Equipment for breastfeeding - what to buy?!

[Surfnicky]

I am planning on breastfeeding my little twins when they arrive in September and have been given a Medela Swing pump, in order to help me express (so that hubby can help too).

What other bits & pieces do I need to start off with? I don't want to buy too much but assume I'll need a steriliser (any recommendations on which one greatly appreciated!) and some bottles....

How many shall I start off with - or shall I just wait until they are born? I figured that if they aren't great feeders to begin with then I might need to store some of the milk that I'm producing so that my supply doesn't dry up - or I could be talking complete nonsense!!

[FrannyandZooey]

I would wait and see how it all goes

you can sterilise in Milton's in the mean time if you want

[Surfnicky]

Sorry...what is Miltons?

[bookthief]

Lansinoh nipple cream, breastpads. I don't know if it will be different for twins, but I would say don't over-buy in advance. You will want to get bf established as well as poss before beginning to express and dh can be sent out to buy anything you need at the time (gives him something to do )

[MarsLady]

Hi

Firstly, come join us on the multiples d'ya ever threads. Lots of advice from twin and triplet mums.

Secondly... you don't need equipment for breastfeeding at first. I completely understand the need to express so that DH can help (it got me through many a long night with the DTs). Is your pump a dual pump?

Have you done your research on breastfeeding and have you got support in place?

I breastfed my DTs exclusively for 18 months, so it can be done but many will tell you that it can't.

[bookthief]

I expressed due to problems with my nipples quite a lot in the first few weeks (wish I hadn't had to) and just use Milton sterilising tablets in cold water. You can buy them in Boots.

[Surfnicky]

Thanks Marslady, that's really reassuring.

I actually work for a charity that promotes breastfeeding and so have been really lucky to take advantage of breastfeeding sessions at work and also have numbers to ring / people to call on if I need help - which I'm sure I will!

[Surfnicky]

Oh and no, it's a single pump - not a dual one...

[FrannyandZooey]

Miltons is a sterilising fluid / tablets

[Judy1234]

The main thing is to buy no equipment and then you breastfeed much better. I fed the twins. You lift your shirt up and plug them in one on each side -always feed at the same time is the best advice. You don't need sterlisers because they will never have a bottle. It's cheap and easy.

[MarsLady]

surfnicky... then I recommend the ameda lactaline dual pump

You'll probably find a double pump better especially as (and I'm guessing here) you may want to feed the DTs at the same time... so why not double express. It's a fab pump.

If you're going to buy one second hand then be sure to buy new collection points and find out how old the pump is.

[dazedandconfunded]

I rally like those Lindam sterilising bags for the microwave - each can be used 20 times, no faff.

[determination]

definately a pair of Silverette to prevent you getting sore nipples

[marmitemad]

you can also buy Lansinoh bags for freezing breast milk in Mothercare

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

"You don't need sterlisers because they will never have a bottle" -

unless of course as they get a bit older you'd like a little "me" time and a shopping trip minus the children - in which case you leave the DT's and some EBM with your DH............and watch his face turn to horror .

[Gingerbear]

breastpads and a good supportive bra.
I have the Avent manual pump which fits nicely into the Avent steam sterilizer with 3 x 4oz bottles.
Boots own breastmilk storage bags.

[Katy44]

I've found breast shells to be really good - if I've sterilised them I keep the milk, if not they at least stop me waking up soaked in milk!

[Gingerbear]

Good call Katy, I must look for mine - I hate that wet patch on the nightie.

[potoroo]

I found breast shells really useful - also good for airing out nipples without having to walk around with your top off all the time.

About 8,000 breastpads too. I found the disposable ones better than re-usable because there was milk going everywhere.

Also, a few good novels for when you become an expert and can feed with no hands. In the meantime a little bell so you can summon people to bring you water and biscuits for when you have your hands full

[Katy44]

A bell - genius!!

[Chirpygirl]

Good bras, especially sleep ones as they don't let your boobs slip out of the side
Breast pads, and another box, and some more!

Otherwise just make sure your DH knows where the nearest 24 hour big supermarket and Boots store are, you can buy a steriliser from my local tesco and boots sell breastmilk storage bags and nice resusable breastpads.

And congrats on twins! am very as we had a moment with this pregnancy when it was thought it was twins, but the scanner was a trainee and crap

[Chirpygirl]

Actually, that's reminded me, I made a box of 'essentials' for my frined after her DS was born that included a travel mug for drinking coffee over a baby's head, that's another essential IMO!

(and am LOVING the bell idea...I used my mobile to ring the house phone when he was in the next room and then I'd hang up when he came in )

[cmotdibbler]

Sky+ - honestly ! Then you can record anything you might want to watch and then watch it when feeding rather than ending up watching bad day time tv.
Friend with twins recommended the feeding pillow that angles them both in - she got hers on Ebay

[Katy44]

Not quite an essential, but if you don't already have a Boots advantage card, get one!

[puffylovett]

Definitely recommend a pump, but i would wait till your established and are definitely feeding till you invest in one.

dh has been feeding ds expressed milk at 11pm so i can get my head down - because it's him doing the feed and not me, and because ds doens't have to work so hard and consququently doesn't fall asleep mid feed, he takes more grub and sleeps for longer - we've been doing it for a week and ds is now sleeping through till 7pm !! yay ! so def enlist dh help for the night feeds that way you can get more kip

[luckylady74]

i bf my twins for a few months and then mixed ff and bf - i had left over bottles from my ds1 and used the microwave steriliser from boots as i hate things standing permanently on the side!
i have to say, if you haven't got an older child to get out of the house, i would say feed them in the comfort of your own home for the main - i couild stick one up my jumper and continue shopping,but 2 always seemed to involve being on a large sofa with lots of pillows - it still gives you a 2hrish window to get out the house even in the early days - if you really want to!
i really really agree with the tv comment - i used to read and so on with 1, but 2 babies means no hands! i'm assuming yiou'll be feeding them at the same time - if you feed 1 after the other you spend your whole life feeding - that's why i didn't express - couldn't be bothered after i'd been feeding all day and night.
i think it's a lovely excuse to spend a few months devoting yourself to your lovely new babies and catching up tv/friends via speaker phone- bfeeding is ace with twins and i miss it - but don't sit to close too the edge of the bed - ds2 slipped off a couple of times when i fell asleep in the night whilst feeding