What do I need for breastfeeding?

[nataliecn]

Other than my boobs?!
I'm just not sure what else I need.. I know most things I've read state that for the first 6 weeks not to introduce the baby to a bottle or paci as it can confuse, and you don't want any confusion until you and baby both really get the hang of breast feeding.

I just don't know what else I will need for breastfeeding!

Thanks girls!

 

[marley2580]

Honestly hun, you don't NEED anything other than the baby and your breasts. There are a few things you might want to get like BFing tops etc, but I never really bothered with getting anything.

Edited to add that nursing bras and lansinoh cream are a good idea.

 

[ryder]

Breast pads! At th very least a hand pump and containers, pumping can help when you become engorged, which is incredibly painful. Make sure you read up on where to get support where you live as it can be very frustrating and painful.

My hospital advised using a pacifyer to encourage sucking and it also helps against sids... but each to their own, it is what your comfortable with.

 

[milkmachine]

nipple cream is a life saver in the first few weeks, breast pads for leakages and a decent pump for later on if you should choose to express i had a hand pump which was useless... id invest in an electric one they seem to empty your boobies better.

the one thing you really really need is will power.... noone told me how much it hurts at first to breastfeed... i found it pretty horrific to the point that i cried everytime i had to feed her but stick with it honestly it gets better after the first few weeks its a doddle

 

[nataliecn]

Breast pads! At th very least a hand pump and containers, pumping can help when you become engorged, which is incredibly painful. Make sure you read up on where to get support where you live as it can be very frustrating and painful.

My hospital advised using a pacifyer to encourage sucking and it also helps against sids... but each to their own, it is what your comfortable with.

Did you use the pump immediately?
I was thinking I might not get the pump until I know him and I are able to do it. I don't want to go get a breast pump, use it once and then for some reason the breast feeding not work!

I'm assuming being in Belleville - and the hospital I'm delivering at being the one in Cobourg... that a lot of their stuff should be similar with different views. So maybe I will get some paci's!

Thanks!

 

[marley2580]

I wouldn't bother with a pump at first, wait until you're both getting the hang of BFing. And I second the will power one, you'll need that in bucket loads.

 

[pinkmac85]

When I was attempting it in the hospital they had me using a pump to get my milk to come through faster as sometimes your milk doesn't come in for a few days so pumping helps! I also found having a good breastfeeding pillow really helped as it was awkward trying to hold a squirming baby and maneuvering my boobs around lol

 

[Serene123]

Pumping before your milk comes in actually isn't a good idea.

Boobies and will power hun, the recipe for success!

 

[ryder]

Breast pads! At th very least a hand pump and containers, pumping can help when you become engorged, which is incredibly painful. Make sure you read up on where to get support where you live as it can be very frustrating and painful.

My hospital advised using a pacifyer to encourage sucking and it also helps against sids... but each to their own, it is what your comfortable with.

Did you use the pump immediately?
I was thinking I might not get the pump until I know him and I are able to do it. I don't want to go get a breast pump, use it once and then for some reason the breast feeding not work!

I'm assuming being in Belleville - and the hospital I'm delivering at being the one in Cobourg... that a lot of their stuff should be similar with different views. So maybe I will get some paci's!

Thanks!

You may not need to pump right away, but personally id have it on hand... And there is absolutely nothing wrong with pumping. You never know whats going to happen and how you will deal with bfing.

As long as your very determined and have good support at home then you will be fine... But you will be sitting bfing constantly in the beginning.

Some nurses can be really pushy with bfing... which can be good... But sometimes it can be really daunting and annoying. The nurses will come at certain times during the night and make sure he has fed, they make you chart it too.

Im not telling you this to put you off it... but some people like to make bfing sound like its not as hard as it is... And you need to be prepared for the worst.

Dummys are ok... I didnt get Jasmine right when she was born, and I didnt have the heart to let her go 7hrs without a feed... I couldnt do it, so they bottle fed. Actually my oh gave her her first feed.

I had trouble with bfing because no matter what we tried it really hurt, like a pain I could not handle... And the second night she was born she cried and scream the whole night... And there was no way I could try and keep her on the breast. So she had a dummy.

Nurses all will have their own opinion on things... Dummys, bfing etc...

I gave up after 2 weeks, I felt sick bfing and it was too stressful and painful, I didnt have any support at home because Tom couldnt take any time off work. He had just started his job.

So.... make sure you have support!!!! Good luck, I hope it is easy and you have no trouble with it.

 

[ryder]

And btw, I was ADVISED to pump. As it helps to bring in your milk.

 

[jenstar]

^^ yeah me too.

Not for this baby like but the lactation advisor has said that cos i had trouble keeping up with my hungry baby this time it'll help me get a bigger supply built up quicker if I start using a pump asap after giving birth.

And about the original Q- I was absolutley starving while bf so my tip is to have cereal bars or something like that with you AT ALL TIMES. I was eating them in the middle of the night after doing night feeds!

 

[marley2580]

The problem with pumping in the first few days is that you get such a small amount that much of it gets lost in the pump mechanism, it can also be really disheartening to see how little you get and can lead to you doubting your ability to feed. I would suggest that you ask to be shown how to hand express so you can do it if you need to and so that you don't lose any of the colostrum in the pump.

 

[ANGYPANGY]

i would consider washable breast pads and a pillow helps alot. i pumped and used a bottle soon after my first and he didn't seem to have a problem with it at all.

 

[pinkmac85]

And btw, I was ADVISED to pump. As it helps to bring in your milk.

Same with me!

 

[nataliecn]

My hospital doesn't exactly PUSH the bf'ing... But if you want to BF, they really want to make sure you get it. It's a 2 night stay at my hospital, because the nurses really want to help you get the hang of it if that's how you choose to do it. They want you to leave feeling as comfortable as possible with it.
So - hopefully the 2 days is enough to really help me and Grady get it!
I worry about the pain, but I know I just have to push through it.

Thanks girls!

 

[Serene123]

Good luck hun x

 

[AC81]

Breastpads - and lots of them. I was soooo leaky! And I agree with the will power thing. I found it so painful to start with for the first week or so, I would almost scream everytime I fed her and started to dread feeding time! But if you are in pain (not everyone finds it so bad) you need to know that it will pass.

Nipple cream and nursing bra's are also great. good luck x

 

[nataliecn]

Anyone know where to get some good BIG nursing bras?
Although most of you are UK and what not - but over here, the biggest I've seen so far are DD.... and I'm already an F - and that's BEFORE the milk comes in!!

 

[Serene123]

https://www.bras4mums.co.uk/nursing-bras/cat_4.php

 

[ryder]

Have you tried Thyme Maternity? They have afterbirth clothing and bras etc too... mmm sears also has a big selection.