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3rd Trimester
Hello 3rd trimester!!! And yes I have some questions...
I have started registering online and in stores, but cannot decide on a stroller, car seat, or feeding items (bottles and other misc items for breast feeding). There are just too many choices!!! When I had my DS 12 yrs ago I just picked the one that matched his crib bedding! LOL That wasn't the smartest thing to do but I just bought it and rolled with it. Really no complaints. I like the travel system ideas because I remember liking snapping his infant car seat into the base and the stroller because it was quick and easy.
As far as BF, I tried to do it the first time around but DS just wasn't having it, whether directly from me or in a bottle. So this time I'm not sure what to get! Someone who has successfully BF before please fill me in on choosing bottles, bags, pumps, nursing pads, etc, and let me know if I need to bring any of that to the hospital to get a good start??? Since your milk doesn't come in for a couple of days after delivery, is the little amount of colostrum that comes out enough to sustain baby til then? I really want to do it this time so please explain!
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Re: Hello 3rd trimester!!! And yes I have some questions...
I have no advice on BF, but for everythign else I highly recommend a copy of Baby Bargains.
Welcome, and good luck!
Comgrats on baby #2. Here is my advice as the mom of a preg mom of a 2 and 4 yr old.
Carseats....find a good one that fits in your car and can be easily and properly installed (proper installation is the number one key to safety according the state trooper that I have install all my carseats). Personally, I prefer the Graco infant seat and Britax Marathon Convertible Carseat (I currently have two in my van). I had the Graco travel system stroller for DD#1 and DD#2 I liked that the carseat fit into it and that it had a larger basket. I still use it to go shopping with my 2 yr old because I can fit a lot of stuff in basket and not have to put kid in dirty shopping cart for quick trips. I am thinking of getting the lighterweight Graco stroller this time around as my two girls have worn out my travel system stroller. THe lighter weight one also has carseat strap in capabilities but is lighter and folds down smaller.
As for BFing, I BF DD#1 for 17.5 mos and DD#2 for 14.5 mos. Yes all your baby needs fr the first few days is your colostrum. If you formula feed too it can delay your milk production. You need the sucking to produce milk, so unless your Dr/lactation consultant recommends supplementing don't plan on it. If BFing works out, I'd get some nipple cream (I like Lansinoh), some cloth breastpads like Medela (I prefer cloth for first few weeks while nipples are sore then I prefer to go to Johnson &Johnson disposables). I'd take the nipple cream, pads, and nursing bra to hospital. You won't need anything else there. As for home, plan on getting 3-4 bottles (I prefer Dr. Browns for BFing babies) but don't buy too many because every baby is an individual and baby may or may not like the brand of bottle or nipple you buy. I always end up buying several different kind and see what they like then go buy more of those. I have two babies and had to go with two different kind of botttles/pacis.
As for a pump, this just depends on your nursing plans. I have the medela advanced pump and I really like it. I chose to rent a pump from the hospital for the first two months to make sure I was able to nurse before I went out and bought an expensive pump myself. If you plan on working and pumping a lot then I recommend getting a more powerful pump. If just supplementing then you can get away with a mid-grade pump.
Just my advice,..Hope this helps.
I'm no expert but this is what I have been told:
Don't go out and buy tons of pumping supplies until after you know you can successfully BF.
Multiple people have rec'd the Medela line of breast pumps and supplies.
Babies usually like different things so don't go out and buy a ton of the same brand of bottles, get a few and figure out what LO likes
We got a travel system but this is my 1st so I don't have personal experience with the pros/cons. Graco and Chicco seem to be typically highly rated and moderately priced. A copy of Baby Bargains is a good investment
Baby Bargains is a must have. Here's my opinion on the other things
*travel systems are beasty things; get an infant car seat and a Snap N Go. I loved ours. My cousin had a baby 4 mos before I did and had a travel system--she hated it and always said she wished she went the Snap N Go route. I love the Graco Snugride infant car seat. A lot of people go for the bigger "can hold up to X pound" ones but trust me, once that kid reaches 17+ lbs you wont want to lug him/her in the infant carrier; once DD could sit up on her own she didnt want to be in the carrier anymore either
*I BF'd DD. I had a Medela Swing single pump cuz I was a SAHM. Loved it. I also like the Lanisoh freezer bags. I also liked their breast cream the best. Never had a leak w/the bags btw. As for bottles, I swear by Dr. Browns. Yes, there are extra pieces but they arent difficult to clean--I either put everything in the dishwasher or I soak everything in the sink in very hot water. I cant recall which nursing pads I liked best; I havent bought any yet for this pregnancy but I think it was the Medela ones. Bring pads and cream to the hospital. I used their pump the last time and will this time too. I also brought my nursing pillow (My Brest Friend--it has the most support and stays in place better than the Boppy).
I highly suggest reading "So That's What They're For" to help with breastfeeding. Read it before you deliver because it will be too hard to try to read when you are exhausted - you need to be ready to feed the baby already.
I'm confused on bottles, too. We used Dr. Brown's before and they were fine. A pain sometimes, but fine. I may switch to the BPA free version of those or try a new kind.