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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

First time mum breastfeeding question...

34 replies

suburbanslob · 27/03/2011 18:03

I'm planning to breastfeed but was wondering what equipment I need to buy before the baby is born - i.e. do I need a breast pump? Steriliser? Bottles? Formula just in case? Totally confused with it all! Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Bobby99 · 29/03/2011 10:25

your baby, obviously...

juneau · 29/03/2011 13:21

You'll need:

2 nursing bras (get them when you're 36 weeks plus as you'll have an idea by then how big your boobs are going to get;
2 sleep bras (also nursing bras, but looser and more comfy);
Breast pads (for leaking boobs in the early days before milk supply/demand is established);
Lots of muslins and perhaps a few bibs for baby;
I found a nursing pillow really helpful, but you can use a normal pillow or, if your breasts are more modestly sized, you might not need one (mine were an H cup after DS was born!);
I also found a few nursing tops for discreet feeding while out and about helpful. They usually have a crossover top so you can access your nipples without flashing your belly or your whole boob. They don't need to cost a fortune - you can buy them in H&M, for instance.

I also had a breast pump, which was really useful at times and allowed me to pump and DH to feed DS. A hand-held pump isn't very expensive, but the more comfortable and fast ones are the electric ones. You can rent these if you want to try one out, but they're only really useful if you want to go back to work and keep BFing.

juneau · 29/03/2011 13:25

Oh, and I second making sure you've got the numbers of either the local La Leche League (if possible, go to a meeting before you give birth so you can meet the leader and ask questions), or a BFing/lactation consultant. Some hospitals also have a BFing support group or a counsellor on staff who can help you get started. It is SO important to have good support in the first month - it can literally make or break your attempts to BF.

macaroonmum · 29/03/2011 13:35

I found this website invaluable I really can't praise it enough - the more you know about BF the better you'll deal with the first few weeks (which are the most challenging) and in the months which follow. I'd second the find a group near you idea.

Good luck!

Original poster

suburbanslob · 29/03/2011 13:44

Thanks again people - lots of fab advice :)

OP posts:

mamaesi · 29/03/2011 14:06

I disagree with getting nothing. A midwife from a class i took told me to start giving the baby one bottle of expressed milk a day from around 4-6 weeks.

This was by far the best advice that anyone gave me because the baby got used to taking the bottle of expressed breast milk...Some babies refuse the bottle after only 6 or so weeks!

then i pumped and my husband gave me a break and let me sleep in, while he fed her.

Also a few months later I was ready to go out to dinner and such and if you have a baby that is happy taking from the bottle as well as breast then you have your freedom. I never worried about leaving her with someone if I needed a break, because I knew she would eat.

So get a pump, get a steriliser and get bottles.... this gave me sleep and sanity and freedom to feel like a normal woman again....

although be aware that pumping is the single most unattractive/strange thing I have ever done:)

Original poster

suburbanslob · 30/03/2011 22:17

Thanks mamaesi! I have decided to play it safe and we've bought some basic kit: bottles, manual breat pump, microwave steriliser, nipple cream (kamilsan on advice on doctor - anyone tried it?). Now I just need to learn how to express...but I reckon that means starting a whole other thread!!

OP posts:

Original poster

suburbanslob · 30/03/2011 22:19

Oh and we've got a nursing pillow too :)

OP posts:

BigGLittleG · 31/03/2011 00:24

I strongly disagree with those who suggest you need nothing but a breastfeeding support helpline.....

Two days after returning from hospital I found myself at 4am sobbing with bleeding nipples and a wailing newborn. I was in too much pain to feed and because we had no back-up my husband had to rush to the hospital to get some formula in sterile bottles.

This is the worst case scenario and all was well in the end but i coud have kicked myslef a million times over for not having had any sort of 'plan b' during an emergency.

Just because you have a bottle and a spare carton of formula doesn't mean you are going to use them -- only that you are an incredibly prepared mummy!!

Oh and buy lansinoh, lansinoh, lansinoh.

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