What are your BF'ing must haves?

[m4rdybum]

Currently pregnant with my first and due in January. Would very much like to breastfeed, so starting to arm myself with info along the way.

What would you say helped you to establish breastfeeding successfully? Whether it be products, support or general day-to-day things.

So far, products on my list are;

• Breast pump (electric or manual best?)
  
• Bottles/sterilizer
  
• Nipple shields (needed?)
  
• Nipple cream (Lanisoh? Any other alternatives)
  
• Breast pads
  
• Feeding pillow
  

I've joined a locally run breastfeeding suport group on Facebook, who also meet once a week, for when the time comes. There's no La Leche League groups near me unfortunately, and I don't think I can afford to pay for NCT ones.

I'll also be buying a tub of formula to keep aside, just in case.

[Bobbiepin]

A bunch of strappy vest tops to put under your regular clothes for one up one down. H&M and New Look do good ones.

[BergamotMouse]

I BF my daughter for nearly 2 years. Usually once you're through the first couple of weeks it's plain sailing.

I didn't need nipple shields. I wouldn't get them in as whilst it can be painful to start with that soon eases. I know people who either really struggled to wean their child off nipple shields or had to use them for the whole time they were BF

I only tried lansinoh cream - worked well.

I found the close pop in breast pads to be the best shape. They were tear drop shaped and fitted well with no creases.

I leaked for ages and had to wear a bra at night to keep breast pads in place so I'd recommend a sleep bra.

A very dim nightlight is useful for night feeds. Just enough to see by to latch on.

If I think of anymore I'll let you know.

[User212787555]

Prepare yourself for the fact that most HCPs won’t have breastfed themselves, and even those ‘trained’ to help in hospital like Healthcare Assistants might only have attended a one day course. The hospital might pay lip service to support, but it might not be much good.

To compensate, read well respected books on BF and really take on board what they say. BF may be natural, but for many it’s not easy. Like anything new it’s a skill which needs practice and attention. Read up especially on a good latch, and how to know when you have one.

Accept that you might be feeding the baby hourly for a while, and that’s normal, and it won’t last forever. Prepare yourself, your OH and your family for that too. BF isn’t like bottle feeding and can’t be done by the clock. Don’t download any apps that time feeds.

You can use a bed pillow for feeds. Feeding bras are useful although my boobs aren’t huge so I just wore H&M feeding vests with another T-shirt over the top (pull t-shirt up and vest down!)

[BergamotMouse]

Another thing - I'm planning on buying a couple of Bshirts for baby number 2s arrival. You can wear your normal clothes over it or on its own.

www.thebshirt.clothing/pages/buy-now

[User212787555]

Lot’s of youtube videos on a good latch too, which saved me in the early days (BF three kids, each one different!)

[BigBlueBubble]

I didn’t need nipple shields or cream. I just used a normal pillow and my phone torch as a nightlight. I bought a few Primark vests and wore them under my normal tops. Plus a pashmina to chuck over my shoulder for privacy.

I didn’t pump regularly so a manual pump was sufficient for the rare occasions I pumped. I got about 50ml per breast so the little 50ml bottles with lids were ideal, together with a basic steriliser and some teats that clipped straight on the bottle.

ebmstorage.co.uk/50ml-bottle-10.html

[JuneOsbourne]

I found the Mybrestfriend feeding pillow fantastic, especially after my c-section. Though my husband teased me mercilessly for looking like a popcorn seller!

There are some great Facebook groups for support. Also worth looking at the CanIBreastfeedInIt Facebook group for advice on clothes. They're a lovely supportive bunch. Bookmark the Kellymom website for advice. They have the answer to pretty much any question you have.

Try to get to one of the peer supporter groups before you give birth if you can. It will help you feel more relaxed if you do need to ask for help.

[NoProbLlama78]

Get a flask so you can drink tea while it's hot without spilling it.
I bought a cushion and still use it as a back rest.
Pre made bottles are more convenient as a back up - you just put the teat on and feed so it's still on demand rather than making it up. They're small bottles and I gave DD a few mls at a time rather than the whole thing as their tummies are very small.

[mplINsTA]

Maybe look up breast pump sizes before the baby is born - basically you're supposed to pump a bit and then measure your nipples. My nipples filled up the entire neck of the pump, so after pumping with the standard sized breastpump, they were very sore and swollen and I got hardly any milk as the pump was not stimulating the areola at all.

When I put larger parts on the same pump, I got tons of milk and it wasn't uncomfortable at all. I use a Medela swing - it's about £100 in John Lewis and you can buy different sized bits for it.

Also straws. Breastfeeding can occupy both hands but you'll be thirsty.

[RedPandaMama]

Comments won't load so can't see what people have already said. Have breastfed DD for 13 months so far successfully, I would say my must haves are/were:

• Lansinoh lanolin cream, in the first month
  
• breast pads (first 3-4 months as I had loads of leakage and a fast let down, constantly had milk everywhere!)
  
• breast pump, milk storage bags, Tommee Tippee bottles, sterilising tub. Had manual and electric, hated both to be honest but manual was a complete waste of time, just couldn't get it to work for me. Electric was brilliant (Medela Swing) but just not a fan of pumping, plus DD only ever wanted breast, hated bottles.
  
• really comfy maternity bras with the straps that easily clip on and off, I got mine from M&S and Asda. No wires as they dig in like hell. Get ones with wide straps as your boobs will be so heavy thin straps dig in to shoulders.
  
• button up shirt for night time - I got an XL men's one from Sainsbury's and wore it with pyjama bottoms. Means you can undo a few buttons and just kind of flop out your boob without having to pull your top up or faff about with nighties etc.
  
• nursing pillow - brilliant on the couch, I found otherwise I was spending half my life trying to stack cushions up to perch her on to feed.
  
• snacks and bottled water in every room of the house. For the first 3 months feeding will make your baby fall asleep on you. Sometimes for 2 hours at a time. If you end up with a baby like mine who would not sleep anywhere but on me until 6 months, have some snacks lying around as you WILL be hungry and not be able to move!
  

Good luck with it all!

[HairTodayGone]

Biscuits. Lots of biscuits

[Orangedaisy]

I have bf 2 DDs (one to 23 months, other still going at 19 months). All I had for Dd1 were nursing bras, lasinoh and a v pillow. Didn’t leak at all.

DD2 I leaked a lot so jojo Maman Bebe sleep bras and washable breast pads were good.

I had a 2nd hand pump which I never used and don’t own any bottles or steriliser, didn’t ever give formula.

I also had a travel breastfeeding pillow which I loved. But didn’t get for 8 weeks or so.

It strikes me that you’re over thinking it. See how you get on and then get what you need. The pillow, lasinoh and bras were all I started with.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Travel mug and snacks.

[Dairymilkmuncher]

Haaaka breast pump for the letdown on the opposite side you're feeding on you'll get a nice and easy collection of milk

Sterilised milk storage bags for the freezer

I love my feeding cushion for my third it's great but you don't NEED it if you've got plenty other cushions for around your back and under baby and under your elbow I think elbow anyways heaps of support so you don't get a bad back

That cream is good, check it's always the kind you can feed baby off and don't need to wipe off first

Reusable breast pads I found more absorbent

HandM vests instead of bras and can wear them as a top or as vest under another top depending on the weather

Sports style bottle of water for yourself

Giant muslin clothes think they are 120x120 and versatile, so many uses and can be gorgeous

[Orangedaisy]

And on support-a supportive partner is a must. Mine was only one at the hospital bf training session and he felt out of place but him understanding it all was a godsend.

[knottybeams]

Contigo travel mug and kindle paperwhite.

[knottybeams]

And a lakeland zipped lingerie bag for reusable breast pads (I had to take apart our washing machine 3 times)

[scaredsection]

Omg tea flask is a great idea! Water bottle, nipple cream, breast pads, nursing bra, nursing pillow, strappy/button shirts and night light for your room are my recommendations for the basics

[MargoGru]

Another shout out for the Hakaa hand pump, to catch the let down on the other side. Comes in handy to take with you if you leave baby for a few hours in future, and helped when I had painful oversupply - i could express just enough for comfort without over-stimulating and making the problem worse.

I also loved my enormous Yeti cup (keeps drinks cold) and Netflix.

[MargoGru]

And the gro light - it’s a nightlight that fits on your bedside lamp, and you can flick the switch again to get your usual brighter light.

[MonumentVal]

Tubes of Lansinoh, breast pads. Look up when and where all the local bf support groups are, and whether they run over half term and holidays because obviously you should know those dates as soon as you give birth!

Then see where you can buy a breast pump, and my personal godsend the My Breast Friend pillow, and send partner out if needed (ensure they know where to go...) Kellymom is a good website.

[newnamechange1234]

Absolutely recommend a water bottle with a straw in so you can drink without moving your head. When bfeeding lying down this was a brilliant idea. Make sure to have water to hand before going to bed. One night I didn’t have water and thought I’d manage without, I felt so dehydrated in the morning, think the baby even dried out my eyeballs, I’m not even kidding, I had to go and get eye drops!! Yes to biscuits, again, to hand through the night. Enjoy!

[HayCaramba]

Initially I think all you need is lansinoh cream and some breast pads. I’ve never used nipple shields or known anyone who has. Once baby is bigger and holds their head up, a pillow is good. I just use a normal one with a waterproof cover on.
Special nursing tops are great for feeding out and about. Cheap ones off Amazon are fine. Some muslins.
If all goes well and you get BF established, then you can think about getting pump, bottles etc. I have never managed to express despite feeding both my DCs so it isn’t a given.
Some BFing vitamin supplements and Floradix to keep you going.
Kellymom website is brilliant and it’s good you’ve found FB support group. That’s it! Don’t give it anymore thought, there’s nothing else you can do now.
My biggest advice is to take any BF advice from doctors and HVs with a pinch of salt. They usually are not experienced. MWs mostly good IME. Good luck.

[PlinkPlink]

Feeding pillow was a god send.

Muslin cloths!!! They were used alot.

I had a few bottles and some breast pumping stuff for when we went out.

Breast pads definitely.

Nipple cream definitely.

Didn't use the nipple guards in the end.

Set up some stations around the house so you can literally plonk yourself down and chill. Bottle of water near each station. TV remotes or Kindle or whatever for entertainment. Charger cable for phone.

I also made sure I had some maternity sheets underneath my stations. Lile those Dry Nites sheets kids have but way cheaper. Just in case there were any accidents in those 6 weeks of permanent bleeding .

[Hideandgo]

Cotton bf bras, stretchy tank tops to pull down and warm, thin jumpers that don’t bunch up too much. So it’s tank top pulled down, jumper up and your belly is still nice and covered.