Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

So my plan is to try to exclusively BF, that said, from what I have heard sometimes it just does not work. So, with this in mind I need to figure out what to be "ready" with for the first few weeks.

My plan was not to buy a pump or bottles until after the first few weeks so I know if it works out - but is this stupid? Will I need bottles anyway and should I have some on hand? Should I buy the pump and just not open it "in case" i need it. Should i buy some formula so i have it just in case. Or, is my plan to have nothing but me, ok?

TIA

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

Well I was planning on exclusively bf, but then after a C-section the hospital started her on formula & when I went to nurse, she wouldn't latch on. I was devastated....BUT after I got home & my milk came in she latched on no problem at all. However, in the meantime I had started pumping.

I got a hand pump at my shower (but the day she came home from the hospital & I went to open it we found out the top was defective & so they sent me a new one, but that didn't help that day!!!) We went & rented one the following day, YET its expensive...w/ the kit you had to buy, it cost us $112. for the first month (65. for the pump & 50 for the kit). It works great though.

After I saw that that worked fine, we decided to look into buying our own "heavy" duty pump & I thankfully got one from a girl on these boards for a great price.

Just as an FYI, ALL hospitals will give you formula when you leave w/ baby so you'll definitely have some formula.

Usually your milk won't come in for 3-4 days, although they say the collostrum is all baby needs (mine just wouldn't latch on though)...the hospital let me pump there.

Not sure what to say.....maybe do like you said...buy a manual pump & have it on hand?

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

I was glad I had the pump at home because once my milk came it I used it to relieve some pressure until my body adjusted...

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

I did not buy the pump right away for the exact same reason. I did not know if it would work for me. The hospital gave me a manual pump. I got engorged with milk in the hospital at 3 days PP. I did not pump at home until I was 4 weeks PP. Just breastfeeding was exhausting since DS was my "pump". But I did use the manual pump once in a while.

I bought the pump at 4 weeks PP when I knew I would stick to it. Your milk supply also won't be established before 3 or 4 weeks.

Looking back, I would have bought the pump at 3 weeks not 4. But again, I did not know at 3 weeks if BF would work. Some moms give up BF at around 1 month (milk supply not enough, baby does not latch, or BF is just plain too hard).

Get at least a manual pump. Then see how it goes with BF.

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

I EBF in the beginning and used a pump right away to build my milk supply and to make sure my DH and others could feed the baby when they could so I didn't have to do it all time. If this is an option for you I highly suggest it.

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

I EBF'd in the beginning then decided I should have a bottle or 2 on hand just in case. So I did have some bottles before she was born - I got a few free starter kits from Avent. I rented a pump the same day I decided I needed one, so you can get one quickly when you see if you need it or not.

DD no longer BFs, so I am glad I had all of those things........

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

I exclusively pumped for awhile, and my plan was to bf but I couldn't get dd to latch on, also my milk did not come in right away and she was jaundice so we had to supplement with formula for a few days.

I would have a few bottles at home just in case.

Try not to stress out about it, someone can always run to the store for you.

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

Thanks ladies...I think I will go out and buy some bottles! Very helpful

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

i planned on exclusive bf'ing--but it only worked for 2 weeks
i was happy that i had bottles on hand...i didnt have formula, but the hospital gave me some just in case

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

I didn't get bottles until I started pumping. I exclusively breastfed her for the first 4 weeks- so no bottles needed.

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

That is exactly what I did. I planned to breastfeed, and thankfully, she took to it very well, but we didn't actually buy the pump or storage bottles until about 2-3 weeks when it was more established. HTH!

Re: Q re: Being prepared with bottles and pump if planning on BF.

I originally planned on EBF too. I did for the few days in the hospital, but once I got home, I pumped because I didn't not like BF. I had bought the pump just in case and I was so glad I did. As long as you don't open the pump, you can return it. I was so happy I had it when I got home from the hospital. Now I pump so my baby still has the benefits of breast milk.