Planning on Breastfeeding... do i still need to buy bottles etc?
Hi,
I'm planning on breastfeeding our baby and hoping all goes well, won't be needing any bottles etc.... what do people do? Do I still buy a couple of bottles, teats, steriliser just incase i need it one day? As in, would I need to start expressing and needing a bottle for this?
I have no idea!! What did you girls do to be prepared?
Can anyone recommed a great breast expresser/pump??
I'm thinking I won't buy anything and just wait and see how the breastfeeding goes as i am determined to breastfeed and not use bottles.
Input from experienced mothers please? TIA
Last edited by Shanti; August 30th, 2008 at 08:41 PM.
If your going to bf babe then get a decent expresser to help you out in the first 6 weeks. You'll get 2 bottles with it to start with and you'll need a steraliser for the breast pump anyway. Oh and I bought the new Tomme tipe bottles that have a teat that looks like a nipple....AWESOME babe! We had no confussion issues between nipple and bottle at all....god mateauz still latches on once week....I think he tries to remenise a bit lol
I got told at the Royal childrens that if I wanted to help build my supply up (which was pretty poor to start with) that I should express and hour after a feed and straight after a feed until we get our flow happening...just a little hint that i wanted to share that worked for us.
I recomend that you do have a a couple bottles and teats.. plus sterilzer JIC.... you dont want to be running around at midnight stressed out searching local petrol stations for what you need.
I also keep a satchet of formula (just one or two in the cupboard). til you can get up a EBM stock
I have found this to be helpful when i just couldnt cope in the middle of the night .
Best of luck with your brest feeding jorney
ETA- having formula on hand is not recomended but i did it for my reasons ( i was unable to bf my older two children)... I have actually only used it once in 5mths. I just was just sharing what i did.
Last edited by Beatrix; August 30th, 2008 at 09:07 PM.
(Mods i think this is in the wrong section sorry please move if need be)
Thanks Maz!
Ok, so the teats can mimic the nipple therefore the baby doesn't really know the difference? I'd be so scared to give our baby the bottle/teat only to find out that it doesnt' want to attach back to my nipple!! I've heard some stories of that happening so it kinda worried me.....so i just have to make sure i get the right 'teats'?
What breast pump can you recommend Maz? I've read that in the first 2 weeks when my milk supply is regulating and coming in, that it's recommended you don't express milk (unless you have a premmie or other medical reason) is this correct??
Thanks Beatrix, i think i will make sure i keep couple of bottles and sterilisers on hand after reading this.
Beatrix, can you get a discount if you buy one through ABA or do they only hire them out? I am subscribed to ABA. where did you buy yours? thanks chick
And are they good for beginners? haha
Personally, I wouldn't buy any. If you need them you can get them then. I had to express in hossy for DS1, but they provided everything I needed anyway and then DH got what I needed for home. I can see that there is some use in having these things in advance, but I also think it a bit like setting yourself up to fail.
What I would do is join the ABA now and attend a bfing class. This is the best preparation you can do for bfing. Then you will be a member, so you can hire a pump if you need one (in the early days if you need one an electric one is going to be really handy). You will also know who to ask for help!
ETA- whoops just saw that you are an ABA member already. Great stuff.
With DS my hubby was in Iraq from 3 months so never expressed as there was only me to feed him anyhoo - but at 7 months I tried to express when he got back and was so hopeless, couldn't do it !!! I fed him until 12 months .......
With DD I expressed occasionally from about 4 weeks just so I knew I could, and so if I wanted to get my hair done wouldn't have to make sure I was running out of the salon with foils still in cos she needed to be fed
So, whilst I really understand you are hesitant to give bubs anything other than breast - IMO after the first 6 - 8 weeks if you need to get out, or have a break o/n - express and give it an occasional go.
We put so much pressure on ourselves - bubs will still have your milk hun!
I bought a cheap one of ebay....its was electric and a brand name I had no idea of...but **** it saved my hands from pumping away for hours and it was small enough to take in my handbag..adaptor and all (it came to the mercy hospital with me) - I paid $30 including postage for it....will try and find it and PM you the details.
i highly recommend the tomme tippee bottles...chemist warehouse has them for $16 for 2 and the teats are $7. No trouble what so ever between nipple and teat...we had the same concerns as you did. We had Advent bottles and Mateauz hated them so we bought the tt ones.
To answer the OP, I don't do just in cases. I avoid problems by heading them off before they happen, and if problems happen I then deal with it when it happens. So I didn't buy pumps or bottles as I was planning to breastfeed and stay with my children for the duration of their exclusive breastfeeding.
I see that the thread has gone off the OP a bit, so my apologies if I butted into a conversation I haven't read the thread, just the OP (and the last couple of replies).
Ren, ask about it when you go to your class (if you feel comfortable with that).
It might take a bit more effort than the other side, but even if it's a problem, it shouldn't be of such proportions that it stops you from BFing IYKWIM? That's why it's great to be preapred (as you are) and most importantly, to know where to go for support, if and when the need arises.
Planning on Breastfeeding... do i still need to buy bottles etc?
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