First time Mom to be - where to start? it's all so overwhelming!!

Hi ladies!  I am a first time mom to be (baby boy - due July 6th!!).  I really want to breastfeed, but all of the information out there kind of has me on "information overload"!  :-)
I will be home for 8 weeks with baby and then going back to work (if all goes as planned).  My question is - where to start?  What supplies do I need to have on hand?  How do I know what type of pump to purchase?  Do I need a nursing bra?  Any advice from those of you that have been there or are there now would be GREATLY appreciated!!  Even if its somewhere where I can get good info - I've been reading like crazy, so I'm not opposed to reading some more ;-).  Thanks in advance ladies!

[Helen72]

Since you do not know what your bra size is going to be after your milk coms in I would wait with purchasing a nursing bra.  Just get a nice stretchy bra for the first week or so.  

If you are going to work after 8 weeks you need the best electric pump out there to keep your supply up.  Medela pump in style was recommended to me.  I ended up renting a different pump from my hospital though.

Good luck!

[Whitneylauren]

I have the Medela Pump in Style- totally worth the money. Contact your local Le Leche League for the best information. They will help you with everything.

[tiredbuthappy]

i agree with the others- if you are returning to work so soon, you will need a good pump. I had the Medela Pump in Style Advance- it worked really well. I have heard good things about the Ameda Purely Yours and the Lansinoh double pump (same as Ameda but available for less at target), but I don't have any firsthand experience with them.

As for information overload- sounds like you've researched enough! Instead, I'd try and relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy instead of stressing about breastfeeding. Just know in advance that you may need help in the beginning, and there is a lot of help available if you know where to look. While in the hospital, the nurses and lactation consultants can will teach you a lot. Have the name/number of a lactation consultant on hand in case you encounter problems after you guys are home. You can even take a breastfeeding class, which I hear can be very helpful. I recently started reading a book geared towards working moms who nurse. It's not next to me right now, but I'll get the title later.

As for nursing bras- i didn't actually nurse. My baby was born 4 weeks early and her feeding issues prevented her from being able to nurse. I had to pump. I did use nursing bras, and imagine that they would be helpful. I purchased them after having the baby. I have heard great things about nursing cami's (i think target carries them), and I plan on buying some of those for when I'm at home with baby. A lot of women also recommend getting a nursing cover.

While in the hospital, I plan on collecting as many bottles and CAPS as possible. With my last one, I pumped to help bring my milk in. The hospital provided me with free, sterile medela bottles and caps. The bottles were only 80 mL, so they were not very useful after she was 2 months old, but the caps were VERY helpful when I went back to work and pumped. Also, because I used the hospital's pump while there, I got the accessories. Having the extra set of breast shields and connectors was very handy later on when i didn't want to wash every session.

Talk to your employer and make sure that you will have a place and time to pump. At 8 weeks post partum, you will have to pump 2-3 times while there. After a while, once your supply is well established (generally considered to happen by 12 weeks), you will be able to pump less.

If I think of more, I'll post again :)

[Diane1003]

I would totally recommend the nursing tank tops from Target - I bought one and LOVE it. It's very comfortable.  I also have a nursing shirt that I used frequently last summer.  My son is 9 months and I've been back at work and pumping since Oct.  I would recommend having nursing pads on hand for when the baby is born and maybe some lanolin. The hospital gave me a sample size that went a long way.  At first my nipples were sore so the lanolin helped a lot.

I have found this site to be very helpful and have had many questions answered and received a lot of support.  Hopefully you will too!  Best of luck.

[ladybugbob1029]

Thanks you guys!  All of you!!  I guess I am just nervous bc its something i've never done before.  Its nice to hear other women's advice and take on things!!  You are all great!

[2terrified]

Hi.  I just popped in.  I nursed my son for 15 months.  I returned to work after 12 weeks.  Of course I pumped.  I would highly recommend you letting your job know that you will be needing 10-15min breaks throughout the day to pump.  Some employers just do not care.  So, let them know in advance so you can be prepared with a plan.