confused about breast feeding and bottles...

I am adamant about exclusively breastfeeding. I'll be a stay at home mom for the first year, but think that I will still need a pump to help keep supply high and if we ever take a trip away from from little one.

So what exactly what I need? I don't understand what kind of bottles I'm supposed to get, can they be any or do they have to work with the pump? Do I need to get special storage if I want to store breast milk in freezer?
What should my breast feeding shopping list be?

Re: confused about breast feeding and bottles...

I've wondered the same thing ever since I started my registry.. My decision I came to is that I will be taking a BF class and will ask the instructer what they think before purchasing.

Re: confused about breast feeding and bottles...

A pump is good if you plan to be away from DC, but the best way to maintain your supply is to BF. I have the Medela PISA. I pumped directly into the storage bottles that came with the pump. I also bought more of those storage bottles b/c I pumped when I went back to work. I'd store the milk in the bottles in the refrigerator until I needed them or froze them. If you're freezing milk, I highly recommend the Lansinoh storage bags. I never had an issue with them.

As far as what bottles to get, every baby is different. You may want to buy and/or register for a few different brands. I tried the Avent bottles first and DS happened to do well with them. They leak though so I wouldn't necessarily recommend them.

Other things you'll need: nursing pads (Lansinoh worked fine for me); Lansinoh (lanolin) cream; nursing tank tops and/or bras (I lived in Target nursing tank tops); and a nursing cover if you plan to BF in public (I had a $15 Munchkin one from Target that worked just fine).

Re: confused about breast feeding and bottles...

Hi Shana!!! Hope you're doing well and listening to your HB sessions. I too was 130% committed to BFing. I got the Medela Pump and the accompanying bottles and storage bags. My DS is now 8 weeks...yes, 8 bountiful weeks and I've yet to break the pump out. I don't know..there's something about the artificial nipple that I'm just not accepting of. I know that I will eventually need to be away from DS (I'm in a wedding in May)..and for other things...but I'm just not ready to give up our time together...not even one session. Other EBF moms told me not to purchase or register for a pump because of this, and I completely dismissed them. I thought that I would for sure NEED one. Now that I'm a mom, the only thing I need to feed my child is good nutrition, lots of water, probiotics and the perserverance of 50 drug free labors! My supply is perfect for the demands of my son. I guess my point is....maybe consider waiting before investing in a pump and all its' stuff. Or, if you want to try pumping, when the time comes, rent a hospital one and see how your breasts take to it and how it impacts your life (it's a ton of additional work) and how it impacts your BFing relationship with your DC. Then..if you want one, go for it. I have about $500 of pump-related items still in their packaging! Anyway..just thought I'd throw it out there. : ) ~Jill

Re: confused about breast feeding and bottles...

i have the medela pump in style, use medela storage breat milk bags cause i freeze.

i use to pup out an extra 5 oz every day so i could stock pile. by doing so i always had breastmilk in the freezer if i wanted to go anywhere :)

oh if you are set on bf..you might need help...def contact the girls in your area in the la leche ...if it wasnt for them i would not have bf till 14 months

Message edited 2/9/2010 12:18:18 AM.

Re: confused about breast feeding and bottles...

I was DEAD SET on EBF, but then she came early, was in the NICU for 4 days and is a lazy eater. Sometimes our best intentions aren't reality. I was VERY happy I got my PIS so I could start pumping while she was in the NICU. I just rented a hospita; grade pump for $60 a month but that's because we're exclusivly pumping and that seemed like the best option for me. I will say this...I have the original PIS and it is VERY different from the hospital pump and I would have never rented one except I am home and pumping A LOT. Had I rented first I would have had issues with my PIS. Here's what I suggest:

Breast Pump...At my hospital, in MI, if you're BF they give you TONS of stuff! Hand pumps, extra tubing, extra flanges, extra bottles and so on so check and see if your hospital does this

2 inexpensive sports bras...you can cut holes in the nipple area and use it like a hands free bra when pumping(only electrical pumping)

Lansolin Cream and storage bags...start with 1 tube and 1 50count bag. Go from there and see what you like.

Olive Oil...I put some on the flanges before pumping an it helps with maintaining suctiona and eases nipple discomfort by lubing up the area

Hot packs to help induce let down

Cold gel nipple things...you can get them from Gerber and they help ease nipple and breast pain after a long pump session or just to help ease nipple pain in the beginning.

Flanges.....the standard with Medela is a 24mm or M, but I'm LARGE chested and have the XL's. I get WAY more milk now. Target, BRU, and BBB all sell the extra sizes

We use Playtex Drop-In's and she LOVES them. They help reduce gas and we notice she is less fussy when she is fed with these. She also loves her Soothies bottles, but is more fussy since she gets more air.

I kow it seems overwhelming, but if you can EBF then most of this is not worth it, but like I said......sometimes our babies have other plans! FM if you need anything and GOOD LUCK!

Re: confused about breast feeding and bottles...

I used the Medela Pump in Style. It has everything you need to actually pump.

I stored the BM in Medela storage bags.

And I used either Dr. Brown's or Born Free wide neck bottles.

Re: confused about breast feeding and bottles...

I registered for a Medela Pump in Style Advance (shoulder bag). I also want to breastfeed as long as possible, but know at some point I will need DH's help w/ those late night feedings. Also we have a wedding when she will be two months.
I also registered for nipple pads, nipple cream, all laniosh brand. Also freezer bags by laniosh bpa free. As for bottles I registered for a few different kinds just in case we have to try a few until we find one she likes. I did Doctor Brown's wide neck infant starter kit, Born Free wide starter kit, and Playtex drop in starter kit. I am not going to open any of them until I need to so I can return them if need be. Same goes for the pump. I made sure to get all BPA free plastic bottles, and storage.