I am pregnant with my first child due Sept. I want to breastfeed most of the time but want to mix this with bottle feeding for when we have visitors or I am out etc. I don’t feel comfortable getting everything out in front of people. What exactly do I need? A breast pump, steriliser etc but how many bottles and storage container etc etc. The market is flooded with products and I don’t know what I need and whats not essential. I am on a budget so essentials only please.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I thought that I would be able to do the same thing, the problem has now become that my child does not like the taste of formula and I have to wean her off the breast alltogether. But what I initally purchased was the following:
Dr Browns Bottles 15 (I bought a giftset with a bottle sterilizer that came with 5 free bottles, the starter set with 5 bottle, and one pack of 3 8oz bottle) (You can put 4oz in an 8oz bottle, but you cant put 8oz in a 4oz… but advent has been said to be most like mothers nipple)
1 walmart electric breast pump (the $30 one, to keep in diaper bag if you leak or are engorged while out and about)
I signed for (from the hospital) 1 hospital grade breast pump (free of cost for 4 months and you can place an extension if you are still breastfeeding after that time- your hospital may have a similar program)
Breast pads, the gerber ones are the cheapest and are cotton all the way so your nipples breathe (if you nipple do leak while you are out you can press your index finger with as much pressure as possible for 15 seconds and they will stop, but I will spend $6 for the luxury)
Lanolin (breast milk will work too, you squeeze your nipples and rub it in and allow the nipple to air dry, but I like the lanolin)
And a whole lot of patience, breastfeeding is hard work, but very rewarding, I wish you the best of luck and I pray you dont have to go through what I am going through now.
September 28th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I have a 9 mo, and I am still breastfeend besids giving solid, she had breastmilk only for the first 6 months, it was work but I believe worth it. I have the Medela pump’n’style and about 6 bottles. I stored the milk in the freezer in bags, also from Medela. I have a bottle warmer from “the first years” and a sterilleser, also from “the first years”.
You can also store the milk in ice cube tray, what I used was a sillicone muffin tray, because it is easier to remove the milk without removing the others, and cover it so the milk is not contaminated with the things you have in your freezer. now I do the same with the baby food that I prepare.
It is a lot of work, specially if you work. I am a teacher so I had some time to built a milk supply to store before I went back to work.
about nursing in public: If possible go to a La Leche League meeting in your area, you can go before your baby is born. And they can give you tips about feeding in public.http://www.llli.org/
September 29th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Save all the trouble with bottle feeding and just get a nursing shawl and then you can still breastfeed in public without anyone seeing you.
September 29th, 2009 at 5:20 am
WHEN PPL AIN’T VISITING USE YOUR BREAST BUT IF YOU GOIN OUT BUY A FORMULA ITS BETTER BECAUSE IF YOU USE A BREAST PUMPER IT PULL YOU BREAST AND IT HURTS A LOT IT FEELS LIKE YOUR BREAST IS SQUISHED IN BETWEEN IN SOMTHIN