BF ques, particularly for 2nd timers or grads..

rock-elle

So I've been a lurky lou on the BF board and am starting to realize how man y supplies I may need to BF.  Can anyone help me get a list together of helpful supplies? So far here is what I have on my shopping list..

Lanolin cream

2 nursing tanks

2-3 nursing bras

breast pads

gel pads for the sore nips

Lansinoh storage bags

obviously a pump..(haven't decided which double electric one yet though)

**Is there anything you would add to this list?

jinx75

The Lanolin cream is a MUST!!!  You're going to use alot of it the first couple of weeks.  Your list looks great.  My suggestion is get a Medela pump...they are truly the best IMHO.

gardenandread

I'll answer even though I am lurking from TTCAL:

A cooler or lunch bag to transport the milk in, a boppy (if you want), a lightweight nursing cover or blanket, a couple shirts you can nurse in comfortably.  These are some of the extra's, but also things I found to be really useful.

itsmevkb

I liked the microwave steam cleaning bags for the pump parts.

Gummybear

Your list looks good. I am assuming you will already have this but a Boppy or Breat Friend is a must too. BF is pretty supply-free once you are rolling. I never needed gels pads, creme, or nursing tanks myself. You MIGHT want to get a single manual pump. I used this a lot ion the beginning (I actually loved it). I used it to completely drain after DD was finished and really built a nice stash with it early on.

hugs&hissyfits

jinx75:

The Lanolin cream is a MUST!!!  You're going to use alot of it the first couple of weeks.  Your list looks great.  My suggestion is get a Medela pump...they are truly the best IMHO.

This! I never got into using the Boppy. I had a better fit without it. Your list looks good. The hospital gave me a breastfeeding pack that included a small cooler pack and lansinoh ointment.

rosenb2b

I would highly recommend (just in case) having a nipple shield.  I had to run out within the few days that DS was born for one because of the "damage" he had done.  They are cheap so if you don't need it, great! but it was a lifesaver for me!

They also have those privacy panels now that I wish I would have had before!  Pulling a tata out in public is a little intimidating or it was for me! 

On the pump, I recommend the Medela PIS.  I will just be replacing tubes, etc on mine hopefully but I'd buy another at a moment's notice if needed.  I bought my first one from happymothers.com I think.  It was a lot less expensive than other places!

ETA:  I personally hated the My Breast Friend pillow...it was awkward.  The boppy was a must!

Manderlin923

I didn't have any nursing tanks. I just used sports bras and a regular tank at home- when I needed to nurse I'd pull the tank down and lift the bra up. I also didn't like the lanolin cream at all so I wouldn't stock up on that. I preffered plain olive oil or nipple butter. Maybe just see what you prefer before you buy too much?

I think other than that I agree with what you have though Just a thought that you could get buy on less than that if you don't want to spend the money (ex- the tanks/the boppy/etc)

I hated the boppy for nursing- I think it put my son up too high and it was not very comfortable so we just used pillows or I nursed laying down. The only time we used the boppy was for tummy time or when he was first sitting up on his own.

GL

MommyandKate

In my case, 2 nursing tanks definitely would not have cut it- but I wore one every day.  I found them really convenient to wear with a button-down sweater or jacket.  I had 5 or 6, and had to do laundry frequently so this time I'll get more.  I'd also recommend the nursing cover.  The Lanolin you will either really need (like some ppl mentioned) or not use at all- I never needed it, so I would stick to one tube of it for now.  I'd also add bottles- you'll need them for the pumped milk and to make sure LO will take a bottle when needed.

lax15bsu

Boppy pillow.  I didn't get one until Z was three months old and then realized how much I missed out on.  I mean, I did fine without it, but it would have been a big help.

Nursing pads - I recommend getting the disposable ones, as I've heard they are a lot more absorbent than the reusable ones.  My reusable ones did nothing.

Cristine

I loved my boppy so much that I got a 2nd one so that I could have one on each floor. I also loved my nursing cover (https://www.bebeaulait.com/). It eliminated the need for nursing tanks for me because I could just lift up my shirt. It also made it easier for me to see him. Nipple shields were a life saver for me, but not everyone needs them.

Aubs13

I've posted a similar question on BF awhile back, and it was recommended to me that you purchase the nursing tanks first, and wait to buy the bras.  Your bra size will most likely change after giving birth, so what fits now might not work once you're home from the hospital.

In our BF class at the hospital, the teacher recommended BPA free ice cube trays.  Measure 1oz milk into each ice cube, and freeze.  Then, when they're frozen, pop them out and save in a dated plastic bag.  This way, you're only using the amount of milk LO needs, and not pumping 6oz into a bottle if LO is only eating 2oz at a time.  I found some trays at Bed, Bath, and Beyond that also have a cover on them, making for easier freezing.....(Just don't store in the door!)

jinx75

Aubs13:

I've posted a similar question on BF awhile back, and it was recommended to me that you purchase the nursing tanks first, and wait to buy the bras.  Your bra size will most likely change after giving birth, so what fits now might not work once you're home from the hospital.

In our BF class at the hospital, the teacher recommended BPA free ice cube trays.  Measure 1oz milk into each ice cube, and freeze.  Then, when they're frozen, pop them out and save in a dated plastic bag.  This way, you're only using the amount of milk LO needs, and not pumping 6oz into a bottle if LO is only eating 2oz at a time.  I found some trays at Bed, Bath, and Beyond that also have a cover on them, making for easier freezing.....(Just don't store in the door!)

What a brilliant idea!! I could have saved a ton of milk if someone had told me this 3 years ago!! 

kpowersw

I didn't use any Lanolin cream, gel pads, or nursing tanks (just personal preference I guess). 

For me, I recommend the Lanisoh disposible breastpads (they were the only ones that didn't show up under shirts), 2-3 good nursing bras, a Medela Pump in Style pump (which will come with the lunchbox type bag and an ice pack), and a Brest Friend pillow (better on the back than a boppy IMO).  I also got some containers to put the bags in when I froze them.  I agree with PP that the steam bags are great as well as a nice nursing cover.       

anniemh20

The lanolin and a boppy are the only things I really found essential.  I never had to use the breast pads, and I didn't get any nursing bras until I went back to work, and a pump then too.  You wont need too much to start. 

rock-elle

Thanks for all the great feedback, I totally forgot about the hooter hider or nursing covers and a boppy is on our registry already.

You guys rock!!!

noah-bear

rosenb2b:

I would highly recommend (just in case) having a nipple shield.  I had to run out within the few days that DS was born for one because of the "damage" he had done.  They are cheap so if you don't need it, great! but it was a lifesaver for me!

They also have those privacy panels now that I wish I would have had before!  Pulling a tata out in public is a little intimidating or it was for me! 

On the pump, I recommend the Medela PIS.  I will just be replacing tubes, etc on mine hopefully but I'd buy another at a moment's notice if needed.  I bought my first one from happymothers.com I think.  It was a lot less expensive than other places!

ETA:  I personally hated the My Breast Friend pillow...it was awkward.  The boppy was a must!

^all that. I had to use a shield for Noah, he slept on his Boppy for 2+ years, I had the Medela and a Hooter HIder. Loved it all. 

ambs21

I absolutely would NOT have stayed with bf for a year without my Boppy.  I actually got the walmart brand one.  It's a little softer and bigger than an actual Boppy, but I love it.  I never had any nursing tanks or special clothes.  I liked having a nursing cover with a wire rim so you can see LO.  Other than that, I didn't really need anything.  I have a single Medela that worked fine for me since I didn't pump often (hated pumping!). 

jess252

I would say a couple more nursing bras...it seemed like i always leaked on mine.

And yes, like a pp said, a bobby pillow!!

I also  like the Medela pumps the best too.

mrs.tashnash

Earth mama angel baby has a great nipple cream. I would opt for the reuseable breast pads, preferrably made from bamboo (WAY more comfortable).

There are these things called Milk trays that I liked way better than the storage bags. They're reuseable and each one is an ounces so you don't have to thaw the whole bag to get just a bit.

I love Bravada bras, the body silk seamless is SOOOOOo comfortable.

Also a giant water bottle if you don't already have one. You will drink more water than you ever thought possible.

Also take your time, it's hard. If you have any questions ask, there are a lot of people willing to help.

Zed58

Your list looks great.  The only thing that I would add (and I know it's been said by pp's) would be a hooter hider.  Personally, I never got into using the boppy.  I tried with #1 and found it to be more awkward then comfortable.  Some people LOVE them some people (myself included) are kinda 'meh' about them.  You'll definitely get into your own little BFing groove and will be a pro in your own way before ya know it.

704bride

I will be skipping the lanolin cream this time around because I found out a few years ago that I'm allergic to lanolin and it might explain why I had discomfort for such a long time.  The best thing is actually supposed to be putting some breast milk on your nipple and letting it air dry.

Definitely make sure you have disposable pads for leaking because I bought the ones you can wash and they ended up soaking through so easily.  I also used these nipple cover things at the beginning (almost like a little plastic cup that went over your nipple to help them heal).  I don't think you need to buy those though because I think most people don't need them.

I love my Medela pump!  I also have a handheld manual pump that I ended up using many times (like if you're out somewhere and need to pump, but don't want to bring the whole pump).