Preparing for Breastfeeding...advice/pumps, etc

I have 7 weeks to go (hopefully) till I pop.  I wanted to look around for a good breast pump--anyone have any preferred brands experiences?  Also, what cremes, work best--are disposible pads best?  Any advice on making it successful?  I have no one close to me I know who has breastfed--my mom's generation just did not and she says good luck to me.

I want to start shopping for these things--maybe I am just being hopeful but I have a feeling DD will either be early or on time.

One other embarrassing question...hemmeroids have just appeared and ouch!  I am not constipated, not sure why I have them..but any suggestions for relief?

THanks

[low22]

I have not had a successful preg yet but everyone tells me that when I do have a baby that I should just rent one from the hospital because you can buy your own tubes and stuff and it's a really great pump for around $30/month.

[Bellyboo]

I breastfed my daughter for the whole first year and it was the most wonderful bonding experience ever!!! I tell everyone that wants to nurse, that the first month is rocky and nervwrecking but once you can overcome that first month it becomes so natural. Tips on making it easier.... never let your breast get full (pump in between feedings if necessary), drink lots of fluid and make sure to eat enough calories for you and baby, find acomfy chair to nurse and have snacks and water nearby, and always nurse BOTH sides for at least 10 minutes so one side doesn't get more milk than the other.

  As for a good pump, I bought a Medela Pump in Style and absolutely love it!!! Little costly but worth every penny. Has a double electric pump, little cooloer, and is portable!! Hope this helps!! Good luck!!

[pearl451]

I also have a Madela pump, mine is nothing fancy just the basic one that can run on batteries or plug in.
A lot of people have a hard time breastfeeding, try not to feel stressed out by it. I went into it with the feeling if it works great! If not well I tried. I was very relaxed & my DD latched on so well that nurse was even suprised! Good luck to you! Also I got the throw away breast pads, I did not need another thing to wash!!!!!!

[jifnif]

I have five weeks to go and havnet gotten a pump yet either.  I have one on my registry and I think an aunt is going to buy it.  I dont believe its electric though...I have a book that a friend got me and it has lots of valuable info in it, I am so sorry because I cant remember the name of it but I think its put out by Le Leche Organization or something...haha, I am probably way off but thats all I can remember.  I am not doing the breast feeding classes due to time, we are still in birthing classes but I know that our hospital has a dept that will help us w/ that when the baby comes.  Maybe you could give them a call if your hospital has one too and just ask a few questions.  good luck girl.

[JJety]

Only feed both sides during one feeding if the baby pops off the one side and is still hungry.  Then for the next feeding start with the opposite breast.  You don't want to stop the baby mid-feeding and switch to the other breast otherwise they are missing out on the rich hind milk that lets down a while after feeding has begun.

I loved Lansinoh breast cream, even though one nurse I had advised against it.  It just helped to feel more soothed.  Disposable breast pads -absolutely.  It would be took much work and worry to keep reusable ones washed.  

Yes, the first 10 days were hell, but then we got the hang of it and it was great (until I had to return to work, boo!) but if you can stick to it, it's wonderful!

[momof3rugratz]

I love the avent pump and I like the medela at walmart. I nursed all 3 kids till 1 year and I had plenty of milk.. These pumps where the best to me.

[Adevotee]

They don't recommend timed feedings anymore. They say to let baby drink from one side until that side is empty, then offer the other side if baby still wants more. If not start on the full(er) side. This is beause if you do timed feeding, your baby will not get the fatty hind milk. The hind milk has all the nutrients and fat that the baby needs.

[lucky mom of 2]

I wished i had all your wonderful advice when i breastfed my girls! What great advice!!! Don't give up as everyone says, it takes practice! And trust your body, it knows what is best for baby. Don't be afraid to give the baby a bottle with expressed milk after 2 or 3 weeks though, I have had friends that heard to what 3 months and then the child refused a bottle! Not good. Good Luck and I am so happy for you!!

[neparker]

With my first DS, I remember how bad it hurt to breast feed him.  I cried everytime for the first month or two. With my second DD, I remember how easy it was to breast feed her.  I didn't have any problems at all.

With the breast pumps, I tried all sorts of them.  I hated the electric ones and battery ones, but I loved the hand pump ones, they worked great.  Especially if I needed to pump at work, it didn't make that vibrating sound that made everyone wonder what you are doing in the bathroom. LOL.

With hemmroids, I had them after I delivered my DD.  I bought that whitch hazel stuff that came in little round soaked pads, I just had to put them on them.  Wore them in my underware.

Good luck.

[sparky168]

My friend just had a baby and she was using the electric type pump but one day she used a handheld one and she never went back to the electric.  She said it is so much more handy than the electric one so now she pumps in the car and everywhere she goes.  Good luck!!!

[myproblem]

I got a Medela pump on eBay for under $100. They sell for about $300. I really liked it, especially compared to the $40 evenflo I had before. My sister's health insurance actually reimbursed her up to $250 for a pump, so see if yours covers it. I liked the Gerber Nursing pads best, but my sis likes Johnson & Johnson. Be prepared to wear your bra, and nursing pads at night too, or you'll probably leak all over. I had to lay on a towel when dh and I bd for the first several months of nursing, or milk would get all over the bed. Good luck with nursing. I did it well over a year, and was very glad to be able to.

[Tanyatmdmc3]

When I breast fed my kids, the first 2 weeks were torture, but my advice is keep it up it will get better. I had to keep a heating pad around so because of clogged milk ducts. The heat helped everything flow better. I also liked the electric breast pump better than the hand held, but that is just my opinion

[mgi]

I used teh hospital pump and it was terrific - was kindof expensive
the medela pump and style is almost as good though

I agree wholeheartedly with everyone.  Please don;t let yourself be put off in the first two weeks - they are rough - you will adjust and LOVE it!!  My nipples cracked and I would cry - but then I got some prescription massey breast cream and all was terrific!

[decogrl]

I am greatful for all of the advice.  I really do want to try to breastfeed as long as I am able to and hope I am successful.