Breastfeeding / bottle feeding equipment

Ok, so I am hoping to breastfeed my baby, but I can only do this from one side following a surgery on the other side. I'm told this shouldn't be a problem, and I hope it won't be, as I'd like to be able to do this ideally for the first few months. However, I bought some bottles in case it doesn't work out too well. Hopefully I can use these later anyway if things are progressing well and I can express for occasions when I want to go out or whatnot. But I don't want to invest in a lot of stuff that I won't need, so I'm just wondering what to buy. Basically, this is what I plan to start with:

Lanisoh nipple cream (I want to take care of the one I have that works and I read that this one is the best one, though a little pricey)
Lanisoh breast pads (again, a little pricier than the other brands, but apparently the best)
bottles and teats (I bought a set of 6 Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature ones)
bottle brush
microwave sterilising bags (cheaper, travel easier and take up less space than a microwave steriliser but only do 2 bottles at a time)
steriliser tablets (in case I want to cold sterilise anything - but do I need some sort of special bucket or anything?)

I'm guessing this would do to start off with and then if things don't go well and I have to resort to formula, then I could invest in a bigger microwave steriliser to do more bottles at a time and obviously would need to buy some formula powder. If it does go well (hopefully it will), then I will need to at least buy a manual breast pump.

What do you think? Am I buying too little or too much?

No experience with breastfeeding yet, but I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread as I am 6 months along and planning on breastfeeding too.

Wanted to say that Lansinoh breast pads came highly recommended to me as well. And it seems John Lewis sells them online at a decent price too. Friends recommended pillows (or special nursing pillows) to prop up the baby while nursing...this ensures proper feeding at the proper angle and all that.

From the books I'm reading, they say not to be discouraged if your baby doesn't take to the breast right away. It was recommended that you try for at least 6 weeks before you totally give up. I also read that you could start using the nipple cream towards the end of your third trimester to prep the nipple so to speak.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

I think you are buying just the right amount of stuff to start.  The only other thing that you might want to think about are 1 or 2 of the cartons of pre-made formula.  When my milk came in with my first, my breasts were so engorged she couldn't latch in the middle of the night and was screaming bloody murder.  Thankfully I had bought 2 of the cartons just in case and was able to get her settled with formula until I could deal with it properly the next morning by expressing. 

I hadn't bought a pump, so had to send DH out to buy a manual one at 8am when Boots opened.  I used the Avent one and still have it after 2 babies.  I only used it to express to relieve pressure after being away from my babies and not to build up a supply of frozen milk.  I was happy using formula for the odd times I went out and left DD with someone else. 

Good luck with breastfeeding!  I never intended to do it for so long but I breastfed my son until he was 21 months old and am currently breastfeeding my 5 month old daughter.  Things I'd recommend:

The Lansinoh stuff is awesome. Expensive but totally worth it those first few weeks.

I had and have used the Johnson and Johnson breastpads-they've been great.  Even at 5 months I still leak on one side and definitely need them.  Not sure how they compare in price to the Lansinoh brand but you can find them at most supermarkets (unless you live in Liverpool, where I seem to be able to find them at one Asda.)

I bought the Medela swing pump.  I don't know how women do it with a manual pump! I had a lot of difficulty with my son getting a good latch and was pumping quite a bit-it meant that I could pump what was needed quite quickly, then get it all cleaned before the next feed.  In those first few weeks when your baby is eating constantly, you can use those extra minutes to rest or sleep! Having said that, as I would only pump for a top-up and/or to relieve pressure I haven't used it too much since feeding became well-established.

My Boppy feeding pillow has been invaluable.  It provides a bit of lift for the baby and although I know they aren't meant to, baby can sleep on it when they are in your lap (provided they are safe, etc.) When we've had to travel by train or plane, this has been a godsend. In fact, my daughter is asleep on it right now (as her brother is upstairs in his bed, resisting sleep and being very loud.)

The NHS used to give out a paper booklet of breastfeeding tips that I found incredibly useful in the early weeks. I thought breastfeeding was 'hard' because you were tired-which of course adds to it but in fact it can be difficult to get a good latch, etc.  Anyway, with budget cuts, this has moved online:

http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Breastfeeding-video-wall.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/breastfeeding-positioning-attachment.aspx

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_074095

Hope I didn't go on too much-I've just really enjoyed breastfeeding and it was because of a very helpful and supportive midwife that I was able to overcome some feeding difficulties in the early weeks to go on to breastfeed my son (and now my daughter.)

Hi I'm breastfeeding my 16 month old.  I found disposable breast pads tommy tippee to
Be great !  I hated pumping milk do didn't do it.  I found la leche league helpful and nct has breastfeeding handouts.   Wanted to wish u the best of.  Luck you'll find your own way about things and figure out what u need as your baby grows.

Yay for breastfeeding! My boy is 14 months and at a fabulous age where he tries to get at the goods on the bus but doesn't yet understand why that's not okay

After the first few weeks of HOLY HUGE BOOBIES! You may want to consider switching to fabric breast pads. I've found them very comfortable, you save loads, and you can feel good about helping the environment! We had a great breast feeding support group in my area as well, if you have one of those you should definitely check it out! Good luck.

I love the Tommee Tippee breast pads, those were my favorites! I just finished bf'ing my daughter in February, at 23 months old. It was the best thing I ever did.

I have a friend who only produced milk in one breast, and she fed her baby for a long time. So its possible. Get some formula in just in case it doesn't work out, and do not be scared of people telling you NOT to mix feed your baby, there is NOTHING wrong with mixed feeding! Honestly! I went to a BF'ing support group with my first, and that was really helpful, they might have more info at the hospital when you have your baby. Good luck! How exciting!

Thanks, everyone!

I'm hoping this will all work out, but should have everything I need to hand if things go pear-shaped in the middle of the night. I will get a few cartons of ready-made formula to keep in the fridge as advised and already have bottles, microwave sterilizing bags and a bottle brush ready if I need to use them. I also have some dummies but hope not to use them until after the first month at least. Hopefully things will go well and I can look into getting a breast pump later in case I want to have a few drinks or need a night off or whatever (I'm sure I will sometime!) A friend in the states said she is sending me a boppy cushion for feeding, so that should be nice, though a midwife at the class I attended said that the feeding cushions sometimes position the baby too high to get latched properly. 

I saw this on hotukdeals, and it reminded me of this thread.  Just thought it might be good for all you future mothers out there:

3 for 2 Lansinoh cream

Thanks! I got a tube of the Lanisoh and have been using it already just to start moisturizing and it's great!

I have no idea how post-natal hospital wards operate in the U.K. but I was provided with several bottles of "starter" formula after I had DS in the U.S. The starter packs are great b/c they have premixed, pre-measured bottles of formula with sterilized, disposable nipples...so you don't have to worry in the beginning if you need to supplement.
At the beginning sometimes it's all trial and error. You may be successful with nursing, maybe not, or your baby might have preferences about formula, allergies, etc. You never know. From what I can see, you can buy the starter sets at Boots or ASDA too.

My son was heavily jaundiced and I had an emergency c-section so we needed to supplement with formula in the hospital. After we got home I was able to establish a better nursing situation with him...up 'til he was 18 months.

My best tip re: breastfeeding is to invest in a good nursing pillow. I found that the My Brest Friend was 100 times better than the Boppy. The My Brest Friend pillow clips on around the back so it provides a very stable surface for positioning the baby. It was awesome when I was recovering from my c-section.

Good luck to you!!!

I completly agree on the Lanishoh cream.  Two friends gave me their 1/2 used tubes, so I kept one upstairs & one downstairs.

Other things:

1- Reusable breast pads.  I use the Little Lamb Bamboo Pads and they work great.  Very soothing.
2- Depending on how often you plan on pumping, I would buy a pump.  Don't take it out of the packaging so that you can return if you don't like.  I have the Medela Harmony and it's fine.
3- Sport bottle... you get thirsty at 3am!
4- Ipad/Ipod/Kindle... one handed entertainment at 3am.
5- I have the 'My Brest Friend'.  It was really useful for the first 5 weeks.  Haven't used it since.  So, sort of lukewarm about it.
6- List of breastfeeding support numbers... La Leche Leche, Breast Feeding Network, Local Lactation Consultant, etc .
7- Whilst pregnant, GO to a LaLeche Meeting.  I did this, and so when I was having problems on day 4, I knew who to call.

Enjoy!

Hi Jewlz!

How’s prep work coming along?

I’m not sure if you already purchased everything on your list, but I wanted to suggest that perhaps the microwave sterilization kit and tablets might not be necessary.

To give you a little background on me, I was in the US when I had my son… we had next to no breastfeeding support.  His latch wasn’t great and I ended up exclusively pumping for him for 9-1/2 months.  So I know a lot about sterilizing bottles  =D

We sterilized using ‘ancient’ methods of soaking the bottles, nipple rings, and nipples in a pot of freshly boiled water for 10 minutes.  Just bring the pot to a boil, turn off the heat, and set the bottle supplies in.  I imagine similarly, just putting on a big kettle and filling a sink basin would do the same job safely enough.  This is, of course, after the bottles have been washed in hot, soapy water.

Once your little one is about 6 months old when solids are introduced, it’s not necessary to sterilize bottles.  The lining of their little tummies are usually fully sealed by then and antigens aren’t as easily passed through whatever is eaten.

Your milk is likely going to be hormonally driven at first, with best nursings (most milk) produced in the night time.  By about 12 weeks, this shifts to a supply and demand model.  So, even though you’re doing it one-breasted, you will be able to make enough for your baby.  This is also the reason why many will advise you not to keep formula on hand, not to keep bottles on hand, etc., because in those early weeks, every time you’re feeding your baby, but not taking from the breast, you’re hurting your body’s chances of producing enough milk.  One way to prevent this problem is if you’re not nursing, but your baby is feeding, is to pump.

I do not, however, recommend exclusively pumping even though I did it.  Later on at about 6 months, other moms were having shorter, but very efficient nursing sessions of 5-10 minutes and were able to keep up with their supplies.  Meanwhile, I was still stuck with the manic 8 pumps per day, 20 minutes at a time, every 3-5 hours.  It’s a really tough schedule to keep and one nearly absolutely needs a hand with baby to make that happen.

Meggles gave some awesome advice. 

Oh, here’s an article I wrote in my blog about ‘tricks’ you can pull to increase your supply.  Its from an exclusive pumper point of view, but these are all helpful for straight out nursing as well.  http://www.multi-tasking-mom.com/articles/increasing-milk-supply-exclusive-pumping-point-view

And of course, I want to recommend the KellyMom website.  http://kellymom.com/

Hope everything got off to a good start! (assuming baby’s arrived by now)

I just wanted to say, should all go well with breastfeeding, you really don't need any equipment! I bf'ed my two year old daughter until she turned two in March, and it was really easy, super easy. Now I fell I can say this because I had months of trouble bf'ing my older son and I went through hell and pumped for 8 months.

I cried everyday, but now I feel I earned my stripes and I can tell you this...
Breastfeeding can be the easiest and most natural thing in the world, thats the advice you don't always hear.

I found a pillow to be more of a hinderance than a help, I never used lansinoh cream or any cream, she never had a bottle and I never felt like feeding her was boring or a chore. I loved it. Don't spend too much on stuff that you might never use, if you need something, send your husband out to get it. Obviously have some bottles and formula in, but if you have a dishwasher you don't need to steralise bottles and stuff. Good luck! I hope it will be fun for you like it was for me!

I had so much trouble feeding my son when he was born that when my daughter was born and she fed so well, I called all my friends to come over and watch me breast feed her!

I forgot, buy some nursing bras and nursing tanks, great for easy discreet feeding. Wear a nursing tank over the nursing bra....normal shirt pulled up and bra flap pulled down, nipple out, no one can see your tummy! I would rather someone see my nipples than my tummy!