Breastfeeding
Breast Feeding must haves-pls recommend
Hi all. I am new to the BF form. I plan to BF the LO and would like to make sure I have everything I need in order to have a smooth BF experience. So far, I have
- Medela breast pump (since I plan to go back to work )
- Boppy nursing pillow
I
am going to buy the Lanolin cream, soothing gels and nursing tanks.
Would love to get recommendations for the best brands for the above and
if I need anything else in addition? TIA.
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Re: Breast Feeding must haves-pls recommend
extra pump parts and collection bottles so you don't have to wash at work. Cheaper than the wipes or steam clean bags in the long run.
You'll want some nursing bras as well as tanks.
Otherwise just have the phone number of a good LC on hand
A good reference book - I really liked So That's What They're For.
I still wear nothing but nursing tanks. The Target ones are great for around the house, sleeping and under things (they are cheap and comfy). I also like the Glamourmom long tanks - well because they are long! I'm small chested though so a tank is plenty of support for me.
I wear washable pads - I'm still leaking 6 months out and got tired of the plastic, crunchy sound of the disposable ones. I used both Lansinoh and Medela pads - both were fine. If you get washable ones, I'd recommend ones with a PLU backing so you don't leak through them.
Biggest must have for the early days - a comfortable nursing spot, someone to bring you food and drink, and something good to watch or read - you'll be spending a lot of time there!
Breastfeeding Counselor with Breastfeeding USA
Babywearing Guide ** Newborn Carriers
Cloth Diaper Guide
Safe Bed Sharing Info
If you want to be able to nurse outside your house (and you will get cabin fever after a while!), I definitely recommend a Hooter Hider/Bebe au Lait nursing cover. I also love the My Brest Friend nursing pillow. The flat surface supports the baby well and it hooks together securely so it really stays in place. Like a pp mentioned, a good LC is indispensable!
I also have 2 boppy pillows one for in her room and one for down stairs. Also if one gets dirty I have a back up until the other is clean. I love my glamourmom tank tops, I wear them every day altough I do have 2 nursing bras from when I nursed DS the tanks are a must though. This time around I got a Bebe au Lait nursing cover and really like it. It took me a while to learn to nurse and cover with a blanket and this is so much easier.
Having a resource person to contact in the beginning is very helpful. GL with your delivery.
I reuse my pump parts for 1 day by sticking them in the fridge between pumpings at work. I just wash them once at the end of the day. It's SO much easier!
Only buy one tube of lanolin cream - you won't need the whole thing. I got a tube that my friend had partially used, and still didn't use the whole thing. It's the Medela lanolin cream, and I really liked it. Now that we are established, I haven't needed the cream for quite some time.
If you're going back to work, you'll need a freezer stash. I have a First Years freezer storage container, and I love it. It freezes the bags flat for you, and organizes them really easily. I have been using the Lansinoh bags, and think they're great so far.
I bought nursing tanks from Target, and I really like them. Buy a size larger than your regular size so that your nursing boobs fit in them!
I recommend against the Boppy pillow, because it is too short (makes mama lean toward baby, messing up latch and putting nipples at peril of getting sore!), and because it slopes in toward Mama (causing baby to roll inward, messing up latch). I really think that the My Breast Friend is a much better choice all around.
I would recommend going to a series of four LLL meetings before your baby is born, or as many as you can get to, if there aren't that many months before the baby is born! The nice thing about going ahead of time is that you will get useful info (for free!) that you are likely to need before you get to a meeting after the baby is born. Too, the Leader's services helping you figure out latch and trouble shooting other issues is free...and getting to know and trust her beforehand can be a huge help when you're exhausted and have questions! Here is the link to the meetings in your area.
A great support system is important to have in place. It makes it a lot easier when your most important job is feeding and getting to know your baby!
A water bottle and some really quick to grab healthy snacks (cheese and crackers, yogurt, soup in the crock pot, bagged salad, nuts, fruit and cut up veggies...) are important. You need to be well fed and hydrated to heal and make lots of milk for the baby!
big fan of the car adaptor - especially after I forgot my AC adaptor, that was an uncomfy day.
don't buy too many pads - I didn't leak very much and only at the very beginning. now i have 4 boxes in the closet.