What would you recommend?

[thelilbump]

Hi ladies.

So i'm considering breastfeeding my lil one when they arrive, probably for about 3 months. I was just wondering if any of you could tell me what i nedd to/should/ recommend me to buy. Like what kinda bottles and strelisers etc (because i want to express so others can share the experience dp especially).

I've read articles and stuff but i just wondered what you practicing mummies would recommend? Thanks

 

[smartie]

I am using tommee tippee closer to nature bottles and my LO doesnt have any confusion between bottle and breast. I also use a tommee tippee manual pump and a medela electric one

 

[vicky9207]

i would recommend a nursing pilliow
https://www.mothercare.com/gp/produ...=sr_1_11/026-2604777-6208419?ie=UTF8&mcb=core

 

[freckleonear]

A tube of Lansinoh. It's a bit expensive, but definately worth it for the first couple of weeks, it's really soothing.

Plenty of breast pads. I got through loads in the first couple of months but don't need them any more. I would recommend the Lansinoh ones, they are thin and discreet, very absorbent and by far the best at keeping your skin dry.

At least two feeding bras. I only bought one before Aaron was born and bought the others afterwards, which was just as well as I ended up far bigger than I expected.

I didn't buy a nursing pillow but I wish I had, those widgey ones look good.

It's recommended that you don't express and bottlefeed until 6 weeks, to allow time to get breastfeeding established, so you might not need to worry about pumps and bottles straight away. I didn't get a steriliser, I use cold water sterilising tablets but then again I very rarely express anyway, it's far too much hassle!

Hope that helps a bit, good luck with it!

 

[Holldoll]

I would wait to buy the pump until after you figure out how much you are going to express. I just pumped for the first time today. It's way too much of a hassle. I haven't introduced a bottle yet because I don't want nipple confusion. DH helps with feeding by doing the burping and the diaper changes and he doesn't feel like he's missing out at all.

Also wanted to add, the lactation consultant at the hospital told me not to use Lansinoh cause it can clog your pores and it's not great for the baby to ingest. She recommended taking a drop of milk and rubbing it on my nipples when I'm done. I've not had any cracking or sores or even any tenderness.

 

[thelilbump]

Thanks ladies, your advice is helpful. I've been lookin round at stuff but its hard to decide whats a gadget and whats actually useful. I've seen for example the avent kits but when your talking £60 -£130 outlay you can't help but wonder if its a worthwhile expenditure. I know they include bottles and stuff and the cost easily mounts up when they sold seperatly. I've seen these electric pumps aswell but do manaual ones work just aswell or are they difficult? Arrgghh so much to think about!

 

[sam's mum]

I use the Avent manual pump and it's great - bought a second hand one, microwave steriliser and storage cups from ebay as I didn't want to spend too much. The only thing I bought new was a pack of bottles

 

[Helen]

TBH I'd hang fire on buying anything and see how you get on. As someone else said it's best not to express in the first 6 weeks anyway so you'll have time to get them if you feel you want to give it a go once you've been at it a while.

I used the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles and steriliser (although Tom never took to them at all) and a Medula electric breast pump. The electric pump was great. I didn't try a manual one but the electric one did the job in about 10 mins with no aching hands!

Agree with the Lansinoh cream. Couldn't have survived without it especially early on.

 

[coz]

definatly get some nipple cream as if they get sore it wont be nice for you and i say get lots of bras and breast pads , i didnt expect my boobs to go up 2 cup sizes after i had him so i didnt have any bras so had to go buy some straight away, i also just bought a avent steam steraliser they do them in argos only about 30 pound and really good and i just bought a few bottles which didnt cost alot xxx

 

[thelilbump]

well i've had to start usin cream now because they got quite dry and cracked i got the boots own stuff and thought i could get a better version when i need it more. laniosh is noted! I can't decide if i should wait and c about bottles after lil one is born. We were discussin that the other day, simply because it gives us one less thing to worry about right now but i'm a bit worried of bein stuck if lil one doesn't take to it or is to greedy or something and i have to turn to bottle. I'm such a worrier!!

 

[Ragirl]

I wouldn't worry about bottles just yet, for the reasons others said. Also, if you are really committed to bfing, even if you have some difficulties initially with bfing, it's best not to run straight away to a bottle but to work with a consultant and little one to figure out the problem. So don't worry too much about having bottles just in case. I have a Medula electric dual-pump for work and a manual/electric (can be used either manually or battery operated) hand held one for on the road. Love my work one- can pump both sides dry in about 8 minutes. But if you don't really need to speed and whatnot, it's probably not worth the price. The manual one I could never get milk out by using it manually (Probably operator error- I just never could figure it out) but it worked okay with the batteries. Though I will say I never pumped as much with my small manual as the electric dual.

As others have said- SWORE by Lanishoh's lanolin cream (rec. by my mw). Stock up on pads. I would get maybe 1 or 2 nursing bras to get you started for the first few days, but wait to get more until you see if your boobs get bigger with bfing. Good luck!!!