What do I need for breastfeeding?

Question

Ladies, I intend to breastfeed for as long as I can (if I am able) when my baby arrives in 8 weeks. Can you advise me what I need. I am thinking just 2 bottles, a breast pump and a sterilser for when I want to express. Any advice on breastfeeding in general would also be appreciated thanks.

Thanks for some great answers. I live on a small Greek island, I don't have a midwife or ante natal classes let alone breastfeeding classes so all advice is welcome. To all those who said breasts (it wore thin after the first few) thanks, I would never have realised that by myself.

John H - good avice about asking my Mum but I don't have one that's why Iask so many questions on here! I do have a mother in law but her ideas are far too old fashioned for my liking.

Answer 1

I work at a hospital in the nursery, so I am prepared. I am due in 12wks. I have been told if you have small flat nipples you need to buy breast Shields and start to wear them now, that way your baby wont have as many problems when he/she gets here. You need to be using Lansinoh cream now to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. The will become dried and cracked and painful if you don't. You need to buy breast pads, they will leak. I have already had some stuff come out but not enough for pads. You may need to bring them to the hospital with you along with your shields to help the baby latch on. You need a pump if you are not going to be a stay at home mom, and you need some kind of breast milk storage kit for the freezer. You need more bottles than that. Even though you will be breastfeeding you will likely have to give bottles once in a while. Especially until your milk comes in. I know what some breastfeeding people say, but trust me I get all my knowledge and info from the nurses and lactation consultants at my work. You will need a sterilizer for your pump, Shields, etc... Also a bottle brush, and dishwasher container for your nipples and bottle parts. I am going to use Playtex so I can throw away the liners. Good luck and you can do it!!!

Answer 2

Books - "the breastfeeding book" by dr. sears - "the womanly art of breastfeeding" by la leche league. even if you don't read them cover to cover - they have an index, and if you encounter a problem or a concern you can get some answers.

many live by the pillows such as Boppy and My Breast Friend - I'm a size 16-18 (US), and that boppy didn't fit my big belly!! I didn't bother to get a breast friend - I know those are adjustable.

also book mark these links:
http://lalecheleague.org/FAQ/FAQSubject.html?m=0,0,3
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html

some lanolin cream - only get the Lansinoh (purple tube/box) or PureLan by Medela (yellow tube /box) - they're good for keeping nipples from feeling yucky - though if you do have some nipple PAIN - more than soreness- then a lotion will not do you any good, you'll need some alteration on your latch on - see above links for help there.

oh, you plan to pump a bit... those milk storage bags are great - lansinoh and gerber make good ones that are easy to find.

advice.... be patient and persistent. Things don't always go as planned. But don't let anyone tell you your body is not good enough. You may have some problems, but almost every problem is correctable. Doctors don't know much about breastfeeding. Contacting La Leche League for free help - or an IBCLC (international board certified lactation consultant) is your best bet for the correct and most up to date information about breastfeeding. No matter what country you live in.

If you end up needing some kind of medication - get "Medications and Mothers milk" by Dr. Thomas Hale... he's the leading pediatrician doing research on how what we take affects our babies while nursing.

Consider buying a sling, consider co-sleeping at least in the beginning, as these things can help make some of the nursing "tasks" easier for moms.

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Answer 3

Congrats, mama to be! Your baby is lucky to have a mama who is thinking about this, and wants to provide the very best!
More than physical objects, what you will need the most is support - breastfeeding is natural, but it is also a learned skill. Your baby will learn best if s/he can nurse as soon as possible after birth - right away is best. You will learn best from experienced mamas - La Leche League would love to have you before you give birth, so you can be prepared.
To find a group near you:
http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html

I found the hospital lactation consultants were not a lot of help - for one thing, they work normal business hours, and my first baby was born on Sat. I did have a private L.C. come to my house after I was discharged, and she was a huge help.
Also, be prepared to nurse very frequently right away - I had forgotten that, with my third! The baby is trying to bring your milk in, and may want to nurse whenever s/he is not sleeping. Don't be alarmed - this will get better when your milk comes in!
Keep in mind, your baby will nurse best if s/he is not confused by other nipples. Make sure the hospital knows not to give pacifiers or bottles, and do not introduce them for at least a couple weeks. Also remember, nursing is hardest at the beginning, but as you and your baby learn, it will get easier - don't give up, the rewards are worth it! And don't let others' horror stories scare you - I nursed three, each past a year, and I never had any problems. It is nice to be able to give your baby exactly what they need - for free!
Good luck mama!

Answer 4

the 2 bottles may not be enough from early the babies are on at least 8 feeds a day......they feed little and often! As they settle down into a feeding pattern if you are using bottles you will find that you constantly need a supply of bottles that are sterile...and a breast pump will be constantly on the go for a while!

Don't be upset if you find it too hard to keep going but pat yourself on the back if you do manage to keep up breastfeeding!

I did both and reverted to bottle because I had very very very hungry babies who drank around 8 pints of milk during the day from 1 month old! They are now strapping tall and healthy lads of over 6' with the youngest only 13!!! So it did them no harm!

You will get a LOT of advice and contradictions from family/friends and professionals......best advice........TREAT ALL ADVICE LIKE A BUFFET....YOU DON'T EAT IT ALL AT ONCE YOU PICK AND CHOOSE!!! So do the same with the advice...what works for a while may fail or not feel right so adapt and change.....you cannot fail as a mum if your baby is thriving and happy! THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT........A HAPPY HEALTHY BABY AND MOTHER IS THE GOAL!!!

Answer 5

You will need nursing pads ... disposable is pretty convenient; however, you can get cloth ones that you can just throw in the washing machine.

You might need the lanolin cream, i did for my first, but not for my second. It helps cracked sore nipples and in the early days it'll be a godsend, bring it to the hospital with you!

You'll need some good nursing bra's for easy access, get a few because it's all you'll wear in the first little while. Get lots of shirts that provide easy access ... loose fitting tshirts get the job done.

As for bottles, if you get the playtex ones with drop ins just get a couple. You can buy liners that also double as breast feeding storage bags! I think I used lansah or something like that. You won't be bottle feeding until baby has established breastfeeding ... which is like 6 weeks, so don't be overly concerned about those.

And your breast pump will be your most important purchase. I used Medela Mini Electric which is good for occassional pumping, they have a double breast pump for mother's who plan on pumping a lot. Your breast pump will protect your milk supply so don't be afriad of the cost! Stay away from pumps that have flexible cups ... these provide very little suction and are extremely frustrating.

You'll need lots of patience, good luck and congrats on your decision to breast feed!

Answer 6

There are a lot of products out there that say are 'essential' for breastfeeding, here's my suggestion on a few: (besides the necessary items such as boobs and a pump Lol) I would get milk storage bags so you can freeze your milk to make a 'back-up' supply. A boppy is very nice but pillows would do the trick as well. Definitely need nursing pads, and 100% Lanolin ointment to help soothe. A privacy wrap-like a poncho so that you can breastfeed without people peeking! Lol. And a lot of determination-it can be very painful, but your baby will love your milk and if you can provide it then stick with it! Good luck!

Answer 7

You will need:

Breasts
A Baby
A Brest Friend Feeding pillow (way better than Boppies, though Boppies are great, too)
A Great Breastfeeding Book to keep onhand as a resource (I recommend The Nursing Mother's Companion
Nursing pads for your bra (the reusable kind work great)
A supportive partner (it's time consuing and you need support)
Breast Milk Freezer Storage Bags
Take a class. Make your partner come to it.

Answer 8

The first thing I would recommend is Lansinoh. (spelling?) It's a cream made from lanolin for your nipples. The first time you breastfeed they can get extremely sore. (did it three times) Mine actually cracked and bled with my first son. I used that stuff and it was amazing how fast I healed. I had a lactation nurse come to my house and she gave it to me. It was a God sent. I was getting ready to quit breastfeeding before she gave it to me. You want to make sure you have leak pads. You will leak. You don't want to be out and soak your shirt. I used a medela breast pump. It was kind of expensive, but well worth it! I bought 2 other cheaper brands before I got the Medela and they were a total waste of money. As far as actually breastfeeding. Relax. That is the biggest thing. It takes alittle getting used to. If you stress over it your milk won't let down the way it's supposed to. Just sit back and relax! Also, remember, if your breast get engorged and hurt, DO NOT express milk to make them feel better. Your body works on a supply and demand system. The more milk that leaves your body, the more milk your breast will make. You don't want to do that. Just bare with it and eventually your breasts will produce what your baby needs. Make sure you alternate the left and right evenly. If you feed on one breast more than the other, your breast will produce different amounts of milk and one breast will be bigger than the other one. Not very attractive. Hope this helped. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Answer 9

You don't need anything but your breasts, a bit of confidence, a bit of support and a bit of education about what to expect. Don't think of it as "if I am able", think of it as inevitable, that you are going to be able to do it, come hell or highwater. I don't advise getting a bottle or a breastpump or a steriliser, as that makes it too easy to give up. Go and visit your local La Leche league beforehand and get them to clue you in on what to expect. If you establish a relationship with them now, you will be much better off and more confident if you end up having problems down the track.

I found breastfeeding to be one of the simplest and easiest things I've ever done in my life, but I understand that not all women feel the same way. Many women struggle through the first few weeks, so make sure you have your support systems set up.

Answer 10

Breastfeeding can be really stressful,so your husband's help and support is the most important thing of all. I would suggest a nice chair- i found that the gliders were the most comfortable. I nursed my son for 6 months and having a glider chair/ottoman and a body pillow to position under his head and around my back was extremely helpful. Just try to get on a set feeding schedule if you can, and you should be fine! Congrats and good luck!