Breast Feeding Essentials

NLewis1 · June 2014

I've searched the board and can't find anything on this particular subject on our A14 board, so I thought, with that awesome "Helpful Newborn Advice" thread and @Scarfbandit's breakdown of her after-birth basket, I got to thinking I would like to make up a Breastfeeding basket. I was at Walmart the other day and got a box of nursing pads, as well as some gel nipple "soothies" and some hot/cold therapy packs...but other than that I'm at a loss. Any STM+ have any products they feel like they couldn't live (breastfeed) without?

I'm not sure how I feel about Lanolin (can baby ingest this? Do I wipe it off first? Am I overthinking this?) Any great cleaning products to clean my pump with? (Im a working FTM and will be pumping to supply the nanny). I've read putting breast milk on sore nipples helps with the healing, anyone have any experience with this?

Super Awesome side note: My insurance pays 100% of my breast pump, and one of the "options" of pumps they gave me is the Medela Advanced Electric Double pump. Im pretty stoked about that....just had to AW my awesome insurance for a minute.

Valancyy · June 2014

If you're going to be pumping a lot I would get several changes of pump parts (the connectors/membranes). Make sure you have enough collection bottles too. I had three changes sets of theses parts. Then you'll always have a set that is clean and dry.

I used the lanolin very occasionally. It was still good to have.

I use re-usable breast pads. After the first month or so I don't leak anymore during the day. When the baby starts sleeping longer stretches at night I start leaking again.

Boppy pillow.

Kindle...I read a lot while the baby nursed.

Make sure you have a drink nearby when you nurse. You get thirsty.

Nursing bras and tanks. Nursing pajamas.

Oh, have a burp cloth nearby too!

NLewis1 · June 2014

LoisLayn23 said:

I didn't like the soothies, they were sticky and hurt my nipples trying to get them off.

Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple cream or Motherlove nipple cream were both wonderful alternatives because you aren't supposed to use lanolin.

I bought the Medela steam bags for my tubing and pump parts and sterilized with that once a week, but otherwise, hot soapy water between uses is fine.

I loved the Lanisoh breast pads, I leak an insane amount and they caught it all without leaking through my shirt like the others ones I'd tried.

Where do you get the Earthmama and Motherlove products? And who told you you aren't supposed to use Lanolin? Did they say why? (No snark, just want the info!) I live in a super rural area, and basically all we have in town is Walmart - so if I need to order from Amazon I would like to know ahead of time so I can get on that.

SM0524 · June 2014

https://www.zulily.com/p/twist-breastfeeding-gift-set-86457-7149619.html This system was a lifesaver for us!! You can pump into, store, warm, and feed all from the same container. My DH and nanny LOVED it. The bags are more expensive than normal storage bags, but still totally worth it.

My ins. is paying for my pump this time too. YAY!

NLewis1 · June 2014

SM0524 said:

https://www.zulily.com/p/twist-breastfeeding-gift-set-86457-7149619.html This system was a lifesaver for us!! You can pump into, store, warm, and feed all from the same container. My DH and nanny LOVED it. The bags are more expensive than normal storage bags, but still totally worth it.

My ins. is paying for my pump this time too. YAY!

**** Stuck in quote box!*****

I can't find anywhere on there that talks about which pumps it is compatible with. Do you know if it is compatible with Medela?

[Deleted User] · June 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

MC03 · June 2014

I've never heard you aren't supposed to use lanolin. They gave me lanolin last time in the hospital and it really helped. Also, you do not have to wipe it off before baby eats, which is a huge plus.

And a little breastmilk on my nipples also helped a bunch when they were sore and peeling a bit. Breastmilk is a miracle cure!

I used the lansinoh breast pads, I pretty much had to use them all the time. Even when baby was older and I went back to work I needed them in case I was a little late with a pumping session or else I would leak.

I also love the lansinoh breast milk storage bags. They lay flat when you freeze and are easier to organize. Take a standard size gift bag and cut a slit in the bottom. Then stack the flat bags inside of it in your freezer. When you need a bag grab one from the bottom slit so you are always using up the oldest milk. This trick saved so much room for me in our freezer.

MC03 · June 2014

One more thing - for me, while pumping directly into the bag and feeding from it later sounds like a cool idea, it did not work. It is unlikely you will pump exactly a bottle's worth of milk at each session, and you can't combine warm milk with cold milk (so you can't take a previously pumped bag out of the fridge and then just resume pumping until you get a bottle's worth).

Also, it is really hard to accurately measure the oz. in a bag. It is much better to just pump into bottles and then pour those into the bags once you have enough for a bottle. I usually froze 2 oz. and 4 oz. portions. DD never ate more than 4 oz. at a time (which is pretty usual for a breastfed baby).

NLewis1 · June 2014

LoisLayn23 said:

I can't find the article I really wanted to link, but here's some information about Lanolin.

There are two potential problems with lanolin.

1. It can be refined to acceptable cosmetic grade and still contain impurities, some of which can be allergens. People who are allergic to lanolin are probably allergic to unrelated ingredients that were not removed in the refining process. Also, some manufacturers use a chemical bleach to whiten the color. And the finished product may have been mixed with vegetable oils or soft paraffin that comes from other sources. There could be impurities in these additives.

2. Some lanolin can be tainted with DDT, dieldrin, lindane, or other toxic pesticides. It's possible for these carcinogens to make their way into our skincare products. This is because the sheep may be eating food that has been treated with these or other insecticides

Get a good nipple cream, preferably one that is organic, toxin and Lanolin-free and infused with organic wound-healing Calendula (evidence based research supports Calendula's safe use for healing cracked nipples) Using organic skin care products is important for your own body and especially important where you are putting it into your baby's mouth! Take your nipple cream to the hospital and use it after every feeding to help prevent soreness. My absolute favorite nipple cream and the one widely recommended by hospitals, lactation consultants, midwives, nurses and doctors, is Earth Mama Angel Baby's Natural Nipple Butter!
Ingredients include Organic Olive Oil infused with wound-healing Calendula, Organic Shea butter which helps heal cracked, damaged skin with its renowned skin softening and moisture retaining ability; and organic Cocoa and Mango butters which helps protect, soften and the lubricate skin, acting as a moisture barrier for tender, sensitive nipples.
Natural Nipple Butter! is safe for both mama and baby! There is no need to wash it off the breasts before nursing, and no lanolin means no worry about wool allergies or pesticide contamination!!

I buy all my cloth diaper/mama stuff from momsmilkboutique.com. They have amazing customer service and really fast shipping times, plus sales and specials and freebies with orders.

https://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/breastfeeding-support
https://www.motherlove.com/product/1001-Nipple-Cream.html

*** Stuck in quote box AGAIN!!!***

This is SUPER helpful. Thanks!

NLewis1 · June 2014

MC03 said:

One more thing - for me, while pumping directly into the bag and feeding from it later sounds like a cool idea, it did not work. It is unlikely you will pump exactly a bottle's worth of milk at each session, and you can't combine warm milk with cold milk (so you can't take a previously pumped bag out of the fridge and then just resume pumping until you get a bottle's worth).

Also, it is really hard to accurately measure the oz. in a bag. It is much better to just pump into bottles and then pour those into the bags once you have enough for a bottle. I usually froze 2 oz. and 4 oz. portions. DD never ate more than 4 oz. at a time (which is pretty usual for a breastfed baby).

***O.M.G. is there something wrong with thebump? Is it just me?****

I actually bought freezer trays at BuyBuyBaby so i can freeze in 1 oz. sticks - pop sticks into freezer bag - give bag to nanny, nanny can just stick 2 or 3 (or however many baby is eating at the time) and warm. Pretty neat!

NLewis1 · June 2014

@christel811 how did that work for you? Better, not as good? About the same as the motherlove cream?

MC03 · June 2014

I used the medela steam bags and I tried to do it once a week, on the weekends. Sometimes it would be every other week.

NLewis1 · June 2014

Can you just boil in water like bottles and nipples? Or are you not supposed to do that?

SM0524 · June 2014

NLewis1 said:

SM0524 said:

https://www.zulily.com/p/twist-breastfeeding-gift-set-86457-7149619.html This system was a lifesaver for us!! You can pump into, store, warm, and feed all from the same container. My DH and nanny LOVED it. The bags are more expensive than normal storage bags, but still totally worth it.

My ins. is paying for my pump this time too. YAY!

**** Stuck in quote box!*****

I can't find anywhere on there that talks about which pumps it is compatible with. Do you know if it is compatible with Medela?

It comes with connectors to make it compatible with pretty much every breast pump. It worked great with my medela!

NLewis1 · June 2014

@LoisLayn23 I looked on that first website you listed, and then on Amazon, and you can get the 2oz tube on Amazon for the same price as the 1 oz. tube on the Earth mama website. Just thought you might like to know!

Also - has anyone used the Earth mama Angel baby Butt butter? Any better/different than Beaudreaux's butt paste (I think thats how you spell it)

noycela · June 2014

I found rubbing breastmilk on my nipples was better than nipple cream, plus then you don't have to be worried about if the babe should be ingesting it.

I also had a Milk Saver, which I loved the first month or so when I would leak from the boob that wasn't in use during nursing sessions. (The leakage stopped after 6-8 weeks, but before that I would get about 1/2-1 ounce out of the other boob each time he nursed). I didn't pump at all the first month and a half and still had a nice little frozen stash from that.

For pumping at work, a good pump and extra parts! Cleaning all the parts is just annoying ... Not sure there's a way around that.

KittyMisha · June 2014

Random question: Did/does everyone alternate breasts during one feeding session? Because I never did with DD. Popping her off to switch always messed up her rhythm to the point that she wouldn't latch onto the other side, so I just let her drain one side at a time and then switch to the other the next time she was hungry. It made my breasts look incredibly lopsided and one or the other was always a little strained, but it worked well enough. We breastfed for a year.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone had any tips for making the switch without interrupting the feeding process. If I can avoid lopsided breast engorgement this time around I'd like to.

MC03 · June 2014

What my LC instructed me to do was let DD nurse on one side as long as she wants. Then when she pops off offer the other side. If she takes it, fine, if not start on that side next time.

MereDe3 · June 2014

Ditto the pp who mentioned having water nearby. I used a sportsy water bottle and that thing followed me everywhere. For my first, I kept a log of when DD ate, whether she peed and/or pooped and most importantly, which side she nursed from or started from. All those 3 am nursing sessions start to blend together and it wasn't easy for me as a new mom to keep track of that info in my head. With DS, my 2nd, I didn't keep that level of detail, but I think it helped me keep my sanity as a new mom with DD.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

I didn't see a post where this was discussed yet, but do you all have a suggestion about the type of pump? At my breastfeeding class, the LC recommended the Ameda Purely Yours, but her second choice was the Medela Pump in Style. I feel like I see tons of people mention the Medela, but I haven't noticed much about the Ameda. Her reasoning was the fact that Ameda is a closed system, while the Medela is not, and she has mentioned seeing incredibly gross mold in Medela systems that moms didn't even know was there (she said it in a more professional way, not trying to sway anyone, but more like inform everyone).

Any thoughts?

Valancyy · June 2014

Agree with what the pp's said about switching breasts. Just let the baby drain one before you switch. If they don't pop off on their own you'll be able to tell when they've drained it. The sucking rhythm changes. (My son didn't always pop off on his own).

My son always took both breasts at a feeding. He didn't always drain the 2nd one, so you just start with that one the next time. Some babies only take one breast at a feeding, it depends on your milk storage capacity. If you store a lot of milk they may only need one per feeding.

shevaCC · June 2014

DD rarely ate from both sides in a single nursing session. She would nurse for 15-20 minutes on one side, then pop off and be done (or try to fall asleep on the nipple, then eventually unlatch as her sleep got deeper). If she unlatched and wanted to eat more, then I'd offer the other side, but still start with the opposite side at the next nursing session.

At first I tried keeping track of which side she started on using an app, but I quickly switched to a hair elastic on my wrist. Once she finished nursing I would put it on the other wrist so I'd know to start on that side that time.

I loved the Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom balm for diaper rashes. I mostly used breastmilk on my sore nipples last time, and a little Lansinoh lanolin if it was really bad. This time I'm considering getting the hard shells that keep anything from touching your nipples so they can air dry between nursing sessions.

NLewis1 · June 2014

Who needs a LC when I have such smart ladies on this board?!

I was planning on taking the BF class the hospital offers....until I realized they ONLY offer it during the weekdays. Like, really? A LOT of moms work full time and can't take a day or half day (ours are 8 hour classes, is that normal? Seems like a long class...coming from a FTM). I am not in a position where I can take a whole day off of work to ask questions in a class, which really really sucks, because I would totally go to one

[Deleted User] · June 2014

LoisLayn23 said:

I've never used an Ameda but I've had 2 Medelas (insurance covered it my second baby so I got it so I could keep one at home and one at work). I don't see how mold or anything could get into the pump. It doesn't even make sense.

These are just some of the many articles out there that I found after my lactation consultant explained this issue to us. She said that there are mothers who swear there's no way their pump could have mold, but when they open up and check the motor, there's a ton. I feel like I'll always wonder/worry there's something I can't see!
Here's a bump board post, with pictures - https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/6987876/wtf-is-this-in-my-pump-pip
These are blog posts from a Google search:
https://amywest.co/2011/01/19/the-problems-with-medela/

https://mythnomore.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-you-shouldnt-buy-sell-or-borrow.html

https://www.momsalive.com/2011/06/not-all-breast-pumps-were-created-equal/

https://www.dotdotslittleshop.com/blog/2011/03/molds-in-my-breast-pump-but-how-can-that-be/

[Deleted User] · June 2014

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KittyMisha · June 2014

Does it matter if there's mold in the motor? It's not getting into the milk and you can't see/smell it, right? I know I'm in the minority, but that sort of thing doesn't bother me a bit. I loved my Medela, and plan to use it again.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

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Unknown · June 2014

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Valancyy · June 2014

@capsfan52 Now I am really thinking that I should take a look at my Medela PIS to check for mold. I've had it since 2010.

I've replaced the tubing because there was mold/mildew in the bottom of the tubes. Probably due to condensation. I've since learned to let it run a few minutes after you're done pumping to dry them out. Also...make sure you use dry pump parts. Sometimes my parts would be a little damp still from a recent washing and that would make the condensation worse.

Megs7911 · June 2014

A little late to the party, but for all of us in the U.S., the Affordable Care Act changed insurance coverage for expecting parents. I am pretty sure ALL insurance companies are now required to cover the cost of a breast pump with some only supplementing the cost. Each company has their own requirements as to how you get the pump, some will reimburse, some you have to get a proscription from your Ob, and some you order directly from a medical supply/equipment company. So, it is a good idea to check with your insurance providers first, regardless.

Unknown · June 2014

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MC03 · June 2014

I nursed in the morning, then pumped at work 3 times, nursed again in the evening and before bed. I pumped usually around 9:30, noon, and 3. I could finish a pumping sessions in about 20 min, which was 15 of pumping and 5 min of prep and cleanup.

NLewis1 · June 2014

zoegirlTX said:

I'm about to (try to) order my pump for my insurnace...

My options are Madela PISA, Amadea Purely Yours, and Hygeia Q

I've read a ton of threads & lots of people have preferences among these (pros/cons) & sometimes it's just a personal/body reason to like one over the other.

Any last minute suggestions between these? I'm leaning towards the Hygeia b/c it's hospital grade & endorsed by LLL (plus the reviews I've read).

These are the same options my insurance gave me. I chose the Medela because every mom who I know (IRL) who pumped highly suggested it.

Valancyy · June 2014

@christel811: I had the same problem with my frozen breastmilk. It smelled awful (like soapy/sour) after being defrosted. I wasted a bunch with my first. After that I always made sure to scald the mild before freezing it. It worked.

So...there's another tip for FTM's. Here's some more info about it: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/

Unknown · June 2014

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tamarar5 · June 2014

My insurance only covers the Ameda pump, so I'm curious if anyone has used it.

I had a madela double before but somehow it for contaminated with bacteria and I lost my entire stash (150+ oz) because it was rancid. I have no idea what changed between first and second baby, but I bawled throwing that much milk out! To make matters worse, as I was trying to sterilize the pump, it broke- as in the arm that controlled the alternating sucton flow broke off.

Have any of the S+TMs done a full nurse only on one side while pumping out the other? Like trying to fully feed baby from only one breast while pumping from the other? I SAH, so I don't really need the stash, but I want to try to donate to our local milk bank.

pmpkn219 · June 2014

@tamarar4, I did the tandem nursing/pumping routine. Started when he was maybe 4 weeks old and consistently only one-boob feeder. I was annoyed by all the leakage from the other side and thought it would be a good way to stock up for BTW. It works! Gave me one hell of an over supply since my body thought I had twins, but it served my needs, very hard to fit pumping into the work day then, needed all the help I could get

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Breast Feeding Essentials

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Re: Breast Feeding Essentials

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013