slippers or warm socks for cold nights
  • Soft blanket

Step 4: Set Up Soft Music and Lighting for Easy Transition to Crib

It’s really helpful to create a soft, nurturing environment in the nursery — especially when you breastfeed at night. Bright overhead lights are hard on your eyes and baby’s. You don’t want to stumble around in the pitch dark, either. And, the sound of the floor creaking or door closing as you leave the room can startle baby awake after a nursing session.

Trust me, at 2am all you want to do is catch a few hours of sleep before the next breastfeeding session begins. Getting baby to sleep (and to stay asleep) after nursing is a big deal.

So, step 4 in organizing your breastfeeding station is to set up soft lighting and sounds or white noise to make that transition easy for both of you.

I found the perfect solution for both soft lighting and soothing sounds! I wish it had existed when my son was a baby:

Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise

Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine, Night Light | 1st Gen | Sleep Trainer, Time-to-Rise Alarm Clock, White Noise Soother for Nursery, Toddler & Kids Bedroom (Bluetooth only)

This brilliant invention received a staggering 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with over 17,000 reviews. Controlled by your phone or manually with a tap, it’s a nightlight, sound-machine and alarm clock (for older kids) all in one!

You can turn on the soft light remotely before you enter baby’s room, keep it on while you nurse, and turn it off remotely after you leave. (LOVE IT.) And it plays white noise that soothes baby to sleep, allowing YOU more sleep.

Breastfeeding Station Organization FAQs

What should I put in a nursing station?

Organize your nursing or breastfeeding station with the essentials you’ll want on hand at 2am: comfy chair, burping cloths, bibs, wipes, a disposable changing pad or two for diaper leaks, nipple cream, nursing pads, snacks and water for mom, a blanket, slippers, phone charger, books and magazines, soft lighting and soothing sounds or white noise maker.


Where should I put my breastfeeding chair?

I recommend placing the chair near an electrical outlet if possible to make it easy to charge your phone and plug in a light/sound machine. Also, make sure it’s easy to access from the bedroom door and crib while holding your baby. You don’t want to be stepping over or around other furniture in the middle of the night when you’re tired.


What snacks should I put in my breastfeeding station?

According to Medela, it’s a good idea to stock snacks that are easy to eat and open with one hand, and won’t make a huge mess or stain your nursing chair. Also, avoid noisy packaging so you don’t startle or distract your baby. Try nutritious snacks like trail mix and nuts, a handful of granola or protein bars.

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Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API