Breastfeeding advice

[40Crazabet2000]

Hi ladies
I’m not sure yet whether I want to breastfeed or formula feed.
I want to breastfeed because of all the benefits it’s said to have, but I (feel guilty saying this..) am mindful about the fact that I will still need to be careful with what I eat and how much alcohol I consume.
anyway… like I say, I’m in two minds and I’m finishing buying all my baby bits and really unsure whether I should be investing into breastfeeding equipment (pump, bags etc).
on the flip side, am also conscious about buying lots of formula and not using it… or worse not buying any and needing loads !!
I’ve been really sensible this pregnancy and careful not to waste money, but ultimately, can’t avoid having to purchase one or the other, or both, so that I’m organised for when baby is here. Just really not sure how much of everything I should be buying and whether I should wait until baby is here to worry about pumps and milk bags etc.
just looking for some advice please and would be grateful to hear what other people have done… thanks !

Formula you can pretty much buy from anywhere, loads of shops that open late if you suddenly need some.

Breastfeeding you don't need any equipment unless you want to express and do some bottle feeding too.

It's tough for the first few weeks with cluster feeding and Just establishing a good latch, with DD2 I couldn't get her to latch at all when my milk came in, I was so engorged and kept having to express bottles with a hand pump, the hospital then leant me a pump to use for a couple of weeks and helped me with latch and new positions. I fed both DD1 and DD2, food wise there is nothing that needs avoiding like there is in pregnancy, unless your baby ends up having an allergy or intolerance to something. Mine dairy and soya intolerance, so I had to cut them out of my diet.

If you do go down the formula route don't stockpile, baby might not take to that particular one and then you're screwed, my friend just had thay happen after buyin Kendamil in bulk, baby wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot barge pole. I had to do a late night Asda run for her.

I breastfed DS til he was 6 months then switched to expressing exclusively, he's 16 months now, stopped expressing at around a year.

DD is 13 weeks. Breastfed but I express too so hubby can do the 1 night feed she wakes up for.

I'd say don't go nuts and splurge on either, put money aside for a breastpump and the other bits that way once wee one is here you can decide. It's easy enough to nip to your supermarket and buy bottles and a tin of formula if you need to get it quick. The MAM bottles are good too as you don't need a separate steriliser for those, you set them up a certain way and can sterilise them in the microwave like that.

You don't need equipment to breast feed, a pump is handy but a hand one is fine if you don't want to do much bottle feeding.
No need to buy anything in advance and see how you get on. Except some breast pads and lasinoh.
You can eat whatever you want (some say that cabbage makes baby windy but i think that's an old wives tale, and you can have a couple of drinks - it is totally different than when pregnant. The danger is falling asleep on your baby if you're a bit drunk, or drop it. The amount of alcohol that gets into the milk is negligible.
Congratulations on your impending arrival

What would you need to be mindful about in terms of eating?

For alcohol it’s going to be largely the same whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding. You can drink alcohol while BF however you don’t want to be intoxicated regardless of feeding method while caring for a baby.

I wouldn’t buy formula or a pump/ milk bags if you plan to BF. Just start and see how you go, if you want to change to formula you can buy it then, you don’t need it in advance.

If you think you'll be drinking and eating as you are now/pre-baby...think again!

It sounds like you are keen to try BF so I'd not buy anything just yet. That's a benefit of breastfeeding ..your boobs are your equipment!
It's tough, especially first 6 weeks but after that it's much easier.

If you think it's not for you, it's very easy to buy formula and bottles

Do whatever is best for you but you can pretty much eat and drink what you want when breastfeeding - only thing to be slightly mindful of is caffeine but fine as long as you don't have a huge amount.

You can eat and drink as normal when breastfeeding.

Don't buy anything until baby arrives

You don't necessarily need any equipment at all to breastfeed. I BF for 20 months and never used a pump, just a silicon haaka off Amazon to collect a freezer stash. Depends how much you'll want partner or other caregivers to be giving bottles.

I would say if you do want to give BF a good go then do a class or read a book. It's not just 'stick baby on and they'll latch and it will be beautiful like a nature documentary' there's some skill and technique in it, and it's useful to know what to expect and how to give you and baby the best chance of success.

If you can get over the vomit Inducing title 'the womanly art of breastfeeding' is a great book.

Thank you all so much for your replies it’s so helpful.
I actually wasn’t a big drinker at all before pregnancy so doubt I’d be drinking much afterwards, just small things like Christmas etc where I like to have a few glasses but like you all said, a few won’t hurt…
seems like the standard advice is not to buy anything yet lol so I will go ahead and wait and see what happens!… I’m hoping BF works but also mindful that a lot of people I’ve spoken to have struggled with it.
ill definitely give books and classes a go! Thank you all so much x

If you want a back up buy the hospital pack of formula. Small bottles and pre sterilised teats. Babies drink such small amounts in the beginning that’s all you need. Just buy one pack to take to hospital, it can be helpful if you are having trouble establishing bf in the first few days just so you know baby has had something