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Breastfeeding
What should I have on hand?
I am totally looking forward to exclusively breastfeeding, I have prepared myself and plan to take it a day at a time. I have read all of the advice here, books etc. like never quit on a bad day etc. But as the time draws near I am a little concerned that I may not be prepared, I have not purchased or received any bottles. I have intentionally not purchased any pacifiers or even a pump. Until lately my thought process was that I shouldn't be tempted with these items laying around the house.
Should I have these things just in case? Do you all use pacifiers for soothing? Does that cause confusion? Of course DH can run out and grab stuff when necessary but honestly he can be a little detailed and it could turn into a big fiasco if he has to do it alone.
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Re: What should I have on hand?
Ok a few questions first...will you be a SAHM? If so then you may never need a pump, but if you plan on returning to work you will need one in order to pump. I would recommend a double electric as it allows you to pump both sides at the same time which saves you time! If you will be staying home a single manual pump wouldn't be a bad thing to have to help take the pressure off when you are engorged. Some women have troubles getting their LO's to latch when they are so engorged.
We bought 2 packages of bottles, both different kinds to have as we knew that DS would have to get one with BM in it when I went back to work. We ended up going threw 3 different styles until we found one that DS would take and that wouldn't leak all over (we use the Nuby non-drip and LOVE them).
We did have pacifiers on hand as I planed on trying to use them if DS would take one. He does sometimes, but not all the time. Him taking one never caused any confusion for us.
I would suggest buying some of the items if you think that you could use them and just not open them. Save the receipt and if you don't then you can always return the items. But the last thing that you want to do is have to run out when you get home to buy things that you don't have on hand especially if having your DH go and get the items would turn into a fiasco.
Good Luck! And you are so right to not give up on a bad day. Breastfeeding can be hard at first, but it is so worth it in the end and so rewarding!
I would grab a few pacifiers and throw them in the closet just to have on hand. OR just bring a couple home from the hospital.
I had all intentions of exclusively breastfeeding but DS was early and we had latch issues:( and thus my long journey of EPing (going on 11 months!!!!) But I had not bought my pump yet and we ended up stopping at BRU on the way home from the hospital to pick one up (PISA - love it). Hopefully it will go smoother for you but do get some Lansinoh cream, maybe a nursing cover, boppy pillow. Other than that, you should be fine.
I'd have a few pacis on hand...my DD was a huge sucker and i needed a break to save my sanity.
Bottles...hit or miss. I never needed one with either kid until 3-4 weeks, but it never hurts to buy a couple and leave them wrapped. Or worse case, buy online. Diapers.com carries a ton of stuff and delivers next day for example.
On a girlfriend's suggestion, I took my pump to the hospital and am glad I did. The LC taught me how to use it. And, LO was losing lots of weight and the nurses were trying to force formula on us. The LC encouraged me to pump and supplement with what I pumped instead ... which at that point literally was just drops. Anyway, it was nice to have the LC teach me how to use my pump and I think pumping that early helped my milk come in a day earlier than I was told to expect it, after a c-section.
What I would not have on hand at home is formula. We did end up supplementing with formula b/c baby was very hungry before my milk fully came in, and my mom and husband kept insisting on giving him formula. I didn't want to and our pedi had told me that I didn't have to. But, I gave in just because I had a can of stupid formula that came as a sample in the mail. I was mad when I received the sample in the mail and had been tempted to immediately throw it away, but for some reason I had stashed it in the pantry. Of course, a little formula early on doesn't kill the baby, but it emotionally tore me up.