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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Breastfeeding Equipment Advice

21 replies

loubaby1 · 27/10/2010 16:12

I'm unsure what equipment i need to buy before birth so any advice would be welcome.

I want to breast feed, but obviously until the baby is here i don't know whether i'll be able to or how this will go.

Should i buy breast pump / bottles etc before hand to be prepared? Also should i get formula / bottles for this too in case i have problems breast feeding?

Also what are the breast feeding essentials that i really need - the shops are full of things, but i don't know what really works and what doesn't - like shields, reusable pads etc?

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Pootles2010 · 27/10/2010 16:18

Definitely get Lansinoh, and some nipple shields (sexy!), then I also got some bottles (just a few to start with), a steriliser and a pump. Could leave those out if you're determined, I was very naughty and once or twice at 3 am when i really couldn't cope in the very early days, dp gave him bottle of formula, although obviously you're not meant to!

Oh and breastfeeding cushion is good, saves your back. I never needed pads, but i guess you should get some as most people do!

If you struggle (and tbh i'm certain most do to start with) get loads of advice from midwives in hospital. i must have had about 8 discussions/tutorials, and only stayed in overnight!

Pootles2010 · 27/10/2010 16:19

Oh yes and a nice comfy nursing bra, just cheap one to start with (as you don't know how much your boobs will change), m&s do two-pack quite cheap, one black one white. Then once your boobs settle down, treat yourself to a nice one from hot milk!

soppypreggyloon · 27/10/2010 16:19

To start with I'd only buy bras, lansinoh- for sore nips, breast pads.

I'd decide which brand of bottles, pump, formula, steriliser I liked best and show dp.

Then if it all goes well you haven't wasted any cash. And if it doesn't then you can send dp to sort it out.

It'll help make him feel useful too as they all seem to need tasks/ things to fix when they're in a crisis! :)

hildathebuilder · 27/10/2010 16:27

I'd only buy a bra. I bought lansinoh - 7 months later completely unused, and my mum bought me a paket of breat pads. I never leaked so those are unused too.

my ds was a prem though so i had to send my DH and father round town in a tearing hurry to get a pump and steriliser while my mum was helping me after my discharge and ds was still in nicu. the pump and steriliser have had daily use and are my best buys but I would never have predicted that.

So i'd say wait and see

MummyB2010 · 27/10/2010 16:37

this will be my first, but just wanted to share the advice of the nhs midwife who ran our antenatal classes.

she said no matter how much you plan to breastfeed make sure you have at least one bottle and some formula of some description in the house. she said the last thing you want is to get caught short in the middle of the night with a crying, hungry baby who won't latch on and have to send dh out in his pj's!

just thought it was good practical advice, considering they have to be so pro breast feeding, so she was probably not following official guidelines!

FindingMymOOOOOOOOjo · 27/10/2010 16:41

I just brought a travel steriliser - about £8 from Mothercare 'just in case'. Can use in microwave or with tablets.

Used it for a few toys - and I think we used a bottle about twice.

More important to build up a support network for encouragement & support in the early days I'd say. Most local shops will sell formular if you have a relay emergency.

Good luck

Original poster

loubaby1 · 27/10/2010 16:45

Thank you ladies for all the advice!
On the bra front - does anyone know if there is much difference between maternity and nursing bras? Mothercare have both and other than the fact the nursing ones have the little catch, they don't seem much different?

I know that people say if you want to breast feed you shouldn't give any bottles in the early days. Have people had experience with expressing and giving a it through a bottle too? Is this really a complete no go?

Questions, questions :)

OP posts:

Pootles2010 · 27/10/2010 16:51

Its the catch you want. It makes feeding in public much easier, its difficult at first, makes it easier. I've given him a bottle from day one, i know you're not meant to, I was lucky and didn't have any problems. Would hate to tell you to, then you have problems, but its up to you. Until your milk comes in (about 3 days after birth) I don't think you can express anyway.

FindingMymOOOOOOOOjo · 27/10/2010 16:53

You need nursing bras for sure - the BRAVADO ones are fantastic IMO!

OooeeeoooeeeoooeeEthel · 27/10/2010 16:54

You will go up approx 2 cup sizes when your milk comes in, your back size might increase in late pregnancy as well so leave it as late as possible to get measured for nursing bras. Get the ones with the catch - much simpler. Get breast pads as even if you dont leak much, the padding will protect your nipples from rubbing.

Pootles2010 · 27/10/2010 16:59

I really would get pads - if you do leak, you need them for way home from hospital! If like my family, they will all be there waiting for you, could be bit embarassing... Oh and if you buy any new tops, ones with patterns are good - they don't show up sick, or leakage, and don't need ironing! I wore only 2 tops for first few weeks for this reason (don't worry i did wash them )

mum2oneloudbaby · 27/10/2010 17:04

You need the nursing bras because they allow comfortable access to the breast drop down/rather hoik up. Essential.

The reason no bottles in the early days (as I had it explained to me) was that it is a different action for the baby to master so can cause confusion in the baby and possibly ultimately failure of the breastfeeding for no good reason.

I think DD was about 5 weeks before she was given a bottle of EBM (she was breastfed until 12 months). Be aware though not all bf babies will take to a bottle and some will and then won't and then will again!

MummyB2010 my mw from antenatal class said the complete opposite. Don't get any in it makes it easier to give up in the tough early days (because for some breastfeeding can be difficult and hardwork to establish in the early days) plus with 24 hour shopping (in most areas) you can always get bottles and formula. So if you are truly determined to breastfeed don't get any in do what Finding said and build a support network however I would say it is a very personal choice.

Essential for me was bra, lansinoh and breast pads (I leaked loads). Never used nipple shields don't see why I would have needed them.

If you decide to buy a breast pump beforehand Mothercare have the TommeeTippee one on special £13.49 with pump, steriliser, bottle and thermal bottle bag. I found this pump excellent.

WildhoodChunder · 27/10/2010 17:12

Just a note on the nursing bras - you may know anyway, but you will need a different size than your maternity bra. As a rule of thumb, one cup size larger and one 'back size' smaller - Mothercare will do fittings but it tends to be a bit hit and miss until your milk actually comes in.

Rhian82 · 27/10/2010 17:20

You can express before your milk comes in - DS refused to latch on until he was a week old, so we expressed colostrum and then milk until then.

I know some people say not to get the pump beforehand, but for us it was a lifesaver. At hospital they helped me use a little syringe thing to hand express then 'hoover' up the little drops of colostrum, and never even suggested using a pump. We got home, saw the pump we'd bought and gave it a go - five times the amount in half the time.

We were also told at the hospital to get a couple of cartons of formula in 'just in case' - the same scenario of a screaming hungry baby in the middle of the night and no shops open. We bought some and threw it away a year later, out of date and never used. I was lucky though - I was always able to express loads so the actual milk was never the problem, just the different methods of getting it in him! We avoided bottles (DS was anti-breasts enough without confusing him with bottle teats) so cup fed him using a bottle lid. Tipping milk into the mouth of a three-day old crying baby is a lot less fun than it sounds!

missp2010 · 27/10/2010 19:43

I would say def bras, lansinoh, and pads (just a cheap pack of disposables to start with). Probably no need for a pump etc in the early days, but worth looking up which one you like best before, then if you need to send someone out to get one you wont have to worry about which to get. I wouldn't have thought you'd need shields, or BFing tops etc to begin with.

You might like a cushion, but that's a personal choice. I found I couldn't live without mine with DD but with DS I hardly used it. Maybe good to wait a few days.

Again buying formula in advance is a very personal choice. I feel that if you have it in the house you're much more likely to use it. The whole thing about having a crying, hungry baby in the house, to me, is often just to be expected with a newborn. If you have good support, you can deal the with the situation by finding a way to BF successfully without having to resort to formula, which could throw your supply out of sync and confuse the baby.

A real must is talking to the midwives at the hospital.

hth. xx

bessie26 · 27/10/2010 20:14

I really really loved my sleep bras - sooooo comfy and I could pop a couple of pads in to save me leaking over my PJs! (I tended to leak from one while feeding from the other)

defn get lanisol (keep an eye out for it on special offer at the supermarket).

We had to get a pump as DD was in SCBU for the first few weeks & found the avent electric pump to be excellent, but it's pricey for something you might never use... Could you choose the one you want & get DH to buy it as soon as you give birth, leave it in the box & return it a couple of weeks later? (or is that naughty?)

DD & I had a few issues with getting comfortable in the early days, but my HV arranged for a "Breastfeeding Councilor" to come round - she was a great help & with a few adjustments (mainly getting rid of the pillow!) we were sorted & continued to bf until DD weaned herself off at around a year old

Good luck!

Original poster

loubaby1 · 27/10/2010 21:48

Thank you ladies! The advice is all gratefully received! X

OP posts:

MumNWLondon · 27/10/2010 22:00

You just need a couple of sleep nursing bras (wait until your milk come in before you invest further) plus one box of breast pads in case you leak.

I bought lansinoh but never used it. The bras I bought when pregnant were the wrong size so that was a waste of money.

Don't agree about buying bottles or formula, I never have. If your baby isn't feeding supermarkets are always open. If my baby wasn't able to latch on would rather express breast milk than feed formula but pumps are expensive if no need.

BerryScaryJuice · 27/10/2010 22:30

Nursing bras (I'd get 3 to start with: one to wear, one to wash and one dry. Can get more after the birth), lansinoh (even if you don't need it for your nipples it is an excellent lip balm) and breast Pads (I like the Johnson's one's most but lanisoh and tolled tipped also get good reviews.

'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding' to read before birth and 'The food of love'

Also get in contact with a local breastfeeding support group/La Leche League and attend a meeting or two before birth. It is sooooo much easier to ask for help if you are already comfortable with the group.

Many people swear by a nursing pillow but I never got round to buying one and in the end didn't need to.

I wouldn't buy any bottles or formula if I were you. If you are serious about breastfeeding they will just be a waste of money. You can always get a couple of bottles for EBM later after breastfeeding is established.

Good luck

BerryScaryJuice · 27/10/2010 22:34

Wha! Terrible typos (iPhone corrections) Tommee Tippee breast pads also come highly recommended.

nicm · 27/10/2010 22:44

i had breast pads, lanolish, and nursing bras for hospital. don't buy the lanolish though as it's £10 for the tube-i used such a small amount and then found out i could have had it free from the hospital! good luck!

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