Planning to BF - what do I need?

[DaleyBump]

I'm getting induced on Tuesday with DC1 and have only just got around to buying a breast pump. Family members would like to babysit and I'm hoping he'll be EBF so we do need one. The thing is, I don't know what else I need. I know there's some kind of freezer bag I need but I don't know what it's called or where to find them or anything.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[DrMcDreamysWife]

Congrats on you're nearly here baby!

To be honest, the recommendation is not to pump/ offer a bottle before 6 weeks so that breastfeeding is well established.

Once you do start pumping, it's good to do it just after the first morning feed as you'll have most milk then. Then yes you can get special freezer bags or tubs that link to your pump. My dd wouldn't take a bottle so we never got anywhere with leaving her with baby sitters!

Good luck!

[DrMcDreamysWife]

Sorry, didn't answer the question....I think I got breastmilk freezer bags in boots.

[RoomForALittleOne]

You may find that you don't want to pump when you have the baby for a whole number of reasons. But, if you do, you'll need a way of sterilising the pump, bottles etc. The freezer bags are my preferred way of storing breast milk as they don't take up as much space in the freezer. Lansinoh make good bags and Medela make bags as well. You can buy them in mothercare, babiesrus, John Lewis or online. I like my steriliser because I can cold water sterilise in it (with sterilising tablets) if we are camping or put it in the microwave. You'll need a bottle/cup/syringe to feed the baby.

Other than that - muslins and plenty of them!

[DaleyBump]

I know about the whole 6 weeks thing, we'll unfortunately have to leave him with my aunt for a couple of hours when he's about a month old but since it's only once I'm hoping everything will be alright :) thank you both for the advice, off to Amazon I go

[3boys3dogshelp]

I used lansinoh bags too and they were good. Agree with pp if you want to bf you might struggle to also have baby taking a bottle from ssomeone else at 4 weeks But if you will only be out for an hour or two baby might not need anything.

[AuditAngel]

Patience.

Lots of muslins, you may find having cushions or pillows help. I used to need one behind my back, to make me upright, plus one on my lap to help support the baby. (I'm long in my body, helped to lift baby so I didn't bear baby's weight)

Also, each feed, assume you are in for a marathon, a side table with a big drink and the TV remote!

Good luck

[droid400004]

Othervthings you might like to support breastfeeding are Lasinoh lanolin nipple cream! It is amazing for sore nipples for the first few days or weeks as you get used to breastfeeding. You might like a nursing pillow which helps to hold baby in the right place, though I never got on withthem. Good luck!

[DaleyBump]

Ah, I've already stocked up on that exact nipple cream :) I didn't even think of a pillow, thanks!

[Helspopje]

boobs
baby
lanisoh
lots of juice/water
ipad/kindle/sky+
muslins
the times of your local BF cafe/support group

dont bother with a pillow til theyre here as not all mum/baby combos need one and you can try out a few and choose the best at a BF cafe if you do need one.

[Sephy]

Nursing bras and pjs that open down the front. Breast pads to soak up the leakages!

Personally I found breast shells really useful in the early days to help stop my sore nipples rubbing against my bra and also to help slightly flat nipple protrude more.

Was given some nipple shields and some gel pads to warm or cool breasts, personally only use them a couple of times and didn't think they were worth it but I know others swear by them.

[KrabbyPatty]

Breast pads and shells. I leaked so much that I had to collect milk from the non feeding side in a shell (& threw it away afterwards).

[Havingkittens]

The most valuable advice I wish I'd had was to read anything you need to before giving birth - ie. breast pump instructions etc. It's really hard to read a book or even instruction pamphlet whilst grappling with a baby who can't support their own head etc.

A kindle (even if it's just an app on your phone). It's the only way you'll be able to read for a while and you will need something to keep you awake/occupied during long night feeds. iPad, even better for watching downloaded movies, iplayer etc, pleading for advice on MN.

"My breastfriend" breastfeeding pillow is an absolute lifesaver if you ever want the use of your arms again! You can also get an inflatable version for out and about (a bit harder to find, but possible on ebay). It straps all the way around your waist and sits like a table at your waist with a head rest under each breast for the baby. I managed to get up and get stuff out of the fridge as well as doing other stuff in the kitchen, answer the phone etc when I started using this, which I couldn't do at all before! Saved my back too. The widgey type pillows drove me nuts. They are so firm that every time you move backwards, the pillow shifts away from you and the baby falls down the valley between you and the cushion.

Find out where your local breastfeeding drop in clinics are. They can be invaluable, not just for supporting you through the difficult times of getting the hang of feeding but also to meet other new mums.

Determination, a strong will, a box of tissues (there can be a lot of tears in the early weeks, this is only natural and will pass - another reason it's great to try and meet others in your position at breast feeding drop ins). When people give you the "it will get easier" mantra believe them, it's true. Especially once they can support their necks and get the hang of feeding.

Cereal bars, water bottle, thermos coffee mug to prevent spilling well needed coffee on the baby.

Lots of back support. A donut cushion for the first few weeks if you're having a natural birth. All that sitting for hours on end, shifting position to feed correctly can be very uncomfortable on the stitches.

[Essexgirlupnorth]

I wish I had bought and read the womanly art of breastfeeding before I had DD.
Had to send hubby out for nipple shields as discovered I had flat nipples and baby wouldn't latch

[Mattissy]

Boobs

[RunningBear78]

Phone numbers of your local breast feeding support team/nct helpline and times and location of your local locality group. You might want a way of tracking feed times, notebook or phone app.
Good luck!

[3littlebadgers]

Congratulations on the impending birth. I breast fed all three of mine and what I didn't know before hand is that not all boobs respond to pumps. I tried various techniques and would only get a small amount, most successfully after bf. pls don't think that it is because you don't have much milk if you experience the same thing. Good luck with it all, I'd do anything to go back and visit that time of my life again

[Mogz]

Oh wow Daley I wondered where you'd got to, best of luck for Tuesday, hope the induction goes smoothly.
I'm going to be nicking some of the advice from up thread as I realise I've just assumed I'll need baby and boobs!

[happyfrogger]

I had all the kit mentioned in this thread. Was v well prepared. But got flummoxed when I struggled, was in pain and baby was screaming and hungry. Best prep is having breastfeeding group numbers and meet ups in your area. Find the cafe where your local group meets and stroll down there this week. Don't wait until you are panicking and desperate to feed your baby to start googling for help! Ask your community midwife or health visitor to observe a feed, they'll be around often in weeks 1-2.

My milk came in day 4 (be prepared to wait for it / struggle with colostrum) and I started pumping (medela electric) about a week after that. It took weeks / months for supply to become established and I exclusively fed for 13 months.

Be prepared for it to be difficult. Experiment pumping different times of day - morning I (eventually) got stacks, evening none. Friends had the reverse. Pump one side when baby is feeding on other if you can - baby helps the let down, it's like magic! It takes a while (Weeks or months) for your body to start expressing decent quantities. I got 1 feed in 2 to 3 expressing sessions, the pump will never be as 'effective' as a suckling baby.

Good luck! You'll be fine - it might just take a while so hang in there

[MrsOakenshield]

that's not what I read/was told - if you want the baby to take a bottle of ebf don't offer before 3 weeks, but not after 6 weeks. We did it just at 6 weeks which she took but didn't seem bothered, didn't keep it up and then she never took a bottle at all, which actually was a bit annoying!

Stretchy vest so you can do top up, vest down, thus not exposing too much skin in this bloody cold.

Breast pads, nursing bra.

Remote control and some good box sets. Tea and biscuits on demand.

worth finding out where your nearest breastfeeding cafe is - the midwives there are experts, which not all the midwives on the ward are.

[happyfrogger]

Oh and get Emma Jane nursing vests and/or 'breast vests.' I live in both!

[ClaireandGeorge]

I echo the water bottle/thermos mug as they won't spill and bf made me really thirsty. It all so made me hungry so make sure you have plenty of dinners in the freezer.
Good luck hope it all goes well for you.

[minipie]

Phone number for local breastfeeding supporter/ lactation consultant - talk to them as soon as you struggle at all. ideally one who is properly qualified to diagnose tongue tie.

Lansinoh

Pillows/cushions to prop up baby (I found a normal pillow just as good)

Chocolate hob nobs, large sports bottle of water, and remote control

Supportive DP

Breast pads (Lansinoh ones v good), soft bras, stretchy vests.

Hot water bottle or heat pads are good for engorgement/blockages.

But really the main thing is the phone number. Do your research now. Everything else on this list is a nice to have, the phone number could be the difference between success or not being able to BF. (Of course some women are lucky and never need any advice - but have the number in case you do).

[stargirl1701]

I wish I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding before I gave birth. Put the numbers of all the bf helplines into your phone so you can find them quickly. Lansinoh nipple cream is good.

[mummymog]

stock the fridge with guiness... Good for milk, good for calories and great for getting a let down for the pump if you do it after baby goes to bed.

[Victoria2002]

It's true re support, I was in tears and desperate working my way through the list of support groups from the hospital-was totally inaccurate!