A Mom-Curated List of Essentials to Level-Up Your Feeding Cart

The newborn stage can be incredibly tough—you're emotionally and physically exhausted, overwhelmed, and adjusting to an entirely new rhythm of life. One of the biggest challenges during this time is feeding. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing a mix of both, one thing’s for sure—newborns eat a lot, and they do it around the clock.

A portable feeding cart can really make a difference during those tiring early weeks. It’s a little mobile station stocked with all your feeding and changing essentials. You can easily roll it from the nursery to the couch or your bedside without scrambling in the dark, half-asleep, trying to find what you need. Here are our favorite baby essentials to add to your feeding cart that will make new routines more manageable during the newborn stage and beyond. 

A Rolling Cart 

Let’s be real—a feeding cart wouldn’t be a feeding cart without a cart that actually works. The key is to find one that rolls smoothly, so you can easily move it from room to room or to your storage closet or garage when it’s time to restock and refill. 

Choose a cart with multiple tiers or shelves. That way, you can organize each level by category. Think: one tier for feeding supplies (bottles, burp cloths, formula), another for diapering essentials (diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream), and another for mom things (nipple cream, water bottle, phone charger). A little organization goes a long way when you're running on three (two?) hours of sleep.

Feeding Supplies 

Let’s start with the basics of your feeding cart: the actual supplies you’ll need to feed your baby. No matter how you choose to feed your baby, having everything within arm’s reach can make feeding sessions more comfortable and less stressful, especially during those middle-of-the-night wakeups. Here’s what to stock, depending on how you’re feeding your baby:

If you’re breastfeeding:

• Nipple cream: A must-have during the early weeks when nipples get sore or cracked. 
• Nursing pads: To catch leaks and keep your bras and clothes dry.
• Nipple shield: Helpful if you’re dealing with latch issues or nipple pain.

If you’re pumping:

• Breast pump and parts: Keep everything clean and organized in one spot. 
• Breast milk bags: For storing expressed milk in the fridge or freezer.
• Pumping bra: So you can pump hands-free. 

If you’re bottle feeding:

• Bottles and nipples: Make sure you have the right size and flow for your baby’s age.
• Formula: Store a container of formula on the cart (stage 2 for babies 6+ months).
• Water: For mixing with powdered formula.

And for every feeding journey, don’t forget a large water bottle for staying hydrated (especially to support milk supply) and plenty of burp clothes to catch any spit-up. 

Diapering Supplies 

Let’s face it—diaper changes and feedings go hand in hand. Whether your baby wakes up because of a wet or dirty diaper, or they go right after a feeding (which is super common), you’ll want to have diapering supplies close by. 

• Diapers: Keep a small stack so you’re not digging through drawers.
• Wipes: Opt for fragrance-free wipes to minimize irritation. 
• Diaper cream or ointment: Helps prevent and treat diaper rash before it becomes a full on rash. 
• Small plastic baggies: For storing dirty wipes or emergency blowout clothes if you’re not near a diaper pail.
• Hand sanitizer: Just in case you can’t wash your hands after a change.

Mama Must-Haves

The newborn phase is also about taking care of you, too. The long, frequent feeding sessions can be physically and emotionally draining, so having a few comfort items and personal items on your cart can make the experience a little more enjoyable (and help you stay awake!).

Take a moment to think about what helps you feel calm, comfortable, and cared for. Here are some thoughtful additions to include just for you:

• Snacks: Something easy to eat with one hand like granola bars or crackers. 
• Electrolyte packers: To stay hydrated, especially if you find plain water boring. 
• Phone charger: To keep your phone charged whether you're using a feeding tracker app, watching a show, or doom scrolling to stay awake.
• Book or magazine: If you need screen-free entertainment.
• Portable nightlight: A soft, dimmable light allows you to see without turning on bright lights and waking up the baby.
• Hand lotion: It’s easy to get dry hands when you’re constantly washing your hands during the newborn phase.