How to Prepare for Feeding Before Baby Arrives?

[Wanderlust20]

I'm unsure if I want to breastfeed or bottle feed. I'm pretty relaxed about it though, and I'm well aware that BF'ing just doesn't happen for some people - as long as baby is fed, that's the main thing!

My question is, if I'm unsure/open minded about it all, then how the heck do I prepare?! By that I mean, what should I buy? I'm a FTM (24 weeks) and starting to get bits and bobs in. I don't want to buy lots of unnecessary kit (e.g. sterilisers, breast pumps etc) if they're not needed. But equally, I don't want to be unprepared?!

Can some kind soul give me a wee shopping list to cover me in the first few days/weeks? Just the essentials? I'm guessing things like good bras and pads are essential whatever ends up happening but I'm so clueless...

Thanks in advance!

I would get some non wired non padded crop top type bras. It’s good you’re open minded about breastfeeding but if you know nothing about it I’d recommend doing a class or something to prepare you because breastfeeding isn’t always easy despite it being natural! I did one for free organised by la leche league. I’d get some breast pads to soak up leaking milk. I think you’re right to hold off on a pump etc until you know what you want to do. If you have Amazon prime (I’ve used it almost every day in those early days, a godsend!) you can get stuff like that delivered really quickly anyway. I would also suggest getting in some of the pre made formula tiny starter bottles to have in, in case you’re struggling to establish breastfeeding. They have sterilised teats included.

I was very much the same. I bought a couple of nursing bras nearer the time and some breast pads and that was it.

We did buy a pump when LO was about a month old and some bottles and a microwave steriliser.

I'd say the main things that will help are information and support. So have a read of:

Information is your ally

Breastfeeding your newborn

And look where your nearest BFing Support Groups are.

I'd also put the BFing Helpline numbers in your phone, and use them

I would also suggest getting in some of the pre made formula tiny starter bottles to have in, in case you’re struggling to establish breastfeeding

Just be aware that if you want to BF, it's been proven that if you have formula already in, you are more likely to give up.

Like Yellow says though, lots of supermarkets are 24 hour and you can get next day delivery on lots of items

One thing I forgot to recommend, however you end up feeding your baby, is an insulated mug. I've never drank so much cold tea as I did when my first was tiny.

I had a preference to BF with dc1, but she wouldn’t latch and I wasn’t arsed with trying to force the issue.

I hadn’t bought ANY bottle feeding equipment, so I ordered a Perfect Prep, some bottles and an electric steriliser on Amazon from my bed on the post natal ward.

We used the tiny ready made bottles until they arrived a few days later.

For dc2 I mix fed. If you got down the breastfeeding route BREAST PADS BREASt PADS BREAST PADS. You’ll need them regardless, but my god, I felt like I was 98% breast milk when I was feeding dc2, it just leaked everywhere.

Some comfy, easy access bras!!!

@BunnyRuddington

I would also suggest getting in some of the pre made formula tiny starter bottles to have in, in case you’re struggling to establish breastfeeding

Just be aware that if you want to BF, it's been proven that if you have formula already in, you are more likely to give up.

Like Yellow says though, lots of supermarkets are 24 hour and you can get next day delivery on lots of items

One thing I forgot to recommend, however you end up feeding your baby, is an insulated mug. I've never drank so much cold tea as I did when my first was tiny.

I mean if it’s the middle of the night and the baby is starving it would be better to have some as a back up...

Comfy nursing bras.
Supply of breast pads.
Insulated cup for tea with a lid that closes shut.
Muslins in case you have a sicky baby.
Netflix subscription.
Water bottle so you can drink lots of water.

That's it. Anything else you need after baby arrives you (other half) can buy in a shop or get delivered from Amazon.

I mean if it’s the middle of the night and the baby is starving it would be better to have some as a back up

I didn't mean it as a personal attack Yellow, just wanted to make the OP aware of the research

Make a list of all the breastfeeding support sessions locally / helplines / websites and stick it on your fridge

Amazon prime (although make sure your address is correct so your emergency nipple shields don't go to your dads address )

I'd read this book. It's small and very interesting

Amazon prime (although make sure your address is correct so your emergency nipple shields don't go to your dads address

My neighbour ordered a massive ship from Tesco in the middle of the night and sent it to an address she hadn't lived at for years and was 150 miles away. Got to love those tires baby brains

Oh another one- night 2 at home is the worst! Just keep drinking water, swapping sides and keep feeding. If you have formula to hand you will probably use it. Push through. If you want to bf, then bf.

I wanted to be prepared (like you!). I felt that if I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best, I personally would be more successful with BF. I knew if I placed myself under “pressure” by not having formula in the house or being at least open to the idea of FF, it would be less successful for me.

I got in some formula, some bottles and some sterilising tablets.

I brought some maternity bras that could also be used as nursing bras and I was set! I didn’t need breast pads until my supply really kicked in a few days in.

*Massive shop

Bet they were surprised enough with free shopping from Tesco, not sure how you would react if a massive ship turned up that you hadn't ordered

Have an open mind and have a few bits in. I was so pro BF before I had my first I hadn’t really even crossed my mind (especially after a BF class that made it sound so easy and magical) that I would
do anything else. Then baby and me had a difficult forceps birth and he ended up in SCBU and I was quite unwell. He needed to be tube fed and then couldn’t latch due to a nerve damage and my milk didn’t come in despite loads of pumping as I was too unwell. With my second we had an elective section she latched herself on while I was being stitched up and we never had any issues! Have some of the mini bottles with sterile teats in as a back up and anything else can be primed. Comfy bras, the purple nipple cream and breast pads are essential! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself either way sometimes it just doesn’t work out. I would also really recommend a feeding pillow I found it really handy for both breast and bottle feeding alongside a straw water bottle, insulated cup and jelly babies! Good luck

Exactly. My baby wouldn’t latch and so when my milk came in I pumped but in the meantime those tiny premade formula bottles were a godsend.

I started putting almond oil on my nips at about 24 weeks, to soften the up ready to breastfeed.

Like the jelly baby tip! Mine was mars bars :)

I intended to BF but my milk was delayed and we didn't have any formula in as no idea we'd need it - emergency dash to the shops saved the day! We were readmitted later that day and our baby would have suffered brain damage from dehydration if we hadn't bought that formula.
So, some of the ready to feed 'hospital pack' formula bottles.
Comfy BFing bras - the stretchy crop top ones I found comfy in the early days
Lansinoh nipple cream
Try and find a decent source of feeding advice - the BFing antenatal classes can be terrible for preparing for the reality (the one I did was worse than useless).
Have a couple of bottles in - you can sterilise them in boiling water if you need to use them, no need to buy a steriliser at this stage.
Look up sterilising and formula prep in advance (much easier now than in a rush whilst sleep deprived!)
Check availability of things like pump rental in your area - I had to use one to try and make my milk come in, and hadn't anticipated needing one. That's a cheaper way of getting a decent pump if you do need one and gives you time to make a decision if you do end up wanting to buy one.
I found a pillow (normal bed size) helpful to support baby when feeding.

Freezer full of easy meals to eat.

Thank you so much everyone, you've made me feel so much better and I've realised I don't need to be that prepared when it comes to buying ^things^ - much better to be prepared with info! And thank God for Amazon Prime!

This is my first baby and I'm such an planner/organiser, I was definitely over thinking it..! Thanks again x

You're definitely taking the right approach - I'm a planner/organiser too. Just be prepared to be flexible, you can make plans, but they don't always turn out and some things are beyond your control (eg the birth can affect milk supply if you lose a lot of blood and there are some medical conditions that affect supply eg PCOS or thyroid problems).

I had my heart set on breastfeeding so didn’t buy any bottles... when my baby was born at 36 weeks she had to stay in the NNU (low birth weight) and really struggled to latch and I just wanted her to gain weight so went to formula. In the hospital they gave me the premade bottles and told me to get some bottles in.. I bought about 6 Tommee Tippee bottles and my baby HATED them, I made the same mistake and bought 4 Mam bottles (she hated them too!) and in the end settled with Nuk bottles.

So what I’m trying to say is, if you end up having to bottle feed, don’t buy in bulk.. I’d buy 1 bottle of each brand and see what baby prefers.

I also bought a Tommee Tippee steriliser... awful thing. Went with a Milton tank in the end.

Breast pads will be your best friend regardless of how you feed your baby

@vicky1989x great point about not buying bottles (or anything really) in bulk!

So sorry to hear that you (and others that posted) didn't have the best start, really underlines that you just need to expect the unexpected! Guess you can never fully prepare.

Things you may want to buy for bf: comfy nursing bras, lanisoh lanolin nipple cream, bamboo reusable breastpads or lanisoh disposable breastpads (pads are useful if formula feeding too, until your milk dries up).

Things you may want for formula feeding: some little bottles of ready made formula, mam bottles (these are great, you don't need to buy any sterilising equipment because they can be sterilised in the microwave by themselves).

Anything else can be bought once the baby is here and you know which feeding method works for you both.

@terriblecustomercervix please tell me your secret to mix feeding! If I'm being honest, even though I'm pretty laid back, this would be my preferred method. But so many people have told me it's tricky or not possible...

A very long charging cable for your phone or iPad. Lots of yummy food and snacks, preferably high energy. I hate drinking water but you need to drink loads when bf so a good variety of drinks is really handy. Buy more than you think you’ll drink.
I read on MN before my first that putting lansinoh on your nipples twice a day for at least 2 weeks before baby is born will stop the cracking and it did. Number 2 was early so I did get chance and my nipples cracked.
It does hurt at first no matter what the midwife tells you, it will stop hurting soon. My second had a shit latch for the first few weeks, it improved dramatically when she grew a bit but my god it hurt. Top ups don’t mean the end of breastfeeding.
The microwave sterilising bags are great and you can use them for dummies, tethers etc
When they are fussing, head butting your boobs they are just encouraging let down and increasing supply. The same if they are dropping on and off all evening or all day so long as nappies are wet it’s fine.
I had problems with my milk coming in first time, it took 5 days DS lost 11% and was readmitted, formula tops up but then dropped those. DD did even better she lost 15% readmitted. She constantly had the runs due to a server dairy allergy. She drank the top ups (dairy free where as my milk wasn’t for a few days) whilst she was starving but then refused them.
I had a couple of bottles and some formula first time and second time just bottles