Breastfeeding questions

moesie · March 2011

This is my first baby and want to BF but need help with what i need to register for such as I know i need a breastpump but what else do I need. Can you reccommend your pump that you like? Also is there anything i need to do/or should be doing before hand in preparation for BF. Thanks for your help as i am clueless about where to start.

tokenhoser · March 2011

I've started going to La Leche League meetings to learn a bit about breastfeeding before the baby arrives. Some hospitals also offer classes. It's helped me relax about the whole thing. There are also lots of books - check your library.

Things I'm registered for: manual pump (Avent Isis) because I will SAH, a few storage containers, a breastfeeding pillow, a couple different kinds of bottles. Honestly, none of that is necessary. What is necessary: lanolin (medela gets good reviews) cream, breast pads (disposable or washable), nursing bras or tanks (but you can't really guess your size yet). That's about it. If you're returning to work within a few weeks or months, then a double electric pump is a good investment, as well as more bottles and storage bags (Lanisoh get good reviews).

MrsSC9 · March 2011

I'm also going to be new to breastfeeding and I was told to NOT buy a breast pump until after I tried it first. I know that it's something that I want to do, but I was told that if for some reason it doesn't work out the way I'd like, I'd just be stuck with a piece of equipment that won't be used.

radiantkitten · March 2011

Learning proper latch-on. Depending whether you are SAHM or working you can decide manual/electric. Boppy pillow, breastpads, lanolin. Good supportive bra. I am going for an electric inexpensive dual breast pump this time around. Avent is good like the other post suggested. Also, a glider is a women's breast friend

pumpkinhead06 · March 2011

check to see if you hospital or local BRU offers breastfeeding classes... it is good to take to make you and your dh more comfortable with the whole process.

for my son, I bought breast pads, lanolin, nursing tanks, nursing bras, a double electric pump, and storage bags. My hospital gives all BFing mamas a free medela hand pump, so I used that at first to make sure I needed to electric one for when I went back to work.

whatever you buy, do not open/break the seals until after the baby is here and BF has been established and is going well, especially the pump.

and lather the lanolin on, your nips will be super sore right away. and be wary of stains... it willl stain tanks. as does breast milk.

radiantkitten · March 2011

Also, it takes 10-14 days to get in a routine so don't feel frustrated. It's a learned experience you won't regret

Also, I would also week around 6-8 weeks before using for your body to adjust.

tokenhoser · March 2011

MrsSC9:
I'm also going to be new to breastfeeding and I was told to NOT buy a breast pump until after I tried it first. I know that it's something that I want to do, but I was told that if for some reason it doesn't work out the way I'd like, I'd just be stuck with a piece of equipment that won't be used.

It is a good idea to know return policies. For example, BRU says 45 days and unopened only for breast pumps. I would still buy ahead and have it on hand - but I'm buying the $50 manual, not the $350 electric. I'm also pretty dead set on breastfeeding.

pumpkinhead06 · March 2011

oh, and as far as electric pump brands, I went with the Lansinoh and loved it. It was 1/2 the price of the Medelas and worked perfectly fine. I am planning on using it again with the baby.

00tedsgirl · March 2011

The breastfeeding relationship is supply and demand based. So, unless you plan on going back to work quickly, avoid your pump for the first few weeks. Get a good habit going with baby before you introduce an artificial nurser.

The Gerber storage bags are cheap, but they are also pretty crappy. The Lansinoh bags are much better. You can also buy Avent cups for storage and save yourself the trash if you have room in your freezer or don't plan on keeping a large stash.

If you are going to need a good sized stash, take one of your gift bags from your shower and cut a rectangle in the bottom of one of the narrow sides of it. Freeze your milk flat and drop it into the bag (make sure you label!) Each time you pump a new bag, lay it on top of the stack in your bag and you can just grab the oldest milk from the bottom of the bag.

LLLI is an awesome resource. They often have a lending library in addition to BTDT moms who can help you out.

Some say to toughen your nipples by rubbing them with a washcloth, while others advise against this. I didn't do it and did fine.

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with typical growth spurts. Those tend to be high-needs nursing periods and can be frustrating for new moms. If your baby is nursing like mad around the time of a growth spurt it doesn't mean you have low supply, your baby is just increasing it for future needs as s/he grows.

kjbarber86 · March 2011

This is my first baby also and I want to BF. I'm taking the breastfeeding class they offer at the hospital I'm going to deliver at. I think that's going to be really helpful since I know virtually nothing about BFing.

Cassondra09 · March 2011

Look around and find a class about breastfeeding that you can attend. I teach the breastfeeding class at my hospital (where I am also an RN) and so many of my students write on their reviews that they learned things they didn't even know they needed to know. Also read up as much as you can. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a good book. LLL is a great resource as well!

As for registering... I am registered for the Medela (side note: Medela is the brand that our hospital uses, and have not heard one single negative thing in person about this brand, that is why I am choosing them) Pump In Style Advanced. It is a very large investment, but I plan to do all I can possible to exclusively breastfeed x6 months and then continue to breastfeed throughout the first year or longer, so this is all very important to me. In addition to the PISA, I am registered for the Medela Harmony Manual pump. I plan to carry this with me if I need to do a quick pumping session and don't want to lug around the large pump. I am also registered for both the Lansinoh and Medela lanolin creams (different ladies have different preferences, so I want to try them both), reusable cloth breast pads, and both Medela and Lansinoh storage bags (again to see which I like better). Something else worth registering for is a nursing cover.

When the time comes, be patient! Breastfeeding is put off as this total natural process that just happens. Unfortunately that is not always the case. It is a learning process for both yourself and your baby.

amahrey · March 2011

there is a great book on breastfeeding by dr. sears. also, there is a la leche league book called the womanly art of breastfeeding.

you can get used copies of both pretty cheap on amazon. i'm a big fan of reading as much as i can to help me feel prepared for things. i had a really challenging nursing situation with ds (2+ months in the nicu and i couldn't begin nursing him for 3 weeks) and i feel like both of those books helped me to feel in charge and prepared and gave me the confidence to be able to tell hospital staff what i expected and what my needs were.

i had a medela pump in style advanced shoulder bag that i used for an electric pump once ds came home. i used it for more than a year when i went back to work and would totally recommend it (it was expensive, but i feel that it was worth it).

JustineDD · March 2011

I breastfed my son, and plan on bf-ing #2 as well...

Anyways my necessities for BF-ing, nursing pads (I leaked awful), a nursing pillow (I sent hubby out for one while still in the hospital) & a nursing bra that was basically it.

4 weeks after our son was born I needed a pump... and never bothered with nursing tops, it was summer and spaghetti strap shirts and dresses worked well for me.

I never stored my milk long enough to need storage bags, only enough so that I could leave my son for a few hours so just some bottles...

The area where I live didn't offer any classes, but the nurses at the hospital were fantastic!!!

Good Luck with everything, I was determined to nurse, and even with some difficulties I was able to make it work!

KhloesMom · March 2011

Everyone's pretty much covered it well. For stuff that I'd recommend:

A set of the Avent washable breast pads. There are 3 sets in a pack and they're super soft. I mostly wore these at night since they were a bit bulkier, but they're quite absorbent. They come with their own little wash bag-just toss 'em in the machine.

Medela PISA. I had both the Avent manual (which I despised) and the PISA and that thing was my BFF for 9 months. If you plan on going back to work and BF'ing is a long-term commitment for you, it's worth every penny IMO. I'd also buy it, have it one hand (unopened), so you can bust that sucker out as soon as you need it. I bought a Medela manual pump as a backup for this go around and I'm praying my PISA is still alive & kicking.

I used the Lansinoh bags the last time and found that they leaked a lot-I'm going with the Medela this time.

I did love the Lansinoh Ultra-Soft disposable breast pads. The comfort was worth the price different for me.

I hated the Lansinoh lanolin. I've heard great things about the Medela lanolin. I LOVED the Palmer's Nipple Cream, but it's hard to find. Don't go bananas on this stuff, no matter what brand you choose-1 tube will probably last your duration of BF'ing.

00tedsgirl · March 2011

Cassondra09:
When the time comes, be patient! Breastfeeding is put off as this total natural process that just happens. Unfortunately that is not always the case. It is a learning process for both yourself and your baby.

This was probably the best advice I got when I started.

Temp38995750004016 · March 2011

Definitely find a book about breastfeeding to have as a reference. We are also taking a class.

I registered for (am buying myself!) a Medela Pump In Style, Lansinoh breast pads and nipple cream, Medela freezer storage bags and a Boppy. I'll buy bras and camis once my milk comes in.

jeffrae · March 2011

There is a great book "the nursing mothers companion" that I used often as a reference. A boppy pillow is great for older kids, my brest friend is great for newborns. hooter hider/bebe au lait (these are bigger then the peanut shell). wool breast pads, lanshinoh milk bags, lanshinoh breast pads, "soothies", medela pump worked great for me.....get an electric (all my friends who got a manual never used it), hands free bra.

My guess is that no one will purchase anything BFing related unless it is a hooter hider/feeding pillow.

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