https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:35:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332669 Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:52:05 +0000 pastemoo 2332669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"nothing" in a pinch I would use my knees to prop up baby in the middle of the night, forget where balm was, and sleep on a towel.<br /> Daytime I used burp cloths, boppy, sometimes lanolin, and a good nursing bra. Low cut shirt or dress, or shirt I could pull up--- I didn't need to shop for clothes besides bras.<br /> Definitely second the water bottle for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332578 Sat, 24 Oct 2015 15:11:29 +0000 MrsADS 2332578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- Soft comfy nursing bras (like the sleep nursing bras) - I wear these 24/7, so once I found one I liked (from Target), I bought like 5 of them.<br /> - Nursing pads - I had disposable but they were really uncomfortable/itchy/irritating to my breasts so I immediately bought some soft cottony washable ones. I have a lot of leakage so it's a must!!<br /> - I don't really use nursing tanks... just soft stretchy tank tops you can move down. Honestly when I'm at home I usually just wear a sleep nursing bra and no top!! (but I do live in Florida and it's warm)<br /> - Burp cloths/washcloths: if I'm nursing on one side, the other side tends to pour out milk! More than a breast pad can take (especially the first few weeks) so I would stuff a baby washcloth in that side!<br /> - BREAST PUMP, bottles, storage bags. Have it set up and know how to use it in advance. You may not need it but I needed mine immediately and it was stressful trying to figure out how to put it together, sterilize everything, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332576 Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:56:17 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2332576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I did too. I think it really helped.</p> <p>I'm 2 weeks in and so far these are the things I use the most:<br /> -nursing tanks<br /> -coconut oil as nipple cream<br /> -breast pads<br /> -boppy (I use this half the time. I could get by without it).<br /> -burp cloths (DD likes to pop off so I have one nearby to prevent milk from spraying everywhere). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332571 Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:35:44 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2332571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An extra long power cord for your phone or iPad.</p> <p>Not a thing you need, but....<br /> I'd watch a ton of YouTube videos on latching a newborn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332566 Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:27:25 +0000 MrsF 2332566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: Haha - we have two in our room and one in each of the kids' rooms. I should start giving them out at baby showers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332051 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:47:09 +0000 blackbird 2332051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having a portable phone charger has been invaluable </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332041 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:39:20 +0000 hellobeeboston 2332041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsF: OMG yes!!! This is a must have!! We have 3 now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332040 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:39:08 +0000 PawPrints 2332040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>PS Just wanted to say, I wouldn't skip anything that other commenters have mentioned. All of the items listed are pretty much must-haves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332039 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:36:49 +0000 PawPrints 2332039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't forget about snacks. Breastfeeding makes you more hungry than you've ever been, even when pregnant! You need high-energy and high-protein snacks you can easily grab and scarf down, like string cheese and yogurt and energy bars. </p> <p>Also, infant Vitamin D drops. Breastfed infants require supplemental D every day. Get the super concentrated kind so you only have to give them a drop a day.</p> <p>Prenatal vitamins too! You have to keep taking them as long as you are breastfeeding. Stock up.</p> <p>Lastly, find out allll the detailed info you can about where to access a good lactation consultant. It's possible you'll need to see one immediately and you will thank yourself later if you already know where they are, how to get there, whether there is a copay, if you can get someone to visit you in-home, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2332007 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:06:23 +0000 beloved 2332007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>huge water bottle<br /> soft nursing bras<br /> tami tanks from Old Navy<br /> Gerber prefold gauze diapers (to put in the opposite side when you are nursing to catch let down)<br /> nursing pads<br /> baby connect app to track feedings<br /> boppy pillow<br /> extra boppy pillow cover (in case you leak or baby spits up)<br /> lansinoh gel soothie nipple pads (take to hospital)<br /> I used a manual pump in the early days to take the edge off engorgement and pump a bottle for DH to give<br /> vitamin C drops ( i like Carlsons - you can buy on amazon)</p> <p>eventually:<br /> pump<br /> pumping bra<br /> breastmilk storage bags </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331697 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:15:26 +0000 californiadreams 2331697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i wore a nursing bra for NIP and my brest friend pillow was essential at home the first few months.</p> <p>I had bought nipple cream, but ended up returning it as i never used it. And i used breast pads for a few weeks max. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331692 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:13:42 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2331692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: Agree, start with nipple cream right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331689 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:13:26 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2331689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also for water bottle, I liked the CamelBack ones because I could just lift and drink (didn't have to unscrew a lid).</p> <p>In the early days, BFing required 2 hands. So if I could even get one hand free to take a drink it was a luxury! </p> <p>I preferred the MyBrestFriend to the boppy </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331682 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:11:18 +0000 MrsF 2331682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: The low light is SUPER random and I never see anyone mention it. This dimmer switch was on Mrs. Bee's "top 15 most used baby products" list and now we have them on all of the lights in our bedrooms. Great for those MOTN feeds and now just for reading at night or low light during bedtime routines. </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DI241/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=hellobee-20&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1789&#038;creative=9325&#038;creativeASIN=B0000DI241" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DI241/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=hellobee-20&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1789&#038;creative=9325&#038;creativeASIN=B0000DI241</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331659 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:56:20 +0000 hellobeeboston 2331659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You got great advice already - but I'd like to add bring nipple cream to hospital and use it immediately every time after your babe nurses.... It will truly help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331654 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:52:59 +0000 regberadaisy 2331654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Couple nursing tops/bras, a lightweight robe (it gets cold in MOTN!), boppy w/2 covers, nursing pads, pump if you will be working and plan to.</p> <p>Everything else is extra and you can buy if you need it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331652 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:50:22 +0000 tofuwad 2331652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hydrogel pads (like those from Ameda) were 100% essential for me. I had cracked nipples for about a week or two and those helped me heal way better than nipple cream and breast pads. </p> <p>I got a couple pairs in the hospital but ended up needing about four pairs (you wear them for about three to five days and then toss them). </p> <p>I also needed breast shells while I was dealing with engorgement because they helped draw out my nipple. But my LC said to only use them about an hour before a feeding because they could potentially put too much pressure on the breast and cause a clog. I only used them for about two weeks but I felt like they were so so so helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331641 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:43:04 +0000 travellingbee 2331641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Boobs! Haha! JK. Random I know but I found it very helpful to have a very low watt bulb for middle of the night feelings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331636 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:35:54 +0000 Keybee 2331636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you bees! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331610 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:08:49 +0000 rosegold 2331610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Keybee: love the Muslin blankets for easy coverup, a good pump with a nice bottle kit and accessories if pumping or planning to do a lot of it, multiple good nursing bras and easy access shirts (henleys, button up, tank tops, etc), a strong back and loooooooads of patience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331605 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:04:02 +0000 Foodnerd81 2331605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me the essentials were:<br /> My Brest Friend (I liked this over the Boppy, personally. Only had one cover but I just put one of the 8 million flannels receiving blankets over it)<br /> Nipple cream (alternated between the earth angel mama one, and regular lansinoh lanolin)<br /> Breast pads- I definitely leaked a fair amount early on, especially at night<br /> Nursing tanks and a couple of comfy nursing bras- though initially I just wore the tanks a ton since it was so easy. Cheap stretchy target ones were fine in the beginning</p> <p>And I whole heartedly agree on the water bottle. I have a contigo straw one that's perfect, doesn't leak or break if it falls, pops open one handed, easy to drink from. I was using an iced coffee type straw cup and broke three kids from dropping it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331603 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:03:04 +0000 Truth Bombs 2331603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few things that haven't been mentioned: A good pump with storage bottles and bags. For the first few weeks I found the My Breast Friend pillow to be invaluable. It was much more supportive for a newborn than the boppy. I used plain olive oil to soothe sore nipples (as suggested by the hospital LC) and found it very effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331597 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:59:55 +0000 mfa_lady 2331597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: Oh, gosh, yes, the nursing tanks were my best friend. I liked the Target ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331589 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:56:41 +0000 mfa_lady 2331589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second @Autumnmama79! Also a water bottle that doesn't leak if it tips over. :) I carried mine around 24/7 in the early (thirsty!) days of nursing.</p> <p>Here were my fave products:</p> <p>Nip butter: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/earth-mama-angel-baby-natural-nipple-butter-2-oz/-/A-11878063#prodSlot=medium_1_1&#038;term=earth+mama" rel="nofollow">http://www.target.com/p/earth-mama-angel-baby-natural-nipple-butter-2-oz/-/A-11878063#prodSlot=medium_1_1&#038;term=earth+mama</a> (I liked this much more than lanolin)</p> <p>Nursing pads: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-disposable-nursing-pads-100ct/-/A-14009931" rel="nofollow">http://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-disposable-nursing-pads-100ct/-/A-14009931</a> (these were the least bulky disposables I found...I also had some reusable ones, but I didn't leak past the first couple months so didn't use them much.)</p> <p>Nursing cover: <a href="http://www.coveredgoods.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.coveredgoods.com</a> (LOVE my CG cover--it's versatile for nursing, pumping, and being out and about in general!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331583 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:54:25 +0000 Meowkers 2331583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My survival kit included:<br /> Boppy with a water proof liner<br /> A supporting and easy nursing bra<br /> A sleep nursing bra<br /> Nursing tanks or other tops that have easy access<br /> A water bottle (the kind you can operate with one hand without having to tip it up) - I was ALWAYS thirsty when breastfeeding.</p> <p>I bought breast pads but ended up not needing them. Also the hospital gave me a ton of nipple cream which lasted me the entire time (although again, I ended up not really needing it that much.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331580 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:49:08 +0000 Autumnmama79 2331580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A good nipple cream, breast pads for leakage and a nursing cover for public feeds were key in my arsenal. Good luck on your breastfeeding journey! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-need-for-breastfeeding#post-2331573 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:45:21 +0000 Keybee 2331573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've got 5.5 more weeks until baby is due, hooray!<br /> I've just had my last shower and now it's up to me to get the rest of my stuff. I've got all I need for baby, now what do I need for breastfeeding? </p>