breast feeding MUST HAVES ?

Question

there are so many things out there... gel packs, creams, balms... what did you find worked the best on what issues?

i tried to breast feed once before (10 years ago) i ended up with mastitis and clogged ducts. if anyone has ANY SUGGESTION i would appreciate the information!

Answer 1

Lanisoh Lanolin -best thing for the first few days when your nipples are dry from all the use

Lanisoh nursing pads -most absorbant I've found

Bravado nursing tank -my favorite by far

2 nursing bras that you prefer -I recommend avoiding underwires for the first couple weeks at least. Do not use a regular bra and pull it up over your breast. The women that I know that have tried got infections.

Medela Harmony Manual Breastpump

Some kind of mama's milk bags to store pumped milk

Adiri Nurser -it's the only one my son will take

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers or The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

If you do not have a moist heat pack at home, I'd buy one. I have an herbal heat pack. When my breasts began to hurt, I warmed it up and put it on them and they felt better. About two months into it, I got a small white head on my nipple and it cleared it up in no time.

Answer 2

All I needed was a boppy pillow, nursing bras, just 1 box of nursing pads, lansinoh cream, maybe some Soothies or Lilypadz and a big cup for water. Thats all you really need for breastfeeding, and even that includes some luxeries.

To prevent mastitis this time around, make sure you have a good contact person for any issues that come up so that you can get the help you need immediately. Nurse nurse nurse and nurse some more. Feed on demand, and make sure you baby doesn't go more than 4 hours without eating at first. This tapers off after the first month. Massage your breasts while your baby is eating, concentrating on any lumps, hot spots, or sore spots to make sure your milk ducts drain. Also, take the time to take a hot shower and massage them in there. Make sure your bras aren't too tight as well. If you find alot of lumps and sore spots, try nursing your baby in different position a few times to help drain the ones that aren't draining. This will prevent clogged ducts and mastitis.

Also, rub your breastmilk on your nipples after everytime your baby eats and let them air dry. It really works and prevent cracked, bleeding nipples. Use the lansinoh lanolin before you have your baby as well, it will help with prevention. I also recommend Soothies or Lilypadz if your nipples do become cracked. They are very nice, you can put them in the fridge for cooling relief, they condition and prevent scabbing on your nipples.
Anyways, this is becoming a book. If you need more help, email me at [e-mail]
Good luck with breastfeeding this time around!!

Answer 3

As a currently breastfeeding mom of a 3-month-old, here are my must haves for the last 3 months:
Lansinoh gel (lanolin gel) - helps with sore/cracked nipples
Breast cups - My nips cracked and kept sticking to my cloths, I used the cups and they healed in a day. There are a lot of different kinds, but I like the Medela the best. Plus if you leak into the cup, you can save and use the milk that collects.
Hot/Cold gel packs - If you get a clogged duct, the heat works wonders
Breastfeeding tanks - it is so much easier to just unhook the flap as opposed to lifting up the shirt and unhooking the bra too
Boppy pillow and a spare cover
Double electric/battery pump and storage bags - it is much easier to pump both sides at once and if you get a pump that is electric and battery, if you just are away for the day, you can pump in the car

Answer 4

Lansinoh nursing pads...I leaked a LOT and these are the BEST.

Lansinoh lanolin...I can't live without it. Especially the first few weeks! (It's also great when you have chapped skin under your nose from a cold! Just don't go out in public with it on...thick & greasey looking...use at night.)

Comfortable nursing bras. You will be sleeping in those things! I don't recomend underwire!

Medulla breastpump if you go back to work. Avent ISIS if not. The Avent pump is a manual one you can use if baby only nurses on one side for some reason, you get an infected breast or just an occasional need to pump....actally going out without a baby?!?!

A support person who has done, or is now doing this! We all need encouragement and all have questions.

Oh, yeah! The person who talked about massaging your breasts while nursing and while bathing ...Great advice!!!

Answer 5

I use Gerber's Breast Therapy Balm. It looks like a glue stick, so you don't have to get your hands sticky with lanolin. Speaking of sticky, it is definitely not as sticky as the other lanolins on your breast. I couldn't stand the tube they gave me at the hospital! It was like hair gel! Plus, this particular type you don't have to wipe off before you feed baby.

Boppys are great.

I don't know what kind of pump you plan on, but I have an Avent Isis manual, and a Medela PIS Advanced for when I go back to work.

Nursing pads are nice. I just bought the Avent washable ones, rather than keep repurchasing disposables.

Answer 6

Nursing pads are needed for at least the first few weeks and some form of lanolin makes it easier. Most hospitals will give you a tube now so you should ask where you're delivering before spending the $8 or so. If you work you'll want to start pumping as soon as possible and to start shopping around for the pump that best suits your needs. Nursing bras and/or nursing tops are great too, so much easier access. A lactation consultant can be great too. Most of the time there is one in your area and they're generally free of cost, but they can easily answer most questions. Or see if there is a la leche group in your area they usually are just as good as a consultant. Try http://www.lalecheleague.org/

Answer 7

My nipples cracked and bled when I first started breast feeding. I used a pump for a while and it took the problem right away. I've heard lanolin cream also helps with that. I would definitely get a pump. If your baby doesnt eat enough to get all the milk out of your breasts, you can pump it out and freeze it for up to 3 months or refrigerate it for up to 3 days and it will help prevent mastitis. This also helps if you're a working mom and can not be around your baby all the time when s/he is hungry.

Answer 8

I didn't do much really but after feeding I would express a little breast milk around the nipple and let it air dry. I haven't had any problems so far and my son is 4 months. I find creams and balms etc... are just more junk that is exposed to my baby. Try pumping milk between each feed to try and keep ducts clear. Benefit to this is you stock up lots of breastmilk for freezing as well.

Answer 9

To start a comfy couch or chair it helps to have a boppy pillow which comes in handy for more then one thing. For the first few weeks you will want lanolin cream for sore nipples. Breast pads are also a must. If you plan on returning to work and need to pump the medela pump in style is the way to go, any other pump is junk.

Good luck to you and your baby. Breastfeeding is very rewarding and also less hassle.

Answer 10

Definitely lanolin and nursing pads. A couple of good nursing bras would be nice too. I used a type of sports bra in a size larger than I would've normally used and it worked great. Very comfortable. A pump would be great if you're going to be away from the baby for long periods (such as daycare). A comfortable chair and a HUGE glass of water. I always got sooo thirsty while feeding my children. Good luck this go round!!