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Breast Feeding Advice
Hi ladies, I'm hoping to breastfeed and would love some advice.
What sort of things should I stock up on before baby arrives (i.e. cream, pads)?
Do I need a breast pump to start with, and if so, manual or electric? I'd like to express so hubby can give baby a bottle once a day, but I'm not sure when to introduce this (assuming all goes well with BF).
What do you wish you'd known about breastfeeding in advance?
Do I need formula milk at home as a back up in case it doesn't work out?
Advice really appreciated. x
What sort of things should I stock up on before baby arrives (i.e. cream, pads)?
Do I need a breast pump to start with, and if so, manual or electric? I'd like to express so hubby can give baby a bottle once a day, but I'm not sure when to introduce this (assuming all goes well with BF).
What do you wish you'd known about breastfeeding in advance?
Do I need formula milk at home as a back up in case it doesn't work out?
Advice really appreciated. x
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Replies
I really would like hubby to be able to give one bottle a day later on. How many weeks is it best to wait to include this?
Does anybody else have advice about best brands of pads, pumps etc?
Thanks again
A couple of supportive sleep bras are a must. So comfortable for through the night. Some nighties with buttons so you can manage night feeds easily too.
Johnsons breast pads are soft and reasonable. I have just bought a big box from Mother care, 100 for ??5. Never used them before but they feel soft.
Lanisoh cream is a must for your hospital bag just in case you have latching on problems and get a bit sore - you may not but I would still buy it. Its between ??8-10 per tube but well worth it (Mother Care have a sale on at the moment on these kinds of products)
I know some people like the cooling gel pads that you put in the fridge and then in your bra if you are a bit sore. I never used them myself but women in my group have and said they are good. Maybe wait to see if you need them first though as there is every chance you wont.
Some people like to use a breast feeding cushion. I bought one and never bothered with it so was a waste of money but you may want one after the baby is born to help with positioning. I would wait till your baby is born though as they are at least ??20 and you may not even use it
When is little one due? Good luck with it all xxx
if you persevere it will work, but it may take time.
make sure hubby is supportive, because that will make the biggest difference, if he is not supportive then you will find yourself giving up easily.
the first few weeks are long and hard, you wil most likely be feeding every couple of hours, babys tummys are tiny, it doenst mean your not making enough milk!
ive been using tomme tipee breast pads and love them! and sleep bras are fab, i wear mine through the day too, theyre just so comfortable.
invest in some tops that have easy access for public feeding, button down tops are in this season!
i love breastfeeding, i feel so close to baby and know that its something amazinf only i can do. there are vedry few things a feed cant fix.
cylie + andrew
11+0
I'll keep a look out for offers on the tommee tippee and Johnsons pads.
I already have a curved pillow to help me sleep which doubles as a feeding pillow, so that's one thing I can try without wasting any cash.
Didn't really think about clothing or nighties, so thanks for mentioning it ladies.
Just thought I would add a couple of things, I am breastfeeding too and my LO is 10 weeks now. I would deffo buy the night-time sleep bras (Mothercare were good for me), and Laninsoh cream. BF does hurt at first and the cream is great. Mothercare also do some pretty 'daytime'/normal bras but you might need to wait until nearer the time for those.
I would also recommend a couple of cartons of formula, cos even if BF going very well you might just need a break once or twice and to get some sleep. Our daughter has had formula 3-4 times since she was born, the first time was when she was 2-3 weeks, which means she is OK with a bottle for when I express now, but also those 3-4 times were much needed.
I found the manual pump (Tomee Tipee) too slow and fairly difficult to use, but the electric Tommee Tipee is great for me, although I know some people find the action a bit painful, it's fine for me. It comes with a bottle and a mini-sterilising container for the microwave too, so you won't need a seperate steriliser and can save some pennies. I would also agree with buying a few BF vests / tops and maybe a big scarf/pashmina for when you are out and about so you can hide if you want to. But the best advice I have is find a local BF group (Health Visitor can recommend one) - my local group has been ace, I wouldn't still be BF without the support there.
HTH xxx
breastfeeding is supply and demand the higher the demand, the higher the supply. so in the first 4weeks or so, baby will feed a lot to build up your supply. and at every growth spurt, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10weeks, 12 weeks, 16weeks plus a few more for good measure, baby will start to feed more frequently than normal to let your body know that they need more milk. then they will go back to normal in a couple of days.
if at this point you supplement with formula, your body wont realise that baby needs the extra milk, so wont create it.
and if you miss feeds for formula, your body wont realise that baby has been fed, and will think that it no longer needs to produce as much milk as before, so supply will lessen.
there will be times when you become engorged, it can be painful and can make it tricky for baby to latch, expressing a little before a feed can help ease it.
you may hear that engorged boobs are good because it shows you have plenty of milk, but its actually telling your body that its produced too much milk, and to not produce as much next time. milk production is actually quickest when your boobs feel empty, and slowest when they are full.
read some of the posts on Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths, some really good information
http://mythnomore.blogspot.com/2010/11/breasts-feeling-full-good-thing-myth.html
really hope that feeding goes well for you, but do look for help if you struggle, there are people out there who understand, and its not always your hv or dr!