Once I made the decision to breastfeed, to the horror of my friends, I then had to seriously study up. This is NOT something to take lightly. I had no idea how much was involved. The breast pump, pads, etc.
The best advice I got was TAKE A CLASS! I immediately signed up for a class at my delivering hospital and I am so glad I did. Who knew that it doesn't happen like you see in National Geographic where all the women walk around with their kids attached like it's no big deal. I had mistakenly thought my baby would come out and instantly start feeding and all would be fine with the world.
When you go to the class and hear all the stories about babies not latching on and that they actually have a "lactation specialist" in the hospital available to come help, you know you could be in for a bad time.
After taking the class and feeling ready I had to then tackle all the crap you need to pull this off. I will tell you what I got and why. Not that what I decided to use is the only way. But as I said in the beginning of the blog, I am sharing so that it may help someone.
Breast Pump. I had no idea I would use it, but if you EVER want to leave your house without your child you need one. You have the option of renting one from the hospital, I chose to buy one. I went with the Medela Pump In Style. It still makes me laugh to type the name, Pump In Style. Really? If you have ever had a breast pump attached to you, then you know there isn't anything stylish about it. You will literally feel like you are the cow at a dairy farm. Make sure to get one that pumps at a good strength or you will be attached to it all day.
You will also need storage for the milk. I chose bags. There are bags called Autumnz that are BPA and Phthalates free but you have to order them online. I'm sure there are other brands as well. If I were to do it again I would just use little glass bottles. I do NOT trust anything plastic anymore, BPA free or not. I think there is still to much that can possibly leach into things.
One of my favorite things was to fill up the bags and see the freezer full of milk. I would know that I could go leave the house and my child would be fed! What a feeling! haha
Breast pads. Buy ALOT. Whether you use the reusable ones that can be washed or the cotton throw aways, you will need a lot of them.
Breast Feeding Bras. Make sure they are comfortable! I wore mine 24-7. I wanted to make sure that the girls were strapped down. I bought a couple comfortable cotton, but I also got a couple that were black lace. I figured why not! I looked like I was going to fall on my face so why not make them look nice!
Bottles. This is a tough one. I wanted something BPA free and also something that would not confuse my daughter. I read so many stories of babies having a bottle and then not going back to the breast that I was adamant in finding something that would work. I went with the Adiri bottles. The are breast shaped and the even have a creepy breast-like feel to them. I ordered one to check it out and when it came to the house my husband and I cracked up.
They are BPA and Phthalate Free. They have a vent system that reduces gas bubbles to prevent colic. Which was great!! They come in different stages, from newborn on, for different flows. The can be a little messy at times but I loved using them and my daughter never had gas from them and there was never a nipple confusion problem.
Breast cream. I bought some of the Earth Mama Natural Nipple Butter, but thankfully I did not ever really use it. But if you do buy it remember to go organic and non-toxic on this. Your baby will be ingesting some of whatever you put on them, no matter how good you wipe it off, so be very careful.
Breast Feeding Pillow. I got the My Breast Friend. Love this item!!!!! It snaps around you like a shelf. Get something that makes you comfortable because you will be doing it ALL day and night!
A hooter-hider. I went with a plain, no nonsense one. If I do it again I will get something very Rock N Roll. You will get looks from people like you are doing something wrong when you feed your child in public, even covered, so you might as well make a statement!
I was in a restaurant with my friends and covered my child to feed her and the people at the next table looked at me in disgust the whole time. I finally said to my friends, "You know I have the right to do this without covering up by law", loudly enough for them to hear and they stopped.
Soap for washing bottles. This is something I was not warned about. I just cleaned my daughters bottles with whatever I was using on my dishes until one day when I opened one of her bottles to empty it and smelled soap. I tasted it, gross I know, and it tasted soapy. I flipped out! The soap was leaving a residue and it was getting into the milk. I immediately searched for something to use and came up with Babyganics Bottle Wash. It is non-toxic and does not leave any residue. It is so awesome that I still use it on any hand washing I do today.
Well there are my suggestions. There is a lot to get to be ready but it is so worth it. Be sure to eat Organic, what you eat they eat, and drink lots of water!
I will tell you that the first time, actually the first couple times, you feed your baby it might be STRANGE. I remember in the hospital the first time I breast fed her and the milk started to come out it creeped me out. I was such an odd feeling. Thankfully it only lasted the first couple times and went away. There will also be a time when they go through a frenzy feeding. It will be painful, but it doesn't last forever. It is one of the most amazing bonding experiences with your baby.
One last thing nobody told me. When you do leave your house without your child, be prepared. The longer you are away the more your chest will grow till you either pump or feed your child. I realized this when I met some friends for a birthday dinner. As the night went on I became like a circus act.
Till next blog...
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