Breast Feeding discussion

debsley_pig

I had mistakenly thought breastfeeding was going to be free!! But I was looking through the Mothercare catalogue yesterday and there were various bits of equipment to get. One pack was as much as £250!!

Can anyone tell me what equipment is necessary? I will be at home on maternity leave for the time that I am planning to breastfeed but I will obviously have times when I need to express milk etc.

Any advice appreciated!!

Rikki

I just had a simple hand pump. I rarely used it.

Kantankrus_Mare

A pair of breasts? :rotfl:

Sorry.......couldn't resist.

I breast fed both of my kids but not long term.

It didn't cost me a penny but then I didnt need to express.

I did try it once and what a performance for a few drops of milk!!

If you really need to express then I guess what you will need is bottles to put the milk in.

A sterilisation unit which can be a steam one or a cheap one that you leave bottles in overnight. ( I tried both and steam one was a godsend)

A good expressing machine!!

I tried it with the free one you got from the chemist though this was 10 years ago now and wasn't impressed.

There will be mechanical ones I'm sure but I really dont think this should cost you £ 200???

Good luck anyhow..........breastfeeding is the easy option especially on cold nights when you don't want to get out of bed in early hours to feed baby

Karnam

in theory you dont 'need' anything...

but as always you'll need stuff to make it easier/less embarrassing. mothercare dont do it anymore now (but i think wollies does) but they did used to sell an avent 'pack' for £100, which had bottles, steraliser, bottle warmer, manual breast pump and the two 'must have' pampering kits for mum and baby. this was a godsend for us as it was so cheap and you could 'fall back' on the bottles if breast feeding didnt work out. there were also loads of bits and pieces so it made great value. im not sure that the newer avent packs in mothercare are such good value, esp as its breast feeding or bottle feeding, no combination ones for if you fail at breast feeding. i did however see this pack (its avent essentials) in woolies also for £100 (so much for exclusive to mothercare!!!) not sure if its still there but its worth a look as the new avent packs dont look v generous.

i had this pack and although its a lot of money considering i breast feed, its been a godsend in order to give the baby bottles of expressed breast milk, and the occasional bottle of formula when breast feeding was really hard at first. also a breast pump will give you time to let your nipples recover from the pain, which can be AWFUL :eek: so that you can keep trying, rather than stopping cause the pain was just too much one night. bare in mind expressing is expensive as you'll need a steraliser and bottles at the VERY LEAST if you hand express. You'll may also 'want' (although i think its essential) some breast pads (like sanitary towels for the boobs) i use avent again as i found johnsons and johnsons stuck to my nipples when they leaked (sorry if TMI!)

breast feeding luxuries shouldnt be bought until you've established breast feeding, things like breast feeding tshirts and bras, an electric pump (expensive but i ADORE IT) pillows, warm up/cool down gel pads etc.

also in terms of nipple cream, I'd suggest you use the little packs you get free in bounty etc, i have a tube of lanisoh which is V expensive which has been used twice. i hate nipple cream and decided to tough it out, as thew creams just odnt seem to work for me.

finally i know its tempting to not buy anything and not give them bottles of breast milk, but i was warned by my midwife that if i do that, she;ll never take a bottle of any milk, which would mean i could never leave her to my MIL and go out just to the pictures or something. expressing is a wonderful way of including the OH and giving your nipples a break, which doesnt sound like much now, but trust me you'll worship OH for giving the little one a bottle. hope that helps

iwanttosave_2

I just had a cheapie hand pump, which I only used when I was engorged or the rare time I had to go out alone.

In terms off breast pads, I found the tommie tippie ones to be the best, cheap ones were a no-no, would rather pay the little extra than have embaressments, I got them from body care for about £1.50 a box.

Lastly, nipple cream, I got really sore cracked nipples and was told to buy Kamilosan, and my god was it good, I still use it now for nappy rash, I swear its like a mircle cure for skin ailments.

Good luck with the breastfeeding, I had to give up fairly early as my elder son boke his arm and had to go for operations, and I had to stay the night.

Karnam

http://www.mothercare.com/invt/lt3346

wow mothercare still do the essentials pack i have! its £100 for breast pump, steraliser, 6 big bottles, bottle warmer, 2 x mum and baby must have kits plus it had loads of other bits, like 4 small bottles and tons of stuff. i know i sound like an ad but it felt like christmas when we opened it!

edit; i thought they didnt sell it anymore as its not in new mothercare catalogue but its in stock online so they're prob getting rid of the stock...

buglawton

Medena breast pump - not too easy to get but the best. Big in the U.S. where even used examples reach good prices on Ebay. The perishable spares are available by mail order. We sent one to a very busy relative abroad and it got good feedback having stood up to heavy use!

http://www.baby-supplies.co.uk/catalog/default.php?manufacturers_id=46

Karnam

if you have a search on the boards, i believe this electric pump is on sale at boots...

finc

I had the Avent breast pump which was great for a bit of rest from my VERY hungry daughter!

I also had things called breast shells. They are a bit odd and look even stranger under your bra if you forget to take them out! They were invaluable though as when you are feeding your baby, wear the shell on your other breast and it collects all the leaking milk in the shell. If you sterilise the shell you can then save or freeze the milk for another time.

They were also useful for me at the beginning when you can feel a bit sore if anything contacts the skin. I wore these under my bra while my bits recovered. Paints a very strange picture I know but it worked. :eek:

Oh and cabbage leaves are great when you're engorged. Smelly and strange but a very cheap and effective way for a bit of relief.

finc

Also don't forget to put yourself away when you've finished!

My daughter was so hungry she fed just about all the time so I got tired and forgetful and often wandered about with her attached. Not too bad when you're on your own but I often answered the door with my shirt open and boobs hanging out of my bra as I'd forgotten to tidy myself up :eek: .

I was a very strange person to be around while I breastfed :rotfl:

waster_2

My partner is a midwife and a specialist infant feeding co-ordinator. She is also a lactation consultant.

Firtsly I'd go to any Parencraft classes that are being run by your GP, Maternity Unit, health centre or wherever. You can ask advice there. Also ask to speak to Infant Feeding Specialist at your Maternity Unit.

From what I know you you may need a pump to express if you need to leave breast milk if you are not about, or if there are problems. As stated above the Medela (not Medena) Pumps are probably the best. You can get them over here and you can hire them. My partner knows all about them but it will depend upon where you live as to how you get hold of them. See here.

Best advice is speak to the specialist mid wife about breastfeeding before spending ££££'s on bits you may not find necessary.