**Shopping List ?'S** I Plan on Breastfeeding Can I Hold off on the Breast Pump?

The pump I would recommend... it was probably the best investment I ever made.

The nursing bra is convenient and will make your life easier, but definitely can live without.

NURSING PADS ARE A MUST! You will leak EVERYWHERE. :)

you don't need a breast pump unless you plan on bottle feeding as well. I never had a nursing bra, I used a sports bra, it was just as easy to just pull the thing up as it was to fiddle with the stupid panel and the snap. Pads you will need, you will leak and it gets everywhere and is really embarrassing when it does

Buy the nipple pads!!! Within a few days all going well you will need them as your breasts will leak!!!! If you don't want to spend the money then get a manual pump. I think they are pretty inexpensive. If you find you need to pump then invest in a better one down the road. Also, is someone having a shower for you? Put it on your registry :)

DO NOT bottle feed right away if she doesnt latch. You may never get the baby comfortable on the breast. Try and try again, and if, at her new baby Dr appt, the pediatrician thinks shes lost too much wieght, then pump and bottle feed. But, for the pump question... I have a hand pump that I got for $15 at Target. it works great for the times I need to leave the L. one with his grandparents and other times I cant nurse him. Just try that for a while, and if its not working like you want, or if you end up needing to pump often, buy a bigger, electric one, adn youre only out $15!

I would get a breast pump just to have it. I say this because with my first baby, I was unprepared for how HUGE my boobs would get when my milk came in and I was desperate to get some of the milk out. My daughter was a pretty good latcher, but she didn't eat enough to give me much relief. A breast pump really helped. I didn't have to use it for long after she got into the swing of things, but those first few days were pretty rough. I went from having zero boobs to not even owning anything big enough to fit around me.
Not to scare you, but at least for me, it was pretty uncomfortable.
I would contact your local La Leche League. They may be able to help you out with a breast pump. Also, as far as the nursing bra thing, I couldn't have made it without those either. They do offer support and comfort. At least they did for me. Nipple pads are great too. If you're just around the house and leak, it's not that big a deal, but if you're out somewhere, they do come in handy.

Please be sure to let us know when your baby arrives!
Best wishes to you!

Rent one from the hospital.

Invest in nursing bras & pads if not & your flow comes in all your milk will be hitting the floor/saturating your shirts...I loved my hand pump from Advent I did buy the Medela Double breastpump which Istill have in like new condition because that was only used a handful of times so to me it was a waste of money I bfed all 3 babies my last was breast only for 15 months no bottles or formula.The colostrum milk is good for her but I have never known of anyone pumping it,it only lasts for so long then your milk comes in if you want her to develop good breast latching habits don't use a bottle.
Take full advantage of the breastfeeding clinics

i had a pump at home but i rented one from the hospital... they are usually very reasonable to rent and if you see you dont need it, just take it back to them. My baby was in the NICU so i had to pump the first 2 weeks and didnt have the money to invest in a "good" pump that i needed to encourage my milk to come in without her actually feeding. most of the cheeper home models work once your milk is in and flowing good but the first few weeks can be tricky without a good pump... sooooo just skip putting the money out on buying one and just rent for a few weeks!!
and i would for sure get a bra and plan on wearing it!!
you will need the support and you will need the pads for the bra or you will leak all over everything anytime your in public and so much as hear your baby cry!!

I breastfed my son (from the breast exclusively) for 14.5 months. During those 14 months, I was only away from him on two occasions which I had to pump for. My mother bought me a breast pump after our baby was born, and I only used it a handful of times. If resources are tight right now, I would hold off on the breast pump and the bottles. You can always buy those after the birth. I do agree with many of the previous posters, however, it's likely you will have to use a breast pump at sometime or another. The high grade breast pumps can always be rented from the hospital...

As for the nursing bra, and the nursing pads - an absolute must! If you plan on going anywhere, even just to the store for groceries, your breasts will definitely leak, and you will definitely need the support of a nursing bra. I went from a 34 B to a 34 DD during those months that I was nursing my son. Invest in a good bra, you will thank yourself later. I am currently 7 months pregnant with my second baby, and I am buying a second nursing bra because it's truly worth it. Sometimes, even when I'm staying at home, a good nursing bra (I personally like the Bravado nursing bra) can offer support to your inevitably sore and swollen breasts. Also, if nursing, invest in some Lansinoh breast cream, it's fabulous! Take it with you to the hospital, along with a Boppy pillow, and you'll be set! Good luck!

Yes, I'd get a dual electric pump if you can do so. Within the first week of the milk coming in - you should start your stockpiling of milk because the first 3 months will be your most bountiful time to pump. After 4-5 months, most Mommas can't get the machine to express enough milk, so those pumping sessions up until them tend to be the majority of their stock. If frozen properly, it can last over 6 months.

I'm having #2 in July and my 1st breast pump form 5 years ago is MIA so I'll be getting another one as well. I really like Ameda.

i wouldnt worry about nursing bras but for sure get pads they are not expensive and there is a program called wic (women,infents,children) look into it it may be in your state and they loan out pumps tp breast feeding moms to use while they breast feed, (they clean and replace parts as needed so no worries)

For sure get nursing bras and pads! Youll want to start nursing right after baby is born...or soon after. Its easier to have on hand! You can also rent a pump! I didnt ever use mine. The letdown didnt happen with the pump and was pointless since I was trying to fully nurse my baby! If you do need one you can rent them alot cheaper than buying them. Also you should look up the self latching baby video. My younger two babies didnt latch well until I did the self latch. You will have your own intuition and know whats best for your baby! Good luck!

I feed our son for the first 18 / 24 months of his life. We bought maybe 2 bottles? That way to get him by once he was in daycare. But -- for the most part, never took a bottle. I would go to him at lunch, and he was old enough to have food to supplement him by the time he was in someone else's care.

So, wait to see how it goes... A bra, yes!!!! but the other stuff, hold off till you get your grove down. Those things aren't returnable, so why waste the money if you don't need them!

I didn't need the pads either. so wait to see if you need them.

one thing I would suggest at first is the nipple cream. those bad boys will hurt something fierce at first, and the cream is great!! it's lanisoh or something like that. you'll see it in the isle.

Good luck to you!!!

ok, so I "planned" on breastfeeding too. But here is what I experienced with my first baby.

She wouldn't latch on right away but I kept trying. The first night home my milk came in. I was blessed with enough milk to feed 5 babies, but I was so engorged that she really couldn't latch on. I was sooo miserable!!! the milk was just seeping out as it could, I was soaked in milk and it hurt so bad! it was awful!!!!!!!!!!
Get an inexpensive one and keep it in the package, you can always return it, but if you need it in the middle of the night you will be grateful!!!

Sure you can hold off on the pump until you have a better sense of what you need. You can rent a hospital grade pump to stimulate production if needed. Please see or line up a lactation consultant and have her on speed dial. Not only is she the best one to help if you have problems (better than the hospital nurses and can come to your home) but they also sell much of what you might need or can at lease advise you.

Target makes GREAT inexpensive nursing bras and tanks. I needed nursing pads at night (sleeping on your breasts can cause you to express milk), and so I needed something to wear.

There is nothing your husband can't go out an buy really quickly. But if I were you I would get 1 nursing tank, a small box of nursing pads (I think those can be returned?), and some lanolin. Or register for this stuff.

I also used My Breast Friend nursing pillow. I hated the boppy. But you can make do with lots of pillows you can stuff where you need them to support baby.

Hmmm... they say not to bottle feed for the first 6 weeks anyway as you don't want to cause nipple confusion. So you could wait. BUT, if you plan on long term nursing, you HAVE to have a pump eventually. There are times when you will want to give a bottle or have hubby give a bottle or if you are working, you will have to pump for storage. I got a pump at the hospital when DS was born and just paid for it there. In TX, you don't have to pay sales tax if you buy it at the hospital, so I saved a little there. but not sure if it was enough to warrent buying it early or not.

I never used nipple pads and I made a lot of milk. Really, it seems that you leak here and there while you are adjusting to the NB's demands but after that your body just gets it.

The nursing bra is an essential in my book. You will need it at the hospital when you come home because if you begin getting engorged early with the massive milk production that comes on at first, you will WANT the support. But I have heard others say to wait a few weeks until you settle down in your volume and can figure out an accurate size to buy.

Congrats!

Hi Mama-

Congratulations!!

This is such an important decision for you and your baby and I commend you for embarking on this endevour. I have not read the other posts, but I will share my experiences and you are free to message me if you have any questions or concerns.

The best advice I can give is be patient with yourself and with the baby.

To answer your questions:

1) I liked having my breast pump on hand. I have used it from the day all my kiddos were born to manage my flow and avoid engorgement. I pump off the "extra" and freeze it for use when I return to work. I had a GF pass off some bags that I really like for freezing milk.

2) Try to get the hospital to put your baby on your skin/belly as soon as possible. This will help with latching. It is instinctual for your baby. Be sure that the baby opens its mouth really wide and takes as much of the breast into its mouth as possible.

3) If you decide to express milk (either due to returning to work or as an exclusive alternative to nursing), check out this website: http://www.gotbreastpump.com/ I just learned about it and I love it!!

4) When nursing, I usually fold up a burp cloth and put it against the breast that the baby is not feeding from. This helps when I experience let down.

5) I thought pads were a must with my first and actually learned from my LaLeche leader that all that moisture that was being trapped against my breast was leading to the redness and irritation I was experiencing. I stopped using them and things cleared up. As an alternative, I used Medela TheraShells Breast Shells. These protected the nipples while allowing things to air out. Also, the sponges collected the milk that dripped (although this milk needed to be disposed of and was not storable).

6) I provide Daddy with bottles of BM to feed the baby despite being home on maternity leave. We do this because, with my daughter (our first), we did not familiarize her with bottles and when I went to back to work, she refused to take one from her Daddy. The doctor told us it was a preference issue and that we had to "break" her. It was the hardest thing we had to do for/with her and has a whole long story that I can share, if you wanted... Now each child has gotten a bottle early and often.

Good luck!
~C.

Even if you mean to breast feed exclusively, the pump can be a lifesaver. In my case, I needed to have outpatient surgery to fix failed episiotomy stitches. (don't worry, i was a rare exception, not the rule) I had to put away enough b-milk to keep little one going for three days.

Even if you don't have any hiccups, the pump can let you put away milk so someone else can do a feeding and you can skip a feeding and get a 4 hour nap (priceless) with a newborn.

I never leaked, so pads went unused.
if you do buy bottles, buy one or two, and don't commit to 6 of a particular type. We never had this problem, but I hear babies might refuse a certain type of bottle, but do fine with another one.

good for you for committing to b-feeding.

Nursing pads are extremely important and not just for the leaks! When you're breast feeding or pumping, your nipples are drawn out. Mine felt like they were permanently sticking out during the first couple of months. I had to wear pads or everytime my chest bumped up against something, my nipples got rubbed. It hurt so bad! I wore the pads just to keep my nipples protected :-)

My two boys were breast fed and bottle fed. My oldest was given a bottle within and hour of birth (low blood sugar), and my youngest within a week (by me). I pump after every feeding! I did this to stock pile and to ensure a super great supply! I highly recommend you rent a hospital pump for the first month. After that you'll have a better idea of what you need to do. If you plan to be a SAHM and won't need to pump too often, I suggest Medela's hand held single electric pump. It works great and doesn't take up too much space. (I hated the manual pump! Didn't work for me.)

I STRONGLY think you should have some sort of way of expressing milk even if you plan to breastfeed - here's why:

When I had my daughter I knew I wanted to breastfeed but I needed to watch my pennies. Even though I knew I'd need a breast pump for when I went back to work I wanted to wait to buy one just to "make sure I could" breastfeed. I didn't want to spend the money if it wouldn't work. I ended up being induced, having problems getting my daughter to latch and having problems with my supply. On day 5 when we were discharged from the hospital - that night - my milk came in. With a vengenece. I was soooo engorged I couldn't get my daughter to latch, she was crying, I was crying and my husband ended up going out at 10pm to buy me a breast pump, not on sale - so I could pump and give my daughter expressed milk until we could get the latching thing down pat. So I think even if you need to watch your $$ that you should consider renting a breastpump so you have it if you need it or buying a hand pump. Just in case. I found if I waited too long to feed my daughter or just while my milk was figuring out what it had to do I would get so engorged sometimes that I needed to release some of the pressure before feeding her and squirting her in the eye - not to mention choking her (too fast, too much, etc).

As for the nursing pads - I think they help. You can buy a box for $9 at Wal-Mart and they help keep your nipples soft IMO or help keep your bras clean if you need to apply lanolin. The nursing bras really help you not develop a clogged duct IMO. If you restrict your breasts it can reduce your milk supply. Whenever I went bra-less I leaked like a cup with a leak in it. I usually go bra-less at home but found I had to always wear something even if it was a sportbra with nipple pads otherwise I would soak through my clothes. Good luck!

Tons of answers here, and I didn't read down. If you only plan to breastfeed, you won't need a pump. But if you ultimately want your baby to take breastmilk from a bottle, because you are going to work, or you want someone else to help every so often, you need to start with an occasional bottle VERY early. Like at two weeks. You would be shocked at how stubborn three month old babies can be! In my experience (3 kids), there was no nipple confusion, but there was major bottle refusal later (at 3 months). So I would bottle-feed breast milk occasionally starting early.

At the same time, if you have a pump, you may be more inclined to just rely on it when you are trying to establish breastfeeding. Because it can be difficult. And you may not know how much baby is eating, etc. etc. An in my view, pumping to give breastmilk all the time is the worst of all worlds. So IF you have the pump, be disciplined and don't just go to it when breastfeeding seems harder. I promise, breastfeeding ultimately is WAY easier than pumping, but it takes time to get established. Do NOT try to start off pumping and then move to the breast. If she doesn't latch on right away, keep working at it w/o the bottle. And Congratulations on your new baby.

Get the pump. You will eventually want to have it. I didn't have one when my DD came, She had jaundice so the doctor told me to pump and bottle feed her to be sure she was getting enough. My cousin was mailing me her medela so in the mean time I bought a hand pump which took forever and was exhausting to use. I would be as prepared as you can so when things happen at the last minute you won't be scrambling.

I actually started leaking before the baby was born. And, I leaked a lot on the side I wasn't nursing on. I'd say get the nursing pads. I liked some brands over others. You'll just have to see which ones you like. So, really, you'd need some kind of bra to hold the nursing pads in. You really should wear a non- wired bra for support. I had a pump, but never got much out that way. I always got more out by hand. But baby can do the best job with that. I could have gone without the pump. The baby never took a bottle, so the pumping didn't help.

Pump is not necessary if you never plan to be away from the baby for more than an hour for as long as you breastfeed. If you need one cheap, call the LaLeche League and your local health department or WIC office. They sometimes have loaners.
Nipple pads and nursing bras are much more important. The nipple pad is well... as important as a maxipad. Prevents 2 big ugly leaks! The bra is just more convenient. I bought mine at a maternity resale shop so they weren't expensive at all. I think it was just a maternity section of a kids resale shop, actually.

I think my double electric breast pump was probably one of the best items I purchased. But I loved mine because it meant I could pump and give the baby a bottle when I needed to be away from him for a period of time. I recommend offering a bottle of pumped breast milk at 3-4 weeks. You don't want to do it too much earlier, or later. If you don't want to give the baby a bottle ever (even pumped milk) then you don't need the pump.

I would hold off on buying one until the three week mark, or unless you need it earlier; like if engorgement is an issue for you early on, a pump provides immense relief! Write down EXACTLY what you want and send hubby to buy it. Good for you for nursing and best of luck!

I'd also grab a pack of nursing pads. I needed them like crazy, but my girlfriend didn't leak at all. Just depends on the woman. I used disposable, washable, and the rubbery ones. Just need to find what's right for you. If you don't want a nursing bra, a nursing tank is a great alternative. You get a little shelf support, but easy access too. Hope this helps!

Ok you will need atleast a hand pump. Your breasts will become engorged when your milk comes in so you will need to pump some out if your breasts are too full and baby can't latch on to your nipple. Yes you need nursing pads they are not that expensive the Lansinoh brand ones are the best by the way. See if your insurance company will pay for a breast pump or pay for some of it so you can get a good one. You can probably wait on the electric pump for the first couple weeks. Breastfeeding rough at first but don't give up. Your hospital should have a lactation consultant call her if you need help after you get home from hospital. Make sure she visits you while you are there too. Also I got my hand pump for free in the hospital. You need a nursing bra. One for day and one for night it will not be more comfortable to go braless, your nipples will be sore and the nursing pad help. Also buy some Lansinoh nipple cream its about 10 bucks but you will never have to buy it again and start using it in the hospital. I didn't buy bottles either for the same reasons you haven't and I am glad because I would have given up soo many times the first 2 weeks but am so glad I didn't. Once the soreness was gone it was great. If your hospital offers a breastfeeding seminar take it you learn a lot and get a lot of info to take home with you. Good luck

Yes, pads are an absolute must! the only ones that didn't leak for me are the lansinoh brand. I had a pump right away, and I was thankful for it. I started pumping just to build up a supply in the freezer, which came in handy when we were able to get out and go to the Chicago Bears game when my babies were three weeks old. I plan on pumping right away with baby #3 to get that store going.

I think you can hold off on the pump and the nursing bras and nursing pads. Unless you live in a really rural area you can probably go buy a pump the day you decide you need it - although you will pay more. Once your milk comes in you will probably want some kind of bra but it doesn't have to be a nursing bra. I used them and preferred them but I have friends that never had them even though they nursed for over a year. I never needed nursing pads at all. I never leaked but I am large chested and only have an average milk supply. You will know within the first week if you are going to leak and you will probably be at home when it happens so it won't be that big of a deal. But it wouldn't hurt to pick some up just in case they're pretty cheap.

The thing is that none of these things are essential but it is possible that you will decide you need them and find yourself or someone having to make an emergency run to get them. If that's ok then wait but if that would stress you out then get them in advance. You might try renting a breast pump if you want to have it on hand. If you decide that you don't need it you won't have made a big investment.

Get a little hand one, dont plan on using it, but have it in case(pumping can confuse the body as to its supply and demand schedule). I never used my nursing bras i just popped my boob out of the top of some nice victorias secret bras. Nipple pads are a must in the beginning when your breasts are adjusting to the flow they will be quite engorged. One will leak or even spray while the other one is being used.

Congratulations on your new baby, and feel good about your awesome decision to breastfeed!

A pump is really handy to have- in case you get really engorged- I did, and I couldn't get baby to wake up long enough to "drain me" - that was about a week after I had the baby....

Although- you could check with the hospital and see if they rent out pumps... and just rent one for a few weeks until you know if you'll need one for sure. Just get a small package of storage bags and freeze any milk you do pump.

If you do buy a pump- get a good one like a medela in style...I actually got mine on ebay used and then sterilized all the parts (even the tubes). It worked just fine for me and saved me over one hundred dollars. It still works great and will be used in a few months for my second baby.

As far as the pads... I would get some, but if you dont- at least cut up some old towels or rags into "circles" to fit ito your bra... and then just sew the edges up and keep them around. Chances are you WILL have leaks in the first few weeks... and chances are you will go out (even if it is to the grocery store) - and nothing is much more awkward then having two big wet spots on your shirt! A little towel or pad is worth the couple of dollars if it will give you enough time to find a bench or bathroom to sit down and nurse at. You can't very well go braless and shirtless everywhere! LOL!

Bottles- they can wait... same with pacifiers. If you need them you can go get them the next day. But is you DO need them- go get them! What to wait on absolutely is formula- don't get it "just in case"- instead... wait and see... knowing you have to drive ALL the way to the store might just give you enough willpower to try to latch once more... which could be exactly the time that baby and you "click".

Good Luck and Congrats!
-M.

I think a nursing bra and pads are a must - you will be so happy with your level of comfort while wearing a good nursing bra, especially at night when you are adjusting to nursing and your milk is coming in. That being said, a lot of hospitals will give you a box of nursing pads (along with other "goodies") to take home. Ask your hospital. Or, you can get free samples of some on many websites and those may last you a few weeks. If you don't leak much, you may not need to change them as often. I never leak, but I wear them just as a precaution because you never know!!

Regarding the pump - are you going back to work eventually? If so, wait until a little while before you go back to purchase if you want. We got our pump when our little guy was around a week old and I am so happy we did. It helped me increase my milk supply as I was able to pump after he nursed. I then had plenty of milk to send to day care when I returned to work at 8 weeks. Also, I produced a lot of milk, and on days he wasn't as hungry, I was in pain! I am SO happy I had my pump to relieve myself! I purchased the Medela Freestyle for around $300 (I think) - it was worth every penny. Think of all the money you save on not purchasing formula!!

Good luck!

If your finances are tight, and you plan on breastfeeding then I would not buy a breast pump now. I have heard that there are places you could rent one from so you don't have to put out the cost of purchasing one. If you do want to buy one, look at childrens resale stores, craigslist or other used ones and just make sure you sanitize them well before using them. I actually gave mine to one of my husband's co-workers when she had a baby, maybe one of your friends would do that for you. I don't know about the hand pump ones, but I had a Medela one and it was awesome when I had to go back to work. I would sit in the little file closet at the office and close the door, we put a little tv in there too, so a few times a day I would go in there and kick back in the chair and relax watching tv while pumping. The Medela has a special holding case right in the bag for the bottles you pump that keeps them cold, so it was perfect for pumping away from home.

As for the nursing bra and nipple pads, I think both are a must. I was a size B so I didn't need it for support, but I had to wear one because my breasts leaked a lot so I needed the bra to hold in the nipple pads. The bra made it easy to breast feed too because I didn't have to pull my bra up or take it off to feed, you just unhook the clasp or snap and pull it down and your breast is right there. I went without a bra sometimes at home and just wore a snug fitting tank top, but never in public. One time while wearing a tank top, my breast just started spraying out a stream of milk straight infront of me (kind of like a squirt gun). Luckily I was at home, but my husband and I got a good laugh out of it and still do when I think about it now. It is surprising how your breasts respond to the sight or sound or thought of your baby, or even other babies. They automatically release and let down and then you are leaking everywhere. For me, I had to have nipple pads and if I went out of the house I would have to take extras.

You could wait and see if you will need any of these things, but in those first few days/weeks you probably don't want to go out to buy necessities so it is better to have them on hand just in case.

My hubby was a poor student when we had both our kids so I went way cheap but the nursing bra or tank top with built in shelf is a must. I like the tanks because you can layer another shirt over and the tank hides the tummy and keeps your back covered till you get the hang of nursing. It's also nice to wear them around the house since they give support without being restrictive.

Pads are a must as well or you'll have soaked clothes in the early days/weeks. You can look at stores that sell cloth diapers on-line to get good quality reusable pads. The Gerber washable ones they sell in walmart are absolute garbage.

I would invest in a class. See the LC before baby is born and in the first weeks. Many hospitals have LCs on hand to help you even after you go home so that you have a successful experience. Consider joining a La Leache League group.

If you are not returning to work (or weren't working already) then your need for a pump is less. You could have a hand pump for smaller needs. You wouldn't need a workhorse like a Pump In Style. That said, if you do see a need for pumping a lot, get a really GOOD pump. Your insurance may help you with "medical equipment" and even if not, it's far less $$ than formula. If you are set on breastfeeding, I wouldn't even have formula around unless you find you need it. If you do get a pump, find one with variable flanges and variable settings. The Pump in Style can be set so it's not ripping your nipples off and you can buy different sizes of flanges so get the right fit for your comfort and optimal output. If it hurts, something is wrong.

I would have a couple of bras (Bravada has some pretty ones) and some nursing pads. I liked Lanisoh ultra soft, Medela and the cotton washable ones. I often doubled up in those first weeks, with the cotton against my skin and the disposable to catch leaks. Your body goes into overdrive at first. You might also just want tank tops - I liked the ones from Target. I recommend the ones with the snap clasps, not the ones that my Medela bras had where you had to fit a plastic bit in another plastic bit. You'll do this a lot one-handed so the snap is easier. Look at the Target tanks and you'll see what I mean.

I needed the nursing bra while in the hospital - so I feel that is a definate must. The nipple pads I needed on day three - since I started leaking at the drop of a hat, I also started pumping on day four. I would NEVER go braless while breastfeeding. It is not comfortable. Your breasts are heaving and need support. And if you over-produce milk (like me) you will need the pads and pump sooner than you think. We didn't have bottles until the baby was about 7 weeks old. We did take the sample bottles home from the hospital and had to use them twice in the first 7 weeks.

Rent one from the hospital, also they are now a tax deduction so that would be a great reminder when you do but that money shouldn't hinder your decision. But definitely rent, I am glad that I did I have large breasts and just could not produce enough milk for my son. So the rental made sense. I needed the nipple pads at night but not during the day.

I wondered the same things. If you have a problem with latching, then you can get help at the hospital or later from La Leche Legue. My son was an astonishing latcher, and I was so surprised because I had heard women have all kinds of issues. I never used my nursing bra. I really liked the tank top with the bra built in. It held the nursing pads in place. This is a must. The reason is, until your breasts get the hand of nursing, they will both spray at the same time and your shirt will be soaked. If you want, you can put the pump on the other breast so that the milk is not wasted. I hated pumping and was not successful at it. So I am sooo glad I borrowed one and didn't waste the money!

Your boobs are about to get HUGE (3-5 days after you have her)...you aren't hanging out bra-less, I can pretty much guarantee you that. You'll need the support to protect your back, and you'd be squirting milk all over the place. Every few hours when you begin breastfeeding, your milk will "let down." Once that happens, you start leaking milk. Sometimes spraying milk. :) I always had more milk than my babies could drink at the beginning, and sometimes my flow was too much for them to handle. So I needed the pump to take off the extra before (and sometimes after) a feeding. I stored the breastmilk I pumped for later. If stored properly, you can freeze and refrigerate your milk. I LOVED the Bella nursing bras that you don't have to unhook, you just pull to the side to nurse. They never lost their shape and were just so much cuter and more comfortable than most nursing bras.

Yes-If you don't think you're going to be pumping much, I would definitely wait. I was never able to pump and so I wasted all that money. I sent it as a gift to a cousin though. Hopefully she gets more use out of it than I did!

Nursing bras and tanks are super important-so much easier to get your boob out of to nurse-I've tried nursing in a regular bra/tanktop and it is a PITA! Stock up! Target/Walmart have some cheap bras/tanks.

I wouldn't get too many nipple pads. I bought a huge box and really only needed them for the first couple of weeks. You might have someone that has leftovers and will give them to you so you don't have to buy them.

I hope that helps!

B. from www.bumluxury.blogspot.com

I pumped and fed for about 1 month since she wouldn't latch and the pumping and feeding is very hard I got tired of it after one month and told her that she better latch or i was done and thank goodness she latched which is very surprising since she was on the bottle for a month. I would rent one from the hospital to see how things go. Lansinoh (nipple cream) is a must with both of my kids I got pretty tender and that stuff is awesome. I did need a bra and pads as if I didnt have them when my milk let down I'd be soaking wet on the side that they didnt nurse on.

You will, most likely, at some point, need a pump. Fact of breastfeeding.

Here are a couple of scenarios: my son wasn't a great feeder at first. I became so painfully engorged because he couldn't nurse/was drowning as my let down was so forceful, that I had to pump a bit to slow down the milk at first so he could start feeding.

Also, was hospitalized and given medication and could not breastfeed after. Had to "pump and dump".

Let's put it this way. It's better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it.

I would not purchase a breast pump just yet. Once they are purchased you can not return them unless they come broken. With that being said I would agree with renting one from the hospital if that goes well then invest into a Medela. Mine was about $200 and it was well worth every penny.

I did not need the breastpads the 2nd time around. Ever. The first time, oh yeah and I mainly pumped then. I have also never owned a nursing bra. I used a comfortable non-wire so I did not get poked. You could rent a pump if worried at first and then buy one if you find you do actually use it.

you must purchase a good nursing bra. That is a must have. A stretchy one that will hold your pads in place at night. You'll be squirting everywhere for the first couple of months and you will leak through if you don't have good pads or something to soak up the milk. I used the breast pump with my first and never with my 2nd. I hated it. But I did store up some milk so that I could at least leave the house a couple of times without the baby the first few months. Later on, I never used it because he could go without for more than a couple of house. You can rent a breastpump if you need to and some hospitals will give you a manual one, just in case you need to pump to relieve some swelling. You could also get a nursing tank top or sports like bra. Buy bigger than you think you may need. Your breasts get really engorged the first few months and then later then become more manageable. Best wishes to you. The baby may take a week or so to get used to latching on. BFing is tough the first couple of weeks. It felt like pirahna on my nipple until they toughened up. Get ye some Lansinoh lanolin cream for the nipples. works great.

.... with my 1st child, I got the Avent hand pump manual pump. I think the model is call the "Isis." Anyway, I liked it. I hated the Medela and electric pumps.

But anyway... my daughter, who I breastfed, would NOT take bottles at all.
My 2nd child would.

So you can't predict, how it will go.

But yes, you need breast pads. Initially. As the baby gets older, you will not leak as your breasts adapt to your baby

I did not use a nursing bra. I just used sports bras. And a breast pad in it.

For bottles: I LOVED the "MAM" brand bottles/nipples.
It is BPA free. And does not accumulate air bubbles in it as the baby drinks. My son, loved this bottle.
It is not commonly sold in stores. But you can find it on Amazon.
The MAM bottles are commonly used in Europe.

I have 3 children. Not once has a breast pump touched my breasts. I never once needed it. I was given a manual pump from a friend that never used it herself. I thought it would be nice to have it "just in case". At this point I honestly have no idea where it even is and my third is still nursing. The only bottles I had were ones that were bought for shower games that were kept "just in case" and my husband's work pooled together a gift of cash from the office that was playfully put in things like bottles and other cute baby things (someone went to the bank I think and got it all in small bills, wrapped rolled up bills in ribbons and all sorts of stuff. It took 3 of us a really long time to"open" it all up and collect it into an envelope so we could spend it on our little one LOL) After a while I donated them all because we never used them. Unless you need it to go back to work or other extended separation from your baby I don't see a pump or bottles as a necessity.
Far too many people go into breastfeeding with the "what if it goes wrong" attitude. It is so sad to me.
Learn what you can about breastfeeding. My favorite books are
Dr Sears "The Breastfeeding Book" http://www.amazon.com/Breastfeeding-Book-Everything-Nursi...
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding By La Leche League http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Breastfeeding-Leche-League-...
Best place for help (besides here) is
La Leche League http://www.llli.org/ See if they have meetings near you. They are the best ladies I have ever met! If you do run into problems they are so helpful!
Kellymom http://kellymom.com/ I love all the information on this site!!
Nursing Bras. I tried to use my usual front hook bras with my first and had a mess of a time and gave up and got nursing bras. It really is worth it. You most likely will need new bras anyway for your new breast size. Nursing pads, I needed them in the beginning with all 3 while my supply worked itself to their demands. When they'd go through growth spurts I'd need them again for a week or so while we sorted ourselves out. It is pregnancy, not breastfeeding that makes your breast sag. Wearing a bra or not is not going to effect how much or if they sag at all. I am larger breasted so liked having a bra on so my breasts didn't stick to my belly and with my summer baby it was a must or I'd get sweat rash under my breasts. Maybe pick up a nice nursing sleep bra to start with while you go through initial engorgement etc. It's also nice to have in the hospital.
I wish you all the best with your upcoming baby!

Well, it isn't a must or anything, but can come in handy. With my first I introduced a bottle at like thee weeks, I never pumped before that. With my second I was so over pumping that I don't think I gave that kid a bottle until like 5 months or so and he wanted no part of it!!LOL So if you want to wait a few weeks, it's fine. The only thing nice about having it ahead of time is that you don't really know how it will be for you when your milk does come in. Your breasts may get really full and your little one may not be able to take in all you produce at first. That happened to me the second time around. I had a big hot red streak all across my breast. But I still didn't pump. I just fed my baby a lot and used warm compresses to help with let down, when he would feed I would rub the place on my breast that was hard and in a couple of days I was fine. But you can also pump to relieve that and it is easier! You can get these gel packs at walmart or target really cheap and they can be warmed in the microwave or popped in the freezer and they are so awesome!! They just slip right into your bra, total life savers! Also, you can get a little cheap hand pump just to have in case you need to relief if you do get a little engorged. But as I said, if you stay calm you can relieve engorgement without a pump as well. I do think you will need some support for your breasts when you are nursing. In the begining I wore a bra 24/7 bc your breasts are quite heavy and large especially at first. You can get nursing tanks as someone suggested or at Motherhood maternity they have the most awesome nursing bras ever. They are just jersey material, no flaps or anything they don't even have a hook in the back. You just slip them on over your head and they crisscross over your breasts and you can easily pull the bra down to nurse. Kind of like a sports bra made for nursing. I slept in those things and didn't even feel like I had a bra on but was more comfortable than just loose. Anyway, good luck, and great job for planning to nurse!!
oh p.s. yes you will need nursing pads for sure, breasts do get pretty leaky. I never went out in public without them while nursing. Also, I totally second the lanolin cream for your nipples. It saved me from cracked and bleeding nipples both times!!

Every person is different. I can tell you what you *should* do based on my experience, but you may have a completely different experience.

That being said, yes, I needed a pump, nursing bras, and nursing pads right away. I pumped in the first few days of my son's life because I was so very, very engorged. I used nursing bras for ease of nursing. I also used nursing pads the whole time I was nursing... all 12 months for my oldest, all 12 months for my second, and all 7 months for my youngest (she is 7 months right now... and I'm pumping as I type).

I do love the nursing tanks at Target. If possible, and if you're a tank top person, don't even get nursing bras. Get nursing tanks. They provide great stomach coverage while you're nursing, and they're really easy to use. Not too expensive, either. And I always felt fine sleeping in them, too.

I have spent a lot of money on double electric pumps, and while they are very nice and very fast, right now I'm using a manual Medela pump. I have more time to pump. I get less out, but it's enough for my little one, which is good.

The best nursing pads I've found are Lansinoh. I've tried every kind out there. Johnson and Johnson makes a good one, too, but they are a little thicker and are shaped differently than I am. Those are really the only two that I would recommend for regular wearing. The other ones, which are less expensive, are not as absorbent, shift more, and are not shaped well (they're almost always noticable).

Good luck!

I had the same dilemma, only I hadn't heard of mamapedia before my baby was born...
(Pump) I didn't buy the pump before the baby was born, and I regretted it dearly. I'd say get it early, and get a good one. When you are engorged you'll appreciate it. It will also help you stick to breastfeeding, since it will stimulate your production. Honestly, I can say that without it I probably would not have been able to breastfeed.
(Nipple pads) There will be days when you'll need a hard shell (the only thing I found to alleviate the pain), get one. I had heavy leakage, so I had some washable pads, but the softest were the single use from Lansinoh, I used to have 2 of those always close to me...
(Bra) I went with the tank top with a shelf, worked best for me. I did have nursing bras, did not use those much. Be sure to not use tight bras/tanks, that is the main cause of engorgement.
(Bottles) I had them bought, and never used them... If you do need to feed her otherwise than from the breast in the first months, I'd say use the syringe with a catheter attached (have the syringe in one hand, and the catheter wrapped around the index of the other, put the index in the baby's mouth - when she sucks, you push more milk from the syringe into her mouth). That way daddy can do it, too, and give you a break. It's not easy at the beginning, but my hubby loved to do it after a while. We received that whole contraption (syringe + catheter) from the hospital before we went home (a bunch of them, actually, different sizes).

Last, and not on your list, but very important; fill your freezer with all the food you can make and freeze. You'll be happy you did while it lasts! Make all sorts of lists for your hubby (shopping, water plants, all the stuff you usually do), because after the baby you'll seem scatterbrained for a while. You won't really be so, but it will seem like it because you'll have stuff on your mind like which breast she had last, when she pooped last, how did it look, did she pee, too, when she slept, was she too hot, too cold, etc...

Hi S.
I think the pads are a must, I was leaking all over the place.
My advise would be to hold off on the pump.It is not advisable to pump until at least two weeks into feeding.
I bought an electric pump and found it too painful and harsh on my nipples.
I found breastfeeding no problem but as soon as I tried to pump I was left with bruised,sore nipples. I gave up on the pump so money was wasted.
Wishing you all the best with your pending arrival.
B. k

In an ideal situation, you wouldnt need it right away. But, my son never latched on right and wasnt emptying the breast at all. He was starving and losing weight quickly. I started using my pump regularly the day after he came home from the hospital.

I would recommend buying the pump to have on hand...just in case. My milk came in my first night home from the hospital, and it made it extremely difficult for my son to latch on. I had to pump in order to relieve enough pressure that he could actually latch on properly. If you do get the pump in advance, DO NOT OPEN the box due to the fact that most stores will not allow you to return a breast pump once the seal has been broken. This is for hygiene reasons.

In regards to other nursing products, definitely get a couple of sleep/nursing bras. They don't really offer support, but do keep nursing pads in place. Believe me, you will need nursing pads once your milk comes in. Also, purchase a tube of 100% lanolin and take it to the hospital with you. Regular nursing bras are handy, but not necessary. I recently returned to work after giving birth to my first child. I wear the same underwire bras I wore prior to pregnancy, but you do have to completely unhook them to nurse or pump.

I'm glad to hear that you're determined to make breastfeeding work, because it can be quite challenging in the beginning and you really have to want to do it. I'd recommended reading La Leche League's "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding." It tells you everything you could possibly want to know about breastfeeding. A friend recommended it to me, and it proved to be a great tool. Good luck to you!

I would go ahead and get it. A csection was a must in our case and pumping sped up the milk coming in process.

I found a site where we ordered our Medela Pump in Style pump that was SO much less expensive than BRU, Target, etc! (219 versus 275)
http://awaybabyessentials.com/

I would skip buying any nursing bras until you're home. Get some inexpensive nursing tanks from Target/Walmart/online- you will live in them!

I'd wait if money is tight. You'll know in the hospital if your milk isn't coming in, and sometimes the hospital will just give you a hand pump (they did for me).

You will definitely need a nursing bra if you plan to go out in public ever. I never needed pads with my first one, and only needed a few with my second. I've never bought bottles. I exclusively breastfed my first, and I was given second-hand bottles with my second. Sometimes the hospital will give you a goody bag that will have pads, bottles, and other accessories. It is perfectly sufficient if you plan to never leave the baby.

All that being said, it is really nice to have the flexibility to leave if you ever want to. But there's no reason to buy all the stuff right away. See how it goes, and buy it if you need it.

I second all the recommendations that a pump of some kind at least can be very helpful for your sanity. I personally had lousy luck with the Avent hand pump, but whether it's worth it to go for the expensive ones depends on whether you're going back to work.

One thing no one has mentioned about saving money is that if you have a registry (or set one up for this purpose) most places will give you a "completion discount" of 10-15% close to your due date. For a $200+ purchase, it's worth it to add the pump then you can buy it whenever you need it.

i didn't buy any of these before baby came, and boy did i regret it. i thought... i'll just get it if i need it. in hindsight, i had no idea how exhausted and disinterested in going out i would be. my advice is to find a good deal on the pump and buy it in advance, and you can return it later if you don't need it. just make sure you DO NOT OPEN IT, because they will not let you return it then. it is nice to go bra-less, but you will leak so you need the bra to hold up the nursing pads.

I bought an awesome electric/ with battery option pump at walmart for around $40. Ive only used the one nursing bra I bought, and its not looking so hot these days (13 months of almost 24/7 wear!) but it was the best thing. I definately recommend both, and wouldnt go braless, nevermind sagging, engorged breasts feel better supported WELL. plus you can get an underwire if thats what you like, and it allows very easy, comfy access. I started with a manual pump, not worth the effort, and the price difference was minimal. I think my pump was 1st years. I stopped using it months ago, but in the early days, I had SO much milk, feeding DD wasnt enough to relieve the engorgement, and sometimes I was so engorged I had to pump before feeding so she could latch. My usual B cup was somewhere around an E cup (at least) for the first few weeks.

I'm so happy to see that you are eager to breastfeed your baby. I've nursed all 3 of mine and can tell you that while it isn't the easiest thing I've ever done, it's the best. As soon as you enter the hospital in labor make sure you request to see a lactation consultant as soon as possible after delivery and keep asking until you see one. If you establish a relationship with a lactation consultant in the hospital, then you can call them when you get home with questions. With my first I had lots of problems and received help from a couple lactation consultants until my daughter was 3 months and finally thriving. Labor and delivery nurses can also help you get started the first few minutes after you give birth.
Personally, I'd hold off on a breastpump and just plan to nurse your baby every 2-3 hours for the first few weeks. You can buy a pump later when you know how often you will need to use it. I didn't even use a pump during the first 6 weeks with my 2nd and 3rd babies and ended up renting a hospital breast pump with my first baby.
You do need 2-3 nursing bras. They don't have to be expensive, just comfortable. I found some nice ones for under $20 at Motherhood, but Target has them too. Buy them a little bigger than you are in your 8th or 9th month of pregnancy to allow for enlargement when your milk comes in. Buy a box of disposable nursing pads or 6-8 washable/reusable pads before you deliver because most people do leak a little between feedings initially. As for your question about colostrum, during day 1-3 after delivery, you will notice a very small amount of yellow liquid before you start producing large volumes of milk. This is EXACTLY what your baby needs for food in its first days. Don't be afraid of low volume you produce, it's just enough for baby. No formula is needed, just feed every 2 hours or whenever she/he acts hungry. The more you feed, the more milk you will make. Also, most pediatricians want to see the baby within 1-2 days after you leave the hospital. Please make sure you go to the pediatrician and have the baby weighed and examined to give you peace of mind. If baby is not losing too much weight (initially they will lose up to 10% of weight at birth and regain it with in 10-14 days), you know it's OK to keep breastfeeding exclusively. Best wishes! R., nurse midwife Mom of 3 of God's greatest blessings

I had the same question - my son was born about 4.5 months ago. I went and ended up buying a pump about a week after he was born. I was lucky and he latched on right away and was a great nurser. I agree w/ other moms to at least get a hand pump. They're inexpensive and it will get you some relief if you need an alternate method, i.e. baby won't latch on. Nursing bra: yes! if you plan on going out in public you need one! your boobs will be huge, your nipples huge, and if you don't wear a bra people will, um. notice. :) if you don't care, then don't worry! nursing pads: yes! oh boy they leak a lot at first. I wasn't sure about needing all of the gear either, so there's my two cents, good luck!

I'll be different than other moms & say that I've only used nursing bras out of the three.

I did get engorged and had plugged ducts a few times, but using warm water to help release the milk was all I needed to do since my baby was still able to latch on.

I have had to express milk, but not for every day, so I've just been able to get by with hand expression. I learned hand expression from The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, but I'm sure it's online as well. (Basically I do some circular massage to stimulate let down then "squeeze" it out, moving around the outside if the areola. Don't slide your fingers - roll them.) Hand expression worked better with my second baby. The things I did that made it easier was to express on the other side when my baby was nursing (holding a cup or wide-mouth bottle with my opposite hand). Also, I worked it into my daily routine so my stored supply could build. I expressed every morning. Being able to express 1 oz at one feeding is good.

I never leaked with my first baby, and some with my second baby (only during the first weeks), but not enough to need pads. You can put pressure on your nipple to stop leaking or take the opportunity to catch and sore milk.

I like nursing bras for the ease of public nursing. I bought Yes! bras: http://yesbreastfeeding.com:8080/yesbreastfeeding/viewCat....

Here's some recommendations for the early weeks: Take a babymoon, and just stay at home. (Go braless if that works at the time.) Nurse often and on demand. If people come visit, they need to expect to help and clean, not to be entertained.

Go to Target and get the nursing tanks!! I live in those!