Help me compile a list of essential (and non essential) breast feeding items.

[suwoo]

I am so determined that I am going to successfully feed DS2 due in July after not being successful with the other two. I have had a breast reduction which may go against me but other than that, I really want to give it a good go.

I will take it one feed at a time and have already visited a la Leche counsellor and know the details of the baby bistro.

I have a pillow, a pump, breasts .

What else do I need to get? I am thinking nipple shields for worst case scenario and lansinoh.

What else?

I found pump helped when my supply came in too fast and I had orange hard boobs. ( obviously not orange in colour just about as hard as an orange ) I found it more comfortable to pump a bit off with the pump and then latch on the babe. Was only reminded of those begining days when of the antenatel thread a little while ago

Oh a cordless phone (if you don't already have one). Put it next to you when you feed.

You can guarantee someone will phone the minute you sit down to feed

on the point of shells just be a bit carefull using them as if they press on a duct too long they can cause mastitus. However that said I found them useful when I was engorged instead of a pump in the early days.

A few cheap strappy vest tops from Primark or similar to go under your normal tops.

Long sleeved pyjamas/nightie which opens at the front - keeps your arms warm and breasts accessible if you are co-sleeping.

Not essential, just useful

Fantastically reassuring (and a great bf chapter) - Three In A Bed by Deborah Jackson.

I took my breastfeeding pillow into hospital with me this time round and was so glad I did.

Nothing essential IME except breasts and baby, but sofa, pillows, chocolate and multi channel TV come quite close

With DS1 I had a toddler cup to drink out of as I found it hard enough just to do the latching etc. without worrying about spilling my drink. I am very clumsy though.

Don't know if anyone else has said this but I think an essential item is a
chair which allows you to sit with your hips lower than your knees and plenty of good cushions.

ibuprofen - great if you get mastitis.

My MW gave me some stuff called Jelonet which was very good.

My tip is to set up a little table next to where you will be sitting and always have on it your glass of water, phone, remote control (s), book (this is for advanced breastfeeders IME - I needed about 3 hands to start with!)

Blanket to swaddle baby in if it is too wriggly

Somwhere to sit where your knees are above your hips worked for me far better than any number of pillows

And if at all possible - OTHER PEOPLE to do everything else except the BF

If I had a third baby.........

I would buy lansinoh, bf bras, pads, muslin cloths, baby blanket

And nowt else - cos everything else was a waste of money!

Hmm, thining about the knees above hips thing, not sure that my sofa would give me this position. Is this a really crucial position that can make a huge difference?

I am taking my bf pillow into hospital and I am having an elective (kind of) section too, so if anything else springs to mind, please let me know.

I wouldn't say crucial, I just found it was most comfortable for me to sit somewhere that had my feet on the same level as I was sitting on, IYSWIM - like just sitting on the floor leaning against the wall. It just helped have the baby in the right place without having to hunch over.

Thanks molly, another idea.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that I am also booked in for the breastfeeding workshop which I didn't do with the other two DC.

The breastfeeding workshops are great. I did an NCT one and actually the best thing about it was that I got to know the local NCT bf counsellor so I wouldn't have felt at all bad about phoning her at 3am if I'd needed to, because I'd already seen how lovely she was.

Just be prepared that the first time you go to feed LO, you will forget everything! Which is where the midwives come in. But having said that it was so helpful to have the information, I did have a vague idea of how it all worked which helped me work out what I was supposed to be doing.

If your DH is likely to be unsupportive, remember he's trying to be helpful - IME unsupportive partners just don't understand how strongly you feel about it and if you are struggling want to "fix" the problem by offering a bottle. If you can make sure there is no formula in the house he won't be able to offer it if you do struggle (without going and buying some, anyway) and if he suggests formula, you can give him a list of things he can do which would be helpful. I wrote a list on a thread on here some time back, will have a look for it.

First post on page 2 of this thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/696284-How-to-make-cynical-DH-support-me-in-my-plans? pg=2

Hi Suwoo, I can't add much in the way of 'things' that you might need, but since I noticed that you are having an elective c-section, can I just mention that it may take a little longer than the mythical three days everyone says for your milk to come in? That was my experience, when I had an emergency section, anyway -- looking back, I think my body went into a bit of shock. Add to that the pressure and stress I was putting on myself (I can remember looking at my boobs and willing them to work), plus some pain, and it was all a bit of a nightmare.

So, here's my tip, try as much as possible to relax (even forcing relaxing, if that's possible, by taking loads of deep breaths, dropping your shoulders, and stretching your neck before latching on).

Try out some bfing positions lying on your side -- even practice with a baby doll before your section. I found this position much more comfortable.

FInally, the most important thing you will need: a lot of support. And patience. And the knowledge that if you can get through the first few days, the next few will be easier and so on.

Best of luck!!

chocolate

Thanks oregonian that is useful to know, I think my milk came in on day 4 when I had my section with DS. I have already met with all the local counsellors, some of whom I know already from school and toddler group. They showed me there how to feed lying down and I also practised with a doll.

Cherrychoc you have hit the nail on the head, DH will just want me to give the baby a bottle at the first sign of any difficulties. I plan to have no formula, bottles or the steriliser in the house.

Don't be scared by the lack of formula in your house. Feel secure in the the knowledge that you will not need it. Because you won't. I get the impression from your demeanor that even if there was formula in the house it would get given to your dc on pain of death

It also sounds to me as tho you are one very determined lady who has looked into all the things that can go wrong and knows that with a bit of help all problems can be overcome on this one if you are determined enough.

As well as all the contact numbers that you have you have mumsnet too which is more than a lot of people have.

You will be fine.
And if your dh does mention formula just tell him that the 1st mention is free, but the second will cost him an extra month of nookie.

Thanks all for your help with this....I've got some questions following the points you have raised.

If my milk doesn't come in until day 4, what happens in the mean time? Is the colostrom enough?

I have a 2 year old DS that still wakes in the night, am I going to be able to BF no 3 and still sort out DS? (take DH out of the equation, he won't be getting up )

And what if my milk just isn't enough (due to breast reduction) how will I know and what then??

i didnt get milk til day 4 or later, colostrum is fine.
could you bring 2yo bed to your room? ive had a section and for first 4-5 days you need to do the bare minimum. baby will probably be latched to you constantly. could 2yo stay with a relative / someone come to you. total shame on DH that he wont be getting up after wife has had major surgery and is looking after newborn
you will know if you dont have enough milk, baby wont thrive, though it is normal for them to drop weight and gain slowly.
mumsnet has plenty of expert advice for that, cross that bridge later.
now for my breast feeding essential, porridge! apparently stimulates supply, is nourishing and filling, am addicted!

DH will probably get up whilst he is off work for two weeks. We have no-one who can help with the DC (my mum and dad live abroad) so its all me. We have just got DS into his own room after co-sleeping and it has taken me 5 months so far and he is still not reliably sleeping so would prefer to keep him in his own room if possible.

I never did the bare minimum after my previous section, was shopping in the city centre on day 5 but I didn't have BF in the equation that time.

I just keep telling myself it will be fine

I know the power of MN will get me through

try the bach sleep remedy, really helps my 6yo to sleep through. spray is best as its not really palatable!
2 weeks is a help, better than owt.
if money/space are no object, how about a nursing chair?
deffo helps with posture.
i think you are right, MN will get you through

Comfy chair, footstool, sky +, lots of nice snacks, water jug.

Mumsnet

DS was born by Emergency section and I found hunching over really uncomfortable.

Sitting with your feet up really helps. I used to sit side on to the sofa with my feet on the cushion next to me. Still had to have my V shaped cushion to lift him up high enough and protect my tummy but it definietly helped.

When feeding in bed, I had a couple of spare pillows at the bedside which I could put under my knees to lift them up when I was too tired to manage (only just remembered this when I was thinking what to write here)

I had some supply issues after my section and did have to top Ds up with formula once or twice but I made sure I looked at it as a "top up" I was never giving up or starting formula permanently and I ended up breastfeeding for 6 months DS stopped putting on weight at about 5 months and after 6 weeks I decided I'd done all I could and swapped him to formula. Still feel proud that I worked so hard through those initial problems and managed what i did though.

I also relied on the Clare Byam-cook book, "What to Expect When You're Breastfeeding...And What If You Can't?" She was very non judgemental and really helpful when i was having problems. I used to read it while I fed so it doubled up as something to do too