https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:15:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2421802 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:40:36 +0000 hellobeeboston 2421802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lanolin is key! Apply immediately after BFing every time early on! It helps immensely!!!</p> <p>Breast pads for leaking too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2421777 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:33:35 +0000 JenGirl 2421777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed with the intention of going back to work, so this is for breastfeeding and pumping for daycare. Things I used a lot:</p> <p>-Breastfeeding class and book (helped give me confidence)<br /> -Good pump with battery and spare parts (Spectra S2)<br /> -2 pumping bras (I use a symphony pump at work) - I like this one and it's super cheap: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GDJRQPY?psc=1&#038;redirect=true&#038;ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GDJRQPY?psc=1&#038;redirect=true&#038;ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00</a><br /> -Lansinoh freezer bags<br /> -good nursing bras/tanks (I prefer tanks)<br /> -Glider for bedtime and MOTN feeds<br /> -Lots of bottles and nipples<br /> -Name labels for the bottles and nipples<br /> -Bottle drying rack</p> <p>Things I used some but not much and not essential:<br /> -Nursing cream<br /> -gel soothing pads<br /> -breast pads</p> <p>I never got a nursing pillow and just use a regular bed pillow, which works fine for us. Sometimes I need a throw pillow behind my back, but that's easy to add. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2421690 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:21:39 +0000 Julia1977 2421690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello!! I loved my hands free pumping bra( I am a multitasked!!) and Silverette nursing cups, expensive but saved my nipples this time around! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420958 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:03:29 +0000 erinbaderin 2420958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two nursing pillows and found it a luxury, but a useful one - I kept one upstairs in the nursery and one downstairs by the couch, and that way I didn't have to carry it up and down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420952 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:57:01 +0000 blackbird 2420952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really prefer the disposable nursing pads because mine would get soaked and I was worried about thrush, especially in the summer. Also nipple cream and I was so happy to be able to put a real (nursing) bra on again. I found the shields to be really helpful sometimes because even the feeling of my shirt was uncomfortable, but I wanted them to air out, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420950 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:52:51 +0000 Anagram 2420950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I think that's a great goal! FWIW, I think you will get milk this time if you don't have the retained placenta issue. But I know how you feel! I gae up on BFing my first because she just couldn't get it down and switched to EPing.... </p> <p>So even though my second baby had a lot of the same issues, I was SO determined to stick it out for at least a while. Now that I'm back at work, I feel like I'm practically EPing again (I'm gone before she wakes up)...we only BF about 1-2 feeds a day and the rest is all bottles, but I'm counting it. My goal is 6 months and we are past 5. I totally understand your determination. I was the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420693 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:18:13 +0000 Greentea 2420693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bravado bliss nursing bra<br /> blessed nest nursing pillow (best.thing.ever.)<br /> Australian gold (pharmaceutical grade) lanolin<br /> a chair with very supportive/stiff structured back!</p> <p>additional things that would be helpful:</p> <p>bottle brushes<br /> drying rack for pump parts<br /> specific container for washing bottles and pump parts (ours had to soak) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420662 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:55:49 +0000 youboots 2420662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My breast friend<br /> A pump and bottles/storage bags<br /> A hand pump<br /> Nipple cream<br /> Lots of target nursing tanks<br /> 2 nursing bras </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420642 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:42:05 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2420642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looks like no one has tried Dr. Gia's nursing pillow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420526 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:32:28 +0000 Cherrybee 2420526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I'm not buying anything I won't need past the first week or so. You know people set nursing goals - 6 months, a year? My nursing goal is "have milk". If I manage that, I will reevaluate. :happy: (I'm so getting milk this time!! If I achieve nothing else, I'm seeing that stuff!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420519 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:27:34 +0000 Anagram 2420519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I've had difficult nursing journeys both times, so I basically own everything under the sun. But I think the essentials for me were the My Brest Friend (I had that and a boppy and much preferred the Brest Friend), a cheap nursing bra, and a nipple shield. That's it--3 things.</p> <p>Later on, if BFing is going great and you think you'll continue, you might then stock up on more nursing bras, a hands free pumping bra, a pump (or maybe just the single manual pump), nursing tops, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420506 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:15:20 +0000 Cherrybee 2420506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I'm pretty sure I've read every page on Kellymom. I don't really like it, it feels a bit militant and propagandist, but the the info is really good. I've watched a ton of YouTube videos in the last few days, too! :grin: I've also found a "breastfeeding counsellor" (there isn't an IBCLC that will travel to my area it would appear) and written a birth plan that specifies all the skin to skin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420477 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:56:50 +0000 MoonMoon 2420477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used the crap out of 2 nursing tops.<br /> I used a pump and milk storage bags.</p> <p>And that was it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420473 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:55:22 +0000 Kemma 2420473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nursing tanks (I've lived in mine for over three years now!)<br /> Nursing bras<br /> Manual pump (borrowed from a friend, only used a few times)<br /> Milk storage bags<br /> Three bottles (pre-used by a friend)<br /> Lanolin for nipples</p> <p>You already know that I'm a SAHM so wherever I went my babies went and I'm too lazy to bother pumping beyond having three bags of milk in the freezer :-)</p> <p>Have you thought about checking out KellyMom or the LLL forums ahead of time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420463 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:49:25 +0000 catlady 2420463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just finished a 27 month breastfeeding journey, so I had a ton of stuff. Here is what I used:</p> <p>First month only - Earth mama nipple cream<br /> Few months - Nursing tops (but never loved these), boppy (never loved), nursing pads (both re-usable and disposable), burp clothes<br /> Whole first year - Pump, handsfree pump thing (Pumpease), extra bottles and nipples, freezer bags<br /> 2+ years - Bravado silk seamless nursing bras</p> <p>Stuff I didn't like or use much at all - Nursing tanks, Simple wishes hands-free bra, sleep nursing bra, all other types of nursing bras that I tried, nursing cover, lanolin, gel pads </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420460 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:48:22 +0000 PawPrints 2420460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For most things, it's probably best to hold off and see whether you end up needing them. But for curiosity's sake, here's everything I wound up needing in my first 9 months of nursing/pumping. (I got a lot of this secondhand from friends or Buy Nothing - you don't need to break the bank.)</p> <p>Sleep bras<br /> Nursing tanks<br /> At least one or two nicer nursing tops/dresses you can wear to parties/restaurants so you aren't chained to the pull up/pull down thing all the time<br /> A hand pump (helps take the edge off if engorgement leads to latch issues early on)<br /> Gel pads<br /> Reusable and disposable nursing pads<br /> Nursing pillow<br /> The My Brest Friend nursing footstool (really helpful for early days when LO is so tiny and you need to push him/her up higher)<br /> Lots of regular, comfortable pillows to prop around you when nursing in bed (you try out a lot of positions in the early days)<br /> Lactation consultant info researched and ready to go<br /> Boxes of kleenex everywhere<br /> Double electric pump, and a second one you can leave at home when you pump at work<br /> Simple wishes hands-free pumping "bra"<br /> Lots of extra bottles (you may need to try a bunch of different brands in case LO doesn't like the regular Medela ones)<br /> Lactation supplements (fenugreek, goat's rue)<br /> Cooler pack to transport milk (used this as a backup for airplane trips when I wasn't certain she would latch on a plane; I also have an insulated lunch bag I can easily slip inside my regular work bag to transport pumped milk home)<br /> Lots of milk freezer bags<br /> Chest freezer for when the stash gets too big for the regular freezer<br /> Additional set of flanges in smaller size (my boobs shrank when my supply regulated after 12 weeks so I had to get 21 mm flanges)<br /> Extra phone chargers (got to keep the phone alive for those long nursing sessions in the early days)<br /> Comfortable, supportive glider with recline/footrest</p> <p>It's definitely possible to spend a ton of cash on breastfeeding. My approach was to collect as much stuff as I could secondhand so I had it ready in case I needed it, so I didn't end up spending as much money. You never know what issues you might have and what you might need to deal with them. But if you're buying things brand new, I would hold off so you don't end up spending money on stuff you don't need. </p> <p>Good luck, you can do this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420417 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:29:22 +0000 autumnleaves 2420417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @snowjewelz: - all of that was so useful for pumping.<br /> I am looking at getting more nursing tank tops, an alternative to the boppy, possibly a glider, and this nursing top <a href="http://www.lalabu.com/shop/" rel="nofollow">http://www.lalabu.com/shop/</a> and of course lots of lanolin. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420409 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:27:24 +0000 avivoca 2420409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved the My Breast Friend pillow in the early days. It's much better for feeding when they are tiny, and I love that you can strap that sucker to you. It's firmer than the Boppy and helped me more with positioning in the early days of feeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420402 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:24:26 +0000 ShootingStar 2420402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot of people like the Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. </p> <p>The things I used a lot were:<br /> Sleep bra<br /> Breast pads (I leaked constantly out of the opposite side from nursing.)<br /> Extra pump parts and collection bottles (you can never have too many!)<br /> Tank tops that pull down easily<br /> Tons of burp cloths<br /> Comfortable nursing pillow<br /> Nursing cover (I was not comfortable nursing in public without being covered but hey baby's got to eat!)<br /> Lactation consultant ready to go<br /> Formula - because sometimes it's ok to just give up for that feeding! We did plenty of formula feeds at the beginning and I was still able to EBF for months afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420393 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:20:45 +0000 sarac 2420393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Literally nothing. I am a stay at home mom so I don't pump. I wear athleisure all the time so i just wear my same sports bras right now. I guess I did buy one bottle from the grocery store, and I keep a few ounces of milk around that I hand express and store in a mason jar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420387 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:19:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 2420387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I think you have most of your bases covered. I prefer nursing tank tops over bras in the beginning because you are nursing so often, it's just more convenient. Basic inexpensive ones are fine for early days when you aren't going out much anyway.<br /> I also prefer the My Brest Friend over boppy but if you have a boppy already I'm sure it's fine. I have also been known to eat my entire dinner using the Brest friend as a table while I nurse the baby. :silly:<br /> And nipple cream- I prefer earth angel mama nipple butter but lanolin is good too. </p> <p>I wouldn't worry too much about the pumping supplies and just focus on getting BFing established first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420359 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:08:59 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2420359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also following :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420352 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:03:59 +0000 Adira 2420352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Ugh, that sucks, APNO is amazing. But Lanolin works well too, so definitely get some of that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420351 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:03:33 +0000 LindsayLou 2420351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-Nursing sleep bras, I still leak enough that I have to wear nursing pads 24 hours a day, so I need a bra to hold them.<br /> -nursing pads, both disposable and reusable.<br /> -nursing pillow<br /> -nipple cream, I used a mix of Shea butter and coconut oil<br /> -lots of burp clothes, to tuck on the opposite side while I nurse because I leak. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420342 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:00:43 +0000 Cherrybee 2420342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: It doesn't exist here at all. They will prescribe antibiotic cream, but only if an infection is present. They will prescribe thrush treatment, but only if thrush is present. Some "just in case, cover all bases" cream would have really helped me last time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420338 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:59:51 +0000 lamariniere 2420338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: everything you have plus milk freezer bags and I preferred nursing tanks to nursing bras. H&amp;M tanks worked well for me and they come in a 2-pack. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420335 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:59:40 +0000 LAZB 2420335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really preferred the "My breast friend" over they boppy for feeding (although the boppy was great for propping the baby up) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420334 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:59:29 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2420334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>:grin: You'll be able to BF!!</p> <p>Following...good question! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420331 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:58:30 +0000 yin 2420331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I exclusively pumped with my first, and the most important items were a quality pump, extra parts, pumping bra, and extra bottles and accessories. With LO2 I exclusively breastfed and only pumped a few times in the beginning. I valued a comfortable chair and the boppy to get through night feedings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-gear-and-paraphernalia-did-you-have#post-2420328 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:57:28 +0000 Adira 2420328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Good call.</p> <p>Yes to the hands-free pumping bras, the extra membranes for the pump, and the car adapter! </p>