I'm having my baby soon, what do I need for successful breastfeeding?

[PotreroHill]

I'm 34w and I'll be induced in 3-4 weeks due to preeclampsia. I'm working on getting everything ready before baby comes. As for breastfeeding supplies, I have a Boppy, nursing bras, nursing pads, Ameda Purely Yours Pump, and a manual pump. Is there anything else that I need? Should I get some Lansinoh and use it after feedings?

[jecombs]

I loved my lansinoh, so yes I would recommend it! I also brought a box of Mother's Milk tea to the hospital and started drinking it a couple of hours post-partum. I don't know if it really helped my milk come-in or not... but it made me feel secure and like I was "doing something" to help the process. If you have a good book on nursing, pack it in your hospital bag as well. The nurses aren't always available to help you with nursing whenever babe is hungry, so the books can really come in handy.

You might also want to attend a few LLL meetings between now and the time you give birth. You'll meet a lot of supportive people and support is something you'll really need after the baby is born. You might also want to find out if your hospital has any LCs on staff. If they, have your doc or MW write an order for you to see one of them ASAP after the birth. The only other thing I can think of is to plan for as few separations from baby as possible. Try not to send baby to the nursery, because you never know who might pop a paci or bottle in their mouth when you're not around.

[Katie T]

As far as needing anything else I think your good. I second the LLL meetings and bring the leaders phone number to the hospital for if you have questions. Something that I found to be nice for at home was a area set up with snacks, drinks, a good book, tissues, whatever you may need when you are stuck in a chair for long periods of time. I always found I was really thirsty while nursing. Good luck I'm sure you will get lots of good suggestions, and congrats on your Baby!

[americajane]

Congrats. My baby is 2 weeks old and I've found the sterlizing bags for the pump parts wonderful. Can throw it all in the microwave and is so much easier than boiling. Ditto the lansoil and a water bottle. I am drinking LOTS of water and I agree, I get very thirsty while I'm feeding.


I had a csection and started pumping at 24hours at the hospital and I think it helped my milk come in more quickly.

Good Luck! Enjoy the process!

[hollytheteacher]

Another thing you need is time and support I spent most of the first eight weeks sitting topless in bed/on the couch/etc.

I had a lot of help around the house from DH and a whole bunch of friends and coworkers organized a food train for me (for almost three months straight we got dinner delivered every night from different families ).

[babygirlsmama]

In my opinion, if you are trying to set yourself up for a full milk supply and exclusive breastfeeding, all you need is your breasts and your baby. Seriously, I think accumulating stuff early on can get in the way of setting yourself on a firm bf relationship. In the early days, at least, there' s nothing better for that than just you and your baby.

If you need to pump, you can do that later on. So, I would frankly avoid getting a pump early, as I would also avoid having any formula on hand, or pacifiers or bottles or artificial nipples of any kind. Again, if you choose to use them, you can introduce them later.

I am constantly amazed how perfectly balanced the supply and demand relationship is between mom and baby...and how easily it can be disturbed by something benign (like pumping too early, or a pacifier, etc).

As for supplies, Lansinoh nipple creme is good, as is a good pillow. Otherwise, I'd focus on the baby at first, and worry about getting all the gear later. Believe me, you'll have plenty to do and worry about without introducing the complications of pumping, etc. in the mix! Good luck!!

[cristeen]

Sounds to me like you have just about everything you need. The one thing I would add though is the number of a good lactation consultant, just in case.

My LC told me that they no longer recommend lanolin for nipples - since it can seal in moisture and bacteria, exacerbating any problem.

[CookAMH]

I was glad to have Lanisoh, and now it's my primary lip balm .

I also really appreciated the book The Nursing Mother's Companion. I've referred to it a lot.

Make sure your nursing pads don't have any plastic. My nipples were sore because they wouldn't dry out. I actually have used the cotton washable pads more in the last 9 months than disposible, or a folded up baby washcloth. Don't worry if you don't leak right away, it may come as your milk really comes in (it was a couple of weeks for me before I leaked and I wondered why I didn't leak earlier, but I had plenty of milk).

[hildare]

If you're being induced, I'm going to assume you're having a hospital birth.
Most hospitals have a lactation coach on staff (which was the case for us)-- make sure you let the nurses know that you would like the lactation coach to come see you as soon as possible, and you're probably going to want to write in your birth plan that you want to have the baby given breastmilk only.

Just remember that the beginning is the most difficult part, and that babes only need a tiny tiny bit of milk, so no matter what, if you get latching and suckling, your baby is going to be just fine.
Hope you have a wonderful birthing!

[Asiago]

I agree, you really don't need much in the way of 'stuff', just baby and boobies
Perhaps the most helpful thing I did in order to prepare was to read (LLL book, Nursing Mothers Companion) and to join Le Leche League and attend a few meetings prior to giving birth. You can also watch some videos on latch and so on (YouTube).

In my birth plan I wrote that I would like to see the hospital lactation consultant, staff sent her once baby was born.

Everything went smoothly, thankfully, once my little one arrived. I was glad I had spent time preparing though. So I applaud you for preparing. It should be very helpful in your success.

Best wishes to you

[YvonneC-M]

What you need now is to be ready to get started as soon as your baby is born. After delivery, don't give in to the temptation to have your baby sleep in the hospital's nursery at night, or to use the formula the hospital will so freely provide. Find out right away when the maternity ward's breastfeeding class will meet and actively seek the nursing staff's help in getting started. Before giving birth, take a breastfeeding class and/or read up as much as you can and watch a video or two so that you'll have the foundation you'll need to hit the ground running.

[Denae524]

I just want to say that for me it hurt like blazes at first, and we had a very hard time at the beginning, but now that she is 8 months old I am SO glad that I blazed through it and kept going. Even with so many people around me saying to give formula because it would be easier i kept to my convictions.

You can do it!

[CheriK]

Line up support now! I definitely agree w/ the suggestions to attend LLL meetings now, as you'll meet other breastfeeding moms and get phone #s of local Leaders just in case you need help. The moms there will have ideas for you, too, and there is probably a lending library with great books about breastfeeding.

If you don't already, get a good book about breastfeeding. The internet is wonderful, but when you're on the couch surrounded by pillows and a crying baby, you'll want to be able to look something up quickly. Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, Ultimate Breastfeeding Answer Book, Nursing Mother's Companion are some good ones.

Ask your friends for a meal tree. People are really really happy to help (and want an excuse to meet the new baby). You need to spend your time recovering from birth and learning to take care of your baby. Your partner needs to spend his/her time taking care of you. If someone else brings you a meal every few nights, that's one less thing to worry about. And you'll eat SO much better than if you're trying to grab something between nursing and sleep sessions.

You probably already know this - inductions can be tough and lead to more interventions (epidurals due to harder labor, cesareans). Medications you receive in labor pass to your baby through the placenta. And once your baby is born, his/her own immature liver and kidneys will have to clear the medications, which can take days or weeks instead of hours for your body. Line up all the labor support you can! Do you have a doula? Find out what your hospital will do to allow you to move and get natural pain relief during labor. Can you be in the bathtub or shower? Birthing tub? Will you be free to move around, walk, change position?

Near term babies (those born big enough to not need special support, but more than a week or two before their due date) often have more breastfeeding challenges. Most breastfeeding challenges are easiest to correct if they're dealt with right away. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Does your hospital have an IBCLC on staff? Schedule to have her visit you and your baby at least once after birth, and more than once if possible. Does your health insurance/hospital provide IBCLC service once you're discharged? Schedule an appointment before you leave the hospital. You will have questions - we all do! - so you might as well be prepared.

Good luck! Many moms and babies sail right through the early days of breastfeeding. It's great to be prepared "just in case".

[staceychev]

I agree with the "boobs and baby" advice. A husband who is supportive and will bring you either baby or a big glass of water, or more often both, is a real help. Oh, and lots of those cheap BRU "diapers" to use as burp rags and clean-up. I had a happy spitter, and breast milk stains!

I, too, liked having a book. I have LLL's The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and think it's a great reference.

[Casha'sMommy]

I have just a minute so this is going to be short and sweet.
You need a baby and your boobs. Look your baby in the eyes while nursing, there's a reason our boobs are where they are, perfect distance for baby to focus on your face
The only "things" I would never be without are:
Lansinoh cream
Nursing pads
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
(not necessarily in that order)
GL!

[tri31]

Great advice. Faith in your body, and support from your loved ones is what you need the most. I also thought I would mention that I like the tank tops with the built in bra for extra support and belly coverage. I even wear them to bed. Maybe it's just me, everyone is different.

[ER RN Mom]

I agree with the "baby and boobs" advise, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared with other supplies.
I had a great lactation consultant and baby caught on quick, but it only takes one or two bad latches to get some real irritation going. On day 5 my milk came in. This was also the same day my husband and I got SEVERE food poisoning (from one of our friend's thoughtfully delivered meals). I was literally too sick to hold the baby, and my breasts were to large to nurse her while lying down. On top of all of this, my nipples started to crack and bleed after one bad latch. Although I didn't think I would need it, I used my pump for 24 hours or so, and I really think it rescued our breast feeding! I was able to pump, which gave my nipples time to heal, my milk supply stayed up, and she was none the wiser since it was only for one day. She never had nipple confusion with the bottle, and since someone else (my mother) gave her the bottles, she never had issues with going back to the breast immediately.
It never hurst to be prepared. If you're afraid all the "extras" will get in the way, put them away for a while. Also, if you do start to pump and give bottles, it is a wonderful way for Daddy or Grandmother to bond with baby.

[lovepiggie]

Boobs and baby!

But it never hurts to set up a comfortable nursing station. Some pillows, healthy snacks, water, nipple butter. For me, when I started nursing, I always needed to knowwhat time it was when baby started and finished, so a clock was handy. Breastfeeding also got a ton easier after I got a nursing pillow!

[Maluhia]

Make sure you have contact with a good LC who can come out and check latch, if Dr. Reis is your ped the nurse in her office is also a LC so you can get latch looked at, etc. at your ped appointments. It's the Nurse Practitioner who you can have your ped appointments with, instead of Dr. Reis.

[trustedinstincts]

All you need really is boobs and baby. Lots of skin to skin contact is wonderful for getting breastfeeding going. See if you can find a La Leche Meeting but if you don't have enough time to attend one definitly get the name and number of one of the leaders in your area. I would also have a copy of Womanly art of Breastfeeding with you in the hospital and later at home.