Breastfeeding, what do I need? Any good nipple creams?

[Sketchi]

Bottle fed DD and am going to try breastfeeding with this little one though have no idea what to get.
I have heard you need a good nipple cream.
The list I have written down is:
Breast pump (eith manual/electric)
Bottles of course
Feeding bras
Cream
Nipple sheilds
Pads

Is there anything else? I'm 31 weeks so hoping to buy in the next few and need advice and guidance please! x

I only used pads, feeding bras, and shirts which opened easily in the first few weeks. In my opinion, even the feeding pillow they recommend is a bit of a waste of money.

Why do you need bottles? Best to put off using them, even with expressed milk, for 4-6 wks. Cream I guess if you get cracked nipples but wait and see how it goes and if you really need it. it's not the case that everyone uses it as a matter of course. There are downsides to it too - smell, etc.You don't need the nipple shields; even if you've got inverted nipples or something, wait and see if you really do need them. I wouldn't bother at the outset.

Sorry, the expressing machine, I personally didn't use it until around three months. I know people have different views on this. But I would focus on just getting the feeding right for the first few weeks and think about expressing/mixed feeding etc. a bit later. It's enough to be getting on with in my view.

You probably/hopefully won't need nipple shields, I'm 18days into feeding my third DC, haven't expressed yet, but might do soon because he's doing the 'feed every hour' thing at the moment and I want a nice long bath!
Nipple cream, get lansinoh -£9.95 for a tube that lasts ages.
Feeding bras, www.hotmilk.com do some lovely ones but with both of mine I've preffered the support of my normal bras and just popped my breast out.
What I would suggest is some decent breastpads, and a nightie/pjs that you can wear pads with, I have some PJ's from new look, they have hidden support in a vest type top so am able to wear pads at night, or else I leak EVERYWHERE.

Ooops wrong link, it's www.hotmilklingerie.co.nz/

The brilliant thing about BF is you don't need loads of kit

Breast pads are essential in the early days though, you can get washable ones.

I don't think expressing/using bottles is recommended until BF is well established as it can cause nipple confusion (MWs told me 6 weeks). I bought a breast pump, bottles, bottle-warmer etc before having my PFB and have never used any of them! so would save your money until you know you need them.

Like others have said, I have been fortunate never to need nipple cream. I did express (with 2nd baby, but not very often) - one or two bottles are more than enough if you are only giving the odd bottle of ebm.

Essentials on my list were few:

Nursing bras (3)
Breast pads (washable for most of the time - 6 pairs) and disposables for when away and/or run out of washables.
Manual breast pump - passed on by a friend. (you can also rent electric ones, possibly try your local NCT)

I'm using Lansinoh this time and haven't had sore or cracked nipples - don't know if it's coincidence or on baby 3 I might know what I'm doing!

I'd recommend washable pads too and at least 2 or 3 nursing bras, though I think its best to wait until nearer 38 weeks to get measured for them.

Personally having a breast pump saved my breastfeeding the previous two times - though I expressed far earlier than is ideal. I was so sore I couldn't face putting baby to one breast so pumping gave me a break from this and I fed from the other. But there's no reason to assume this will happen to you and breast pumps are easy to get hold of so perhaps you could wait and see how it goes. I bought a pump assuming I'd express so others could give a bottle but I never used it after those first few difficult weeks. Such a faff sterilising and stuff and I was never very successful at expressing despite going on to feed for 18 months (dd) and 2 years (ds).

Feeding bras

Lansinoh nipple cream

Breast pads

V Shaped cushion - I had a bog standard cheap one from Argos and it was a life saver, I would never have managed to find a position that worked for me without it.

Breast pump - got me through engorgement in the early days then used later on for expressing when I returned to work.

You need your boobs. That's it. So it's all actually much simpler than bottle feeding. Breast pads may also be useful, but you really don't need all the paraphanalia. I used a pillow when the dcs were newborn. Once they're a bit bigger, just stick em on and off they go. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice girlies Have taken it all in and just preying breast feeding will go to plan as you hear so many horror stories these days.

The best and most essential thing for successful BFing is support.

I would advise you to go to a BFing group BEFORE LO arrives and continue after the support is invaluable and has kept me going.

Don't be scared to stay in hospital as lo9ng as you need to get established.

Ask for help as soon as you need it rather than letting small probs escalate.

Good luck!

I don't think you need anything except feeding bras and breast pads. Oh, and a list of numbers for NCT bf support specialists. And determination, if necessary!

However DO make sure you have a few tops you can BF in before the baby is born - I went on a horrible sweaty shopping trip with a screaming 1 week old when I realised that literally nothing in my wardrobe fitted and was BF friendly. Not to be recommended...

I have been bfing DS for 2 years and managed without any of the rest. I'd say buy it if/when you need it. My very helpful NCT teacher advised me that she considered expressing "advanced breastfeeding" and best only attempted when you've got the main thing going well. You may not want to bother - lots of people don't find it helpful/easy.

Good luck!!

Lansinoh is great for your nipples (a handy lip balm too if your stuck .

My midwife was able to get me lansinoh on prescription so I saved £10, but that was just after DD was born.

Lansinoh, wonderful stuff. Rest assured at some point it will hurt, it will make you want to shout and scream when they latch on but it doesn't last and it is worth getting throughh the pain. With one of my dcs it was only an afternoon and with another four days of sheer agony. Good luck!!