sorry Sushee but i have to disagree there. Not EVERYONE has excess milk.

I never had engorgement, i never had a let down reflex feeling, my milk never "came in" in a big rush.

I also strongly disagree with all of you who say that having equipment of hand is like setting yourself up for failure.

I struggled and battled to breastfeed my DD1. I fought on bravely. I was determined to succeed, i was determined to not give in, i was determined to not have any equipment in the house to tempt me. I think NOT having this equipment on hand is what set me up for failure!

That was a big mistake, and i wont repeat it this time.

I struggled on so long that in the end i couldnt take it any more. I was cracked and bleeding, i was in agony, i dreaded my baby waking up and being hungry, and boy was she hungry! she was not getting enough milk from me. In the end i got a manual pump. (hurt my hands like HELL!) and i was so cracked, and stressed and upset all that i was getting was a bottle of blood and no milk.

I am not telling you this to scare you. I hate it when people just want to fill your heads with the horror stories of what they went through. its mean.

I just want to say that we are all different. Breastfeeding is not easy for everyone.

This time I plan to have bottles and an electric pump on hand because maybe I can use them to increase my supply if its low and maybe i can use them to give my nipples a break if they get cracked and maybe knowing that i have extra support, knowledge and a back up plan will help me to relax and be sucessful with my next baby. and maybe with all of this combined i might actually be able to enjoy bfing my baby.

and if this post sounds excessively outspoken, then sorry... blame the pg hormones but it is something i feel very strongly about.

And GL Renstar! I truly hope you grow yourself a chubby little boobie monster who has that beautiful clean milky baby smell!