Getting ready for breastfeeding

First of all, congratulations!! :) Re: breastfeeding, here are the things that I found pretty necessary, especially in the beginning, for breastfeeding. Nursing pads because you will leak, nursing bra for sure (I don't have any fancy ones, just a few from Wal-mart and they work just fine for me), a pump (electric or manual), boppy or other breastfeeding pillow, lanisoh cream/ointment. Ask your nurse for lanisoh samples. Also, when I went to rent a pump (can't remember the name of the place) one of the women who worked there told me I should have asked for a manual pump from the hospital and would have gotten it for free. ? Doesn't hurt to ask, I guess. Oh and one more thing...when you start breastfeeding make sure you have water within your reach. Especially in the beginning I would feel soooo dehydrated while breastfeeding. Good luck with everything!!!

I agree with the other poster, but would say not to bother with a manual pump. Get a double electric pump because it is much faster and more efficient which is so important when all your time is used to feed your new baby(and it will be at least for a while). I would recommend a breastfeeding class if you can get into one(they are just a couple of hours) before you have the baby just so you can be kind of familiar with the basics before you try it. Also, in the hospital, they have lactaction specialists on pretty much all the time. Don't be shy. ASK FOR HELP!!! And get it as often as you can before you go home. IF you get home and have any issues with it, there are lots of places around the valley you can go for help(like bestfed??) or sometimes your hospital will have a free breastfeeding support group once a week with other moms going through various different issues and everyone can help eachother work it out. Breastfeeding is very rewarding, but does take a little time to get used to. Don't give up. Just make sure you ask for and get the help you need if it becomes necessary. Congratulations!

To add one more item - a good supportive sports bra. I actually think they make maternity sports bras. I didn't need it until I quit breastfeeding. My OB suggested it to help with the discomfort as you dry up. Little ice/gel packs help too.

Also, as the last poster stated, get the aid of the lactation specialists as much as you need them at the hospital. Make sure you and baby are getting it right before you leave the hospital (my baby wasn't really latching on right until the second day, then we got the hang of it.)

To go with the maternity bra, get some loose top that open in front, or are big enough to put baby under. If planning on breastfeeding in public, they make breastfeeding "throws" to cover you and baby.

Double electric pumps are definately nice, but can get expensive. Fast and easy to clean. Get storage bags for excess milk (to freeze).

And, be prepared. Breastfeeding is a comittment, but worth it. I wish I had stuck it out longer.

A double electric pump is a must if you plan on being away from your baby or going back to work. You can rent then, or by a used one on ebay. All the parts that touch bodily fluid can be completely sanitized or you could by the tubes and bottles fresh. Instead of paying 300 you could get it with all the extras for 100-150 dollars. Well worth it!

Breastfeeding is awesome and cheaper and it helped me lose weight a lot faster. It takes practice but isn't hard. Be determined and you'll be a pro before you know it and it is worth it. And my kids never had ear infections when they were babies!!!

Mother of 2 beautiful girls!

Definitely gel pads! Here's some examples:

http://www.soothies.com/gelpads.html

http://blossumz.com/category_2/Blossumz-Gel-Packs.htm

Congrats!! I am so glad you are choosing to do this for you and your baby!! Just remember when you feel like giving up not too, because it will help you loose your baby weight!!!!

I used the Johnson and Johnson pads personally, and I had to sleep in my nursing bra since lactation doesn't wait (Motherhood in the mall for bra's). It was nice to have a boppy pillow for my daughter made it easier to hold her when you are exausted and barely awake trying to feed the baby.

Electric breastpump was nice. I'm not sure if you will be working, but it could take 15-20 minutes just to do one side so you might want to get the dual pump. Also since a lot of businesses don't have very adequate places to do this try to maybe find one that has a car attachment so you can do it in the car, and cover the windows for privacy. Some of these also have insulated containers to store the milk in so it doesn't go bad.

Buy the lanolin it will help immensley. The pump also helps when you may become engorged (very painful) helps to stock up on the frozen outing supply, and helps take the pain away. Hot showers will also help with pain if you become engorged. I know this sounds bad but it does happen.

Most of all don't give up. It's hard work, but you can do it :-)

Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette

Good advice all! I'd add that you might want to visit a breast feeding store - The staff at those places are leche league types and so helpful. I'd get a nursing shirt there too "Glamour Mom" they are called, cool spaghetti strap tops that have a front panel you can pull down. THey were expensive (to my thinking) $40 or so, but I lived in mine as has everyone I've lent mine to since then.

With my first baby, I remember thinking in my first week, I can't take any more of this, I'll nurse this one last painful time, and that time was the pinnacle of pain, and it's been smooth sailing with her and my next 3 after that moment, but I had to get through the "toughening up" period. Try and grit through it, but it should get easier!!!! I loved nursing. Good luck!

Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.

I'll add one more thing - make sure you have a backup supply of formula. Most women's milk comes in and they get the hand of breastfeeding and everything is alright. However, some women's milk doesn't come in right away, or is low, or sometimes even the baby has a problem with it (intolerant, etc.) Want to make sure the baby won't go hungry if there is a problem.

Also, with only three weeks to go, get out there and get everything you need now! Not all babies wait until their due date. :) Plus, you might not feel like doing much shopping (or anything for that matter) in the next few weeks.

My list is what everyone else said:

breast/nursing pads (it seemed like I was constantly leaking)
nursing bras
electric breast pump

jesshod is a mommy to 2 girls (ages 6 and 1) and is an arizonamoms.com discussion leader living in Surprise.

Pads are handy to have - and a bra that is meant for breast feeding moms. Also - patience!! If your baby isn't latching on at first, don't give up... try new positions. Also, I do not want to scare you, but it does hurt in the beginning. But that 'hurt' feeling goes away.

Lactation specialists are the best! Most hospitals have one and I used one for each of my children. Without their expertise I would have not ever breastfed my children. There is not much you need to do in advance, the specialists will help you with all your needs.

Do not buy a pump in advance as they can be very pricey. The double electric medela is superb. I needed one for my first child; however, I did not need one for my second child. You can rent one from most hospitals, if you decide you need one.

Mother's Milk Boutique can also provide nursing support, if needed. I went in and weighed my baby, nursed in their private area and then was able to weigh my baby afterward to see how much the baby was eating. They are located in Scottsdale. www.mothersmilkboutique.com

Most of all be patient and hopeful. My first child was in the NICU for 11 days and could not nurse until he was 9 days old. My husband supported me and encouraged me to keep trying. I had to finally encourage my son to wean at two years old.

You can do it, but you don't have to do it alone.

arizona_mom is a stay-at-home mother of two boys, a kindergartener and a two year old. Just sharing my two cents worth. www.mops.org

Oh and plenty of ibuprofen for the pain.

Hello!
I saw your thread for breastfeeding and saw that someone mentioned my product Blossumz-Soothing Breast Therapy Packs, to help you with your breastfeeding concerns. Great suggestion! :) I wanted to let you know that if you visit my website www.blossumz.com you can enter my contest to win $100 in cash and a set of Blossumz Deluxe! All you have to do is share your breastfeeding story or concern/question (since you are pregnant) and your entered to win. I hope everything is going well with you and congratulations on your new baby!

Rachel Gross RN
Founder
Comfort Matters Inc.