[faithinrosie223]

I know a lot of the baby magazines want you to think you need every little gadget for breastfeeding. But what do you REALLY need? I am expecting my 2nd child in July, and am determined to make breastfeeding work this time. I was told by some fellow MDC mamas that the things I thought I needed to breastfeed... arent really needed after all. Enlighten me!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Meredith&Alexander]

You really need boobs.<br><br>
That being said, more than any stuff that might come in handy, you need support. You need someone to look after your other child while you sit in bed. You need someone who will cook you nutritious meals while you get the hang of nursing. You need someone you can call with answers when things aren't going right.<br><br>
And all of those people need to really believe you can and should nurse your baby. You need a fan club!

 

[wasswifey]

I agree with having the support. A boppy (or something similar) was useful to me in the beginning. You could always use pillows though. I had a horrible start, really bad cracks that were soooo painful and I got a nipple shield which really helped me continue breastfeeding. Besides that, all I got was breast pads (you leak a ton!) and nursing bras.

 

[pinksprklybarefoot]

Not a "need" but a breast pump is really nice to have, even if you are SAHMing. Check with your health insurance company - they may cover it.<br><br>
Also, another nice to have is a Boppy. I really love mine.<br><br>
The PP is right, though. Support is the number one thing. And confidence. So many women are afraid that they are not making enough and supplement in the beginning, which makes the demand on the breasts lower and thus production lower. Your boobs can do it! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[towsonmama]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Meredith&Alexander</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7962888"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">You really need boobs.<br><br>
That being said, more than any stuff that might come in handy, you need support. You need someone to look after your other child while you sit in bed. You need someone who will cook you nutritious meals while you get the hang of nursing. You need someone you can call with answers when things aren't going right.<br><br>
And all of those people need to really believe you can and should nurse your baby. You need a fan club!</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/yeahthat.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="yeah that">:

 

[superlori]

Top Five Nursing Necessities:<br>
5.Lansinoh (for sore/cracked nipples, if necessary)<br>
4.Support<br>
3.Maybe a pillow, like the boppy a PP mentioned<br>
2.Support!<br>
1.Lactating boobs!<br><br><br>
Before I had my baby, I went all out - steam steriliser, bottles, pump, the works.<br><br>
I've only used my pump a handful of times, I've only used a couple bottles and I've never even opened the steriliser (I just use a plastic tub with a hole in the lid).<br><br>
Oh yeah, and did I mention SUPPORT? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[marie1080]

1.Phone Number for your LLL leader. (even more handy if you go to a few LLL meetings before baby arrives).<br>
2.Water bottles.<br><br>
I also really liked some good nursing pads. I love LilyPadz. But I wouldn't call them a necessity.

 

[Shazer]

Here's what I find necessary for DD and me:<br><br>
A nice comfortable spot to BF like your bed or a chair with arm supports. I didn't find that the Boppy worked, but regular old pillows are great for us.<br><br>
Good nursing bras and bra pads - don't compromise on comfort. I had some sample disposable pads and I much prefer my cotton ones.<br><br>
If you BF in bed (especially at night), have a supply of hand towels or burp cloths close by for leaky boobs in the middle of the night and spit up.<br><br>
A poncho or lightweight blanket for when you're out in public.<br><br>
A water bottle on your nightstand. In the beginning I got very thirsty.<br><br>
Lastly, the ability to ignore the stupid comments and to dispense with the ridiculous advice people have about BFing.

 

[L&IsMama]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Shazer</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7964022"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">A poncho or lightweight blanket for when you're out in public.<br></div>
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Why would she need that?

 

[ChristinaLucia]

1

 

[momuveight2B]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Meredith&Alexander</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7962888"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">You really need boobs.<br><br>
That being said, more than any stuff that might come in handy, you need support. You need someone to look after your other child while you sit in bed. You need someone who will cook you nutritious meals while you get the hang of nursing. You need someone you can call with answers when things aren't going right.<br><br>
And all of those people need to really believe you can and should nurse your baby. You need a fan club!</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Well said! You don't need to spend a dime on anything however it can be nice to have a few things. A nursing nightie that makes you feel like a queen that you don't take off for the first six weeks is great. A few bras, comfy, but don't have to be nursing bras, some hemp or wool pads and an economy size tube of lansinoh. Some moms like nursing tees, try one or two until you find what you like. I prefer a tank or t-shirt under a button down blouse. Be sure to attend some LLL meetings before the baby comes. They can really help you get off to a good start and so much easier to call someone you know than a stranger if things aren't going well the first few weeks. Call the minute you have a problem, don't wait, most things can be easily corrected if addressed right away.<br><br>
Your partner can really help you if you have the house well stocked before hand with your favorite beverages & popcycles, you will be so thirsty in the beginning! The best thing my dh does for me is to hand me a beverage every time I sit down to nurse. The other really wonderful thing he does for me is he keeps the freezer stocked with damp frozen cloth flat diapers. These are fantastic for engorgement, just tuck in your bra as needed. Warm ones are good if you need some help relaxing and for letdown. When you feel touched out you will need your partner to take the baby for a burp, change and a nap on their bare chest, babies love this!!!!

 

[little]

patience commitment and a few really good nursing bras!!!

 

[ed_tricia]

All of my suggestions have been mentioned, but what I really utilized was:<br>
a comfy chair (I loved my glider)<br>
nursing pads at first<br>
lansinoh<br>
a thin blanket or cover (personal opinion)<br>
my DH to get things for me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br>
a good book, the phone, and the remote<br>
snacks and drinks in reach<br>
I also used a pump and bottles when I had to work, but since I've been home, we boxed them up. A boppy pillow was useful in the beginning, but I didn't use mine as much as many people do. I opted for sports bras that could be pulled up, but that would depend on how you're "built" I think-they wouldn't work for many people I'm sure. I love the suggestion of a good support system-starting with the birth (dr., mw, whoever), your partner, and at least one person w/ a positive nursing experience you feel comfortable asking for help.

 

[BelgianSheepDog]

Don't be afraid to spend money to get a couple GOOD nursing bras, especially if you are larger-busted. Cheap, crappy bras can lead to all kinds of misery, even mastitis. I like the Bravado bras a lot, personally. Worth the money. And be sure you have AT LEAST two. I have five so I don't have to wash them as often, they are not optional for me!<br><br>
Good, comfortable pads are good for the first few months until your supply regulates itself. They're not absolutely essential, but again they can help keep everything comfy and infection-free (especially wool ones) so IMHO they're worth a little money.

 

[Sagesgirl]

You <i>need</i> a baby, one arm, and one breast. I'll tell you now that I think this huge long list of things a woman "needs" to breastfeed is a leading contributor to short breastfeeding relationships.<br><br>
I've been breastfeeding over five years now, three kids, only one of whom has been weaned. I can make you a long list of things I got little or no use from, including but not limited to: breastpump, nipple shields, breast pads, Lanisoh or anything of the sort, nursing bra (I did have one for my first kid, but I've been using regular bras for the past 3+ years), nursing clothes, boppy, pillow for support, glider, ottoman, La Leche League, breastfeeding classes, advice from nurses (actually, unless you luck upon one who nursed for a while herself, I'd advocate assiduously ignoring them), lactation consultants, a privacy cover (I have used a receiving blanket on rare occasions), other folks to handle the older kids for me, anything to prop my breast with, etc. In essence, pretty much <i>none</i> of the stuff that previous posters have said is necessary.<br><br>
Does this mean none of the stuff will be useful to YOU? Of course not! But the truth is there is no one size fits all solution. You'll get the baby, you've got the breasts. Arm yourself with knowledge, confidence, and determination (I never planned to "try" breastfeeding; I simply said I'd do it), and you'll probably be unstoppable. You an add in the other things as needed.

 

[LoveOhm]

A massage for your back once a month.....

 

[clavicula]

nak<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/winner.jpg" style="border:0px solid;" title="BFSymbol"><br><br>
boob. baby. support. water.<br>
oh, and a notebook is very useful, so you can lurk around here on mdc.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[wonderwahine]

boobs, nursing pads, bra if you are so in inclined (i threw mine out, to annoying and kept giving me clogged ducts) and a tube of lanolin. and a really big cup or sipper bottle to keep water with you at all times!

 

[wagaboodles]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>superlori</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7963379"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Top Five Nursing Necessities:<br>
5.Lansinoh (for sore/cracked nipples, if necessary)<br>
4.Support<br>
3.Maybe a pillow, like the boppy a PP mentioned<br>
2.Support!<br>
1.Lactating boobs!</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Yup. The Lansinoh really works. I have a very rocking nursing relationship the first time and didn't believe the Lansinoh. I ended up using a nipple shield for 10 months. This time I used Lansinoh every time I nursed in the beginning and although I had some pain, it was nothing like before and we were able to learn a proper latch. So that's my addition to the list... a proper latch from that little newborn. And some more support.

 

[mamadelbosque]

A Boppy Pillow. Thats it. My brothers fiance' got me one, and it has been *wonderful*. I use it almost every single time I nurse, and DH uses it to hold DS too!! Other than that... nothing. Maybe a simple hand pump for those random times you want/need to pump.<br><br>
My MIL got me a fancy smancy breast pump which I just tried to use yesterday, and it doesn't even work for me!! So, I think that'll go on ebay shortly. In the hospital they gave me "nipple shields" - utter pain in the ass and pretty unhelp too...