breast feeding essentials?

[shaelouisebubba1]

Hi mama's, just wondering what you've used and needed while breastfeeding? Any hints or tips? I'm hoping to breastfeed up until 6 months minimum - hopefully longer.

I have a spectra hospital grade pump but that's it for now. Thanks. :)

[shaelouisebubba1]

Thank you! That helps heaps. :) also gives me more of an idea of what to take for hospital as they don't provide anything for me or baby.

[lalala_ashleyx3]

They have useful apps on your phone you can download, that's all preference though.
if you use it, it's easy to show your dr exactly how often you're feeding/ pumping

[giraffe1020]

Oh I wanted to add: a clothes pin for your shirt to keep track of where to start next time. I also wear a watch with no batteries and set the time to when I finished feeding last. Then I don't have to keep track. We used a notebook at first but its a hassle. If you keep track with your phone you have to remember to grab it. And hand sanitizer just in case but I prefer to wash my hands. The smell is too powerful for me to put that in baby's face.

[3rdNdone]

Great list. The clock is good for when you are expressing as well.
It will give you an idea of how long baby is feeding, and how much milk baby is getting. so you have an estimate of how long to pump.

[Sweeeeeeeets]

I got a milk saver. .. I found that while I breast fed in one the other just leaked alot out or was just engorged so having a milk saver was great. .. That and not sure how everyone feels about breastfeeding in public but I had a nursing cover and a nursing pillow. . Just makes like easier.

[giraffe1020]

Boppy pillow makes everything easier. A rocking chair is helpful but I use a lazyboy to rock baby. Lanolin is okay but it stains your clothes so I had nursing pads too. Don't get the cheap ones because they don't stick and they bunch up. Have used the pump a few times but no storage bags yet. I have few low flow bottles thinking of using for when I'm having daddy take baby during a dentist Appt. A good nursing bra because you will live in it. Some peas or an ice pack for the freezer.
Use the lactation consultant as much as you can. If things are not going as expected take an extra day in the
Hospital if insurance says 2 days and work with the lactation consultant until you have a solid plan before going home. Milk comes in on day 3 so you should be home then.
At home set up a spot or two you will use. Keep a water bottle, boppy pillow, burp cloth, and something to do (I.e. phone) within arms reach. No one should sit in your spot. They feel the need to rearrange it. I also keep babystuff like nail clippers, hair brush, and a thermometer there too. A clock helps to have so you can see when you are done to time when you will be feeding again.
Look up cluster feeding so you know this is normal and expect it coming.

[UniquelyMoi247]

Personal care items such as breast pads, lanolin (or another brand nipples cream), a few nursing bras. I used milk storage bags for expressed milk as they're easier to store than the small bottles you can buy. I used a good nursing pillow...absolute god send when hours spent breastfeeding! I think that's pretty much all I needed. Kinda think ahead about easy access tops too, especially when out and about :)

[luka_n_baby2]

Breast pads and lanolin cream. A boppy pillow is nice to have but not necessary. Freezer bags