Besides breasts and a baby, what have been your must-haves? Lanolin, creams, specific nursing pads or anything else?
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For me, a comfy chair and a good pillow (Boppy or Breast Friend... I have them both and like them for different reasons). Good nursing bras. Lanolin.
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We got the boppy and it can be helpful though once we go the hang of it we stopped using it. Nursing camisoles so your tummy doesn't show (or get cold). I loved the reusable nursing pads the avent ones. They were nice to use.
A pump: When my nips were blistered I would pump that side and nurse off the other for a day to get the stress off. It helped sooooooo much.
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I good back support pillow for you and good support pillow for baby (I had a boppy and usually hated it since I always needed additional support and probably should have tried a different support pillow). I really liked Earth Mama Angel Baby's Natural Nipple Butter or MotherLove Nipple Cream instead of lanolin. Supportive nursing bras were important, particularly ones that were easy to open/close. When pumping I really preferred a halter style pumping bra instead of the strapless, zip up the front ones.
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Also, I'm going to say "a supportive partner" and "a subscription to Netflix."
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As well as "a large cup with a straw so that someone else can hold it up while you drink" because DAMN, those early feeding sessions can last forever, and once you finally get a good latch and a happy baby, you would rather die of thirst than disrupt it.
And you will be dying of thirst unless you drink a ton while nursing. -
boppy, burp cloth, bib, lovey, Mylicon, nursing bra, lanolin, nursing pads, cell phone, tv remote, water to drink.
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Are you going to be pumping at some point? Like when you return to work? I pump at work and MUST have a pump bra. It leaves my hands free so I can multi-task. And make sure you drink lots and lots of water. Drink beyond quenching your thirst. I'd also like to echo that you need a supportive partner! Especially in the beginning. It was so helpful that my husband woke up for each feeding. He'd change her and I'd feed her. Team work is essential!
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@Lozza: I agree, the boppy and MyBreastFriend are both good for different reasons. If you are having trouble latching especially with a really small baby the BreastFriend can be better. Once you have the hang of things the boppy works and is nice for just laying around.
I agree that having a pump on hand is good even if you don't open it right away. I ended up with a blister and needed a few days to rest up (while keeping up my supply) so having the pump on hand was amazing.
I keep a little basket on the couch that holds things like tissues, water, remote, book, etc. Its a lifesaver.
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nursing pads are a must have, lots of water, nursing bras, i didn't use lanolin because my nipples didn't get dry/chapped/cracked. If they had, I would have used olive oil! I didn't like the idea of my LO eating lanolin.
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We have a guide for breastfeeding gear:
http://www.hellobee.com/2011/10/13/breastfeeding-gear/
And pumping gear:
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Lanolin and a breastfeeding book How-to book.
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I highly, highly recommend the Gia pillow as a good middle ground between Boppy and Breast Friend.
Re: pump ... my advice would be to rent one from the hospital at first, then buy one once you know BF is going well and have a better sense of your needs.
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Thanks for all the feedback! I didn't even know that halter-style pumping bras existed. Going to look those up! I was able to buy a new Medela Freestyle for a great price so I bought it even though I am going to be staying at home for at least 6 months or so. My MIL said that an electric pump is so worth it when it comes to the time it saves.
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@Zuzu2and11: You will love the freestyle! I love it! I used it a bunch at home and obviously a bunch now that I'm back to work 3 months pp.
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- nursing pillow
- lanolin
- nursing pads
- patience
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