Breastfeeding 1st time - essentials

[Boris100]

Hey all, so I'm determined to breastfeed this baby, never even tried it with my other 2 children and always regretted it but I'm clueless haha, are breastfeeding bras and tops essential? Also is there anything else I will need, nipple cream? Do I need a pump? Nipple shields?

Helllllppppp having baby on 7th May via section - thanks

Lanisoh nipple cream.

Soft bras. I like Molke for the early days.

With my first, summer baby I wore vest tops and just got a boob out. Winter baby all about the feeding hoody with zips!

Breastfeeding bras are essential but not tops as most can just be pulled up or down. Definitely get breastpads and I would say get nipple cream; I didn’t need it until a few weeks in but it was the middle of the night when I was wishing I’d brought it in advance and had to wait until the next day.
I wouldn’t worry about a pump yet as you’ll want to get feeding established. I would suggest some kind of pillow; I just used a large rectangle plumped up pillow that we already had in the end but I’d get a proper breastfeeding one if I did it again.

I think boobs and a baby are the only 2 essentials really. Everything else you can buy as and when. Nipple cream and breast pads would be helpful but don't get sucked in to buying lots off add ons. See how you get on. Good luck.

Just a little heads up that C sections can delay your milk coming in, but don't let that stop you! I had sections with both mine and breastfed both.
Always make sure you have a drink, TV remote and/or phone within easy reach is my advice!

Nursing bras are definitely essential. You don’t need nursing tops. Definitely nipple cream, nursing pads and I would recommend getting nipple shields incase your nipples need a bit of a break. My dd was so tongue tied and the only reason I manage to carry on breast feeding until She had it snipped was because of those!

Thanks everyone, that's exactly it, I don't want to buy stuff I don't really need (i remember buying one of those cartridge nappy bins with my first haha silly buy).

Ok so bras, and nipple cream roger that! Have breast pads.

Very excited! Thanks so much x

Oh and lots and lots of Muslins!

Ooooh yes! Have already bought muslins, any tips on feeding subtlety too?

As that's what stopped me last baby, was being so shy and not wanting everyone to see my boobs eekkk! Well plus lack of support, as I knew no one who had breastfed, I'm not as shy now being older but still want to be more subtle if you get me.

Baggy tops or a wide scarf to cover yourself while baby latches on. The 1st few days you'll feel a bit self conscious, but it's amazing how quickly you adapt and become more confident.

Strap tops and a looser top over the top is all I use for feeding. Strap top pulls down loose top up.
I just use a pillow I have spare for feeding.
Breast pads are a must for me as I was quite leaky at first until my boobs settled.
Feeding bras are a must, for comfort and ease.
And a water bottle.. the moment the baby goes on the boob I'm sooo thirsty it's like magic.

I’ve been BF my first and would recommend;

Nipple cream - lansinoh has been great
Water bottle as you get thirsty real quick when BF or I have been doing
Pillow to help BF baby depending on size of baby I guess
Maternity bra so you can pop boob out
Loose / baggy tops & tee’s

And a whole lot of patience

A support network.
Check out your local bf groups, go visit one and find out what support is available in your area. There will be phone support, face to face groups, and probably a loval fb group too.
Really good to know about these before hand.

You should really wear stretchy crop top type bras for the first 6 weeks, so dont go buying expensive nursing bras just yet.
There is no way if knowing what size you will need and it takes around 6 weeks for your supply to settle a bit.

Thankyou all so much! Very helpful

A small box for all your essentials like a water bottle, snacks, remote control, tissues, nipple cream.

Have a box like this for next to you on the sofa and for by the bed.

Netflix or prime subscription

Foodylicious- definitely!! Good tips

Join Can I Breastfeed In It for fashion inspiration. I found that it was daunting getting my boob out in public but if I felt confident in my outfit it was much easier than faffing with fabric.

Forgot to mention it's a Facebook group

Multimam cold compresses are seriously excellent for helping sooth and heal nipples in the first few days and weeks while you’re getting to grips with it. I found them to be so good that I now recommend them to all breastfeeders! You can get them in boots or on Amazon.

If you think you may feel selfconscious, you can get a really good feeding cover that you sort of wear around your neck and helps to give you a bit of privacy if you want it. You’ll probably find that once you’ve been feeding a while you get really good at whipping a boob out without anyone even noticing

This is the cover. It has a Mandy opening at the top so you can see what you’re doing.

www.amazon.co.uk/BebeChic-UK-Quality-Oeko-Tex%C2%AE-Certified-Breastfeeding/dp/B00B6XK7YO/ref=asc_df_B00B6XK7YO/?hvlocphy=1007460&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=309941764922&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos=1o1&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-530777511739&hvrand=569750910391551277

Handy not Mandy ffs 🙄

Look up the one up one down method for feeding. I would describe it but I'm rubbish at describing it. Keeps things discrete without needing nursing tops or covers.

I didn't like nursing bras, I preferred soft sports bras. The only things I used were nipple cream and breast pads. I did also get a milkies milk saver and a naturebond breast pump, but they are in no way essentials

That cover looks great! Such a good idea, thanks so much everyone lots of great tips/advice.