breastfeeding, what equipment do i need??????

[nomorebooze]

Hi everyone! went to mothercare today and got in a muddle, what equipment do i need if im planning to breast feed? also what sterilizers are best chemical or microwave? do i need a breast pump. dont want to spend unnessesary amounts of money. Hope someone can help. thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thisisyesterday]

um, breasts.
that's about it!

no, in all seriousness my advice is don't spend money on anything unless you come to need it.
start as you mean to go on. breasts are all you need.

you don't need a breastpump, and if you dfecide you do want to express at all you can get one after baby is born. ditto sterilisers.

[glitterkitty]

Your breasts. Lanisoh cream. Lanisoh pads. You dont need anything else! Although... the u shaped pillow was actually fab.

Breast pump (in my experience and also all women I know) likely to be unneccesary. But if you want to give it a go medela is good. Plus 2 bottles (no idea which is best). Boiling water will sterilize.

[TigerFeet]

boobs
baby
well fitting nursing bra, get measured at around 38 weeks

the rest you can get if and when you need it

[snickersnack]

Nothing but breasts, and some Lansinoh ointment in case of sore nipples. Usually advised to leave expressing/bottles for a couple of weeks anyway so your supply can settle down so plenty of time to get kit for that after the birth

[pooter]

All you need are your boobs and the number of a couple of breastfeeding helplines.

it can be reassuring to buy STUFF (i know!) but in reality you need nothing at all. Perhaps some breast pads (although some women never leak a drop - so dont go mad and buy loads of them until you know!) and you may need a very comfortable bra to sleep in as while your nipples are adjusting to breastfeeding they can be very sensitive and you want to avoid rubbing against pjs/clothes.

You dont need a breastpump unless you decide to go out for a few hours and leave a feed,. and its best not to do that until you have properly establised your milk supply. There is also the risk of using the breast pump, seeing the miniscule amount it produces, comparing it to the huge amounts of formula others are giving their children and feeling like you must be starving your baby. breast pumps are no indication at all of your milk supply. Its difficult to trust your body, but there are no gauges to measure, and you just have to observe your baby.

above all - dont expect it to be easy. hopefully it will be, but if it isnt then get help immediately!!! Dont wait in pain, and dont feel like you are wasting anyones time - volunteers and breastfeeding counsellors WANT to help you succeed with it!!

oh, maybe a sling so you can feed when you are out and about.

good luck

[shonaspurtle]

I got nothing in advance, had lots of problems at the start but having no equipment didn't cause me any extra problems.

Dh went out and bought me a breast pump when it became clear I was going to need it (about day 5) and it came with a couple of bottles. He also bought some Milton steralising tablets and we never bothered with any other sterilising equipment.

If you don't want to waste money then I'd advise to just buy as you need stuff, if anything at all.

[WickedWitchSouthWest]

Hiya

I agree with all of the above I bf'd my dd for 18 months and in that time all I used was:

• u shaped pillow
• lansinoh cream (don't be tempted by the cheap stuff, lansinoh is the only one that works!)
• breast pads. Get the el cheapo supermarket ones to start with, I found I DID leak while I was still doing 4 feeds a day but once the initial flood was done with I used Tommee Tippee pads as they are more discreet.

Agree that you probably won't want a pump/bottles/sterilser until you absolutely need it.

The only advice I can give you is don't be afraid to feed on demand, even if that is every hour! Expecting a newborn to go 3-4 hours is unfeasible Plus breastfeeding is a lovely reason to sit down with a cuppa and your feet up

Good luck!

[IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern]

Breasts, good nursing bra, some breast pads and also some muslin squares can be handy for mopping up any spills or dribbles when feeding.
If you need any of the other things get them as and when if it comes up or else there can be very expensive mistakes lying around gathering dust.

[WickedWitchSouthWest]

oh forgot to add (pregnant brain, sorry!), this time around I'm planning on getting a sling.

Oh and this: I found feeding tops to be a nightmare! I just hoiked up my t shirt and nobody ever saw a thing

I'm hoping there's some prettier feeding bras out there now too....

[FreeTheGuidoOne]

At least one breast.

A baby.

[modmum]

Breasts, nursing bra, breast pads, muslin squares and someone to bring your tea, food,water, remotes etc whilst unable to move due to feeding.
Although later on I was able to answer door with DD still attached - luckily HV not village postman!!!
Seriously, I second getting the BF helpline numbers to hand and being ready to shout for MNers (thinking of TIKTOK and othrs) for invaluble advice.
Good luck and come back and tell us what flavour!

[HinnyPet]

Muslin squares definately. Buy about 20 (seriously) and start washing and washing them now to soften them up.

Don't get a breastpump -yet! (if you find once your milk has come in that you need one, just post that you want one on your local freecycle)

Lansinoh

Lilypadz (but not until milk suply established)

Tescos boob pads are scratchy and horrible, buy Tommee Tippee or Boots individual ones first!

Make DH / DP a part of the whole thing by insisting you are made a cup of tea every time you feed baby, it gives you a sweet satisfying feeling!!

[Chica31]

You don't need anything apart from someone to be your cheerleader to tell you how wonderfully you are doing if the going gets tough.

[nomorebooze]

how funny!!!!!!! thanks breasts are useful! i think im getting my self a wee bit stressed about the thought of breast feeding, want to do it but worried whether i can cope with it, may freak out.............

[WickedWitchSouthWest]

ah I was exactly the same. Gave myself 6 weeks as a target but once I hit that point I couldn't give up! Yes it's a bit tingly and odd to begin with but you CAN get though it and once you get past the 6 weeks you'd be amazed how easy it is!
Good luck

[pooter]

have you seen the episode of Friends where Rachel bfs for the first time? Someone asks her what is is like, and she says "weird". And they say something like "Strange wierd?" and she replies "wonderful wierd".

Its true - it is an odd feeling until you get used to it, but at the same time it is a fantastic feeling. Then it gets normal, but you get a huge feeling of relaxation and feel like all is right with the world. (this is after the first week or two - which can be very difficult).

My DS has just stopped of his own accord - he is 2.7 and i am pregnant - so i am kind of relieved as it was getting very painful (only cos of the pregnancy) but i also feel it is an end of an era, and am quite wistful about it.

Hopefully you will find it a wonderful experience like i did (eventually). Just dont be shy to ask for help, and bare in mind that doctors and midwives may mean well, but a lot dont know much about BF - you are better off getting help from a properly trained counsellor.

How exciting!!

[WickedWitchSouthWest]

I was sad when dd stopped at 18 months my favourite bf memory was sitting in her room at 2am on Christmas morning listening to carols on classic fm. Still gives me goosebumps!

[nomorebooze]

exciting scary and weird all in one!!!!!!!!!!, i will be giving it my all to succeed, so fingers crossed. 30 weeks at mo so still have time to get my head round it all. x

[ib]

I would advise having the number of some support lines handy. Don't hesitate to ask for help, you may need it and it can be a lifesaver.

[nomorebooze]

good advice mckenzie, i like!!!!!!!!!!! i will also find out some support numbers as this may come in useful.

[WickedWitchSouthWest]

oh yes, snacks! very important

[YanknCock]

If you have a partner, prepare him to be supportive. I'm sure there's some statistic that shows a huge difference in BFing rates between women with and without partners who were encouraging about breastfeeding. I made sure DH knew all the reasons I wanted to BF, and told him I wanted encouragement to continue if it was hard---he was banned from suggesting formula.

I second what everyone is saying about waiting to buy equipment. Do your research by all means, but wait to purchase until baby arrives.