Breastfeeding supplies - what do I need?

[pinotgrig]

Other than items like a pump, bottles, nipples, and pillow what do I need? Am thinking along the lines of lanolin, storage bags, boob pads, etc. Also any fave brands of these things?

[MrsDarcy]

I liked the lansinoh lanolin, definitely get some lanolin of some kind. I started out with disposable breast pads, I can't remember the brand, but then went to reusable ones once my supply regulated. Make sure too, once you start pumping to make sure your flanges are the right size. The ones that came with the pump were too large for me, and the smaller ones I ordered online were much more comfortable and effective.

ETA: the steam bags were wonderful for cleaning the parts. The breast milk bags I liked said "my mother's milk" or something like that on the front. Make sure not to overfill or they can leak.

Also, if you're pumping multiple times a day, you can keep your pump parts in the fridge in between pumping sessions in a ziplock bag, you don't have to wash them after every time.

ETA take two: when you freeze your milk, lay the bags flat in the freezer so they freeze flat. They're so much easier to store this way.

[justthetip]

Nursing tanks and/or bras. I'd recommend waiting a couple weeks before getting sized for bras. Your boobs will be crazy big when your milk comes in, then calm down after a few weeks. I lived in tanks under shirts for the first 6+ months, & didn't like nursing bras much though. A front closure bra can work too.
Brands: I love Bravado & Target for both.

Gel soothies are great for sore nips at first. Lansinoh makes them I think?

I leaked a ton & got tired of going through so many pads, so I used Lily Padz - reusable silicone pads. They don't work for every boob though, and I think there's some concern for mastitis if you wear them too long. They camouflage giant nursing nips fabulously and you can wear them under swimsuits, etc.

Nursing cover of some sort. I actually prefer a big A&A muslin swaddle blanket, but the covers are handy too.

Hands free pumping bra: priceless. I have a Simple Wishes one I like.

ETA: brands

[gretchenindisguise]

This was hands down my favorite nipple cream: www.amazon.com/Motherlove-10011-Nipple-Cream-1oz/dp/B0007CQ726/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394837157&sr=8-1&keywords=mommys+love+nipple+butter

I've heard good things about bamboo breast pads. I think I used medela the whole year last time, but I think I'll look into bamboo ones.

[MrsDarcy]

Mar 14, 2014 17:46:49 GMT -5 justthetip said:

Hands free pumping bra: priceless.

I completely agree.

[changedname]

I'm only two weeks in but have had to go out and buy:

- gel soothies
- freezer bags (I freeze in an ice cube tray first so it is portioned)
- I bought lanolin but the Lactation consultant recommended olive oil or coconut oil and they are working well
- a sterilizer for the pump parts (I used the Avent one)
- a pillow. I have "my brest friend"
- nursing bras and tanks. (mainly wearing the Liz lange maternity tanks though).
- nursing pads.

[scribellesam]

I second a lot of/most of the suggestions in this thread. I also recommend some nursing bras specifically for sleeping in. I found it very uncomfortable going bra-less while I was BFing and leaked a lot at night so a soft bra for sleeping/nursing pads was a must.

[katinthehat]

Also, don't worry about having everything on hand. You're going to go stir crazy when you get home and running out to Target for nursing supplies is a great way to get out of the house. Plus, you might not need some things or want different of others, etc. Personally, I never had to use breast pads.

If you are pumping right away and multiple times a day though those steam clean bags are awesome. Even if you have two of everything, something is always dirty.

[statlerwaldorf]

I used Lansinoh disposable breast pads and lanolin. They worked great, so I never tried another brand. I wouldn't get a lot of nursing bras just because your size might change, but pick up a couple that are comfortable enough to sleep in. I liked using a nursing cover. I didn't need to build a large stash, so all I needed was the few bottles that came with the pump and a set of a dozen or so Medela storage bottles. I could attach the nipples right to the storage bottles and use them for feeding.

[sookie]

I really like Lanisoh Lanolin and Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. I prefer the Lanisoh brand bags and hated the Medela because I found they leaked A LOT. A hands-free pumping bra is wonderful to have, I use Simple Wishes as do a lot of other ladies on here. Also, extra pump parts. I have 4 full sets, which is more than I need but I love having extras to leave at work, have a set here, and still have two extra for getting me through not having to wash them each night if I don't want to. I use gallon size ziplock backs during the day for the pump parts and just throw them in the sink at night. Easy to snack on food and bottles of water near where you think you'll pump or nurse the most. I keep pouches of applesauce next to my nursing chair as a quick snack. For breast pads I use washable ones: a mix of Itzy Ritzy, Bamboobies, and the Motherhood brand.

[purrbox]

This is my first baby so I have no idea how this breastfeeding thing goes, but I'm going to give this a try: www.amazon.com/Kiinde-TS-N-001-NA-Twist-Breastfeeding-Starter/dp/B00CXSPL24/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8&colid=14MNKLTYU4G68&coliid=I1QUJXOJL2WGT6

It comes with a adapters for pumps, storage rack, bags, its own special bottles, and bottle cleaners. The cool thing about it is that you use the adapter to attach the bags onto whatever pump you want, pump, freeze the bags, then when you want to feed the baby you insert the bag directly into the bottle. Basically, it shaves a couple extra steps off of the usual process because there's no (1) transferring of milk from pump bottle into a bag or (2) transferring of the milk from bag into a bottle. I'm all about simplicity, so I guess I'll find out eventually if this system works.

[amaristella]

Mar 14, 2014 17:48:16 GMT -5 MrsDarcy said:

Mar 14, 2014 17:46:49 GMT -5 justthetip said:

Hands free pumping bra: priceless.

I completely agree.

In the event that nobody has mentioned it yet: If you have scissors and an old sports bra (or a cheap new one, preferably with a clasp), you have a hands free pumping bra.

[sookie]

Mar 14, 2014 21:50:36 GMT -5 purrbox said:

This is my first baby so I have no idea how this breastfeeding thing goes, but I'm going to give this a try: www.amazon.com/Kiinde-TS-N-001-NA-Twist-Breastfeeding-Starter/dp/B00CXSPL24/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8&colid=14MNKLTYU4G68&coliid=I1QUJXOJL2WGT6

It comes with a adapters for pumps, storage rack, bags, its own special bottles, and bottle cleaners. The cool thing about it is that you use the adapter to attach the bags onto whatever pump you want, pump, freeze the bags, then when you want to feed the baby you insert the bag directly into the bottle. Basically, it shaves a couple extra steps off of the usual process because there's no (1) transferring of milk from pump bottle into a bag or (2) transferring of the milk from bag into a bottle. I'm all about simplicity, so I guess I'll find out eventually if this system works.

I'd recommend pouring into a bottle or pumping into a bottle at least once and comparing the ounces to what you see bottles to bags. I've found that the bags are unreliable for true measurement because of how they can be manipulated.

[purrbox]

Mar 15, 2014 0:58:21 GMT -5 sookie said:

Mar 14, 2014 21:50:36 GMT -5 purrbox said:

This is my first baby so I have no idea how this breastfeeding thing goes, but I'm going to give this a try: www.amazon.com/Kiinde-TS-N-001-NA-Twist-Breastfeeding-Starter/dp/B00CXSPL24/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8&colid=14MNKLTYU4G68&coliid=I1QUJXOJL2WGT6

It comes with a adapters for pumps, storage rack, bags, its own special bottles, and bottle cleaners. The cool thing about it is that you use the adapter to attach the bags onto whatever pump you want, pump, freeze the bags, then when you want to feed the baby you insert the bag directly into the bottle. Basically, it shaves a couple extra steps off of the usual process because there's no (1) transferring of milk from pump bottle into a bag or (2) transferring of the milk from bag into a bottle. I'm all about simplicity, so I guess I'll find out eventually if this system works.

I'd recommend pouring into a bottle or pumping into a bottle at least once and comparing the ounces to what you see bottles to bags. I've found that the bags are unreliable for true measurement because of how they can be manipulated.

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely give that a try.