Breastfeeding Advice - Louisville,KY

The best breast pad to get are the Medela 100% cotton pads. I found felt a lot better against my skin and I would also not get so sweaty. The disposable ones from Medela or Lansinol felt very hot against my skin and I would get itchy. I love the Medela 100% cotton pads, they are so comfy!
I got about 3 boxes of them (they came 2 pairs in a box). The only draw back is that you need to wash them, but they are so easy to wash (just throw in the washing machine). Another great advice is to start getting plenty of blouses or tops that are easy to open up.

The most essential thing you need isn't an item or product. It would be a GOOD lactaction consultant. Interview several to find one who actually knows what she is talking about and not just a mom who nursed once, thought it was great, and is now an LC. Get referrals from people in your area. Select an LC BEFORE you give birth and build a relationship prior to bringing the baby home so that in the event there are troubles or issues, you already have someone lined up to help. I'm not saying that you won't get good suggestions here for products, but what I am saying is that breastfeeding can be very time-consuming and difficult (but worth it for those who choose to go that route) and if you want to have the best success, it is helpful to have someone who can help you.

You seem to already have received a lot of great advice. I just wanted to add that I LIVED in nursing tank tops from Target. They had like a built in shelf and were great. I'd get a few of those before delivery. :)

I don't understand the question. If you are going to be exclusively breatfeeding, all you need is a breast! No equipment needed! I nursed my 7 kids for three yrs each, and never bought any "equipment". No formula, no bottles, nothing!

I loved my boppy, and brought it with us everywhere. I would probably get a second one next time so I could just leave it in the car. I didn't nurse in public much, I would always nurse in my car in between errands. Get a decent nursing cover from the start, so that if you do need to nurse in public, you know you have one that fits you well, and use it even if you don't need to. I didn't even try to use one for about 4 months, and at that point baby was having none of it. Hence the boppy in the car because I couldn't get him to let me put something over us.

I had a Medela Pump In Style and even though I stayed home I used it a lot because I produced so much milk. But you might never need to pump. If you do decide to pump, get the one you are going to stick with, dont try it out with a cheap one first then switch to better one. I did that and my body learned the cheap one and I never got as much milk after that.

Don't overbuy nursing pads. I bought 2 boxes (I liked Playtex), I don't know why, and had a whole box left over. You stop leaking after a while. I also overbought bottle drop in liners because I assumed I would use more of them than I did. I bought 2 boxes and didn't even use a whole one, since I had been using the breastmilk storage bags and just dropped those into the bottles.

I never used nursing clothes, just lifted my shirt. I did use nursing bras and nursing sleep bras. They look almost like a sports bra but not tight and the "cups" cross over. You can pull one side over at a time, and wear them at night to hold nursing pads in place and give a little bit of support if you are engorged. I got both kinds of bras at Motherhood Maternity.

Good luck to you!

What sorts of items? I bought a hand pump that I've used three times. Yes, that's right, three times. I have tons of bottles, all different brands, never used them.

If you are going to work, then you will need such stuff, but if you are going to SAH, I'd wait and see. You may not need any of it. Neither of my baby's would take a bottle, and since there was no pressing need, I didn't push it.

I'd buy yourself two good breastfeeding books: nursing mother's companion, and Jack Newmann's book.

Breastfeeding is HARD. It took me three- 4 months with my 1st to get a real handle on it. Hubby would come home from work and I would be in tears. I hung in there, though, and now with my second, we had no problems at all.

Breastmilk is recommend for the first 12 months of your baby girls life, btw, so you may want to think about breastfeeding exclusively for a full year --it is what is recommended.

Here are the essential items you need to successfully breastfeed: your breasts and a baby. :-)

While it's good to get a lot of advice, and I'm sure there is some in the answers before and after mine (although I haven't read any, so, please, nobody take offense!), the best thing you can have is confidence in your own ability, a desire to breastfeed (which you already have), and mental images of the right way to put the baby to the breast.

Often in our society, women rarely see other women nurse -- any baby-feeding in public is done with bottles. Breastfeeding is different from bottle-feeding, and not just in the type of food (real baby milk vs. artificial denatured processed cow's milk) nor in the type of packaging (bottles vs. breasts), but in the way you hold your baby at the breast. Bottle-fed babies are typically held facing nearly straight-up or facing outward; breasts aren't designed to turn that way -- babies are supposed to be snuggled into the breast. Also, take off your shirt and bra, and go look in the mirror; notice that your nipples are not "front and center" but actually angle off toward the side -- toward your arms. This is the right way for them to point; but often breastfeeding women tend to twist and turn their breasts trying to feed their babies as if they were bottle-feeding, with the nipples turned more toward the front or the center of their bodies.

My best advice: if you haven't seen many women breastfeed, take the time to seek out breastfeeding women (your local La Leche League meeting should be a good place to start) and watch them nurse. If you can't, or it makes you feel uncomfortable watching another woman's breast as she latches on her baby, then get the book Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy (http://www.BreastfeedingWithComfortandJoy.com) and immerse yourself in these beautiful and positive breastfeeding images, to get yourself on the best start.

Second, if at all possible when your baby is born, have all newborn procedures delayed for at least the first hour, and just hold your baby skin-to-skin. This is normal in birth, and what typically happens in home-births and in birth-center births; it is not what typically happens in hospitals, so you will have to be proactive. *This week* go to the hospital where you are planning on giving birth (or the next regularly scheduled L&D tour), and ask them about their postpartum practices. Many hospitals will have the following routine: after the baby is born, she will be briefly placed on or shown to you, and then taken across the room for the newborn assessment (weighing, measuring, eye goop, Hepatitis B shot [why they give a shot against a sexually transmitted disease to a newborn is beyond me!], etc.); then she will be returned for you, firmly swaddled like a baby burrito, for you to hold for a few minutes. Then, you will be likely taken to another room for recovery, and your baby will be taken to the nursery for her first bath, and then placed under a warmer (I always think of the heat lamps that keep french fries warm in a fast food joint) for a few hours, then finally returned to you, just in time for her to fall asleep.

It doesn't have to be that way. In fact, the above typical procedures undermine successful breastfeeding. When a baby is born, she has your smell from the amniotic fluid, and wants that smell; she has the ability, if placed naked on your stomach, to get herself to the breast and latch on, although mothers usually grab their babies and snuggle them as soon as they're born, unless they're prevented from doing so. If you were allowed to hold your baby skin-to-skin (with a blanket over you both, to prevent either of you from getting too cold), the baby will nuzzle your breast and self-attach within the first hour [although if you have an epidural, the baby may not have the same motor skills as an undrugged baby]. This will get breastfeeding off on the right foot.

It is certainly possible for you to have success in breastfeeding even if you don't get a great start; but this will be a great leap forward, if you can get this. But since you never know how labor and birth are going to proceed, and you don't know for sure how the postpartum time will be, get the book Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy, so you can get the best help, even if breastfeeding gets off to a rocky start.

Oh, and I never needed any breastfeeding paraphernalia, but everybody's different.

I agree with the things you have been told...except the idea of using formula...personally I would not use formula at all if you are wanting to breastfeed exclusively. Once a baby experiences the "ease" of drinking from a bottle a lot of time they fuss at going back to the hard work of breastfeeding. Most of all...relax...enjoy the wonderful bonding time with your baby...and the wonderful feelings of knowing that you are providing the perfect food to start her off on the right foot!!!
Congratulations on your upcoming baby girl

Agreed with MR, even join a La Leche League group. You'll get to hear all the "war" stories, form bonds with new and experienced moms, and established a relationship with an experienced LC (I've never met a leader who wasn't).

Everyone has a favorite brand of pad (I used washable cotton pads), cream (I went for straight lanolin--they're all required to meet high standards), and breastpump (Ameda--I went back to work at 10 weeks and pumped for the first year...nursed for 18 months). I didn't care much for my Boppy nursing pillow...I was just too big of a girl to start with...I used a long, bolster shaped stuff toy from IKEA.

Also, when you think about the time aspect of it...it is MONTHS before a baby can hold its own bottle. So aside from someone doing the feeding for you, breastfeeding doesn't have to take any more time. Honestly, I was so greatful for a reason to sit down a few times a day and REST. I was even more grateful when I went back to work for the pumping breaks a couple of times a day. I was VERY overwhelmed and tired and emotional...it was good to have a little escape when the day became too much.

Good luck. Breastfeeding may be the EASIEST thing about raising a child especially looking back after they get older! What I wouldn't do to be able to stop a tantrum in its track with my boob...lol!

Congratulations!

The great thing about breastfeeding is you don't really need a whole lot... except patience! I would go get the Nursing Mother's Companion recommended below. The best thing you can do to prepare is to read and talk to as many nursing mothers as possible.

I loved my Boppy but will say that my son and I kind of became reliant on it and if we were out he wouldn't nurse without the support of the pillow. So the Boppy is useful but be sure to practice with your baby with and without the Boppy. A couple nursing bras will be good to have... I ended up with expensive ones bought from the lactation consultant at the hospital after delivery but they were nowhere near as comfortable as the $12 ones I had purchased from Target ahead of time. Just be sure to get a larger size than you are now because your breasts will be bigger when you first start nursing. A lot of people like the nursing tanks too.

ETA: Forgot to mention things in case you are planning to work/pump. I used the Medela Pump in Style double pump and loved it. For bottles, do NOT buy more than one bottle/nipple from each brand... I ended up with a whole set of bottles my son refused. The best thing is to buy three bottles/nipples, all different brands/styles, and see which your baby prefers. Then you can go out and get more. Make sure to get the slow flow nipples (usually #1s). I stored my milk in Medela bags. It really depends on how much you are going to rely on pumped milk. That said, I would still wait til about a month before you are ready to go back to work to buy any pumping supplies. You will know a lot more about your breastfeeding situation at that time. I've had friends who had bought the full pump, bottles, bags, etc. etc. and ended up changing courses and deciding to stay home rather than return to work. You never know!

Good luck!

I did not read the other posts, but I breastfed both of my kids for the first year. I had c-sections with both children and was very successful with breastfeeding. I did not give either of mine a pacifier (but that was personal choice, everything I read said that it was better to not give one in the beginning while learning how to latch on). Here is what I needed. I had inverted nipples so the hospital had to give me nipple shields to help Isaiah my first pull my nipple out. This was painful, but I was not giving up. I tell you this because breastfeeding is painful at first you are both learning and if the baby latches on wrong- it hurts. Keeping the shield clean was an absolute must or it can cause you and your child infections. It can also cause more damage to your breasts (ie more cracking although it may feel better in the beginning- because it actually causes the milk to set on your breasts and they need to be dry).
2. Good Nursing Bras- brand really doesn't matter as long as you like them and they are easy to attach and unattach. SUPPORT is a must.
3. Nursing Pads- I liked the gerber pads, they were thin and really absorbent.
4. A good pump if you are going to pump- I only used mine a couple of times for me expressing the milk was easier and I never went anywhere that I did not feel comfortable throwing a blanket over me and feeding.
5. A really large blanket to throw over you and baby to feed- must be light weight- my son used to like to tug on it which is why I say large.
6. I used large t-shirts or nice shirts(when we went some where) that were easy to pull up in order to feed. I did not ever buy the nursing shirts- we did not have the money.

Hope this helps:)
GOD BLESS
B.
www.StayHomeForKids.com

I found that nipple shields (only a few dollars at Target) were very helpful after a couple of days of painful blisters and failed attempts. I personally have very flat nipples and my son couldn't latch, so after a few days these really helped him latch and me to stick with it. I know some people are opposed, but if it meant sticking with it, I think they were worth it. He was able to latch w/o the shields after a couple of weeks, btw.
Also, I will say that I had to do a combo of formula/bf from the beginning, and I was at first devastated b/c I was planning on solely bf. Please don't get discouraged if your plans have to shift for whatever reason. Not to say give up easily, but it helped me when I realized I had to do what was best for my kiddo and not to get hung up on my plans, as those can change quickly, and my son is incredibly healthy. I'm pg with my second and plan on doing it all again. Sorry for the extra unsolicited advice...only things I wish I had known beforehand.
Good luck & many congratulations!

I would say the only thing you will need is a couple bras that have the flap on them to breastfeed easily. You may want a pair of pajamas that have the flap but you could just pull the shirt or gown up when at home. The other thing you might need but may want to wait until she is born to see if you need it is Lansinoh. It is a gel for your nipples if breastfeeding hurts. Mine really hurt with my first child for the first 2-3 weeks. I put that cream on and it really helped. It will hurt but you just make sure that she is latched on correctly and stick with it, it WILL get better. You will get used to it. It is so worth it and easy once you get used to it. You may also want to buy those bags to store extra that you pump in the freezer. You can later mix that in her cereal instead of water, formula, or milk. You can also pump and have extra for your husband to be able to feed her from a bottle. I would buy a pump for sure. If she does not eat enough in the beginning you can get engorged/full and it hurts. The more she eats and the more you pump, the more milk you make. So a pump, bras, and the Lansinoh should be good at first. Congrats!

Favorite nursing bra: Elle Macpherson Intimates Maternelle No-wire Drop Cup Bra (expensive, but worth it- found it at figleaves.com on sale once)
Favorite nursing pad: Avent disposable nursing pads (always meant to try the lily pads though)
Nipple Cream: Lanisnoh lanolin applied after EVERY nursing session for at least the first month or 2.
Nursing tank top: Emma Jane Bamboo Nursing top (available at figleaves.com).
Trick for engorgement: cold green cabbage leaves in your bra for 10-15 minutes. It really helped.
Breast pump trick: nurse and pump on the other side at the same time- it takes advantage of the letdown and you save time and often get more milk.
Never used a boppy, but everyone I know prefers the my breast friend pillow.

Definitely know who you'll call if you need a lactation consultant ahead of time. I had to scramble at 2 months when I needed one and didn't have a plan. Most big cities have a free phone consultation service.

At some point I got a prescription for All Purpose Nipple Ointment which I would use for a few days if my nipples got really sore- it helped.

Nursing, even if you and the baby are doing it right, can be painful for a week or 2. It takes a bit for your nipples to get used to it. Hang in there!
It is worth it and a wonderful gift for you and your child.

Nursed my first for over 2 years, expecting another this fall.

How have a lot of great respomses but,

Most importantly, relax and look forward to this as a positive experience. Sometimes it hurts at first, but with anything, you just need to work out a routine and get used to it. It is a wonderful ability you have and a great way to spend time with your child.

I used a boppy for my first two kids, then I borrowed a 'my brest friend' pillow and I fell in love!

I absolutely love 'Lily Pads'-they are stick on leak guards that don't show up under clothes and you can wear instead of a bra (depending on your size).

And ask for a few extra tubes of Lanisnoh cream when you are at the hospital. They should give you some, but I've always asked for extra, then you don't have to buy something you may not like or use that much. (I only needed it for about a week this time).

Good luck, and an experienced friend can be invaluable for day to day questions!

Lots of good advice in the answers below. Try not to over think it (I know, hard to do). You will figure out what works for you & your baby. Things that worked for me & mine (I went back to work after 3 months):

Nursing pads - Lansinoh or Medela were both great. I used a lot of nursing pads. They are not the cheapest so I tried to get them on sale.

A GOOD, quality pump - I had a Medela Pump in Style double. If you are going to need to pump, a hands-free nursing bra is a must. Otherwise you're sitting there, holding the pump. Not that enjoyable, at least for me.

Nursing cover - made it easier for me to nurse in public. I had to practice at home first to get the hang of it.

Milk storage bags - Lansinoh. I should have bought stock in Lansinoh for the amount of storage bags I was buying. My baby was a preemie and did not learn to really nurse for 9 weeks, during which time we tried and I pumped so I had a lot of milk stored. It actually helped for later when I went back to work.

Nipple cream - Lansinoh is good, but I didn't like the consistency. I preferred Mother Love.

Night time nursing bras - I actually just went out and bought some cheap sports bras in a size or two larger and that worked for me.

Some moms swore by nursing tanks and other tops, I just never bothered. Who knows, maybe I was missing out!

We had a Boppy, it wasn't all the comfortable for me. The next time around, I might try a My Breast Friend nursing pillow instead.

Breastfeeding can be hard to get the hang of - stick with it and know you're not alone if you ever feel frustrated. This site is a great support resource.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Best thing I was ever told about breastfeeding was to flip the baby's bottom lip out...so when she latches on you reach down and flip her bottom lip out like she is pouting while she is latched on. It helps her attach correctly and not chew your nipples up.

Congratulations on your baby.

Of all the essential products I used while breastfeeding, nursing pads were important to me. I tried several brands, and I found that the Lansinoh were the best. I breastfed twins, so I produced twice the normal amount of milk, and these were the only pads that could hold up to my overnight leaks!

I LOVED Lansinoh nursing pads--they were my indulgence because they really do absorb well, do not have a visible edge under clothes, and do not stick to your nipples (some brands would literally glue to me every time and I would have to peel them out and pick out fibers--gross and annoying!). I leaked for at least 10 months with both boys and probably could have fed a small country, so Lansinoh bags for the freezer and The First Years freezer storage container were the best. I froze milk from work and would have donated it except that our freezer had an explosion and all my bags were ruined. :(

Buy several great nursing bras--you could try some one now to see what brands/styles you like, but don't buy more than one until your milk comes in--you might go up a size or more. I loved the soft-cup bras I got at Penney's (I think they were Duo or something) and the Medela underwires (rather pricey, but very supportive--I went up to a 38G so needed that). Also, some nursing tanks for sleeping and hanging out in on the weekends are awesome. I wore them in the hospital after having the baby, too. They are also nice to wear under regular t-shirts for easier nursing with lots of visitors in the house. I also never wore nursing clothes--they were awkward and it was much easier to wear a cardigan over a t-shirt or something, and I always nursed in public. Until your baby is doing gymnastics on your lap while latched on, it isn't so bad. :)

I did not really use a Boppy even though I had one. Mine was a hand-me-down and we used it when the kids were on the floor.

A variety of cloth diapers to use as spit cloths is a good idea.

A good pump if you are going back to work. I actually loved my Avent Isis manual (retails for under $40) and pumped/worked full-time for two kids with that baby. I will be getting another for our next child I'm sure.

Otherwise, nursing babies just need mommy. :) I was very fortunate that my boys were born nursers (my 22 month old would probably still be nursing, but I did cut the poor guy off at 13 months). I never used books or manuals, but my birth center had on-call lactation consultants in case we had any problems, which was good to know. They checked in the hospital to make sure the latch was fine.

My husband used to complain (he is home days with our kids) that I had no idea what a pain it was to have to warm up breastmilk, get a bottle ready, and sit down to feed it to the baby. All I had to do was toss him in the crook of my arm and lift up my shirt and if he wasn't really hungry, I hadn't done a ton of work for nothing. Nursing is so amazingly convenient! :D The first few months is a great goal for starters--my second child refused solid food until well into his seventh month, so it can be hard to know how things will go. Good luck and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

I love my Medela double pump. Since I went to school starting at 4 weeks and then back to work at 5 months and I wanted to breast feed until 1 year (when he was on regular milk). I was able to pump twice while I was at work and managed to nurse him until we put him on milk. It was the best decision I could make.

I have tank tops that I wore around the house that are nursing shirts. They are wonderful. While I had a nursing bra when I went out I found the nursing shirts were awesome while I was at home and sleeping. Since I needed to wear something 24-7.

I also agree that the lactation dept helped me out a ton. I felt as though I needed help they were really there for me. I went to a session once a week for a while. You go there, change the baby, weigh them, feed them and weigh them again. Then you know exactly how much they are getting at a time.

Even though I wanted him to drink breast milk, there were tons of opportunity's for my husband to feed him. We found out that the first bottles we had for him cause him gas. So we had to get different ones. We ended up with the Avent bottles.

Good luck on your baby girl, and congratulations on nursing.

I am nursing my second now (I have a 6 1/2 year old boy and a 6 month old girl) and I worked outside the home and nursed...

BOPPY- My "must have" item was my boppy. I am large chested, so I need the boppy for support. I keep one upstairs, downstairs, one at church and I even have a 'car boppy' that doesn't leave my vehicle, since I often feed in the car when I am out.

BREAST PUMP - They are pricey, but I recommend borrowing one. (Yes, I know there are some who are concerned about contamination, but this is the equivelent of not driving because you could have a wreck!!) I used a Medela Pump in Style with #1 and have a Ameda Purley Yours for #2 and I like the Ameda best. What ever you chose, I recommend one. In the early months when I was making tons more milk than I needed and was uncomfortable from the pressure, I would pump once a day, then tapered it off to once every other day. It was a great way to stay comfortable and build my milk stash for when I went back to work.

BREAST PAD - I only need them in the early months...after 3 months, I never wore them.

MILK STORAGE OPTIONS - How you chose to do this is up to you. My son was in the NICU and we stored milk in 4 oz "pee cups". They were great and I rewash them and use them most of all. I have also used the special storage bags (too expensive), even ice cube trays (freeze, then put in zip lock bag).

I never needed nipple cream with either, but be prepared for some pain in the beginning. It gets better as you do it!

Best advise is to relax and enjoy it. Time goes by so quickly!!

Congratulations on your choice to breastfeed. It is the absolute best thing you can do for your daughter. I breastfed my son for the first year reccommended by the american academy of pediatrics and it was a wonderful experience. To start out well try to avoid a c-section if possible it can make breastfeeding difficult and sometimes impossible. If you can start within one hour of giving birth it gives you the best chance to have a good experience. I will tell you from personal experience that the first 2 weeks are hard and painful. You will feel like your nipples have been rubbed with sandpaper. That said it was still the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
I loved the gel pads that can be refrigerated. They come in a sealed pack and you can use one set for 6 days so buy two sets to have for the first couple weeks.
Also lanolin cream is so helpful.
The best nursing bra is the bravado brand but any good department store will have nursing bras that work.
I also purchased a Medela brand pump. They are highly rated and will last for multiple babies if properly cared for.
I highly reccommend going to a la leche league meeting. They have wonderful resources and can give personal advice if you start to have trouble. You can go while you are still pregnant if you like.

One other point. Breastfeeding is supply and demand and the first 2 weeks are so important for your body. Those weeks "set" your bodies milk output so you really don't want to give bottles then or you will "set" your supply low and will always have to give bottles. Let your baby nurse when she wants to. It may be as often as every hour sometimes. This is normal and does not mean that you are not making enough milk. Actually the more she nurses the more milk you will make so let her go at it. Good luck. Try for a year if you can.

congratulations on your baby girl!
I agree a good lactation consultant is important esp if you run into problems. There is no reason to be so frustrated you're in tears or excruciating pain. So ask for help if you need it!
As for products- I love my Medela breast pump, i have the "swing" model which is perfect for me since I pump occasionally to go out or to work for a few days every now and then. They have different models depending on your needs. I got the milk bags, bottles, and microwave sterilizer bags that Medela makes. Nursing bras have been a must have for me bc I need support without having to take off my bra everytime she's hungry. Also I didnt want to ruin (stretch/stain) my regular bras. I have a Hotmilk bra which I love, kinda pricey but pretty and makes me feel like a sexy lady again. I didn't like the styles of nursing clothes I found so I just went out and bought loose tanks tops and shirts/sweaters that could be moved over easily (v-neck and the like). Practice in the dressing room!
I used reusable pads in the beginning, just rinsed them out and dried them when they got wet. Lansinoh cream saved my nipples in the early days (the soreness doesn't last long).
Good luck!

Congratulations on the baby and on choosing the healthiest start to her life! Breastfeeding is really easy and inexpensive. All you really need to buy is a good nursing bra and nursing pads for leakage. It's been so long since I nursed my babies, but get the cottony soft ones because they'll be up against your nipples. Also, you may want to get a small tube of Lanolin because you'll be a little sore when you begin breastfeeding. After a while you won't need it as your nipples will get accustomed to the feedings.
Once you know you've used and like the nursing bra, buy 2 more. Babies tend to dribble and dirty them, so you'll want to have stand-bys ready.

S., I encourage you to breastfeed as long as possible. Experts say a minimum of 3 months, but you can go on upwards of a year or more. I nursed both of my kids for a year each and they have no health issues, no food allergies, are smarter than a lot of kids in their classes and rarely get sick. This is all due to their first year of getting the best nutrition made for them, mom's milk! God bless your family!

I agree with a lot of the suggestions that have already been made. The Boppy is so great. Breakoutbras.com and Birthandbaby.com are great places to order nursing bras online if you have trouble (like me) finding your size in stores.

I would say, don't get discouraged! It took really at least a month for me and my son to figure out breastfeeding and get to where it was easy and comfortable all the time. So if you feel like it's "not working" for some reason, just know that's NORMAL and you should just stick with it and it will get better. I think a lot of moms switch to formula because nursing seems too difficult, but this is because they just haven't gotten it down yet. It takes a while to learn anything new and breastfeeding is no different. Soon you'll be able to nurse without even thinking about it!

Good luck and congrats! :)

I second the nursing tanks from Target. Buy them on-line for a much better color selection. I have 5 and I've been wearing them literally 24-7 for months now. Just wear something over them when you go out. I also used vitamin e oil (bought it at Walgreens) to avoid dry, cracked nipples. It works great if you use it after you nurse each time in the beginning. You can also rub breast milk into your nipples and allow them to air dry before you put your bra/tank back over them. It has great healing qualities. I think everything else has already been mentioned. Best of luck and congrats on your pregnancy!

I agree with the Lansinoh nursing pads and the Lansinoh brand nipple oitment and if you plan to pump the medella pump is great. Just some more info ... nursing is not comfortable at first or even for the first couple of weeks or month. Babies don't often even know how to latch on correctly, it is a learning process for both mom and baby. It at first feels like gerbils are gnawing at your nipples because of the sensitivity. But if you can get through the first week then the 2nd it gets easier and easier. Your nipples toughten up and your baby learns to latch on correctly. The first 4 days are tough. By day 4 you may want to put ice packs on your breasts it helps to get the milk to let down for the first time. They become like rocks and really engorged. This engorgement does not last forever and neither does the pain or uncomfortable feeling of let down. It gets much easier over time. Make sure for the first week to stimulate (feed) baby every two to three hours. This will help your body to produce milk. You can still give your baby a few ounces of formula. I did and I was happy to get some sleep at the hospital when they did. Just don't rely on formula because you need to get the milk production going. Get a really good nursing bra. Your breasts will get bigger and then will get smaller over time. So buy something with stretch. Also, learn how to lay down and breast feed with baby laying down beside you. This is a lifesaver at nightime but some women prefer to do this when their babies are a little older. I'm breasting feeding baby number 2 who is almost 8 months old. Don't forget to drink water and eat well. :) take care.

Hello
Congrats to you/family on your upcoming new family member. I BF for one year. I used a dual breast pump that was electrical. I couldn't imagine using a manual one - my hands would tire easily. I also used breast pads for inside my bra to save the leaks, in case for those 'accident' moments if you're out in public and your breasts decide to 'let down'. Make sure you get some nipple gel/cream for the cracked nipples. I liked most of the brands - I think I used Medela and a few other brands. I don't think there's one I particularly didn't like, but it's trial/error. If you take your pump on vaca or are going back to work and you'll still be BF or if you don't feel like washing your pump parts, Medela makes microwave steam cleaning bags for the pump parts and you get like 20 uses from one bag. It's found in the same aisle as the BF equip.
Good luck
P.