breastfeeding

optimistic-mummy

hi everyone, hope i have posted in the correct place, i need some advice, i have not long found out i'm expecting baby #2 and i would like to exclusively breastfeed. i didn't breastfeed my first child so im kinda new to all this. but so i don't waste money i was wondering if you lovely breastfeeding moms could help me. what essentials do i need while breastfeeding. i was going to get a feeding pillow as i suffer with back problems, so being comfortable is a priority. other than that im not sure what is essentials ....so im in need of your help
many thanks xx

Owl

Seriously, the only essential is a pair of boobies!!! Lol

I tried a feeding pillow, and it lost its "guts" quite quickly..... A normal pillow works fine. If you struggle with your back, try the rugby ball position..... I had an emergency c section and couldn't hold him across my lap for a couple of weeks and this really helped...

Please PM qme if I can help anymore- although your midwife should be able to advise more. I'm in Hampshire and the support through groups, birthing centre etc is fab!!!

mumlady1

Hiya, I would agree with Owl. Nothing special required. Also, I would say that the first couple of weeks might take a bit if getting used to but once you've got the hang of it, it's brilliant :-) Enjoy!

unschooler

You might find it useful to lean your elbow on a cushion or use a pillow and if you do you might want to get a feeding cushion later but it's worth waiting to see what works for you first.

For the first few weeks, latch and time are the 2 most important things so what you need is support from other people to give you that time and good advice on position, latch and demand feeding.

Once your supply is well established, if you want to leave the baby for any length of time you might need a breast pump and steriliser but you'll know if and when you need it so not worth getting yet in my opinion.

Breastfeeding bras are great as they open for easy access! I wore loose tops that I pulled up from the bottom so I could feed discreetly and I wore a kari-me sling so I could feed them when I was walking around. I also used washable breast pads to catch any leaking.

Most important thing you need is a confidant woman who breast fed for more than 6 months herself who can show you positions and how to get good latch and to reassure you during growth spurts when they want to suckle all the time. With that help, it's dead easy and you don't really need anything else.

Oh and experiment with feeding lying down on your side too because it makes those early long nights so mucvh easier!

kettlefish

I BF my DD for 14 months and found the best things were:

A thermal cup to keep tea slightly warmer ... also added bonus of a lid so didn't feel like I would spill it on DD while she was feeding

Cheap vest tops to layer under normal clothes. Better than expensive nursing tops - keep vest top in place to cover tummy, pull other top up, and kind of poke your b00b through the neck bit of the vest. Hope that makes sense (it is a lot more dignified than I've made it sound!!)

Normal pillow with plenty of spare pillow cases as in early days you will leak on it - lots

At least 2 nursing bras - will need washing daily

Activities such as reading books to share with older child while you feed baby - it will take up to 12 hours of your day in the early weeks (although I know everyone is different)

I used a manual pump, the Closer to Nature one, but after I melted it in the microwave (forgot to put any water in the steriliser :eek:) I went to hand expressing which I found much easier. Ask your midwife to show you this.

I didn't bother with a nursing cover - no one ever commented and I fed DD everywhere from being 3 or 4 days old. At a friend's house for dinner, my DH's friend (male) was really up close, having quite an intense conversation with me and looking at the "sleeping" baby and didn't even notice I was feeding her :rotfl:

ETA I also love love loved my Kindle as I could read it one handed while BFing unlike books and papers - maybe an idea if OH wants to get you a little something after the birth?!

pukkamum

Nothing special really though heres a few tips.
I had really bad leaking at night which ruined the mattress on the bed, so get a mattress protector, also I found breast pads were rubbish at night as they moved around too much. Instead I cut up some old towels and used them as a thick pad inside a big soft bra they can just be chucked in the washer at night.

During the day make sure you have everything to hand before you start feeding, nothing worse than needing a drink (which you should always while feeding) or the phone or t.v remote etc just when you get settled.

Go topless as much as possible after a feed it helps prevent thrush, just don't forget and answer the door like that, the postman hasn't looked me in the eye since!

Remember breastfeeding can be a wonderful positive experience but it can also be tiring painful and upsetting, don't feel bad for not enjoying it all the time, don't be afraid to ask for help and don't be a martyr to it if it's making you miserable seek help or if all else fails bottlefeed.

pigpen

I never had a feeding cushion, just a bed pillow was more than adequate, breastpads, lansinoh and a comfy bra or 10.

I have breastfed 9 and never needed anything else. I did get a pump later on. I never bothered with buying stuff like bottles/formula 'just in case' there are 24 hour shops it isn't necessary and if they are there it is too much temptation to head for it when they are having a feeding frenzy (which they can do for hours!)

optimistic-mummy

thank you all, think i will just use one of our new pillows that are still in the packaging and see how i get on. i will get some nursing bras towards the end of the pregnancy (the ones with the clips) too make it easier when out and some breast pads. oh and some cheap stretchy tops ... i'm due in dec but i already have some cardi's ...

its so overwhelming when its your first time breastfeeding as there is so much out there. i remember when i was heavily pregnant with my son going into mothercare and thinking omg we are so not prepared look how much i still need to get turned out what i already had was far more than enough so this time im just going to get the basics and anything else as and when they need it xx

Luciferswench

Be prepared to feed all day if baby needs it, for wakeful nights, and feeds taking longer than feeding bottlefed babies. It can be quite time consuming. It doesnt mean you dont have enough milk - i hate it when people say this. Its just breastmilk digests quickly unlike formula. Plus when baby has a growth spurt it needs to feed all day whilst doing so it allows your milk to change to suit babies new needs. People forget to tell new mums this. It can be hard exhausting work until you get into a routine with it especially if those around you arent supportive. But once feeding is established it can fairly straight forward.
Look for a breastfeeding support group in your area some sure start centres have groups on.

I breastfed two of mine and will be doing so with this LO when its born.

LannieDuck

Lansinoh cream!

Breastfeeding can make your nipples sore to begin with, and baby doesn't give you a break just because you happen to be in pain :P Lansinoh cream is a little bit expensive (I think it was about £8 a tube?), but worth every penny in the early days.

fluffymuffy

All mine were totally breastfed (never owned a bottle), but number 2 was born with teeth and so I used nipple shields from the word go. They're handy to have on standby. I used to boil them in a pan to sterilise them.