I come from a people who believe strongly in eating. Unfortunately, this whole category of products might as well be a list of rocket engine components for as much as I understand it. Can someone please help me translate pads/pillows/nipples/lotions/brushes/containers/wraps/warmers into something that doesn’t sound like a really unpleasant spa treatment?
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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I did not breastfeed my two boys, nor will I with this 3rd baby. That being said, the bottles we used are Avent. You'll need about 8-10 to get through a day. You need some 0-1 size nipples for a newborn, then step it up. You need a bottle sterilizer in the beginning, though once baby gets shots, around 2-3 months, you'll end up just throwing bottles in the washer. Need a bottle brush. And whatever way you feed your baby, you'll need lots of bibs and burp clothes...these get very nasty, very quickly!
ReplyDeleteI nursed Liam for a year. If you decide to nurse, Here's what you'll need:
ReplyDeleteYou'll need a Boppy for your own comfort, or a BreastFriend (yeah, its actually called that). They're pillows to help hold the baby up.
You'll need nursing pads for your bra so you don't leak. Yes, you'll leak. You'll leak when your kid cries, when someone else's kid cries, when you think about the kid, hell, my neighbor leaked when her cat meowed. It's awesome.
You'll need a pump, especially if you're going back to work. It's a godsend. Its also a godsend when you need some time to yourself. You'll also need milk bags.
The bottles are easy ... get one of each brand and find out what your baby likes. Liam liked the Avent nipple, but when we found out Avent bottles contained BPA, we switched to another brand that could use the nipples - Gerber. He wouldn't use any other bottle.
You'll need Lansinoh for your nipples. It's for if (and really, when) they get sore ... you'll both be learning to breastfeed, so they might be a little sore early on.
Read "Breastfeeding Made Easy" ... its a pink book, I can get the author if you'd like. Great resource for easing any fears about nursing. Liam was a tough nurser, and we made it a year and I'm very proud of both of us for that. I wouldn't have changed it for the world.
I am nursing one and bottle/breast feeding the other. I agree to not buy a bunch of bottles until you find out what works. I had someone give me a bunch of born free bottles. I am using the platex vet-aire for Ellie and with Luther we are using the First years breastflow bottle to help with the transition between bottle and breast. If you are planning to breastfeed, you will want to get a wide base bottle/nipple. Regardless, you want a slow flow or stage 1 nipple to start and then increase in stage as the baby grows. They have some nipples that are variable flow as well (depending on how you put it in is stage 1, 2, or 3).
ReplyDeleteIf you are planning in nursing, choose a pediatrician with a lactation consultant on staff. that will be very helpful.
for a breastpump, everyone at my work and the hospital recommends the medela pump-in-style. they also have bottles and nipples that are compatible with the pumb that are small and easy to use esp in the beginning.
My mom bought us the day and night bottle warmer which has a compartment to keep bottles cold at night. we just use the warmer at night when we need it warmed quickly. otherwise i just warm the breastmild in warm water during the day.
Just a little tidbit on breast feeding, as it is already covered. It is the healthiest, but remember your mental health counts too. If it is too hard to pump at work (if you are returning) take that into consideraton. It can be stressful, and cumbersome toting the milk around in little baggies and bottles to and from work. I did this, and it was awkward.
ReplyDeleteIf you buy a pump, don't skimp. The cheap ones are painful. Buy hospital quality.
With that said, I fed all of my girls for at least a year, and I think it was worth it. It is even easier today, socially speaking, than it was 16 years ago when my first was born. It is widely accepted by men and women as a natural and socially acceptable thing.
I nursed and had to supplement with formula because my kids didn't gain weight good enough on breastfeeding alone.
ReplyDeleteNot every breastfeeding experience is the same. Some have terrible experiences, and some have great. Don't let terrible experience stories sway you into not even trying. A friend of mine let her friends talk her into not trying, and she didn't for the first two kids...and I encouraged her to try with her third. She did great with it, and nursed him the whole year - with NO problems. But at the same time, don't let people pressure you into doing it if you don't like it. All I can say is to try it, and if it doesn't work, then that's fine. BF'ing is hard for the first month or so, until you and the baby get used to each other and the process. Lactation consultants are really great, and there are several websites that are helpful too. (dr. jack newman has a site with videos and all)
Pump - I agree, don't go cheap, and do not buy used. The only part of a pump that can be reused is the actual motor. All the attachments, collection bottles,tubes and everything cannot be shared.
I agree on not purchasing a lot of one bottle until you know what he will take to. I started Aiden off on silicone nipples, and he didn't transition back and forth well between bf'ing and bottle feeding. Jenna, I used latex nipples, and there were no problems there.
If you don't want to purchase a bottle sterilizer, you can just boil everything for 5 mintues after each use. (that is where having enough bottles to last a whole day comes in handy, you boil once) we have a sterilizer, and it is great. Plop it in the microwave for 2 minutes, and ta da!