Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

ok

i want to try breastfeeding, but be able to give bottles too, b/c i plan on going back to work!

what are the supplies that i need?

pump? bottles? nursing pads? storage containers?would i need to get a bottle sterilizer and warmer? please tell me what brands too!

this is the one part of my registry that i have been putting off! i dont know why, but it seems so confusing to me!

Thanks!!

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

i registered for a pump and the bottles to freeze the milk for when i go back to work. i didn't put anything else on the registry in terms of pads or anything, i figured i would just buy those. i did register for the avent bottle set since it seemed close to actual BF, too.

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

I never registered for that stuff because I felt weird, so I just bought it myself. Things you will need:

-Breastpads
-Lansinoh cream
-Breast pump (but, really, I wouldn't get it until a couple of weeks after birth - you never know what will happen and if for some reason BFing doesn't work out, it will be a tremendous waste of money)
-I use the Medela storage bottles - 12 bottles
-Freezer bags (I use the Lansinoh bags)
-Nursing bras

As for bottles - you'll have to experiment and see what works for your baby. I would get a gift starter package for maybe 2 brands - many suggest Dr. Brown's, though I started on the Playtex nursers, which are supposed to be good for transitioning babies who breastfeed. You don't necessarily need a sterilizer - putting them in the dishwasher and/or boiling water will suffice. I have the Avent sterilizer and it does the job well. Same for the bottle warmer - it's really not necessary. We usually just microwave a glass of water and place the bottle in it for a few minutes. If you want to register for one, we do have the Avent bottle warmer and it's pretty good.

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

I only pump for my 7 week old baby and he is a plump fella. I bought a small hand pump thinking the same as you, that I would like to BF but wanted my husband to be able to feed the little guy, however baby was not interested in my big old boobs, so we pump and he is only fed breast milk. I would suggest the same as bxgell2...but I rent a hospital grade pump from Medela which is great.

-breastpads (the leaking is something you would not believe until it actually happened to you. You will go through loads of the breast pads, 2/4 a day)
-small pump just to have on hand in case of an emergency
-storage bottles (I use the 8 oz avent bottles that I never used because I switched to Dr Brown's)
-2/3 nursing bras (I like the Bravado ones, they are soft and wash well...you will be sleeping and probably leaking in them, so have a few if you can afford them)
-Freezer bags (I use Lansinoh also

Its such a brilliant thing when you get your baby weighed and you know that they are getting all fat and happy on your breast milk!

Good Luck!!!

Message edited 2/23/2006 4:19:21 PM.

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

thank you!

for those who rented pumps, did you do that thru the hospital you delivered at? or thru a company online? and did your health insurance cover any of it?

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

I didn't register for any BF supplies. I figured I'd rather buy them myself. Also, BF supplies are NOT returnable/exchangable, even if unopened, so you may want to take that into consideration (should you get doubles of some things, or wind up not BF-ing)

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

We plan to BF only. I got Lanisoh Cream which is wonderful to even use now, reusable and disposable breast pads and some sport type bras. I have yet to find a nursing bra in my size but am still looking. I got a basic Gerber pump from BRU, I was told if I get engorged it would be good to have handy. If later on we need to we can always look into another one.

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

How can I forget, I got a Bobby pillow! Was told is a must have for BF...

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

This post was very helpful! Thanks!

Another BF question- can you pump & store for when you go back to work but NOT pump after you go back to work? My job is not an appropriate environment for pumping, unfortunately. I'll be home for around 6 months.

Re: Those who plan on breastfeeding....HELP

Michele...when you say you can't get a bra in your size...do you mean that big or that small?

I have big old boobies and I got 2 of these

http://www.bravadodesigns.com/category.asp?ID=7

I love them.

Message edited 2/23/2006 5:48:16 PM.