Questions about breastfeeding and baby registry...?

Question

I am 27 weeks pregnant and plan on breastfeeding and bottlefeeding when my baby girl is born. I am completely clueless about it.

1) Can I pump before my baby is born so I can store it?
2) What is the proper way of storing breastmilk? How long can you store it before it goes bad?
3) Can you still use pacifiers when you are breastfeeding? Or does that make breastfeeding more difficult?
4) Do you recommend a bassinet for our room? The baby's room is right across the hall...
5) Is the wipe warmer necessary?
6) Is the back positioner for the crib neccessary?

Any help or info is appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

1) Can I pump before my baby is born so I can store it?

NO - you won't produce actual milk until a couple of days after delivery. Before giving birth, you may produce some colustrum, but not enough to actually pump. And you wouldn't want to try pumping anyway as the nipple stimulation will very likely cause strong uterine contractions and can send you straight into premature labor. Don't risk it.

2) What is the proper way of storing breastmilk? How long can you store it before it goes bad?

You'll find breastmilk storage bags in any baby store and probably even in chain stores like Wal-Mart. These will either attach to your pump, or you can pour the expressed milk out of the collection container into them. Seal and date the bags before freezing. Breastmilk retains all of its nutritive properties for about two months in the freezer.

3) Can you still use pacifiers when you are breastfeeding? Or does that make breastfeeding more difficult?

You can absolutely use pacifiers while breastfeeding! Many experts advise waiting for a couple of weeks after birth - until breastfeeding is well-established - before using pacifiers, to avoid nipple confusion. (Pacifiers are shaped much differently from the breast, and are easier to suck on.) However, I know many people who have used pacifiers from the very beginning and have had no problems nursing. That decision is entirely up to you.

4) Do you recommend a bassinet for our room? The baby's room is right across the hall...

Definitely! Most Pack & Plays have a bassinet attachment for newborns, and the whole thing will be handy later on for travel or use as a playyard. It's been proven time and time again that the risk of SIDs is reduced when the baby sleeps in close proximity to its mother - if there is any distressed breathing, you'll hear it and will be able to respond immediately. (Besides, even though the baby's room is right across the hall, you'll mostly find yourself checking in multiple times through the night, at least for the first few weeks. You'll probably rest easier having your baby nearby as well!)

5) Is the wipe warmer necessary?

No way. That thing was the biggest waste of money for us. I kept water in it just like the directions said, and it constantly dried out my wipes anyway. Just don't keep your wipes container near a window or anything drafty - they don't get THAT cold. If you're concerned, use a washcloth dampened in warm water for wet diapers, and wipes for the dirty ones - that'll cut the "cold" wipe use at least in half.

6) Is the back positioner for the crib neccessary?

Nope. Your baby won't be able to roll over - even onto a side - for several months. They don't have a choice but to lie where you put them. Just be sure that blankets, pillows, crib bumper, etc. are well away from baby's face while he or she is sleeping, and you'll be just fine.

Congratulations on your new little one! :)

Answer 2

1)You can not pump before you have your baby. You likely are not yet producing milk.

2) Can store up to 8 days in a fridge and up to 6 months at the back of the freezer
3) You can use a pacifier. But it is best to wait until baby has a good latch to avoid nipple confusion.
4) Where you put a bassinet depends on you. I liked to have the baby next to my bed for the first month so I knew I could hear her cry.

5) Wipe warmer is so NOT necessary. I just wipe with wet paper towel upon the recommendation of the baby doctor.

6) Back positioner for the crib is so NOT necessary?

Answer 3

1) Pumping before baby will not work most likely. Your milk will not really start flowing for 2-3 days after delivery.

2) In the fridge, you can store it in bottles for a few days. In the freezer, 3-6 months in a breast milk storage bottle or bag.

3) Pacifiers are fine. We introduced one at about 6 weeks, but it depends on the baby. Some will need one earlier.

4) Yes and no. My friend bought one and her 2 month slept in it once and never again. She just flat would not sleep in it. I would get a Pack and Play with a bassinet feature.

5) No, if you get baby used to a warm wipe, they will hate cold ones. So, if you are out, are you going to tote the warmer every where you go? ;)

6) Not really. You can roll up receiving blankets really tight place those on either side of baby.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

No you can not pump before the baby is born. You can put breastmilk in the freezer for up to 6 months. It is your choice to use a pacifier, this could confuse the baby.. but since you are going to bottle fed as well there shouldn't be a problem. I would do the bassinet it is very convenient. I did not use the a wipe warmer. I recommend the back positioner, it will help baby sleep on their back which is best. SIDS.org recommends them as well.
Good luck and congrats!!

Answer 5

1. You won't get anything except maybe a few drops of colostrum unless you're nursing an older child, so, no.

2. I know it keeps in the fridge 24 hours, and can be frozen, but I'm not sure how long.

3. I didn't have a choice, the hospital put one in my daughter's mouth when she was less than 24 hours old, and she's been hooked ever since. She nursed just fine, however, until my milk dried up when she was 3 weeks old.

It didn't come in well either. I had colostrum for her until she was 4 days old, then nothing came out of me until she was 7 days old. My advice, pick up a can of powdered formula and a couple bottles just in case. If you have chlorinated tap water, get a water filter pitcher too, so you have clear water to mix it with. The chlorine is no good for you or the baby. If you do need to go with formula, Sam's Club has generic Similac and Enfamil for half the price.

4. I do, but see if you can get one used. In my case, we have heirloom bassinets that go down the lines in both families, and it's quite handy to have her in our room for late night feedings.

5. I was given one, haven't used it. I keep the wipes at room temperature and she hasn't cried about the temperature when we clean her. Now the vaseline we use as a barrier before putting the new diaper on... that she cries about.

6. What's that? We use a 10 inch square pillow under the sheet in the bassinet to keep her head up, but only the last few nights since she got sick.

Answer 6

1. no, you will not produce milk until the baby is born.
2. To store breastmilk for long periods (no longer than three months, I think), you will have to freeze it. Thawed milk, or milk kept in the fridge should be used or trown out after 24 hours.
3. you can use pacifiers. My kids hated them.
4. You do not have to have a bassinet. If $$ is tight do not bother getting one. You can only use them up until the baby is four months old. If you could borrow one, you might feel better having the baby in your room the first couple of nights. but if the room is right across the hall, you will hear the baby.
5.not necessary, but it does keep the wipes warm and cozy.
6. Depends. My first HAd to have it to keep her head elevated. My second, no need unless she was congested. A firm pillow UNDER the crib matress is a quick fix if necessary.

Please keep in mind that if you can breastfeed, you should start giving the baby breast only for at least three months. Any sooner, the baby might realize that it is easier to get the milk out of the bottle and want that only.

any more questions check out the web site below.

good luck!

Answer 7

1 You cant pump before your baby is born. The milk willnot come in unti 3 days or so after you have your baby.
2. You can freeze breast milk for a couple of months, but only leave it in the fridge for around 24 hours.
3 pacifiers are fine
4 I would get a bassinet
5. the wipe warmer is not necessary, but can be nice for the baby.
6 Dont know what the back postitioner is for the crib, so I guess its not necessary..lol. I dont know that one. I have had several cribs, but dont remember that.

Answer 8

1) You can pump ahead, sort of. You will get colustrum. Which is fine. Many a mom nurses during pregnancy and their nursling gets colustrum instead of breastmilk the second half of the pregnancy. But generally you don't bank colustrum. It is lower in water and whatnot. There isn't any real reason for this. But you generally won't get much until the baby is born and your milk production kicks in. It is different for subsequent births

2) If you need to pump and store milk print out this chart and stick it on your fridge. It has everything you need: room temp, cooler, fridge, freezer, defrosted etc:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

3) You *can* use pacifiers. It is better to wait until at least 6 weeks before offering them and many breastfed babies will not take them. Also if your baby uses a pacifier or bottles it is imperative that you boil them EVERY DAY. To prevent thrush which will be extremely painful if you get it. Thrush is just yeast, it isn't a big deal, it isn't painful for baby. It is extremely painful if you get yeast in your nipples.

4) It is best to have the baby as close as possible at night for breastfeeding. Co-sleeping is great and has many benifits. Bassinets and cradles are good too, IF you have no pets. I do, ergo I can't use anything on the ground. A bassinette in a frame would have been ok. I have a crib set up as a side car to give us more room and I co-sleep. Actually since my baby was about 4 months *I* sleep in the crib and he sleeps in the middle *sigh*. Kids. If you want instructions I can send them. Just e-mial me by clicking on my name.

Co-sleeping info:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/t071000.asp
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/familybed.html

5) No BUT some babies have sensitive skin and for them plain water is better than wipes. Having a wipe warmer full of water and quality paper towels is an easy way of managing this.

6) No, if your baby can roll over they can sleep however they want. AND you can just use rolled up towels. They are useful for side sleepers.

Answer 9

1) No you can not pump before the baby comes, milk does not come in for a couple days after birth

2) You can get storage bags from Target or Walmart, "they" suggest using the proper storage, and my dr told me you can leave it in the fridge for 5-7 days.

3) Again the dr suggested waiting til the baby was 3-4 weeks old before introducing an artifical nipple, thats only if you want to nurse and bottle feed, to prevent nipple confusion.

4) Get a bassinet for the first couple weeks, it's hard to get in and out of bed after the baby is born........and you will want baby right there with you

5) No it's not, it is nice for baby, but what happens when you have to change a diaper and you don't have them warmed, it only makes baby get used to warm wipes.

6) I have never heard of the back positioner.

Answer 10

1. you cannot pump before the baby is born because your milk will not come in until after the baby is born.
2. you can store it in the fridge for 24-48 hours and i'm not sure how long in the freezer
3. we still used a pacifier when he slept. young babies need something to suck on and you don't want the baby to get used to needing to nurse to fall asleep
4. we kept our first in a bassinet next to the bed for the first few months. trust me, you will want one. when you only get 2 or 3 hours of sleep in a stretch, it's amazing how much you just don't really want to walk across the hall.
5. wipe warmer is not necessary
6. back positioner in not necessary