Few questions..

[staceymy]

Sorry if something similar has already been posted.

Hoping to breastfeed this time around. Tried with my daughter (my MW got me going on day 8) but we was getting into a lovely routine & it really messed her up so we stopped after a few feeds.

Do i need a breast pump? If so which is best?
Do i need any sort of special creams for my boobs?
What can i eat/drink, cant eat/drink?
How long can you freeze milk for?
Do you wind baby after a feed?

If theres anything else which you think may help please add.
Thanks.

 

[Mervs Mum]

If you have a read through the threads here you will find lots of info on all the questions you've listed as yes, they are all freqeuently asked

You dont NEED a pump or special cream
You can eat and drink everything but alchol should be limited
BM can be frozen for 6 months in a deep freeze
Yes you wind your baby

 

[Samantha675]

I found at the beginning lansinoh cream was great for preventing cracking. You can also express a bit of milk and rub it around and let your nipples air dry to help with sorness.

I had a little hand pump, but just never used it much.

You can eat what you want. I did find that dairy upset Brenn's tummy till he was about 6 months.

I don't pump, but Merv's Mum has answered.

Yep, winding is always good as they can't burp on their own for a while. Now at 11 months, my son burps like a champ.

 

[freckleonear]

Do i need a breast pump? If so which is best?
I bought an Avent manual breast pump from Boots on the recommendation of my midwife, but ended up hardly using it. I never really bothered expressing as it was far easier just to take Aaron with me everywhere.

Do i need any sort of special creams for my boobs?
Lansinoh is absolutely fantastic for helping the soreness in the beginning.

What can i eat/drink, cant eat/drink?
You can eat anything you want, just be sensible about alcohol obviously. Occasionally certain foods can upset babies.

How long can you freeze milk for?
https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html#storage has some good information about storing breastmilk.

Do you wind baby after a feed?
Yes, but breastfed babies often need less winding anyway.

 

[thelilbump]

Do i need a breast pump? If so which is best?

No you don't need a breast pump i wouldn't buy one until you know but you may want to research them just incase you need to buy one quickly.

Do i need any sort of special creams for my boobs?

I got some boots expert nipple moisturing cream but only needed to use it a handful of times. If you do need a cream check if you need to wipe it off before feeding or not.

What can i eat/drink, cant eat/drink?

You'll probably glad to know most things go! My mw did recommend not to eat too much chocolate, spicey things, lots of garlic or drink orange juice. You can have these but just not too much.

How long can you freeze milk for?

I think its 6 months recommended

Do you wind baby after a feed?
Yes, i feel it's a myth breastfed babies don't get wind. They perhaps don't get as much wind as they would from a bottle but my baby did get wind and we needed to use infacol (but i'd seek advice before giving to a baby)


Anything else you might need?

Nursing bras, some breast pads/sheilds, muslin squares, think about what you are going to wear if feeding in public, a nightie you can feed in.
Good Luck.