Do I need to buy anything else?

[squizita]

33 weeks, doing my pre-baby shopping.

Hopefully going to breastfeed.
Have bought a few bits in the babyshop sales:
-Some muslins and burping cloths
-A v shape pillow
-A couple of shawl/scarves
-A Phillips Avent hand pump (half price) which came with a couple of bottles/teats
-Own-brand sterilising kit for the above (again half price).

Do I need anything else (apart from bras!)? I was going to buy some nipple cream next time I'm in Boots.

Yep I cannot co-sleep so will be using a moses basket close by the side of the bed.
TBH the only discouragement I've had is a few people casually saying you "can't" BF unless you co-sleep which I'm just a bit about simply because I know RL people who did BF for various amounts of time without co-sleeping. Hence it must be possible!

I was considering a stretchy wrap - we have an 'out and about' type carrying sling but it's a unisex one (2nd hand, originally M&P) so I don't think it is set up for indoor nursing.

I have a few maternity things that said they were suitable for nursing in, hopefully this will be true and they won't be a massive faff!

Penguins I have all the button up PJs in the world ... DH says it's a wonder I don't wear them to the shops (I wouldn't!!) because any excuse I whip a pair on. :)

A stretchy, wire free feeding bra - I bloody loved my Bravado Silk Seamless and burned them six months later. Your breasts will yo yo in size in the early weeks and leaking means most need to wear a bra while they sleep (to hold nipple pads in place, and/or for support) - you want something that can accommodate the various sizes, and reduce, not exacerbate, any tenderness.

That's good then. Honestly, your tummy can get really amazingly cold bfing at night if you have to lift up your top. So your 'habit' can be put to good use.

Of course you can bf and not co-sleep. It does make it easier for some people. But it's utterly possible to bf without co-sleeping.

I'd second a stretchy wrap sling. We had an Out and about carrier to start with and DD1 hated it. I have read that they are actually not that good for babies, either, so I was really happy with the Kari-Me we ended up with. Loved it, and used it ALL the time for DD2 as well. See if there is a sling library local to you where you can have a look at different types.

Stretchy slings/wraps can also be used for bump support in the later stages of pregnancy, so they are fab all round!

Good luck with everything.

One thing I would Do is read up on a post natal thread with all the niggles etc that are perfectly normal but lead most breastfeeders to doubt themselves...

Also get an easy to wear stretchy breastfeeding bra for the beginning (think the bravado ones are good) and it will be ideal for when your boobs are all over the place in size and you aren't going out much anyway... And then get yourself measured. If you are ample bosomed as I am be prepared to have breasts that look awful as it is impossible to find underwired feeding bras

Marlena - Buy your own converter kits on ebay and convert a normal bra. I've not done it yet, but lots of people on mn have and I'm about to try!

Thanks all! :)

Rest assured I have been reading up Kellymom, the boards here etc' regularly, it's just making sure I don't waste money and/or forget something useful in terms of buying really. Silly I guess as at the most basic you need food for yourself + boobs. I have those. ;)

Thanks for the good bra recommendations too!

I've never needed breast pads, so don't go mad on these. You can always go and pick some more up if you find you're leaky.

I have massive boobs so I wear Anita underwired nursing bras. They look fine and give a good defined shape. I haven't had any problems at all with blocked ducts or mastitis.

The Food of Love by Kate Evans is a lovely book and very helpful/reassuring.

Yy to bra conversion - loved mine.

Elle McPherson does good underwired nursing bras.

Tbh after about 4m this time I've just been wearing normal underwired and contorting briefly to get boob out. The uniboob nursing bra look doesn't suit me. These Hs need a wire.

Meals in the freezer you can eat with one hand.
Box sets.

I can't cosleep either for medical reasons... but I love my arms reach cosleeper. It took my son all the way to over 2 years (full size not mini) and also packs up like a travel cot. My 3 month old DD is asleep in it now. I tell everyone about them and bought my sister one too.

Also, track down a good lactation consultant while you have the time and one who is really good with tongue tie. You may never need to see them but you don't want to be tracking one down under pressure.

Both my DC had TT (and ended up having to have it cut twice in each case). If I hadn't sorted this out privately I wouldn't be breastfeeding now.

I found a basket with water bottle, snacks, Lansinoh, spare breast pads, muslin etc very handy. Could grab it with one hand and be all set up for a feed without scrabbling around or getting stuck without being able to reach something. I also needed straws in the early days until I worked out how to feed one-handed, but that may just be me!

Googly straws ... will put on list ... I am super clumsy and anxious LOL so won't be one-handed for a while! Great tip on a basket. :)

Can people tell me where you buy these 'converters' from? I am an awkward bra person (you know, someone who has 'their brand' NOT M&S never M&S ... yet I have been forced by pregnancy ) so if I could convert my usual brand that would be superb!

Ebay. Search for nursing bra converter.

I have never used a v shaped pillow but this is brilliant because it is firm enough to keep the baby at the right height to avoid back pain.

Ooh penguin that sounds genius!

Nipple Shields just in case. My bf lifesaver. Only needed them for a week, but without them, I would have had to exclusively ff (as it was I mix fed)

Fennel tea bags. It may have been a placebo but I felt it boosted my milk in the early days (yy to the insulated cup!)

A bit controversial but you might want to find a chiropractor or osteopath who specialises in babies just in case yours has trouble latching.

Hope it goes really well OP!

My dd is 18 weeks old now - she is breast fed and we do not co sleep - it is entirely possible! I used lanisoh in the early days but don't need it now. Breast pads are useful as is a comfortable bra to sleep in. I hate sleeping in a bra but when I have thrown caution to the wind and gone without I have woken in a puddle of breast milk!

Thanks all!