What do I need for breastfeeding?

[New2020]

Sorry for the inexperienced FTM thread

I just wanted to know what I would need to help me with breastfeeding

Things on my list are

• breast pump
• breast pads
• nipple cream

I know some people use nipple shields but I've read it's a short term solution if you have difficulties breastfeeding so I assume will not need to buy these yet?

Is there anything I'm missing? Like a relief compress?

[SquigglePigs]

That sounds about it, and not even necessarily the pump, particularly in the early days. I highly recommend washable bamboo pads. So comfy! And lansinoh nipple cream. Oh, a feeding bra with clips that unhook the cups.

Some people find a breast feeding cushion helpful but I just used cushions off the sofa or pillows.

[Fourandtwentyblackbirdsinmypie]

I had a pillow to support baby, not necessary but I loved it.

Would get nipple shields just in case, I had a relatively smooth time breastfeeding but on a few occasions used the nipple shields cause it was such a relief for my sore nips!

[Fourandtwentyblackbirdsinmypie]

And yes to the feeding bra! Last thing you wanna be doing is trying to wrestle a boob out of a standard bra with a wriggly hungry baby haha

[LividLaughLovely]

The most important thing is 24hr access to someone who can support and advise you.

NHS bf support is suspended in lots of areas at the moment and too many women are struggling for lack of support.

Early bf is HARD if you don’t know to expect baby to be literally near constantly feeding for the first few weeks, including through the night at least two hourly. Pumping is no indication of supply, and you should leave pumping alone for first six weeks to let your supply settle.

My family member is a lactation consultant so I was lucky to have (video call) support with my lockdown baby, but see/read about so many people topping up because they erroneously think they aren’t making enough, then NOT making enough because they’re combi-feeding too early etc.

Practicalities: I bought 100s of breast pads in advance and have never used one. My boobs just don’t leak like that. No idea why. Have dripped a couple of times in bed when baby had slept longer, but that’s it.

Lansinoh: yes, useful in first weeks when it physically can hurt to latch as both you and baby get used to it. (It’s temporary, if it hurts after a couple of weeks it could be tongue tie so check for that earlier).

My best “prop” has been a bf pillow. I have a v shaped one and a U shaped one. Find it hard to feed without either, though I know plenty of people do.

Finding positions that work for you both and getting the latch right and feeding through the night are HARD and all-consuming at first, but if you have support you can do it.

It’s so worth it when you do.

[CoolNoMore]

Cheap strappy breastfeeding tops from H&M are great for wearing under normal clothes. JojoMamanBebe do better quality ones, but I found them far too thick and hot for summer.

[Leah00]

Muslins
Lansinoh cream
Breastfeeding bras in larger sizes than you are now
Nursing tops/pyjamas

[yikesanotherbooboo]

Cream and a few breast pads. I say a few because you might not need them; I spurted everywhere with one of mine but barely at all with the others.
Nursing bras are convenient but nothing is essential. Personally I would hold off on pumping at first to establish your supply.Shops are open now so don't spend money unnecessarily.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

A breastfeeding pillow (my husband had to run out and get one on the second day)
I needed breast pads
Never used any kind of cream
Oh and the pump- bloody waste of money, hated it. When I wasn’t feeding the last think I wanted to do was be hooked up like a cow

[NelliePig]

Hakka pump!! Not actually a pump bug catches dry down from the breast your not feeding on, you can then bag it up and freeze. Easy emergency stash without messing up your supply by pumping early. Do a quick google on the hakka, it's a brilliant little gadget! X

[NelliePig]

**but catches let down

[strawbmilk]

Hello there was a thread on this yesterday so can double up your answers!


What equipment do I need to get for breastfeeding? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/3946352-what-equipment-do-i-need-to-get-for-breastfeeding

[leolion1]

Get the shields! When you have to feed a hungry baby off sore cracked nipples you won't want to wait until you can get hold of some they are a god send.

[CupoTeap]

I preferred washable breast pads the paper ones were not nice.

[Marybird]

The best thing I ever bought were 'multi-mam compresses'. You basically put one over your nipple after a feed and it moisturises, and the baby can feed straight from that boob without you wiping it off. My friend told me to get them when I was in so much nipple pain a week or so in- quite pricey, I think £12 for a pack, but honestly this time I will stock up and will use them from day 1!!! I never used anything else other than breast pads. I bought an expensive breast pump but didn't use it for the first few weeks - the hospital told me not to until my supply was sorted...this time I might pump though to share some feeds with my hubby!!!

[New2020]

This is great thanks everyone!

@SquigglePigs it seems lansinoh is the go to nipple cream!

@LividLaughLovely

@Fourandtwentyblackbirdsinmypie I need to have a go adjusting my pharma doc pregnancy pillow to see if I can also use it as a nursing pillow! It was a bit pricier than I would have liked so be good to use it if I can!

With the nipple shields would you recommend waiting until baby is born before buying? I wonder if nipple size will change and it would be best to get the right size shield @leolion1

@LividLaughLovely thanks for all the tips..I really hope things start getting back to normal soon and I get the much needed advice! I'm trying to learn as much as possible but I feel a bit lost at times with nobody to teach me

@CoolNoMore tops! Have added these to the list. I keep forgetting about clothes I might need. It'll come to it and I'll have everything but clothed to wear!

@OnlyFoolsnMothers @yikesanotherbooboo @marybird Im swaying towards disposable breast pads just because of the convenience. Are there any you would recommend?

@NelliePig I've been reading about haakaa's today! A whole new world I had no clue they existed! Did the one you use have a auction? I'm keen to get one to catch let down and avoid waste!

@strawbmilk brill will check it out! Didn't spot this before I posted

@Marybird I'll look it up..is it the same as a relief compress?

[canihaveacoffeeplease]

I second lansinoh, bloody brilliant stuff. On a practical note when you're actually going to feed make sure you've got tons of water within reach, breastfeeding made me so thirsty, like a raging thirst as soon as they latched on. Being stuck on the sofa and not able to get up for water was a nightmare!

[GlumyGloomer]

The lansinoh breast pads are also good. You can stick them into a vest as very early on I found bras uncomfortable. After the first week though I used my feeding bras all the time, can't imagine trying to get a normal open with a wriggle baby. Personally I found shaped cushions too hard to position and just used a pillow in the early days. Bf clothes are good for going out but at home I find just lifting up a regular top the easiest. There was a brand on Amazon called purpless I think, which did comfortable basic feeding tops.
I found pumping really hard, second time around didn't bother and was much happier for it.

[Lockdownbordem]

Hi @new2020 I'd also really recommend a hakka; they look weird but are really easy to use.

I'd say that if you have a good maternity pillow, that should do for feeding.

While breastfeeding support groups might be cancelled, ours has moved online. They're offering advice and video calls to help, so it would be worth checking that out. I found them so helpful and supportive.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

I just went with Sainsbury’s own brand- no issues for me

[leolion1]

I didn't know they did different sized nipple shields tbh, my baby is almost an adult now so a long time ago but I just remember being in agony and finding them in boots and they changed my life!
I'm not sure how many women have problems with soreness but I just think if you need them it's best to have them at hand.