Bottles / Steriliser for Storing Milk - how much do I need to buy?

[Surfnicky]

I am planning on breastfeeding my little twins when they arrive in September and have been given a Medela Swing pump, in order to help me express (so that hubby can help too).

What other bits & pieces do I need to start off with? I don't want to buy too much but assume I'll need a steriliser (any recommendations on which one greatly appreciated!) and some bottles....

How many shall I start off with - or shall I just wait until they are born? I figured that if they aren't great feeders to begin with then I might need to store some of the milk that I'm producing so that my supply doesn't dry up - or I could be talking complete nonsense!!

I had an avent microwave steriliser that worked for me. It came with 4 bottles which was all I needed until I introduced a formula feed a few months down the line. I breastfed at first, but could express very little in the first few weeks - it took a while.

Actually, you're not talking nonsense at all and it is a good idea to store your milk to make sure your supply does not run low (and during those growth spurts where the babies will be extra hungry)

I bought the Avent sterilizer (but not the more expensive express one) and wished I did have the quicker one! Also, I bought the electric pump from avent so it all fitted in nicely. I don't know if there is a special Meleda one? Anyway, the avent one did the job but upon reading others opinions, it seems the microwaveable ones are also very good and quick.

Bottles-wise (surprise surprise!) I also went for the Avent ones and think I started off with 6 - and bought more quite soon after realising that the whole freshly sterilized 6 seems to be used in an instant. I did buy replacement teats every 4 weeks, plus your babies may move up to a faster flow teat quite soon (as my DD did)

I know some mums love some bags you can save your breastmilk in and freeze and then just thaw and poor into a bottle (instead of freezing actual bottles) and there are also these little pots I got included by avent in my pump box which were quite handy for all sorts of things.

We also got one a bottle warmer (yes avent) but looking back, anything that heats water would have done nicely.

Oh, and lots of muslin squares for mopping up!

I had the Boots breastmilk storage bags which were really useful, I actually cried when I used up the last one I had stored in the freezer!