Breastfeeding ladies.. advice needed!

[BessieBye]

Hello!

I am 21+3 and hoping to breast feed baby once it’s here. I am also staying open minded and aware that sometimes my baby may need bottle feeding. So I have a few questions...

Did anyone do the same? Breastfeed when they can but if they can’t, for whatever reason, use a bottle?

What bottles are best to avoid nipple confusion?

Recommendations on breast pumps?

Any tips for a FTM you would like to give?

Thanks!

I'd see how you get on with breastfeeding before buying a pump (except maybe a haaka). I'd maybe get a pack of ready made bottles as a backup but not buy re-usable bottles yet.

Every baby is different. My daughter never took to bottles (and still won't drink cows maybe lol aged 21 months!!!!!! Arg!!!).

The first 6 weeks are the hardest, but if you can get through that, feeding is super super easy.

Using formula before milk supply is up and running can sound the death knell for bf. Expect some tough days and some persevering, plan to have your feet up all day those first days and weeks and get some lansinoh in stock! It is such a good memory of those early days for me, really amazing. Wishing you the very best of luck. A few things that helped me was 'Don't give up on a bad day' and 'a bf solution for a bf problem'. Congratulations.

I combi fed my son and exclusively breastfed my daughter. While both are tough at first, breastfeeding is soooooo much easier than faffing around with bottles.

I'd suggest getting a Haakaa pump for now and some ready made bottles.

Anything else you need you can get once baby is here easily enough.