What equiptment do I need to buy if breastfeeding?

[Sketchi]

I won't be breastfeeding exclusively, but need advice on what to buy as I bottle fed DD1 and expecting DD2 soon and I have no idea of what I need to get...hope this doesn't sound ridiculous! Feel a bit silly for not knowing.

[fryalot]

doesn't sound ridiculous at all, and you are not at all silly.

Technically, you don't need anything. But as you say you won't be bfing exclusively, you will still need a steriliser of some description and some bottles and a bottle brush. You may also want to invest in a breast pump so you can express... there are all kinds on the market, electric or manual - your choice.

If you are going to top up feed then you need to make sure that bfing is fully established first, your mw can advise you on this.

Good look with the new baby, when is it due?

[funnyhaha]

Good bf bras (but don't get measured until late in pg)
Oh, & make sure you have a comfy chair, with easy access to book/tv/phone

[MrsTittleMouse]

You'll probably need breast pads to prevent leaking. A couple of breast-feeding bras will come in handy (although you can just pull down a regular bra, it's a lot more comfortable to have the clip release). A lot of people like Lansinoh lanolin for sore nipples.
You can also get a breast pump if you like. I found expressing too difficult and just gave her formula when she was baby sat, but it was brilliant to have the pump when I was away from DD and became engorged.

[fryalot]

of course, bfing bras.

And nice, comfy tops with easy access.

Lots of women prefer a shawl or a muslin or something to drape over baby's head while they are feeding in public.

Breast pads as well, forgot about those... maybe a nipple guard? and some nipple cream because they can get cracked in the first few days.

[MrsTittleMouse]

Ooo, and the most important thing is to have a glass of water next to you everytime that you sit down to feed. It's thirsty work! I got through 4 pints of water a night when DD was little (but she was very greedy ).

[ScaryHairy]

Breast pads - lots of them.
I would also get some nipple cream in the house just in case and maybe some of those gel packs that can be warmed or put in the fridge as they can be soothing if your baby decides to cluster feed.
And a couple of nursing bras.

Best of luck with it all

[funnyhaha]

lahinsoh (sp?) is (imho) the dogs of all nipple creams - blardy expensive, but it works

[beansmum]

cardigans and a cordless phone

[davidtennantsmistress]

for BF you need. :-

good latch
good supporting pillow & chair
the cream lant (one expensive but the best)
pads - if not using reuables I suggest you shop about to find one you like, the J&J ones are good I found.

also might be seeing for after if you leak you can get some cover thingys to collect the milk.

but my top tip for BF is - in this order,wind baby etc, then rinse boobs/nipple areas pat dry reapply cream and pad (even if you've not fed from that side). honestly bit of a faf but it really worked for me and I think was part of the reason it didn't help/get sore.

(any if you can't ask on MN where can you ask?)

[davidtennantsmistress]

ooh yes good nursing bra as well - get measured around 38 weeks and then again around 10 days after the birth.

[fryalot]

a glass of water and I always fancied a biscuit half way through a feed as well, it's much easier if you have it all ready and handy rather than realising half way through that you are hungry/thirsty.

[whomovedmychocolate]

I bought the entire kit - breast pump, bottles, steriliser, nipple cream, gel things for sore boobs, nursing bras, nursing pillows.

Now (having been breastfeeding DD for 16 months) I use:

nursing bras.

Which btw are in a different size to those I needed initially.

Save your money, the shops will still be there when the baby comes and they do deliver!

[ELR]

a thermos mug to keep your tea warm and a magazine subscription

[calsworld]

Nursing bra, breast pads, muslins - esp one for other boob in case it leaks whilst feeding!

The other thing you will need is patience!

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Presumably you will be breastfeeding exclusively in the beginning (or your supply is likely to suffer and before long you won't be bf at all), so all you need to buy is some breast pads (recommend the tommee tippee ones) and a feeding bra or two.

When you later decide to introduce bottles, you can think about what you need, but it will most likely be the same as you had for dd1.

[Sketchi]

I was only thinking of breastfeeding eclusively for a short period, as the trend in my family is to have small babies (below 5.5lbs) and I need to know baby is getting enough to grow properly as they'll be small. I know they cry to let you know.....lol!

A few frinds have bf for the first few days to week to give baby best start and this is what I'm thinking of doing, but could continue dep on how I feel about bf.

Comments have been really helpful and will def buy that exp nipple cream. Will keep checking in to read any new ones. Thanks to everyone.

[funnyhaha]

In fact - post on here & see if anyone has a half used tube of lahison (really can't spell that ) - I passed on my tube as I only used about 1/10 of my tube

[funnyhaha]

Oh, & fwiw, ds was exclusively bf for 6 mths (born at 5lb4 )

[BroccoliSpears]

It's certainly not something you'd need, but my favourite breastfeeding purchase was a breastfeeding cushion. Not everyone likes them. I found it helped enormously when I was struggling with my latch.

[solo]

Small baby or big, breast milk is supplied according to demand, so baby will get all it needs, so if you find you enjoy it and fancy continuing, don't worry about not giving enough, you will.
My Ds wasn't a huge baby but put on at least 8oz a week, sometimes 1lb a week-I kid you not! I fed him for 18 months myself and intend to feed my 15 month old Dd for at least that length of time again. I love it.
Good luck!