Bottle feeding only.. do I need breast pads?

shariatlanta

No statistical evidence maybe but I didn't use anything after having second child and after 5 days it was like sleeping on a sack of potatoes, with third child I took Epsom salts from day one and had no problems.

Gingham_Ribbon

HappySad, I'm so excited for you! It must be close now, is it?

How long are you expecting to be in hospital for (if you're planning to have the baby there?) Would using old flannels/a cut up towel be acceptable to you? If you leak a lot, or for more than a few days, then it would be worth buying some breast pads.

I would go with your midwife's advice. Expressing might make your milk come in more but if they get full and sore you could try using a warm flannel and 'brushing' it down your breasts towards the nipples, which will help with engorgement without encouraging flow too much.

(And sometimes the medical reasons for not breastfeeding mean that it is not safe to give the baby breast milk, whether expressed or not.)

across

amazamum wrote: »

Have you considered trying to express the milk then putting it into a bottle to feed the bab,they say it's good for the baby.
I).

if your going to bottlefeed best not to touch them or the milk will never dry up!!!! dont even run the shower over them i went in shower with bra on so they didnt get wet if you can ignore whats going there it'll be over quicker keep bra on for few days after birth to help even throughout night!!! on the worst day when they are huge get some paracetamol usually about two or three days after birth if i remember dont panic it will pass and they will cool down and go back down!!! i bottlefed both my girls and i think i bought a couple of boxes of pads to be on safe side if its your first and you may have another then you'd use any extra up then if you saved them or pass them onto a friend. good luck! ( i recommend farleys first milk i fed both mine on it and they were fine plus i found it didnt smell horrid if they brought it back up)

PinkLady

I would only use the ones you get for free - you can always send someone else out if you need some - or in an emergency use tissue. Everyone is differnent. Don't waste your money -until you know you def need them. Best wishes, x

bikerqueen

I bottle fed from birth because I wanted to. I justified my decision to breast feeding nazi's for a while but can't be bothered now.

Anyhoo, my milk came in so I needed to wear a firm bra, then it went away again. no leaking, no nothing. they were just a bit hot.

So you may not need them, I gave mine away on freecycle to a lady who collected some other baby things from me. If you're clever, you'll keep em sealed and be able to return them to the shop if you're like me!

HappySad

hilstep2000 wrote: »

Epsom Salts works wonders! I had to stop breastfeeding because of mastitis. My midwife was of the old school, and she gave me two teaspoons of Epsom salts in a glass of squash. She said do it once more tomorrow, and that'll do, she was right! All dried up and soft breasts again, instead of ones as hard as rocks!

Thanks for the feedback from everyone. Can't give baby expressed milk and i thinkt hat this would make me produce more like anyway.

Where to you get Epson Salts from .. is it "Andrews"? http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1008466&classificationid=1026657


When I stopped breast feeding with 1st child I used cabbage leaves on my breast to help stop the swelling and hardining... I think it worked as memory serves me.

Great from what everyone is saying ....I will just take with me 1 packet and take it from there.........

HappySad

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

HappySad, I'm so excited for you! It must be close now, is it?

How long are you expecting to be in hospital for (if you're planning to have the baby there?) Would using old flannels/a cut up towel be acceptable to you? If you leak a lot, or for more than a few days, then it would be worth buying some breast pads.

I would go with your midwife's advice. Expressing might make your milk come in more but if they get full and sore you could try using a warm flannel and 'brushing' it down your breasts towards the nipples, which will help with engorgement without encouraging flow too much.

(And sometimes the medical reasons for not breastfeeding mean that it is not safe to give the baby breast milk, whether expressed or not.)

Thanks for the advice.. the thing is.. which I did really miss out is that I have a supply of pads (from previous child) and I am wondering if I need to buy more or do I need to take a whole load with me to hospital.. Can't breast feed because milk would not be safe for baby.. due to meds taking just after baby is born.Yes due to give birth in less than 2 weeks.. also I'll be staying in hospital for several weeks or about (mother and baby unit) due to servere postnal risk.

sophiesmum_2

hi happysad
I would just take with you the ones you have already. If you look like you will run short pack off one of your visitors to boots for supplies, but i never needed more than a pack with any of my four, I always had unused pads left over lurking in a cupboard.
Just wanted to wish you well with the upcoming birth and hospital stay. Hope everything goes well and you are soon home with your family.

sophiesmum

HappySad

sophiesmum wrote: »

hi happysad
I would just take with you the ones you have already. If you look like you will run short pack off one of your visitors to boots for supplies, but i never needed more than a pack with any of my four, I always had unused pads left over lurking in a cupboard.
Just wanted to wish you well with the upcoming birth and hospital stay. Hope everything goes well and you are soon home with your family.

sophiesmum

thanks ...

Gingham_Ribbon

HappySad wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.. the thing is.. which I did really miss out is that I have a supply of pads (from previous child) and I am wondering if I need to buy more or do I need to take a whole load with me to hospital.. Can't breast feed because milk would not be safe for baby.. due to meds taking just after baby is born.Yes due to give birth in less than 2 weeks.. also I'll be staying in hospital for several weeks or about (mother and baby unit) due to servere postnal risk.

Happysad, I'm glad you're getting the help you need straight after the birth. Take some breast pads in and someone can always bring more for you if need be. It's different because I was b/f mine, but I needed about half a dozen pads a day at first. (3 changes a day.)

I know you'll not be around for a few weeks after the birth, but when you are finally home, do get in touch. This is a long awaited baby and I can't wait to hear how you're all doing. x