planning on breast feeding -advice?

[thelilbump]

HI ladies.

I'm planning on breast feeding probably only for the first three months depending on how bubs and i take to it. Can i just check a few things with you ladies please.

A) Shopping. What do i need? Or rather have i missed anything? So far i've purchased 3 nursing bras to get me started, 2 nighties with buttons (will prob move to pjs later being spetember) 66 Laniosh breast pads and i have some boots expert cream aswell. We've also got bubs 12 bibs and a couple of muslin squares so far.

B) Expressing. So if i have this right its not advised to express for the first 6 weeks of breast feeding? Are people doing this earlier or is it imposiible? I have purchased a sterilser and tomme tippee closer to nature bottles, just need a pump if anyone can recommend one?

I've also got a nursing chair would we recommend purchasing one of these widgy cushion things or will a pillow be just as good?

How am i getting on? Have i missed anything? Any advice/hints/tips much appreciated

 

[Ragirl]

Looks like you have a good start. I'm not sure what boot's expert cream is- I used pure lanolin and consider it a miracle salve- wouldn't use anything else, but like I said, not sure what the expert cream is.

A couple of nursing tops perhaps?

Try not to pump the first 6 weeks unless you really need to- it's ok if you find you need to (it's certainly not impossible) but generally easier if you don't. As for which pump- depends on your needs. Will you be returning to work or just pumping to have a little on hand for feedings away?

I found a pillow worked just as well as one of the cushion things- but everyone is different with that. You might want one on hand to experiment with to find what is easiest for you and baby.

Good luck!!

 

[thelilbump]

Thanks!

Yes a couple of nursing tops occured to me just before actually. I've got a few low cut tops aswell they may work the same. Yes boots expert cream is a breast moisturiser.

As for pumping, i just wanted to try and let OH in on the feeding really and plus i might actually get some sleep then

 

[AppleBlossom]

Definately definately DEFINATELY get more breast pads! I went through sooo many! Also nipple moisturising cream. It is advised not to pump in the first 6 weeks but Grace was so demanding she was feeding off me all the time and my nipples were in a right state,no nipple cream could help. So I pumped a few times. Most of the time I got loads out and probably could've carried on. Other times I barely got out a tablespoon full. Good luck with the BF anyway! It's hard work but very rewarding

 

[thelilbump]

Definately definately DEFINATELY get more breast pads! I went through sooo many! Also nipple moisturising cream. It is advised not to pump in the first 6 weeks but Grace was so demanding she was feeding off me all the time and my nipples were in a right state,no nipple cream could help. So I pumped a few times. Most of the time I got loads out and probably could've carried on. Other times I barely got out a tablespoon full. Good luck with the BF anyway! It's hard work but very rewarding

Ooo wow i read somewhere that 40 pads would be enough so i thought 66 was a lot. I kno 66 is a random number lol but there was a percentage free in the box! I am slightly worried about having a hungry baby and not being able to cope. If its necessary i could pump before 6 weeks then? Y is there that limit? Is it to do with supply and demand? I would just google but i'm too afarid of readin somat bad

 

[Margerle]

HI ladies.

I'm planning on breast feeding probably only for the first three months depending on how bubs and i take to it. Can i just check a few things with you ladies please.

A) Shopping. What do i need? Or rather have i missed anything? So far i've purchased 3 nursing bras to get me started, 2 nighties with buttons (will prob move to pjs later being spetember) 66 Laniosh breast pads and i have some boots expert cream aswell. We've also got bubs 12 bibs and a couple of muslin squares so far.

B) Expressing. So if i have this right its not advised to express for the first 6 weeks of breast feeding? Are people doing this earlier or is it imposiible? I have purchased a sterilser and tomme tippee closer to nature bottles, just need a pump if anyone can recommend one?

I've also got a nursing chair would we recommend purchasing one of these widgy cushion things or will a pillow be just as good?

How am i getting on? Have i missed anything? Any advice/hints/tips much appreciated

The reasons why most women are encouraged to avoid pumping the first 6 weeks are here.

The best pump is the pump that works for you. The average woman has a hard time pumping more than 2 ounces from either breast. Some women can get more with a manual pump like Avent Isis (where they can simulate the rhythym of baby sucking - fast and shallow at first, and long and slow at the end), some get the best results from an electric pump like Medela's Pump in Style. Others have to go with the big time hospital grade one.

If you are pumping to provide extra feeds for one or two times a week, I'd stick with a manual one to see how it goes. If you really want to contineu feeding expressed milk beyond that then investing in the electric or renting from the hopsital will be worth it.

Pillows are fine, I used that with my first, but I have a U shapped breastfeeding pillow now (Boppy) and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's versatile and since it kinda 'fits' onto you, it'll work in any chair, anywhere - where a pillow is kinda clumsy in some situations. Plus the U shape is a good way to prop baby up for a few minutes to kick their legs or be on their tummy.

Sounds like you have a good start with the other things.

 

[ryder]

There is no reason why you cannot express milk, if it works for you. I think it is nice to express so your hubby can bond with the baby too, and it will also give him some nice memories. Plus like you said, you will be able to get a bit of rest sometimes... Some babies DO like to feed every hour and that will tire you very quickly.

I really do find men get so pushed out of the picture because alot of people nowadays are so feminist opinion driven. Women already get the joy of the pregnancy and birth, all the feelings and extra attention etc, while they get to sit and watch.

Pumping works for some women and some women it doesn't. Whatever you choose you need to have full confidence in it (ie, if you pump and you dont really want to, your just setting yourself up for failure).

Its your decision, people here pump and breast feed all the time with no trouble. And I know of many who started at birth.

Good luck!

 

[Holldoll]

I wouldn't buy anymore breast pads yet. You'll have time after the baby is born to buy them and I had to try a lot of different brands before I found some I liked and you don't know until you are wearing them.

 

[JennyOwens]

Hiya,

Looks like the ladies have already given you some fab advice... breastfeeding really is great (hard work - but so worth it)!

I just wanted to add a little bit about expressing so that your OH could do some feeds. Dylan is nearly 4 months old and is still exclusively breastfed. At about 8 weeks I started expressing so my OH could do the feeds but to be honest, Dyl isn't a big fan of the bottle and when I come and rescue my OH I find him sweating and not really enjoying the feeding experience! But this does not mean that he and Dylan have not bonded... in fact the exact opposite. Because I get to do all the feedings, OH makes sure he does plenty of playing and nappy changes. So, basically what I'm saying is don't stress too much about expressing because Dads can bond perfetly well without feeding.

Hope your birth goes well and you enjoy breastfeeding!

 

[thelilbump]

thankyou very much for the advice given so far ladies

OH said he'll nip out if i need anymore breast pads or anything like that so thats good.

Also, as for my OH and LO i try desperatly to make sure he's involved. I have spoken to him about feeding and he said he'd like to but he feels stronger about me breastfeeding. As said above, he feels he can bond in other ways aswell such as changing, bath time and playing but i just want him to have a bit of everything really, or at least him have a choice.

 

[Samantha675]

I love my boppy pillow, it really helps.

I have never needed breast pads, and don't seem to be a leaker.

I have a little manual pump from Medula, and it works fine as I don't pump that often. But I can get a good amount when I do pump. I got almost 5 ounces from my right side the other night in one go! I got the simple manual one to see if pumping would work for me, and knew I didn't need to pump often as my DH feels the same. He is happy to bond in other ways, but a feed ever so often does make him happy.

Just set your mind to breastfeeding and you will do fine. It is a LOT of work, but so worth it. You will feel like all you do is feed in the first few weeks, that is totally normal. I swear there were days when my son was on my breast for hours at a time. Now 11 weeks on, he feeds through out the day every couple of hours and usually twice a night. I really do love it.