Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

what do i need ?

14 replies

Eternity84 · 17/11/2013 15:28

I don't want to spark a breastfeeding debate but I am wondering what equipment do I need? I am determined this is my last baby and want to get breastfeeding established this time found. I didn't feel I had much support from professionals last time and had surgery after birth so I didn't try.
Can someone direct me to some good sites or books to help? I found out there is a breastfeeding cafe run by HVs up my road so that's good.
Good idea to stock up on bottles and formula or will it then be too easy for me to give up if have a bad day?
What about a breast pump? Essential or not? Nipple shield, cream? Obv when I formula fed I had a huge list of what to buy and this time all I've brought is a nice vpillow lol. Can't help but feel unprepared. Am I forgetting something? Any great links or advice appreciated

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MrsPear · 17/11/2013 15:32

Don't buy anything as there is no need in the beginning. Just take it one step at a time. What you really need to establish breastfeeding is time and you cannot buy that Grin

SweepTheHalls · 17/11/2013 16:22

Lansinoh and muslins, good luck and don't be afraid to ask for lots if help!Smile

ZuleikaD · 17/11/2013 17:21

You won't need a pump in the early days. Agree with Lansinoh for sore nipples. You've probably still got muslins from last time. You could get in touch with your local La Leche if you've got one. Sounds like you're all set!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

lljkk · 17/11/2013 17:41

A supportive partner! Honestly, he'll be your first line of help for everything. Get him onboard in believing in you so you can believe in yourself.

confusedabouted · 17/11/2013 18:00

there is a book called the food of love by kate evans which i found great,and it was light hearted and easy to read with lots of cartoons in!

Other than that,just patience,the belief in yourself that you can do it,and support,le leche league are good.

AnythingNotEverything · 17/11/2013 18:18

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a good book to start with, and the KellyMom website is great too.

While pregnant with my second I devoured the boards here for info about bf. They're an excellent way to learn about common problems. Look out for advice from TikTok!

Buy some Lansinoh and apply after every feed until latch is perfected.

Make sure DP and older kids are prepared to fetch things for you! My poor DH has been like a slave while on paternity leave.

Eternity84 · 17/11/2013 19:48

Well the supportive partner isn't something I can buy unfortunately, he walked out 2 months ago!! Lol
But glad to know I wont need a pump etc to begin with!

Will add Lansinoh to my list and some more muslims :) And hopefully will be just as determined after the birth lol

OP posts:
QuietNinjaTardis · 17/11/2013 19:49

Breast pads in case of leakage. Lansinoh is a must too.

angeltattoo · 17/11/2013 20:22

A good book & lots of reading beforehand, so you know what to expect and common problems/solutions.

Expect growth spurts at around 10 days, 6 weeks and so on - be prepared for baby to want to feed almost constantly through them, and know they will pass.

Sorry to hear about your partner - my DH really helped because he did everything else so I could concentrate on getting feeding established. But could a friend ir your mum support you? If so, ask them to attend a BF class or read a book about BF, as my own mum didn't BF and couldn't understand how often a newborn must feed to establish supply, so wasn't supportive and was desperate for DD to be FF.

Finally, I did buy one box of ready made formula bottles, personally I knew I'd feel better knowing they were in the cupboard than having to send someone to Tesco at 3am. I have DD one on about night 3, at 3am, one a few days later and one in the car at about 6 weeks. They were handy to have in and didn't affect my supply.

BF in the early days is hard. I made the decision to never give up on a bad day. People cite 6 weeks as being a 'turning point', for me this was more like at 8-10 weeks. But it did come.

I also wanted to try it, but didn't put too much pressure on myself incase it didn't work out for me - try your best, so if it works, great and if not, know you tried and that babies aldo thrive on FF. Smile

Melonbreath · 17/11/2013 20:56

Lanisoh, comfy bra. Someone kind to buy you a different sized bra on day 4 when your boobs decide to turn into humungous swishy melons. I did the bravissimo ones.

Cushion to prop your elbows up with

Thermal mug for your tea in case you start a feed and leave it out of reach.

Lanisoh

Nipple shields. My hv told me not to use them and I could have snarled at her as I hadn't figured out latching properly and was so raw and bleeding I'd have given up without them. After 2 weeks I was fine and they caused no problems at all.

I wish I'd got a breastfeeding cover. Dd was so distractable she wouldn't feed in public at all but still scream that she was hungry. It would have made a good shutting off barrier. I used muslins but they always slipped off and that was it, middle of a feed or not.

Other than that, a pair of tits! The great thing about breastfeeding is it's free, no equipment needed other than mother nature gave you and it's a secret weapon for calming and soothing babies.

happydaze77 · 17/11/2013 21:54

breastfeeding Made Simple is a great book:
www.amazon.co.uk/Breastfeeding-Made-Simple-Natural-Nursing/dp/1572248610/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384725179&sr=8-1&keywords=laws+of+breastfeeding

Kellymom is a great website, as is the breastfeeding section of mumsnet talk.

LaLecheLeague have a facebook support group which is great.

trilbydoll · 17/11/2013 22:31

Lansinoh, a pillow and some boxsets for cluster feeding marathons!

mrsmartin1984 · 17/11/2013 23:19

some women find Lansinoh effective. But there is no firm evidence that it is more effective then vasiline or your own expressed BM. If you are going to use it put a bit on a different part of your skin first, some people are terribly allergic to it. So don't put it straight on your nipples.

The great thing about BFing is that you don't NEED anything. Bras are helpful for getting your bangers out. And yes some people fine a BFing pillow helpful although you could use your own pillows/cushions at home.

Nipple shield are not useful. If it hurts get a MW, HV or a BFing supporter to check your latch. It normally means that something is wrong.

Don't buy formula. Topping up in the early days is a vicious circle to ruining your supply and stopping BFing. There is no need to do so.

And a breast pump is not essential. Especially in the early days. If you are going to need to pump later then get one by all means. Personally I don't bother.

Oh and chocolate is essential. It's impossible to breast feed without it well that's what I tell my husband anyhow

confusedabouted · 18/11/2013 09:21

I found lasinoh absolutley essential tbh,the one time id didnt bother doing it ended up in disaster!

I agree with what mrs martin said about pillows,but i just bought a coup;e of extra normal pillows so i always had plenty to prop baby up with and to stuff behind me to make sure i was sitting up straight.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page