Starting over and Needing Baby Gear Advice

We liked the ventaire bottles here. We tried a few others and my sons liked those best. I know a lot of other people like the doctor browns.

As for pumps my only experience was the Pump in style by Medela - the one in the backpack.

I got the hands free pumping bra - this saved my LIFE. I could use the computer or read a magazine while pumping:
http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Expression-Hands-Free-Pumping/...

Also whatever pump you buy, you can go online and find XL 'bells' that will fit much better. I had to buy larger ones because the M or L they sent were NOT working for me. I also bought extra pumping bottles to use.

I never had any issues pumping. I could fill more than the small bottles originally sent once a few months had passed. I also worked so I would do this while working.

i had the madela pump as well, but when i went of vacation i bought the first years hand pump...i gotta tell you...i actually liked it better, i thought it was faster and I got more milk in less time. With my 2nd (18months younger), I really didn't even pump, but when i did, i used the hand pump. It was a LOT less expensive and i liked it a LOT better...just my 2cents...plus, it was QUIET...didn't quite feel like such a Holstien.

OOPPPSSs...after reading the other response...mine was an AVENT as well...sorry

I had a hard time pumping with my first with my second I was amazed at how much I got. I used a cheap avent pump instead of one of the expensive ones. My youngest would only take the breast flow bottles. I had a cosleper that went in between us it had hard sides that came up just enough to keep baby in his own space on the bed.

We use Dr. Brown's for both of our kids and like them. I have a medela pump and style and I like it. Talk to a lactation consultant before you buy a pump, they will be able to help you with issues like milk supply. Good luck!

Congrats! I used the really old fashioned playtex nurser bottles with my first 2 (the third really never took a bottle b/c I was with him all the time and nto working). They have the bags you put into the plastic shell (for lack of a better word) and then the nipple. I was able to pump and save the breast milk in these type of bags so it made it easy to just put the pumped breastmilk directly into the bottle without having the pour.

As for cosleeping, I never had the baby in the bed, but I had a bassinet next to the bed and just picked them up when they needed to nurse and put them right back into their bed. I know they have some cosleeping bassinetts that tuck into the mattress and then the baby is in the bassinet part and you are in your bed.

There is also a bassinet type bed that has one side lower then the rest so you can bump it up agains your bed, but baby is still in their own space. I think it's made or endorsed by Dr. Sears. I know they have it at Babys R Us.

I love my cosleeper. My son has his own space and we have ours. Especially good for nursing bc when he gets up I grab him and then can put him right back. As for nursing, I have to supplement with formula bc I can't pump enough milk. Good luck!

First, I think it is easier the second time around ;-) We use the first years "breastflow" bottles. Both kids have gone from breast to bottle no problem. I have the medela pump in style. It has worked for me. I have a friend who has the new small electric medela and she loves it. I made my own "pump bra" by going to walmart and buying a $10 nursing bra. I cut holes about the size of a quarter in the nipple area. Then when i needed to pump I just slipped that bra on over my other bra, pulled down the cup and slipped the horns in and then refastened the cup. It held the bottle so I didn't have to. I found that I was alot more relaxed if I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was pumping and I pumped a lot more milk.

Congrats!