Reddit mentions: The best baby & toddler feeding supplies
We found 1,904 Reddit comments discussing the best baby & toddler feeding supplies. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 817 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder, 2 Pack, Blue/Green
- Feeder helps reduce the risk of choking; Only small pieces of digestible food get through
- Simple and easy to use; Place food in mesh bag and snap shut to secure
- Colored mesh reduces staining; Introduce fresh fruits and veggies to your baby with ease
- BPA free
- 6 plus months
Features:
Specs:
Color | Blue/Green |
Height | 1.4 Inches |
Length | 6 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | June 2006 |
Size | 2 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Width | 4.2 Inches |
2. Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding, 1.41 Ounces
- 100% NATURAL AND SAFE FOR BABY - Our single ingredient lanolin is hypoallergenic, with no petroleum or parabens, so no need to remove this nipple nursing cream before breastfeeding
- SOOTHES SORE NIPPLES - Thick, rich lanolin nipplecream soothes and protects delicate skin
- DERMATALOGICALLY TESTED - Clinically tested and safe for sensitive skin
- ETHICALLY SOURCED - Our Lansinoh nipple cream has no animal testing and 100% sourced from New Zealand which is well known for its clean, green environment
- ULTRA-PURE - Our unique refining process ensures a high-quality lanolin cream with no additives, preservatives, fragrance, or taste
Features:
Specs:
Color | Cream |
Height | 3.25 Inches |
Length | 4.94 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 1.41 Ounce (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.088125 Pounds |
Width | 1.63 Inches |
3. Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher
- BABY FORMULA MIXER. This formula pitcher features a unique blade to quickly dissolve and blend up to 32 ounces of formula with no leftover clumping. No clumping, no mess!
- BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIAL. Whether you’re at home or away, this pitcher can blend up to four (4) 8 oz/250 mL baby bottles of formula at once, so baby never has to miss a feeding.
- MINIMIZE AIR BUBBLES IN FORMULA. This baby formula mixer is designed to reduce air bubbles in formula to help minimize air-swallowing during feeding and reduce gas.
- MODERN DESIGN. The Formula Mixing Pitcher is available in an array of stylish colors including Olive, Orange, Teal, Blue and Black.
- EASY TO CLEAN. Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher is easy to disassemble and dishwasher safe (top rack only).
Features:
Specs:
Color | Dark Blue |
Height | 8.5 Inches |
Length | 5.3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.440924524 Pounds |
Width | 5.2 Inches |
4. Lansinoh Soothies Breast Gel Pads for Breastfeeding and Nipple Relief, 2 Pads
- SOOTHING RELIEF: Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads provide instant cooling relief from cracked, painful or sore nipples so moms can continue to breastfeed. The pads can be stored in the fridge to enhance cooling.
- HELPS HEAL SORE NIPPLES: Lansinoh Soothies help soothe and heal sore nipples, and can be reused for up to 72 hours. They come with a fabric backing to help protect your nipples from bra friction.
- SAFE FOR MOM AND VEGAN: The gel pads are safe, absorbent and are made from glycerin. Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads are vegan.
- HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT: We understand that sometimes breastfeeding moms need a little help. That's why we provide a range of products from soothing lanolin to breastfeeding pumps and nursing accessories.
- MOM FOUNDED AND PARENT LED: Founded by a breastfeeding mom, Lansinoh has supported moms for 35 years, breast pumps, nipple creams, nursing pads, and breastmilk storage bags, helping families create bonds that last a lifetime.
Features:
Specs:
Color | White |
Height | 6 Inches |
Length | 3.75 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2014 |
Size | 2 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.19 Pounds |
Width | 1.5 Inches |
5. Haakaa Silicone Breastfeeding Manual Breast Pump Milk Pump 100% Food Grade Silicone BPA PVC and Phthalate Free
- 2019 New Model. Award winning, best-selling, nursing mom and lactation consultant recommended.
- Patented design. Pat. No. USD810,925S. Distributed by Haakaa USA. Counterfeits will be removed by Amazon.
- Material: 100% food grade silicone. Soft and comfortable. BPA PVC and Phthalate Free
- Easy to use: simply suction to your breast and let the pump do the work for you as it draws your milk using suction. Attach the pump while your child is feeding on your other breast and collect all let down and milk which would other wise be lost into a breast pad. Waking up in the middle of the night or if engorged during the day also attach your pump for relief. perfect for long distance trips, planes, car rides or anywhere you would like to discreetly express silently and quickly.
- Easy to clean and washable: 100% dishwasher safe, can be boiled and sterilized using steam sterilizers.
- Designed to fit breasts of all sizes and shapes.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Clear |
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 6 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 4 Ounce (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
6. Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup, Green/Blue, 7 Oz, 2 Count
- Set of (2) 7 ounce toddler cups with dentist recommended spotless design
- 360 degree drinking edge eliminates spills completely
- Cup automatically seals when you are done drinking
- Handles are easy for little hands to hold
- Easy to clean with no extra valves or parts
- BPA free, top rack dishwasher safe, 6 Plus months
Features:
Specs:
Color | Miracle Cups, Blue/Green |
Height | 8.5 Inches |
Length | 8.25 Inches |
Number of items | 2 |
Release date | August 2014 |
Size | 2 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.2645547144 Pounds |
Width | 3.5 Inches |
7. Motherlove Nipple Cream (1 oz.) Organic Lanolin-Free Herbal Salve for Soothing Sore Nursing Nipples – Unscented Ointment, No Need to Wash Off Prior to Breastfeeding, Great as a Pump Lubricant
LANOLIN-FREE & PLANT-BASED: Our Nipple Cream is unscented, free of lanolin, and does not need to be removed prior to nursing. A rich oil infusion of marshmallow and calendula, thickened with beeswax and shea butter, helps to soothe the discomfort of chapped, sore nursing nipples.MULTI-USE FORMULA: N...
Specs:
Color | Nipple Cream |
Height | 1.85 Inches |
Length | 1.78 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.198125 Pounds |
Width | 1.78 Inches |
8. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump 4oz/100ml,2019 New Style
- The award-winning and best-selling Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump, recommended by nursing mums, magazines, celebrities, doulas and lactation consultants all over the world! Make sure you’re giving your child the best by purchasing the original Haakaa-branded Manual Breast Pump!
- The Haakaa Silicone Breastpump lets you express milk using the power of natural suction! Simply squeeze, attach to your breast and let it work its magic. Forget expensive electric breast pumps that are difficult to use and impossible to clean – the haakaa breastpump doesn’t require any cords or assembly, smooth inside and extremely easy to clean that by simply boiling in water for 2-3 minutes.
- Our Haakaa Manual Breast Pump is lightweight, portable and the perfect tool for every baby bag. Use it on long distance trips, or anywhere you would like to express silently, discreetly and quickly. While breastfeeding, attach it to the lateral breast to catch any let-down that would otherwise be lost in a disposable nursing pads.
- Mum’s breasts come in all kind of sizes, which is why we have designed our Haakaa Breast Pump flange to fit all kinds of breasts! They are also made with super soft silicone that is gentle and comfortable on sensitive skin.
- Every mum wants the best for the health of their baby, which is why we strive to create the most eco-friendly products we can. All Haakaa Silicone Breast Pumps are made of high-quality food grade silicone and are BPA, PVC, lead and phthalate-free. Patented design - Patent No. USD810,925S. Original Product: Both packaging methods are genuine. Please feel free to buy.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Clear |
Height | 6.94881889055 Inches |
Length | 1.90944881695 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 72 Grams |
Width | 1.90944881695 Inches |
9. Philips Avent Microwave Steam Sterilizer for Baby Bottles, Pacifiers, Cups and More
- Uses natural steam to kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria without chemicals
- Sterilizes baby bottles and other baby products in just 2 minutes
- Measuring 6.5 by 11 inches, it fits in most microwave ovens; safety clips keep the lid securely closed and side grips stay cooler for safe handling
- Lightweight, compact design makes it ideal for use when traveling
- Holds up to 4 Philips Avent bottles at once; compatible with both standard and wide neck bottles
- Ultra fast, easy to use
- Compact and lightweight
- Effective sterilization
- Accommodates all Philips Avent bottles
- BPA free
Features:
Specs:
Color | Blue |
Height | 6.5 Inches |
Length | 11 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | July 2012 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.01 Pounds |
Width | 11 Inches |
10. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags, 100 count
- SUPER STRONG - Store, protect, and freeze precious breastmilk with these breast milk storing bags
- PRESTERILIZED - Our milk storage bags have a double zipper seal to prevent leaks
- REINFORCED SEAM - Double sealed side seams for super strong breast milk collecting bags
- PUMP DIRECTLY - Breast milk storage bags can be pumped directly into with Lansinoh pumps or used with our pump-into-bag adapter on most major pump brands
- EASY STORAGE- Stand in the fridge for compact storage; lay flat to safely freeze
Features:
Specs:
Color | Purple |
Height | 9.6 Inches |
Length | 5.1 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 6 Ounce |
Weight | 1 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
11. Medela, Harmony Breast Pump, Manual Breast Pump, Portable Pump, 2-Phase Expression Technology, Ergonomic Swivel Handle, Easy to Control Vaccuum, Designed for Occasional Use
EASY AND CONVENIENT PUMPING: Harmony is a manual pump that has been designed for the occasional time when you’re away from your baby. Features a soft-touch, ergonomic swivel handle for enhanced comfortEASY TO USE: Manual controlled vacuum allows you to adjust the suction for the most optimal comfo...
Specs:
Color | Harmony |
Height | 8.1 inches |
Length | 3.1 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | July 2014 |
Size | 5 Piece Set |
Weight | 0.9 pounds |
Width | 4.2 inches |
12. Lansinoh Lanolin Nipplecream for Breastfeeding, 3 Mini Tubes of 0.25 Ounces
3 MINI TUBES OF LANOLIN: Lansinoh Lanolin is the #1 recommended nipple cream by moms and doctors in the US. These three mini tubes of Lanolin are perfect for mom to keep in the nursery, bathroom and diaper bag.SAFE FOR MOM & BABY: No need to remove before breastfeeding. Specially designed for nursin...
Specs:
Color | Purple |
Height | 4.56 Inches |
Length | 3.31 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2022 |
Size | 0.25 Ounce (Pack of 3) |
Weight | 0.06834330122 Pounds |
Width | 1 Inches |
13. Maymom Flange Adapter for Spectra S1 Pumps, Spectra S2 Pump to Use Medela Breastshield and Medela Bottles; Connects Between Maymom/Medela Breastshield and Spectra Backflow Protector
- Flange adapter to connect between a spectra backflow protector and Maymom breastshields. Also connects between the major leading brand's most breastshield connectors and spectra backflow protectors.
- The ORIGINAL maymom flange adapter. Compatible with Medela most breastshields (pump in style, symphony, swing single, harmony, lactina) and spectra backflow protector. Enable spectra users to use compatible Medela accessories.
- BPA free; DEHP free. Retail poly-bag packed; Sealed by the manufacturer
Features:
Specs:
Color | Yellow_2pc |
Height | 0.31 Inches |
Length | 3.54 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2 Count (Pack of 1) |
Width | 1.97 Inches |
14. Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream by Earth Mama | Lanolin-free, Safe for Nursing & Dry Skin, Non-GMO Project Verified, 2-Fluid Ounce (Packaging May Vary)
- USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Earth Mama’s Organic Nipple Butter is USDA Certified Organic, made with herbs and oils that are traditionally used to soothe and moisturize hard-working nipples.
- NO petroleum, NO preservatives, and NO lanolin: Our calendula cream is safe for mama and baby so no need to wash or wipe it off before nursing your newborn child to make feeding a breeze.
- TRUSTED BY HOSPITALS: Our nipple butter has been chosen by hospital NICUs, medical professionals, and nurses around the country. We're on a mission to free mothers from the fear of breastfeeding during the maternity journey.
- DERMATOLOGIST AND CLINICALLY TESTED FOR IRRITATION. Not only does our nipple butter help soothe nipples before and after breastfeeding or pumping, it can also be used on other parts of the body. Use on lips, cuticles, or dry skin for intense moisture and relief.
- SHOW MOMS SOME LOVE: Give nipple butter as a gift to expecting mothers, add it to your baby registry, and pack it in your bag of essentials for the hospital
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 2.25 Inches |
Length | 2.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | September 2012 |
Size | 2 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.15 Pounds |
Width | 2.25 Inches |
15. Medela Pump in Style Advanced with On the Go Tote, Double Electric Breast Pump, Nursing Breastfeeding Supplement, Portable Battery Pack, Sleek Microfiber Tote Bag included with Breastpump
- Medela is the #1 Physician Recommended Breast Pump Product in the U.S.*
- DISCOUNTED MONTH OF 24/7 LC Breastfeeding Support: Receive 30 days of discounted access with your purchase of Pump in Style Advanced and instantly connect to live lactation consultants anytime; look inside your pump box for a BONUS OFFER PROMO CODE, an $80 value for just $29.99
- DOUBLE ELECTRIC BREAST PUMP: Pump in Style is designed for daily use and moms who pump several times a day, thanks to its patented, research-based 2-Phase Expression technology which produces more milk in less time** for efficient expression and maximized flow
- EASY PORTABILITY: Conveniently built in to its discreet tote bag and equipped with a portable battery pack, Pump in Style is an electric breast pump that was made for convenient double pumping wherever and whenever needed – whether at home, on the go, at work, or while traveling
- CUSTOMIZABLE SETTINGS AND ACCESSORIES: Single knob adjustable speed and vacuum with one touch letdown button and 2 PersonalFit Breast Shield sizes allow each mom to enhance her pumping experience, based on what’s most effective and comfortable for her unique body
Features:
Specs:
Color | Tote |
Height | 10.236220462 Inches |
Length | 13.7401574663 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2015 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Width | 5.118110231 Inches |
16. Spectra Baby USA - S2 Plus Premier Electric Breast Pump, Double/Single, Hospital Strength
- Natural Nursing Technology: Our Spectra S2 electric breast pump features technology that allows comfortable suction levels that mimic the experience of natural breastfeeding as closely as possible
- Personalized Settings: Adjust the breast pump settings to fit your preference with adjustable suction levels and two phase cycling featuring expression and massage mode
- Single or Double Pumping: Can be used as a single electric breast pump or a double electric breast pump and for best results, authentic Spectra Baby accessories are recommended
- BPA/DEHP Free: All Spectra pump parts that come in contact with breast milk are BPA/DEHP free, giving you peace of mind about your baby's milk
- Made For Moms, By Moms: We`ve committed our lives to providing the best breast pumps, accessories, education, and customer care that we can, supporting every mother with the beauty of parenthood
Features:
Specs:
Color | Soft Pink |
Height | 6.7 Inches |
Length | 7.9 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | July 2015 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 3.3 Pounds |
Width | 7.9 Inches |
17. Freemie Collection Cups The Only Hands Free and Concealable Breast Pump Milk Collection System, Clear, 25/28 mm Funnels
Compatible pump not included.Compatible with Freemie Freedom Double Electric and Equality Double Manual pumps, Medela Pump in Style models, Symphony, Lactina, Ameda Purely Yours, Hygeia Enjoye, Q, Philips Double Electric, Lucinacare Melodi, NUK ExpressiveIncludes Standard Connection Kit for compatib...
Specs:
Color | Clear |
Height | 6 Inches |
Length | 8 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | July 2015 |
Size | 6 Piece Set |
Weight | 0.7495716908 Pounds |
Width | 6 Inches |
18. Pumpin' Pal Breast Pump Flanges (Set Large, M,L,X-L Pairs) for Medela, Lansinoh, Hygeia - This Set Does not fit in Spectra Flanges
- These flanges do not fit into Spectra flanges, must use Spectra adapters from Pumpin' Pal.
- All returns accepted through Pumpin Pal
- Size Medium, Large, and XL flanges made of medical grade hard polypropylene
- Be sure to take the Pumpin' Pal sizing quiz before you buy! You will also find much more information as to fit and pump compatibility.
- Additional smaller sizes available on Amazon
Features:
Specs:
Height | 5.4 Inches |
Length | 8.2 Inches |
Size | Large |
Weight | 0.26 Pounds |
Width | 5 Inches |
19. Munchkin Deluxe Dishwasher Basket, Colors May Vary
- Baby dishwasher basket fits dishwashers of all sizes and shapes
- Sturdy catch-all container holds up to 4 straws and 14 standard nipples
- Keeps bottle accessories upright and secure for easy, hassle-free cleaning
- BPA free
- Ships in assorted colors blue, pink or green
Features:
Specs:
Color | Colors May Vary |
Height | 3.94 Inches |
Length | 8.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | August 2009 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.3 Pounds |
Width | 4.25 Inches |
20. Munchkin Miracle 360 Sippy Cup, Green/Blue, 10 Oz, 2 Count
- Bpa free 2 pack toddler sippy cup with dentist recommended, spoutless design
- 360 degree drinking edge eliminates spills completely
- Cup automatically seals when child stops drinking
- Easy to clean, with no extra valves or parts top rack dishwasher safe
- 12 plus months
Features:
Specs:
Color | Green/Blue |
Height | 8.2 Inches |
Length | 8.3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | August 2014 |
Size | 2 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.30423792156 Pounds |
Width | 2.9 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on baby & toddler feeding supplies
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where baby & toddler feeding supplies are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
Sorry for any formatting issues, on my phone.
I was the same way. In fact, when I first found out I was pregnant I was certain I was going to just formula feed from the start. But the more reading I did about breastfeeding, breastmilk and the benefits for both my baby and myself I decided I was going to give it a go. I still stocked some bottles and formula in case things didn't work out for whatever reason. I think having that stuff actually helped me push through the hardest parts of early breastfeeding, because I knew I had backup and was determined to not have to use it unless it was due to a supply issue. I was determined to push through the discomfort! A lot of the stuff you'll read will say if it hurts, you're doing it wrong. That's not always the case! First of all, your nipples aren't used to this kind of work load! Babies nurse A LOT in the early days. It can feel like you don't do much except nurse! So it can take a little bit for them to get used to this. Also, your lo can be born with a pretty small mouth, making it hard to get a deep latch. Mine had a tiny mouth! Our latch and technique were perfect, but she had a shallow latch. By week 3 we were totally on track, it became second nature to nurse her. She had grown, my boobs were used to things and it became a really enjoyable experience. I was obsessed with whether her latch was right those first 3 wks and watched about a million videos on latching, had an appt with the LC I saw during recovery and the hospital and read more stuff. I was assured our latch was great and to try to stop being so worried about everything. It's really hard not to worry! Is this right? Is she getting enough milk? Is this cluster feeding? Whyyyy do my boobs hurt?! But seriously, at 3wks something magical just clicked into place. Cluster feeding is going to suck! But it is necessary to build up your supply! Comfort nursing is real too, and your baby will need lots of comfort in the early days. Things that got me through those first few weeks:
-my husband set up a snack station on my nightstand. He had fiber one bars (trust me, you'll need them lol), fiber one+protein bars, granola bars, nutrigrain bars, pb crackers etc and every time we woke to nurse he got me fresh water. You need to stay hydrated!! And it's easy to get weak, nursing can be really draining! Having a snack nearby that you can eat with one hand is super helpful
-Water. Lots and lots of water.
-When we'd wake up in the night for feedings I'd nurse on one side, then my husband would change her diaper and hand her back to me to finish the other side. The break up would help wake her up and helped make sure I was never TOO engorged. I never had to get out of bed unless absolutely necessary, which was also a huge help.
-Philips Avent thermal gel pads I kept these in the freezer, they are big and bulky but omg they felt wonderful!! You can also warm them.
-Lansinoh Gel Soothies i kept these in the fridge for adding cooling. They were great.
-Lansinoh! Lots of it! I used it at the start and end of every session in the beginning. Let your boobs air dry a little too from time to time. My boobs were constantly out those first few weeks. My husband called this phase "sun's out, guns out!"
It's really hard not to worry or be worried about it. It's hard work! It's a lot more than I ever thought it would be. But here we are at 1yr and almost 2wks still going strong! I wouldn't change a thing. I feel blessed to have had a pretty easy time with this, and to have had a great supply all this time. I am absolutely in awe at how all of this works, and so happy that I stuck with it. You'll need support, but with a good system this can be an amazing experience. I keep saying weaning is going to be harder on me than it will be on my daughter! And always remember, if breastfeeding doesn't work out - you aren't a failure. Formula is there for a reason, it feeds babies and helps them thrive! At the end of the day, a fed baby is the way to go. If breastfeeding is not working, then switch and don't let anyone try to make you feel guilty about it. It's none of their business anyways how you feed your baby. All that matters is your health and happiness and your baby's health and happiness. Best of luck!!!
Here are mine:
Hope this helps somebody!
Edit: added a few more after the Spectra.
Crib mattress - Just make sure it's firm, fits your crib tightly, and highly reviewed. You don't have to spend a ton on one. I think we bought a $50 Sealy and it's gone through three babies without showing any signs of wear.
Bouncer - I used one of these for a reflux baby and it was awesome. My second and third slept in their crib from birth, but it was still nice to have something light and easily transportable to put them in while I was cooking or doing other chores. Lots of parents rave about the Rock N Play for a bassinet substitute. For that, I used a cosleeper type thing. I like it because we travel to visit family a lot and it's easier to carry and set up than a pack n play. It's good to use until they start sitting up or crawling.
Bottles - I personally prefer Dr. Browns. They were the miracle bottle for my babies, and with this specially made dishwasher basket getting them clean is super easy if you have a dishwasher (I wouldn't have them if I had to hand wash every time though, that's kind of a pain). However, you might find your baby prefers something different, especially if you mostly breastfeed. Don't make a big investment in one type of bottle until you know your baby will like it.
Misc. items - If you are formula feeding, do yourself a favor and get one of these pitchers. Also, I don't know how anyone survives without a Boppy pillow. And like /u/glory87 mentioned, skip the glider and go with a rocking recliner, sleep deprived you several months from now will thank you. Personally, I have loved my cloth diapers, but that's a whole other investment and something I'd be happy to talk about if you want to hear about it. If you can spare the money, I love my video monitor. It's one of those things you don't really need, but are wonderful to have.
Swings and play yards - Only one of my three babies liked the swing. And even then, she could have done without it. If you have a colicky baby or one that's otherwise difficult to settle, it might be worth it. So my personal experience says wait and see, and if you do end up finding you need something like that, just go out and buy one then. I've never used a play yard. I liked play mats like this one for tummy time.
The biggest thing is that newborns only really eat, sleep, and poop. If you've got boobs/bottles, a crib/bassinet and some pajamas, and diapers, anything else can come as you find a need for it (Amazon prime shipping is pretty amazing for those instances!).
I started liquid formula with breast milk supplementing after my LO's first day due to a low supply. I understand the failing feeling and I still feel that way at times when I stopped pumping at 5 months. It's hard but as most people say, fed is best. Honestly, having to formula feed is probably the best outcome for all in my situation. My child had no problem transitioning at daycare since she was used to the bottle and having others feed her. I get depressed with little sleep so I could have others help do the overnight feedings once I stopped pumping. You'll feel guilty for some time but you really shouldn't. You are doing what is best for you and your child.
I can't answer the questions about WIC, but here are some tips and answers to your questions:
-Powder formula is not sterile. There are varying ideas if you should give powder formula to a newborn or wait until they are a few months old. I always err on the side of caution, so I did not begin powder formula until LO was 4 months old. I used premade liquid formula up until that point. Your doc can best advise when to start powder formula.
-You keep the liquid formula at room temp until you open the container. Then it needs to go into the refrigerator. Your baby will probably be OK with eating at room temp (mine was until her first cold and then she got picky) but any that is from the refrigerator will most likely need to be warmed up. Again it depends on your child's preference.
-It is advised to not use a microwave to warm a bottle. It can create hot spots though as mentioned here some people just make sure they mix it around. I haven't ever used a microwave and don't intend to. I either use the hot water method you described or use my bottle warmer. I have this bottle warmer: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-850T-Bottle-Warmer/dp/B0035LLG2W/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484580287&sr=8-1&keywords=doc+brown+bottle+warmer It was great at first though now it is a bit temperamental 7 months in. I use distilled water for the warmer. I just pop the bottle in the warmer and then go do a diaper change while the bottle is heating up.
-I still warm the bottles with powdered formula due to my child's preference described above. She will gag if it is not warmed up enough. I also pre-make bottles of formula and keep them in the fridge so that I don't have to waste time making one when it's the middle of the night or LO is hangry. When you switch to powdered formula, you can buy a formula pitcher to do a big batch at a time so that you aren't making each bottle every feeding. https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Formula-Mixing-Pitcher/dp/B001I481LM/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484581617&sr=8-1&keywords=formula+pitcher is awesome.
-I had a few samples of bottles. My favorite are the Philips Avent Natural. If you use this one, pull the nipple all the way up into the ring until it is flush with the top. I had months of leakage until I figured out that I wasn't making the bottle correctly. You will find out which one works best for you & LO.
-I started out with 4 bottles and now have a total of 11. I decided that I didn't want to spend time washing bottles several times a day and now just do it once at night.
-As previously mentioned, your child will maybe want more milk in a few days to a couple of weeks. You will need to watch for hunger cues for your child to know when she is hungry. She will keep seeking out the bottle after it is empty or maybe even try to root at your breast. Mine would cry after the bottle was just given so I knew she needed more than advised. She started to drink 3 ounces after a couple of weeks.
-This wasn't one of your questions but it's my best advice: BURP YOUR LO OFTEN!! Stop after every ounce to burp your baby in the first few weeks, and then later halfway through the feeding until your child is old enough to burp themselves. With the combo of a bottle & formula, your baby may get gassy. Save yourself hours of screaming by trying to burp her as often as possible.
-I used Similac and then switched to the Costco powder brand about a month ago. I'm in Canada and the Costco brand up here is basically Enfamil. In the states, the Costco brand is basically Similac. It's way cheaper and ingredients are almost the same.
-Sign up for the Similac strong moms rewards program if you stick to Similac. You can get coupons for money off of your formula (can be used with the liquid cans) and eventually free formula coupons. I believe Enfamil has a similar program but I never looked into it. I would just receive their coupons in the mail a lot too.
Just like you would with a dog switching to new dog food, you would want to slowly switch over to any new brand to avoid stomach upset.
Feel free to p.m. me any more questions you may have. I also find the Similac website gives pretty good advise on how to formula feed.
Good luck!!
We work very closely with a dietitian for our 13 month old son (he was a preemie and has a lot of issues with eating/textures of food/swallowing/etc). We also work with a Speech Therapist and several special doctors. Not ONCE have any of them ever said that we should force food on our child or continue to push things he doesn't like and refuses to eat. This promotes anxiety and fears about eating that are unnecessary. I am by all means NOT a professional, but I have been working with them for over a year. Here are my suggestions:
Our pedi and dietitian told us that babies go through phases. If you can sneak in the fruits and veggies that is best, but sometimes you just can't and you do the best you can and just offer them at every meal.
Don't make meal times stressful. If you are stressed about what she is or isn't going to eat, she will be too!
My only disclaimer is that if you are very concerned talk to your pediatrician. She may be able to recommend something else or refer you to a nutritionist. All that we have been told indicates that At this age it isn't a HUGE deal what babies eat as long as they are growing at a good rate (not too slow, not too fast) mostly because they will never overeat.
One final note: Be very careful with hot dogs as they are a top contender for choking hazards. if you don't already please consider removing the skins and cutting each hot dog slice into quarters.
If you have any more questions or would like to talk to me, please feel free to send me a message. Good luck and don't worry too much. It is obvious you are great parents because you took the time to ask!
I have two little boys myself. One thing that nobody really ever thinks to do is a mom gift. I had it happen at mine, but wasn't anything extravagent, just a few inexpensive things I liked and it was nice! But if you can, maybe a gift card for a day of pampering and an offer to watch the baby while she does it after baby is born, or even before she's born. I know some places offer mommy/baby massages for pregnant woman. Or even just a foot massage with a pedicure would be great. I LOVED getting pedi's while pregnant.
Some things I think are really useful are: (links for example)
Pacifier clips (My boys always dropped paci's or threw them) http://www.amazon.com/Booginhead-PaciGrip-Pacifier-Holder-Pinstripe/dp/B004323NIC
Fresh food feeders. Didnt know about these till my second baby and he LOVED this. You can put fruit, veggies, etc in it and it makes it so they can suck the juices out without worrying about them choking on large chunks. (http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Pack-Fresh-Feeder-Colors/dp/B000GK5XY2)
Bumbo seat. Really nice to just set the baby down to get things done and give them some toys to keep them occupied, or a snack if they're old enough to self feed. http://www.amazon.com/Bumbo-Floor-Seat-Play-Tray/dp/B00FBEO588/ref=pd_cp_ba_0
SOCKS and JEANS!! Nobody ever really bought me any for my shower and I never see anyone buy them at any showers and you can never have enough of either. Jeans go with everything and people always buy lots of shirts/onesies for babies.
If you buy clothes, make sure you take into consideration the due date and the month they will be wearing that size. Lots of people don't think about that, so you might get something thats for summer in a certain size, but wont fit them till winter. I had that happen a lot.
Gift cards are nice to get too because if they get a bunch of things at their shower that they need, but still need other things, they can go what they want. Or even just gift cards for diapers, wipes, etc.
Boppy Pillow. If she's breastfeeding it will be nice to have for supporting the baby so her arms dont get tired. Even if she isn't breastfeeding it is nice for just holding baby. http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Pillow-Slipcover-Lots-Dots/dp/B001GIOPH4/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1394054156&sr=1-2&keywords=boppy+pillow
The old, plain white cloth diapers. They come in like packs of ten and are inexpensive and work AMAZING as burp clothes because they're thick. My second son had a problem with spitting up a lot and they were so awesome to have! These ones on the link say vintage, but I have bought some just like these in the store. http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Vintage-Prefolded-Cloth-Cotton-Baby-Diapers-13-x17-Pre-owned-fair-good-cond-/261414793585
Thats all I can think of for right now, hope it helps!! :D
Warning - lots of text below! My baby is about 6 weeks now and I'm exclusively breastfeeding. My Medela Harmony manual pump has been fine for building a stash - I pump 1-2 times a day for the freezer and occasional bottle feedings from Dad. I think it's pretty convenient, but I'll be using a double electric pump when I go back to work (waiting to see what Tricare will cover in 2015!).
Whatever you decide to use for diapering, I'd strongly recommend getting some prefolds (I got Osocozy unbleached). They're great for burp cloths, catching milk from your other boob during letdown, etc and they're also way cheaper and more absorbent than fancy burp cloths. Personally I love prefolds and covers for diapering, but don't buy too much into any one system or brand until you know what works for you. My husband hates prefolds so now I'm having to add pockets and AIOs to appease him.
I'd get some swaddlers (at least 2; my favorite is from Nuroo but that was a gift and they're pricey, the summer infant SwaddleMe wraps are good now that she's bigger but didn't fit well until about 10 lbs). My girl lives in footed pajamas and I love the Gerber zipped ones, we found tons at goodwill for $1.50 each but if you can't find them used, they're on Amazon for $10 for a 2 pack. You're right that other people will buy clothes, but they'll pick cutesy stuff and you need some practical choices too.
Nursing pillow - I had an unexpected C section and this has been so necessary. I love the Luna Lullaby since it's big and I had a big baby.
Some kind of baby carrier, I got a Moby wrap while she's small and it's amazing for running errands (I put it on before getting in the car and pop her in before going in the store, WAY easier than a carseat and stroller).
We were gifted a used swing and it is a freaking godsend. It's the only way I get chores done since I can pop her in there and cook, do laundry, clean, etc without her crying. YMMV, some babies hate them, but buy used and you won't be out too much cash.
Wubbanub pacifier is easy to keep track of and super cute.
Pack n Play with a mattress for cosleeping (recommended to reduce SIDS risk for the first 6 months). At least 2 mini crib sheets.
Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter is amazing for the first couple weeks.
QuickZip crib sheets will be amazing once you use the crib.
Simba baby safety nail cutter - no bleeding!
Finally, the Itzbeen pocket nanny timer is so helpful for keeping track of feedings and diaper changes, especially in the first few weeks.
Hope this wasn't too overwhelming. Good luck!
*Edited to add links to products.
Here's a list of items I found so useful for myself that I use as my go-to gift options for anyone I know having a baby.
I had similar concerns before my son was born 3.5 months ago. It seemed like everyone had trouble, so I was fully prepared for a miserable experience and was mentally steeling myself to power through for the sake of my baby. And then... it was super easy. No real latch issues. Minimal pain. No supply issues. Used a bottle day 2 and pacifier at week 2 without any nipple confusion. When needed, we used formula here and there without any problems. It's pleasant and sweet for me to nurse him and it's been a wonderful bonding experience! I was lucky, but I also think people with good experiences don't tend to comment online about them as much, so maybe they're underrepresented.
I will say that if it's in the budget, stocking up on some supplies, including just-in-case supplies, was helpful. It's great to have them on hand the second you need them - I'm not sure I would have thought to go out and buy them in the moment otherwise - and also provides some peace of mind before the baby comes knowing that you're prepared.
For me these included:
Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter - use early and often!
Hydrogel pads - Ameda, Lanisoh and Medela all make them; they are reusable over a 72 hour period or so and they feel AMAZING, especially when refrigerated first (I used and liked the Lanisoh; I snagged a bunch when the price dipped to ~$3). Don't wait till it gets bad to use these!
Lanisoh heating/cooling pads - cooling is soothing and especially nice when you're milk comes in; heat is good for encouraging let down and helping with any clogged ducts
Medella SoftShells - The least essential of the bunch, but a nice-to-have if you want to slather on nipple butter but not stain your nursing bras/tanks or just want to allow some more airflow. Worked great for me but possibly not for everyone's anatomy?
As I'm writing this I remembered many of these recommendations came from this excellent (and now recently updated) Lucie's List article on breastfeeding prep.
You can't predict how this stuff will go but for as much as there is to worry about, there's also a lot to look forward to with nursing. Good luck!
I have a Spectra S1 and love it. Only difference between S2 and S1 is the S1 has a rechargeable battery- this was huge for me as I like that I don’t have to turn it off and unhook myself to just go grab water or something. Once you know what flange size you need, I’d recommend getting an extra set of parts as well. As an FYI the duckbill valves need to be replaced every couple months as they will eventually get little tears at the opening.
I have a couple Elvies as well which I mainly use to pump if I’m driving and need to pump at that time. I don’t get as much as I get with the spectra.
Boon grass also SO HELPFUL for drying all the little pieces. I thought it was just a frivolous registry item but it is CLUTCH.
I’d also recommend getting a haakaa (editing to add: this one specifically has worked best for me, the older styles have a weird neck that doesn’t suction as completely: https://www.amazon.com/Haakaa-Breast-Manual-Silicone-Breastfeeding/dp/B07CWK4S5W) to catch letdown - you put it on one breast while feeding from the other, and make sure to switch it to the other breast when you switch sides so it’s not ALL foremilk. It’s been huge for helping me build up a stash- I get 1-2 oz extra at each feeding without spending any extra time, because it just catches what would be dripping out anyway. Sometimes I’ll hand express a little extra into it at the end of a feed. You have to wait for the milk to all be at the same temperature before you can combine it, but every 1-2 days I have enough for a whole bottle and then I’ll give that to hubs to use and pump a full bottle’s worth to keep in the freezer or fridge depending on what needs we have coming up. I loved it so much that I just bought like 4 of them so that when I’m home all day on the weekend I have a clean one to grab for every feed.
If you are returning to work, find out if your lactation space has a pump there. Mine has a Medela symphony, so I got a set of parts for it so that I wouldn’t have to schlep the spectra around. It works great.
If you do need to carry your spectra around and want a professional looking bag, the Sarah Wells bags are great.
FWIW, a friend of mine got the Medela pump in style and HATES it. She says the Symphony works great for her, and she likes the baby Buddha as well. I find the Symphony to be comparable to the spectra, but wasn’t about to rent that giant hospital grade thing to keep at home.
If you do s registry through Amazon they have a great walk through thing that goes through different categories and sub categories of things you might need or want.
I'm not a first timer so here are a few things you may want to register for aside from what you already have :
Things you shouldn't register for:
Hope this starter list helps!
I wanted to reply to your comment last week about breastfeeding stuff, but was too bogged down in our own stuff here. :-)
Tongue-tie, injured nipples, delayed + low supply, pumping 7-8x a day to increase/maintain supply...that was me for the first 8-ish weeks. Tongue-tie was revised at 4 weeks, and we finally got to (mostly) EBF at 8 weeks. (Which was great--so much easier, until reflux set in!)
A few thoughts:
There were a lot of tears at the beginning of our breastfeeding journey, too. I had to set a lot of microgoals. Breastfeeding once a day without injury. Then twice a day. Making it to two weeks, then one month, then another month. If I thought about trying to go six months or a year, it felt impossible, so I just kept my goals short-term and told myself that at each step, I was free to re-evaluate.
Now we're at 6 months! And honestly, because my daughter developed reflux after all the other stuff, most of those months have been hard won. My goal now is to keep going until her reflux improves. (Formula can make reflux worse.) If improvements in breastfeeding follow, we might continue longer. If not, then that might be the time to transition to formula, 'cause I can't imagine triple-feeding for another 6 months!
Congratulations on the new job! Hope your (soon to be former) boss isn't an ass to your husband when he finds out you're leaving. On the subject of glassblowing, I saw this post about a memorial marble for someone who died and it reminded me of you--the glassblower among us, and all the conversations at /r/ttcafterloss about how we remember our little ones. <3
I love this list, I kept thinking "ditto!" with almost everything you wrote! Because I can't help myself, here is some of my feedback on some of those products:
For boob cream- I loooove the Motherlove Nipple Cream. The Earth Mama Angel Baby one was really grainy to me, and I'm not a big fan of the cocoa butter smell (to each their own!). The Motherlove cream saved my nipples those first few weeks and I still use it after a long pumping session.
Leak management- gurl I feel you on being leaky! I am SO leaky. I love the nighttime Bamboobies, they're the only ones that work for me (and I have to switch them out three times a day). The downside is they're pretty obvious through clothing, so when I have to go out of the house I'll pop a disposable lansinoh one in there instead. But Bamboobies all the way!
Leak Collection!- Yes! The Milkies Milksaver I have has been great at catching the ~1oz I leak from the non-nursing side. Now that Miss V and I have more of a breastfeeding pattern that involves her only eating from one side per session I'm going to try out a Haakaa Silicone Pump to see if the suction will draw out even more ounces from the neglected boob.
Extra Pump Parts- NeneSupply on Amazon is a Spectra pumping girl's best friend, especially for hard-ish to find and expensive spare Spectra parts.
Nursing Bras- They're expensive but I'm a total Bravado fanatic. I'm a big girl and they carry a wide variety of sizes, even for the much bigger bust sizes. And they recently released this hands free pumping attachment that, the few times I've experimented with it, was freaking awesome. I hope it continues to be awesome when I go back to work!
Edit:
Oh! I forgot one of my favorite pumping accessories! The Pumpin' Pals Super Shields have made a difference in my output but are also a thousand times more comfortable that regular flanges. Plus you can recline while pumping without spilling breastmilk everywhere! I was gifted these by a friend at my shower and I was skeptical about them living up to the Amazon reviews hype but I am definitely happy to have them.
Poke around on the site kellymom.com. It's one of the best breastfeeding sites out there, very down to earth, with lots of good advice. Also see if you can watch some videos of how to latch and what a good feeding looks like. I love the videos at this site.
Breastfeeding is hard at first, and it often hurts, but the rewards are wonderful. And always remember that the most important rule of breastfeeding is feed your baby however you need to. If it means formula, so be it.
edit: clarity, also I can't get that one link working.
Oh, where to start.
I guess, first of all, equipment will probably be pretty low on you concerns. Any thing you end up lacking can usually be remedied with a couple quick emergency shopping trips by dad. That said, I can recommend some stuff.
And there are other things you might like such as small blankets, blackout curtains for the windows.
However, what I think is the most important is to setup your support network. A lot of people don't get this established in time, and it can make a lot of difference in your quality of life. You may get a really easy baby, but even in the best of times, you'll benefit from help.
My wife signed up for a new parents meet up this one won't work for you, but if you can find something similar, it can be a huge help to have other moms going through the same thing you are, and she made some really good friends. Also, establish, if you can, some people to help out. Do you live near any of the grandparents? Can they come over once a week to help with laundry and dishes for the first few weeks? Can you make some frozen dinners to ear when you're to exhausted to cook? Is there going to be anyone who might be able to give you a couple hours off to sleep or recharge if you're running on empty? These sorts of things are hugely helpful.
I'm sure you'll get lots of help finding out what products you'll want in you life, but my 2c is to spend some time arranging the people you'll want in your life as well.
If he's getting mobile, baby gates to block unsafe areas/stairs? Babyproofing type stuff in general became important for us around that age.
Some people like exersaucer/jumpers and some people don't. I am a fan when they are used for a limited time daily and kid isn't just parked in them all day. They are a nice way to keep a mobile baby occupied and using his energy while you need to chase the 5 year old, prepare a meal, what have you. The argument against (overusing) them is that it can be bad for hip development, walking etc., but I read a great article by a PT professional that explained this but endorsed limited daily use. I got our exersaucer on Craigslist for $20, and then sold it on Craigslist for $20 when we were done with it.
Edited to add, one more thing - these mesh teethers were awesome not just for teething but for distraction too. I would freeze strawberry or peach slices and pop them in there, then hand to baby. He'd toddle around munching on it (mesh prevents them from getting big pieces out) and, if he was teething, of course the frozen fruit was cold and helped with that.
One more thing, I could not do parenting without a white noise thing in baby's room. Your new foster baby may or may not be into it, but you could always pop a white noise app on your phone for a couple days, see if it helps him sleep, and then if so get a white noise machine for the room. Some double as night lights.
Second edit, is he eating solid food yet? I am in love with these bibs, we only have one but I wish we had more. The thing is, they just make cleaning up baby and high chair much faster and easier.
Third edit (I'm sorry, I keep thinking of things that made our lives easier!) - a kid carrier. It might be nice to be able to go out to playground or walk with the 5 year old but have your hands free, you know, and that way new baby still gets stimulation of sights and sounds of the walk along with that extra bonding time. Wearing the baby might be helpful for that. We used a Baby Bjorn from about 6 weeks - 10 months, but at 9 months I wouldn't bother buying one. I hear an Ergo can be used a long time, but we chose a Kelty carrier because we hike a lot and wanted something that could really be stable and ergonomic through the toddler years. Another thing to save money and buy from Craigslist - the style we have is $139 new but we got an older similar model for $35 on Craigslist and it does the job.
:( That does sound hectic. My registry is kinda all over the place because I've already bought a ton of stuff, but just some suggestions of some things (FTM so no idea really if these are good or not, some were recommendations from friends, some were recommendations from various online resources).
Lucie's List is probably the best resource I found online.
I too made the decision to use formula for my physical and mental wellbeing and I have had no regrets.
I hope that helps! I nursed for 5 days, pumped for 1, and then called it quits. It was absolutely the best decision for me and my family but I did get some flak for it. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about your choice!
Not sure how old your baby is so I'll start at the beginning - for my son, as a newborn we used the 2oz ready to feed bottles. You store at room temp, open, screw on a nipple, and serve. Toss the whole thing when you're done (each pack of 8 bottles only comes with one nipple though, so unless you save/wash/reuse you'll want to stock up on the nipples, too).
Once he hit the 2ish month mark we moved on from the Ready to Feed and we had a few options:
If we were going to be out and about for a few hours I'd fill up one or two of these formula dispensers with pre-measured scoops (3 per section of our formula brand) to make a 6oz bottle, and bring along bottles prepped with 6oz of water (we used bottled or jug water). Then it's just a matter of dump and shake. My son would take room temp bottles, but if you need to warm a bottle on the go something like the Tommee Tippee Travel Bottle Warmer works well.
If we were going somewhere quick and I'd just throw formula and a bottle in my purse and I liked these single use formula bags. Same thing as above - I'd fill with 3 scoops and carry a 6oz bottle of water.
In terms of daycare, our facility could not (by law) mix formula. All bottles had to be ready to serve. So on daycare days we'd use the Dr. Brown's Formula Pitcher to mix up enough formula for five 6oz bottles. 30 oz of water and 15 scoops of formula go into the pitcher, churn, then pour into bottles. Bottles then went into this cooler bag with an ice pack for transport, and were then stored in the fridge at daycare until warmed and served. I love and recommend this bottle bag as it's got the top compartment too, which is great for sending along bibs (if your kid spits up half as much as mine did you'll LOVE this feature) or snacks once kiddo is old enough for them.
At home I was all about dat Brezza Lyfe. Loved this bad boy. It's my formula baby BAE. The latest version just came out, too, and can be found here.
Here's the rest of the pictures 😁😁
https://imgur.com/gallery/Q03hZZk
Top Five
In the living room
Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30 Travel System
Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30 travel system
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-FastAction-Fold-Click-Connect-Travel-System-Bennett/374308673?wmlspartner=wlpa&amp;selectedSellerId=0&amp;adid=22222222228237510206&amp;wl0=&amp;wl1=g&amp;wl2=m&amp;wl3=283899052272&amp;wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-539613311477&amp;wl5=9003876&amp;wl6=&amp;wl7=&amp;wl8=&amp;wl9=pla&amp;wl10=8175035&amp;wl11=online&amp;wl12=374308673&amp;wl13=&amp;veh=sem&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw1pblBRDSARIsACfUG10R9JBufXv4b1xe6xeFntXyvAzYwQKzGB07mpet7ccLlbFaEL0MxMIaA
(We'll probably have the stroller in the car most of the time)
Evenflo Versatile Play Space, Cool Gray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LTSWND/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2zNPCb6QQMGHB
(Usually comes with a sixth panel, but we wanted to save space until we needed to add it)
Our room sharing set up
Bassinet was handed down to us all put together, and I can't find a link sorry!
Night Lights for Kids, VAVA Baby Night Light, Bedside Lamp for Breastfeeding, ABS+PC, Touch Control, Timer Setting-Pink
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HSTL75K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MCNPCbBNG4FR6
(Not pictured)
Ubbi Money Saving, No Special Bag Required, Steel Odor Locking Diaper Pail, Gray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00821FLSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_byNPCbWY1Z2F8
Honeywell Mistmate Ultrasonic humidifier
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honeywell-Mistmate-Ultrasonic-Humidifier-HUL520B-Black/37690122?wmlspartner=wlpa&amp;adid=22222222228027316373&amp;wl0=&amp;wl1=g&amp;wl2=m&amp;wl3=43910449232&amp;wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-84286515392&amp;wl5=9003876&amp;wl6=&amp;wl7=&amp;wl8=&amp;wl9=pla&amp;wl10=8175035&amp;wl11=online&amp;wl12=37690122&amp;wl13=&amp;veh=sem&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw1pblBRDSARIsACfUG12UXQFyrKBbTM4Eq7IlBEg7IxwOorzgvPuFbH8x7isxW8BIMyNhJ_QaAk4HEALw_wcB
Munchkin Laundry Hamper with Lid, Grey
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PTSZVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6hPPCb84MDT0G
Super Strong Folding Step Stool - 11" Height - Holds up to 300 Lb - The lightweight foldable step stool is sturdy enough to support adults & safe enough for kids. Skid resistant and open with one flip
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ0VCQD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TINPCbBERP8HJ
Her side in my closet
South Shore Litte Smiley's Changing Table, Chocolate
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFJ9S1C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JANPCbP4FX2PG
GAGAKU Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer - Baby Shower Basket Portable Nursery Storage Bin Car Storage Basket for Wipes Toys Tote Bag
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DBXH1BP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3MNPCbDNHVK1V
Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNOIQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LJNPCbGX20KF4
mDesign Soft Fabric Dresser Drawer and Closet Storage Organizer Set for Child/Kids Room, Nursery, Playroom, Bedroom - Rectangular Organizer Bins with Textured Print - Set of 4 - Linen/Tan
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071P9GPV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_czNPCbQ2QWJHZ
mDesign Soft Fabric Dresser Drawer and Closet Storage Organizer, 8 Section Divided Bin for Child/Kids Room, Nursery, Playroom, Bedroom - Textured Print with Solid Trim, 3 Pack - Gray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYC4439/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MNNPCbH4F8YGB
Modish Labels Baby Nursery Closet Dividers, Closet Organizers, Nursery Decor, Baby Girl, Deer, Floral Antlers, Flowers, Woodland
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WLQ8B5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nBNPCbR1DRJ22
AmazonBasics Kids Velvet Hangers - 30-Pack, Pink Polka Dot
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FXNAD6U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.HNPCbRTDQ9P5
For the kitchen
Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VBXKG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mMNPCbGSZ1NJY
Boon Bundle Feeding Set
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KGPWGZJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fQNPCbJJKFAD7
Gourmia Jr. Single Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Warmer, Digital Display, Dishwasher-Safe Removable Parts, JBW150, ETL-Certified
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JZ991WH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TQNPCbAMJZFRJ
Not Pictured items
Rustic Wood Frame Gray Felt Letter Board 10x10 inches. 440 White & Gold Letters, Months & Days Cursive Words, Additional Symbols & Emojis, 2 Letter Bags, Scissors, Vintage Stand. by whoaon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKT6S6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qRNPCbYJZKZF8
Fisher-Price Auto Rock 'n Play Sleeper, Aqua Stone
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Auto-Rock-n-Play-Sleeper-Aqua-Stone/39577511?wmlspartner=wlpa&amp;adid=22222222228031612947&amp;wl0=&amp;wl1=g&amp;wl2=m&amp;wl3=55217708312&amp;wl4=pla-113855432192&amp;wl5=9003876&amp;wl6=&amp;wl7=&amp;wl8=&amp;wl9=pla&amp;wl10=8175035&amp;wl11=online&amp;wl12=39577511&amp;wl13=&amp;veh=sem&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw1pblBRDSARIsACfUG10bahlDvXNs66-ReAkUjjQSfucHTHxORdYUyZ92T0oddQGzOtGb360aAoXjEALw_wcB
Fisher-Price Bath Tub, Rainforest Friends
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUO464Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_txPPCb7ZEHWCC
This isn't gospel or anything, but just info I gleaned. If you plan on breastfeeding and want bottles for either - breaks for you or to give babe pumped milk when you're at work - then Dr. Brown's Natural Flow are popular, nipple size preemie or newborn to start. They don't let milk out as fast (sort of like a boob) so hypothetically your baby doesn't start being like "no boob - I want that fast flow!!" Also, if you're going back to work and/or just pumping and saving a lot, some freezer bags for milk, microwave sterilizing bags, and breastmilk soap (search: medela quick clean removal soap on amazon) are super handy to have around. If you plan on pumping some extra bottles (I just used medela plastic ones, they might have even come with my pump...) are nice for collecting milk (although lots of women do it straight into bags, i wasn't that talented :) )
If you're not planning on breastfeeding and want to go formula I know my sister in law likes the glass bottles because they clean nice. Things like a long handled mini scrubber or bottle warmer is nice too. I don't have a good guess of how many bottles you need in this scenario, but someone likely will!
You certainly will use sippy cups and kid cutlery at some point, so if you have the space for it - go for it. These are my favorite sippy cups because you can separate the lid into 2 parts and REALLY get it cleaned as opposed to the other ones which always smell a little funny no matter how often I clean them :/
If you have a Costco, their brand of formula is identical to Similac and it's much, much cheaper. My son has been on it since a month old and has done perfectly well with it.
As for outings, I take bottles with water in them and the diaper bag dispenser of powder formula measured out. I'm sure somebody linked it already, but it is usually a round container with three compartments and a lid that rotates so you can pour out one section at a time. Super handy, I use it often. This is what I have...the single one is nice if I know he'll only need to eat once when I'm out.
Another thing I recommend for home is the Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher for mixing up a day's worth at a time. Around a month he should be eating anywhere between 24 and 32 oz, possibly more during a growth spurt. My son was at the top end of that, but he's leveled out to 34 oz a day at 6 months. Anyway, this really helped prevent wasting any formula because you can pour out 2 oz, and if he finishes it, give him 1 or 2 more. It takes a bit of time to figure out how much he wants at once, and sometimes it will vary a lot because he's still little, but overall he'll get pretty regular for a bit before he starts needing more at once.
Also, feel free to come join us over at /r/FormulaFeeders. It isn't the busiest sub, but we're a helpful bunch of you have any other specific questions! :) Congrats on your little one!
8 months pp here! FTM.
Our journey was not easy. Wasn't as hard as some others but not as easy either.
We had blisters, cracked nipples and serious pain in the beginning. LO took about 2 weeks to figure out how to latch properly and in the meantime, we had to supplement with formula because my milk took over 5 days to come in. I ran out of colostrum very quickly because I had a big ass baby who apparently decided he was quite hungry.
We didn't use a bottle to supplement, we used the supplemental nursing system. I am convinced it's why we're EBF (no bottles) now. But it's a pain in the ass to use and clean but worth it.
He never took to a pacifier. He will drink from a bottle if he had to (comotomo) or even a sippy cup. We got lucky though. He doesn't reject anything that breastmilk comes out of lol. Loves him a breastmilk popsicle.
I would say, if you can get an electric pump for free, get it. Don't bank on things working out from the get go. I had to pump after every feed for weeks because baby wasn't an efficient nurser. If I didn't have my pump, I probably wouldn't have a supply now. Having to pump after every feed really sucks. It's demoralizing as fuck watching nothing but air come out but that's okay. You need that to tell your body to ramp shit up.
If you do pump, make sure you get the right size flanges.
Your nipples will toughen up, but don't listen to anyone telling you to "pre" toughen them. I got that advice from family...I'm really glad I didn't listen. Instead, have plenty of nipple butter ready and slather that shit on like your nips are thanksgiving turkey. gel pads are a must buy as well.
https://smile.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Soothies-Breastfeeding-Soothing-Cracked/dp/B002KGHUL4/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1539231011&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=lansinoh+gel+pads
Try several nipple butters out. Not all work the same for everyone. Earth Mama nipple butter is my jam. But a lot of moms like Lanolin. Lanolin was meh for us.
Also keep high quality raw, unrefined extra virgin coconut oil handy. It's a natural antifungal/antibacterial and in the beginning weeks, thrush is a real concern. Make sure you have probiotics in your system as well.
You could definitely try! Breastmilk is good topically too for eczema. And no, I don't think it's too late necessarily though the causes for eczema are still not 100% clear
My guy has it too and he's breastfed....though it's far less now that I have cut eggs/dairy from my diet. We see a pediatric allergist for it and he's one of the best in his fields and he says that eczema is one of those funny things that we're not 100% clear on what truly causes it. And that one thing can be the cause today....and not be the cause tomorrow.
Don't be nervous!!! See if you have any nursing mama cafe groups, or a La Leche League meeting and go to those. Also see if your hospital has lactation workshops! I went to one every week for the first 3 months. They're a sanity saver bc there's a board certified lactation consultant on hand AND they do weighted feeds.
Clusterfeeding is normal. You can never bring your baby to breast too often. You can bring too little.
Don't ever ever listen to anyone telling you to space baby's feedings out. That comes from formula feeding and NOT breastfeeding. If baby just ate and seems hungry again 30 minutes later? Let em eat.
Don't let baby go more than 2 hrs during the day between feeds. 3 hrs MAX until he's back up to birth weight. Once he's back up to birth weight, you can let baby do the 1 long stretch but you'll want to stack day feeds in your favor then (aim for every 2-3 hrs) Again. You can never offer too much. A baby will stop drinking if they're not thirsty/hungry. The more you bring baby to breast, the better your supply will be. Breastmilk digests in under an hour so keep that in mind when people are trying to tell you baby isn't hungry. Chances are, he probably very much is!
Don't go crazy with nursing bras/tanks just yet. Wait until you've given birth as our bodies will fluctuate like crazy. Then buy ONE you might like and trial it first.
If you have the choice between boppy or my brest friend...the my brest friend is the better pillow for JUST breastfeeding. It's not as versatile as the boppy which I still use now for other things but oh boy is it great for helping you latch a baby.
Use a nipple shield with caution. Weaning off it can be a bitch. If you can power through without it, try. Because then what happens is, you don't get your nipples acclimated and you have to start all over again. Obviously, if the pain is so bad you're going to stop breastfeeding altogether, then yes, of course, do what's necessary but just some things to keep in mind.
If you have the money....I'd think about getting a LaVie massager...that thing has saved me from 3 clogged ducts. Clogs are no joke. The moment you feel one, you work that bad boy out asap. Listen to your body.
Have plenty of drinks/snacks lying around. Look into no bake lactation bites
https://thebakermama.com/recipes/no-bake-lactation-bites/
Be prepared to spend a lot of time with a baby stuck to you. Baby jail is real.
Wow. Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate your input. Thanks for sharing the pics too :)
I'm planning on taking the first two weeks off to help my wife. My wife is taking a full 12 weeks, and I've made it clear to my retired mother-in-law that she's welcome to move in for that first month. She's wonderful and should be a great help.
We're getting there. Picked up a Sony Nex-5N over Christmas to capture all the memories. Also definitely planning to get this Medela and the Miracle blankets.
As for my original question, we did find a recliner we like. It's the Havana recliner from Macy's. It's a bit pricey but we called and it's supposed to go on a one-day sale tomorrow, so we'll see. We're planning to pull the trigger tomorrow. I must say, it's not easy finding a modern recliner with nice, clean lines. They all look like teddy bears.
In our search, we did come across this awesome glider recliner loveseat (8908 style). Both sides independently recline and glide. Amazing if you're prepared to drop $1300.
So, I totally breastfed one kid and then pumped exclusively for the next, and for the third breastfed a little but mostly pumped and then when I was sick of pumping, I switched to formula.
A couple of things to know about breastmilk production. First is that the initial wave of hormones that triggers the production of breastmilk comes from the delivery of the baby and the placenta. Your milk will come in whether you do anything or not. But, to maintain your supply, you need to empty your breasts and stimulate your nipples about 8 times a day. It doesn't have to be in 2 hour intervals around the clock. A baby doesn't cue to eat at exactly 2 hours around the clock. When you breastfeed you follow the baby's cues. If you are exclusively pumping, then you can pump more frequently in the day and then at night give yourself no more than one 4-6 hour stretch for uninterrupted sleep. Don't go more than six hours without pumping or feeding a baby unless you are trying to decrease your supply, because that is what will happen. If you do go more than six hours, beware that you can get plugged ducts or mastitis. Your supply regulates at 12 weeks, so the first 12 weeks if you want to develop your full supply, it's important to keep up the frequent breast emptying and nipple stimulation. After that, you can go further apart and some people are able to pump as few as 4 times a day with a couple "power pumps" throughout the week (pumping on an off for 10 minutes over a 1 hour period to simulate cluster feeding). But some people need to keep up the eight pumps for the duration of pumping, so you will figure out what works for you. If your goal is not to provide breastmilk only, you can pump less and give some formula, but your supply will tend to gradually dwindle. That might be what works for your family.
Some people do use formula during the very early days of breastfeeding and there is actually evidence that this can increase rates of success because it decreases frustration and allows the baby to have more energy for effective breastfeeding. So you don't have to be afraid of formula. But you do have to stimulate the nipples and empty the breasts. :)
If you are doing a combination of pumping and breastfeeding, the easiest way is to just breastfeed when you are home and then pump when you are away from the baby. In your situation (going back to work), if I liked breastfeeding, I would probably start out breastfeeding and maybe add in 1 extra pump a day if it's not too onerous. Then once your are working, you pump throughout the day while you are away from your baby. Some people breastfeed overnight (this is good for your supply and bad for your level of fatigue), some people use pumped milk or formula. Personally I found this all to onerous with my third, so I mainly pumped because I preferred it to breastfeeding, and my husband and I took turns giving the bottle at night. When I switched to powder formula I would keep bottles prefilled with water and a premeasured formula container at the bedside. Add formula, shake, feed baby. When I went back to school he was 8 weeks, and I rapidly dropped pumps, used up the rest of my freezer milk and guilt free switched to formula. My plan for all future babies is to provide breastmilk for approximately six weeks and then to give formula after that. This is based on my own personal experiences with breastfeeding and my current lifestyle (work full time). You will find what works best for your situation and your family. Some people are able to pump and breastfeed and provide milk for over a year, and they are happy with being able to do so.
Other little tips:
Get a pumping bra or make one by cutting holes in a sports bra.
A lot of moms store their pump parts in the fridge in between pumps and wash and sterilize once a day. This might be an acceptable practice with full term kids (I felt fine doing it with mine after the first six weeks) but for newborns, for milk donation, and especially for any preterm babies it is very important to thoroughly clean the pump parts with soap and water and air dry every single time. Which sucks because preemie moms have enough on their plate, but the evidence suggests that cleaning is an important part of safe milk handling for preemies.
Lastly, I haven't had a chance to try one of these personally (they came on the market after I weaned the last baby) but a lot of my friends have raved about this for use during a feed: https://www.amazon.com/Haakaa-Silicone-Breastfeeding-Manual-Phthalate/dp/B01F8W7CF0
We went through this and I remember how absolutely draining, time consuming, and stressful it all can be. Our daughter turned out to have tongue and lip ties that the first LC missed, but even once those were clipped it took about 6 weeks of pumping, bottle feeding, and practicing with and without the shield for her to get the hang of nursing and transfer enough milk to ditch the bottles/shield. You should feel totally empowered to go completely with bottle feeding if that works best for you but if you do want to stick with it (for me the convenience of being able to EBF was a big incentive), here are some tips that helped me:
-buy a couple of those dishwasher bottle part basket thingies (like this and run your parts through the sanitize setting on the dishwasher each day if you have one. Stopping washing things by hand was a big time saver for us.
-These heated in the microwave before each pumping session and worn around my flanges while pumping helped me let down more easily and use a lower setting (less pain) on the pump
-See if there's a time of day that your baby has an easier time latching and stick to practicing then. Our LC told me that later in the day they can get more easily overstimulated and frustrated so I avoided trying to get her to latch then until she was good at it.
Hope that helps and good luck! You're doing so well and whatever ends up being best for you will be great!
i never used one of those baby baths, i always brought her in with me and sat her in my lap.
if youre breastfeeding and want to stick with it, i recommend finding a bottle and nipple you like, (this one is "slow flow" and is the one she liked back when she would take one. slow flow is where its at for breastfeeding, as its closest to the amount of sucking shed do when breastfeeding) and giving her one few days at least til shes closer to a year old. i hardly ever gave mine a bottle and she flat out refused to take one or take a binky til she was 18 ish months old and weaned herself. almost two years and she could never go to a sitter or grandmas house for more than a couple hours max. i liked bottles that took these since you dont have to worry about washing / sterilizing everything.
i never used a crib, she co slept til right around when she weaned herself. one day she just... dragged her blankets to her toddler bed (where she always took naps) and decided she was done co sleeping. was awesome. co sleeping is the best when youre breastfeeding, no getting up and down in the middle of the night, can just roll over, pop a boob in her mouth and doze.
get nipple cream! NIPPLE CREAM! and those handy little nipple shields to go in your bra for when you leak. at about 2 weeks - one month your nipples will be on FIRE. it will suck, but only lasts for about a week after that. its WORTH IT when you dont have to lug around formula and bottles everywhere you go.
get or make a baby wrap / carrier. youll look like a new age hippie, but its more comfortable than any traditional baby carrier, and feels more secure than any of the slings. i made two out of about 10 yards of gauzy cotton fabric, cut longways its about the right width. you can wrap her in front when shes little and breastfeed her without anyone being the wiser, later, you can carry her on your back like a champ without her little legs getting sore from hanging out of one of those "typical" carrier types.
heres a wonderful site that lists all the different wraps by age, this one is my fave. http://www.wrapyourbaby.com/frontwrapcrosscarry.htm
instead of a mobile, get one of those rotating star projectors. theyre move expensive, but will last well into preschool, and double as a nightlight.
> I was never actually fit for the mask. The tech just gave me a large.
This sucks and it happens far too often. Mask fit is critical but these DMEs just toss you whatever they happen to stock and expect it to be perfect. Ideally, the tech would have let you try on a bunch of different masks to see which one actually fits your face. Most likely, you can still contact the DME and have them do an actual fitting.
>the bridge of my nose hurts
This could be the wrong mask for you or possibly over tightening the straps. It seems illogical, but most masks fit better with looser straps. All of us overtighten the straps when first starting out on CPAP.
>Everything seems to be ok when I go to sleep but during the night it seems like the mask fit changes.
Rolling over could cause this and a CPAP pillow might help. With a normal pillow, when we roll over, the mask hits the pillow and can be jarred loose. A CPAP pillow has a cutout to prevent this. Here's the one I like:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG
Also, some machines have a leak alarm (usually in the hidden "clinician's menu").
>I get leaks, mask 'farts'
Getting the mask to fit better should be the first priority, but there's also a way to make the mask more sticky and help prevent leaks. Just a tiny dab of this will do, not even a pea size.
It's found with diapers or:
https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Breastfeeding-Moisturizer-Preservative-Hypoallergenic/dp/B005MI648C?th=1
>Is it just a matter of getting used to the mask?
This is part of it, but if the mask isn't comfortable enough, then you're not going to stick with it for the long haul.
>I have a lot of congestion and I am afraid that won't work.
Yeah, this probably means that a full face mask is going to be more useful. The one I like is the ResMed AirFit F20. It fits a wide range of faces because it's a lot more springy and flexible. Also, most masks also have a "sizing guide" available online that you can print out to get a better idea.
I'm only 21 and not breastfeeding or even pregnant, and I was going to suggest a daily dose or two of straight vitamin E oil massage for your breasts, because this is what I do and my boobs are very soft. However, something made me double check before I blurted my uneducated answer onto the internet, and I found out that while pure vitamin E oil is good for nipples, it's not good for baby consumption! So load up on the vitamin E oil titty massages before the baby comes!
That being said, I was curious and did some more research and I found a bunch of natural alternatives to lanolin creams, but most contain beeswax. I found one brand, Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter which has some great reviews on Amazon! The main ingredients are mango butter and avocado oil, which are both incredibly nourishing to the skin.
I hope this helps and congratulations on brining a beautiful baby into this world!
YAYS:
Chux pads, hands down, were the best purchase we made. Those saved us so much laundry and so many diapers. The link is hit or miss - one box we got was great and quilted, the second box was not quilted and they fall apart more easily. Which really sucks because we're not going through several a day anymore, so it has time to really fall apart before it gets soiled. Even the shitty ones are incredibly helpful.
A Haakaa breast milk catcher. Best money I've ever spent. I stopped using it every day at 11 months PP. 11 months of daily use.
An electronic nail file. I cut too close once, and decided I don't ever want to do that again. It's quiet, it has a little light on it, two speeds, and a bunch of different nail heads.
Stacking cups. Don't know why we even have other toys. Did you know you can throw them and chase after them and then throw them again, mom? You can put them inside each other! You can put them in the toy basket and then take them out and then put them back in again! You can knock them down when mom & dad foolishly stack them up! You can clack them together! You can bang them against EVERYTHING!!
This inflatable tub. It has a little shoehorn for the crotch so you can use it before baby can totally sit up by themselves. We're still using it because my child is dead set on committing suicide in the bathtub.
Sleeved bibs. Or as we like to call them, eatin' ponchos. We got some "art smock" cheaper ones to alternate with, but the Bumkins one is 👌👌👌 so much better. The art smocks are fabric-y on the body, so they stain.
A ring sling. No link because I actually borrowed from my local babywearing community. But I checked out a ring sling back to back to back. My chonker outgrew the Moby wrap I had (which was super hot and a PITA to get on and off) by 3 months when I finally discovered ring slings. Ring slings are like the cool, breezy older sister.
A yoga ball. We spent hours bouncing our child.
NAYS:
This Graco Swing. Well, any swing, but this is the one we had. Of the several swings at daycare, my baby tolerated one kind...for a few minutes. Obviously this is a my baby thing.
A walker. We got one used from a garage sale before we realized they're not really recommended for babies anymore.
Any chew-toy specific type teether.
Mom of an EFF baby here as well!
I wanted to breastfeed but I could only get maybe an ounce at a time to come out, so we formula fed even in the hospital and switched to it full-time after about a week. Luckily, no one in my family really made any comments about it! On our last day in the hospital before we left I asked them if I could take home some formula and they gave us about 4 or 5 of the 6-packs of pre-mixed formula. After that ran out, we started using Enfamil and then switched to Costco's brand, Kirkland, for formula. It is less than half the price and literally the exact same product! My son had no issues on it at all.
I'm not sure if I'm just fortunate or if this is normal, but I just slowly stopped breastfeeding my son and my boobs just kind of slowly stopped producing any milk at all. That is probably due to my low supply, though.
We originally mixed every bottle on our own but found that it made the formula way too foamy and it gave my son a lot of gas. We then bought a formula pitcher and it was awesome! It mixes it so well so all the formula is dissolved. So we would mix up the total amount my son could drink in a 24 hour period (since mixed formula is only good for 24 hours refrigerated) and then put it in bottles, then heat each bottle up in a bottle warmer. I do know some moms who say their babies were fine with cold formula, but my son never liked it. But if your kid likes it, go for it! That will definitely make things easier.
A few months later I saw a Baby Brezza on Facebook Marketplace for like $75 and it was literally the best purchase I ever made! It was amazing when my son would wake up in the middle of the night screaming and I would literally press one button and a bottle would be made in less than 20 seconds.
I didn't see it on here, so I will chime in as well. You should prepare by getting a shower chair and handheld shower head if you don't already have one, and a extended toilet seat. These are all available at Home Depot/Lowes.
Getting up and down will be very difficult for the first couple weeks. My wife breastfed/pumped/supplemented initially, so my job was to wake her up, get her up, get the babies, change them prepare the supplement while she fed them, feed them that while she pumped and put them back to bed(change as necessary).
Same thing goes for you and her, sleep whenever possible. Also for us, we had someone come for Care.com originally to help her shower/change the bandage but instead had them do light housework/organizing. We went sent home with a ton of formula and samples. On the first day she organized everything in the pantry, washed the dishes, etc. She was only there a couple of hours and we did it for about a week. It was a really life saver for us.
Also, something you can do now is cook and freeze meals. We got the cookbooks, but this http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/freezer-cooking/
is just amazing. The baked Ziti will last you two days. Meat balls, awesome. Our neighbors brought over meals, but we used the freezer food with our latest baby. It is just something that you can do that will help and show her you are working too. A foodsaver is helpful thing to have as well.
Lastly, buy this https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Formula-Mixing-Pitcher/dp/B001I481LM/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1502202074&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=dr.%2Bbrown%2Bmixing%2Bpitcher&amp;th=1
Good luck. It is an amazing ride.
I use the spectra s2 and like it so far. Granted, I am also a new first time mom and my baby is only 9.5 weeks old and I haven't gone back to work yet, so I am by no means an expert. What I have been doing so far is working for me at home though so I'll tell you my routine. I pump into the spectra bottles that came with the pump and then immediately transfer that milk into either bottles that go in the refrigerator for my husband or mom or feed her, or into freezer bags for my freezer stash. I have been pumping about once a day since my baby was 2 weeks old. At first I would only get an ounce or two at a time so that was only enough for one bottle or just a supplemental bottle or I could combine the milk from 2 pumping sessions into one bottle. (My baby now typically eats 3-4 ounces at a time from a bottle). Eventually (and pretty quickly) I was able to pump more volume. I typically pump in the morning after her first feed because my supply is highest then. I now get anywhere from 4-8 ounces at this pump session. I typically put 3-4 ounces into a bottle in the fridge and the freeze the rest. I think it's good to have someone give your baby a bottle of expressed milk one every day or two so that they won't have a problem refusing a bottle when you go beck to work. To answer your specific questions above:
A lot of people use bottled, especially past the 2 to 4 month range, and I have never heard of any ill effects, but I think the WHO recommends boiled. Their recommendations are super stringent and I probably don't follow them all, though. They can be found here: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/PIF_Bottle_en.pdf
You can prepare a whole day's worth and keep it in the fridge even with their strict guidelines, though. For daycare, I prepare them the night before in individual bottles, but there are also some nice products to make it even easier, like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Formula-Mixing-Pitcher/dp/B001I481LM
For feeding on the go, I will often put the boiled water into a couple of bottles in advance and keep the formula powder separate, and then just mix it together when it's time for a feed. Or I use plain bottled water, but my baby likes her formula to be pretty warm. The boiled water usually stays warm for quite a while, so a feed even 3 or 6 hours after leaving the house is above room temperature.
The spectra is awesome for travel, however that is the one that needs adapter pieces to use the Medela parts. The bottle the spectra is set to pump into is a wide mouth. The Avent, and Dr Browns bottles will fit straight onto the Medela as it uses standard mouth sizes.
The pumping cones for the medela are the ones that fit most handsfree bra's, and quite frankly most common items will fit the medela. However you can order adapter kits off Amazon for the Spectra to use the Medela phlanges easily.
Flanges should be the size of your areola, and this is something they can help go over with you in the hospital.
I am using The Frremie collection cups with the Spectra. I love them as they go under my clothes, and really easy to clean.
If you want I can take photos of the different set ups that I use if you think that would help.
Totally normal. Some things that could help are nipple gel pads like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KGHUL4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WCirDbMXEKJMF
Just slather on a healthy layer of lanolin and pop them inside your bra. It feels great and some people like to refrigerate these for extra soothing right after a feed. I didn't love that, but they're amazing regardless.
And I haven't tried nipple shells yet, but you could pick up something like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8DTGCX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MEirDbTFGVS39
Again, just slip inside your bra and they keep your nipples from touching anything. As a bonus, they'll catch your let-down (which your can save) and also allow for breastmilk to dry on your nipples, which is naturally soothing and hydrating.
With both of these options, your nipples should be able to heal quicker and feel better overall!
Cloth diapers - flour sack towelsfrom amazon as the stuffers - cheap and clean easily. Bamboo liners for the poop. Rubber gloves for swishing it in the toilet for the parts that don't come off with the liners. Lot's of covers that can be used from newborn to 35 lbs. You can use any bum cream if you use the flour sack towels as well FYI because it doesn't ruin them. Also pick up a couple of these laundry bags. Wipes.
Cleaning is easy - "quick wash" with a bit of soap, then a hot long wash for extra soiled diapers.
Baby nest was nice to have but not a necessity. Blankets/towels can help. Also a wrap is nice for the first 6 months but not necessary.
Gripe water for gassy baby, Punkin Butt teething oil
A pump, even hand pump will be handy. Especially in the first few weeks she's regulating her supply.
Zip up sleepers (snaps suck)
Baby Bag (backpack style)
Don't worry about a baby changing table, you can change anywhere. Don't worry about a diaper genie since you're cloth diapering.
Breastfeeding scarf/carseat cover
Older baby (6-12 months will come fast)
- snack containers
- Food holder thing(frozen bananas are awesome for teething)
I like the Spectra S2. It's gentle but efficient. I've also tried a Madela PISA, and it definitely has stronger suction, but it hurt like hell and didn't seem to get as much milk as my spectra did. I feel like the Spectra better imitates the suckling motion of a mouth. Bonus, it's also pretty quiet, it's easy to control suction strength and speed, and it has a night light (for those 2am sessions). I bought mine used, but it's also one of the cheaper options if you buy new.
I think for pacifiers, be thankful you wont have to take that away in the future.
As for bottles, I cant remember that far back (my son is 21 months) but I feel like he started to enjoyed straws. I know there are "transition bottles" that could maybe help?
Or this kind of "sippy" cup is my favorite cup (and we still use it now!!) is this one.
Hang in there! Your baby just loves you soooooo much and wants you by his side. :)
I’m no lactation consultant but it looks like he just has a little mouth. My son had a great latch, no tongue or lip ties and my nipples cracked just because he was little. Keep doing what you’re doing; although coconut oil may not be enough of a barrier to help your nipple heal. Lanolin is really great or if you’re opposed get some lansinoh soothies or Medela soothing gel pads. The soothing pads after the saline soaks were really effective for me. I also used a nipple shield to give the nipple a break- just make sure to use the right size.
My first recommendation is to check to see if she has a baby registry. New parents need/want LOTS of stuff, and while all gifts are appreciated, having someone help cover the essentials always made us really happy! Some of my favorite gifts were for things we needed like extra bottles, bassinet sheets, and giftcards to Amazon.
Now, to your question - here are some top items we've used with our new baby:
With the exception of the activity mat, you can really never have too many of the above items!
I "gave up" on breastfeeding day 2 and stopped pumping after a less than a week. We've been EFF ever since. I have so much to say, this will be long.
Day and Night Feeding
Formula needs to be used within 1 hour if it's touched baby's lips regardless of temp, 2 hours if untouched at room temp and 24 hours untouched in the fridge. If you can get your kid to drink cold/room temp then that will help a lot with wasting.
Bottles
Dealing with Reflux
Final Thoughts
Even if your wife is planning to breastfeed, have formula on hand just in case. I'd recommend the ready-to-feed (RTF) stuff that comes in the little bottles (like this). That way you don't have to worry about your water source, or washing/sterilizing bottles. You can get individually wrapped nipples for them, too (Amazon link). One of the other commenters said you have to refrigerate the RTF formula, but that's only true once it's been opened.
If your wife *is* planning to breastfeed, i'd recommend a manual breast pump and/or a haaka in case baby has trouble latching and she wants to express milk. They have electric pumps with battery powered options, too, if you want to look into that. (in this case you'd obviously also need bottles and a way to wash/sterilize them).
Obviously diapers and wipes too. Another thing is we do so much freakin laundry, which, in the event of an extended outage, wouldn't really be possible. So more onesies and swaddles than you think you need and burp cloths/rags in case you have a spitty baby.
Some items we Amazon Primed in the first week or two that we didn't know we needed: simethicone gas drops, probiotics, vitamin d drops, velcro swaddle, different size pump flanges, slow flow nipples, saline spray/drops, miracle blanket swaddle, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Newborn babies are hard, and I hope you don't have to deal with a hurricane at the same time! Praying for calm weather in your area!
So far, looking good. My tips or advice:
EDIT: Thought of one more.
If you have a Costco or Sams Club, get a membership. Buy your diapers and wipes in bulk. You'll easily pay for your membership in savings.
I mean, I wouldn't give the kid a steak or anything large and fibrous but some puree would probably be fun. We started giving our little boy solids pretty young. Our Ped told us 6 months is the rule of thumb because of the ability to move foods around with the tongue. We kind of listened, kind of didn't.
Our boy got teeth at 3 months so that's pretty much when we started giving him solids. In addition to homemade purees and jarred baby food (he LOVED sweet potato) we would give him avocado, or watermelon/other fruit in one of these netted holders so he could chomp on it and get the juice/goop out without the worry of choking.
Not exactly a traditional manual pump, but I love the Haakaa pump. Might be what you’re already referring to though.
It’s a small suction hand pump. Great for catching letdown on your opposite side, or in the shower/bath when you randomly let down. If I use it twice a day, I extract enough for a bottle feeding. Super easy and has no parts, so cleaning is a breeze!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F8W7CF0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_f5BVAbE103QS0
Oh man, this post is like my jam. I'm currently tandem feeding twins and supplemented at the start. I did not have PCOS, so I did not have that barrier to overcome. Here's what I did:
Bring to hospital: hands free pumping bra, angled flanges, hot packs, lanolin(at first, I liked the medela lanolin better since it spread a lot easier, but now I like the lasinoh lanolin ointment more. I'd buy both, and apply after every feed/pump)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S8MGGQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085CBA90/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Day 1 - breastfeed baby as often as they want, but at least every 3 hours. This is your time to be working on latching and such. After each feed, you need to hook yourself up to the pump using your fancy new angled flanges(more comfortable, and allow you to recline while pumping - your back will KILL if you are trying to slightly lean forward all the time while pumping) and pumping bra(you do not want to sit int he hospital and be pumping for 10-15 minutes and have to hold the stupid flanges up yourself). As someone who worked NICU, has used both the spectra and the medela symphony, you'll want to go for the symphony at this point. Colostrum is thicker than normal milk - the spectra I don't think would draw the colostrum down as well as it does regular milk, so that is why I'd use the medela until your milk has come in, and for about a week or two after. When you are pumping, you should throw the hot packs towards your boobs and be massaging down towards the nipple.
The reason you are pumping at least every 3 is chances are your kid either has a crappy latch or not a strong suck, and both of those things are not going to stimulate your supply to come in the way you want it to. Not a lot of kids come out into the world and both latch strongly and suck and swallow to adequately and easily drain the boob, and that needs to happen.
For bottle feeding - the hospital we were at gave Similac Supplementation, and we used that until we were off formula. We used it with the hospital Similac slow flow nipple that screwed onto the ready feed bottle, and then used Dr Brown premie nipples at home. So, the shape of the nipple you use for bottle feeding isn't actually that important in my opinion. I'd say the bigger thing would be flow - definitely want slow flow/premie nipple in whatever brand you pick, and then technique. For technique, do not put the baby in your arms cradling them and then point the nipple at the back of their mouth like you are the virgin mary feeding the baby jesus. Instead, put them in an elevated sidelying position, and then angle the nipple sort of towards the top of their head. Basically, you're trying to mimic the boob nipple position with the bottle nipple position, and by having them sidelying you're also mimicking how they breastfeed.
We did 15 mls of formula starting around 24 hours of life after each breastfeeding attempt. This gradually did increase to an ounce. I had enough supply in by day 6 or 7 to stop supplementing with formula after each feed(I still pumped after each feed for breastmilk). I stopped supplementing altogether around a week and a half, but continued pumping so my husband could give a bottle a night while I slept for a couple hours.
Which actually, that's another part of this everyone overlooks. There is this oh poo poo new mothers shouldn't be sleeping and need to be awake every hour to feed/pump/whatever. You should do this for the first couple of days, but honestly, for your sanity, you need to pick a 3-4 hour block of your life to be uninterrupted and unconscious and have someone else feed and care for the baby. If you are in the throws of breastfeed/supplement/pump, you're not getting a lot of sleep, and are going to need a window somewhere to actually sleep. 3-4 hours sounds like nothing now, but when you are consistently getting 20-30 minutes, it's life changing.
On a random note, I saw from comments you want to use the Spectra S2 - I strongly believe in angled flanges, so here's the adapter to go from medela to Spectra so you can continue to use angled flanges.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DGEDVUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
When it comes to formula, I'd keep a couple things in mind. Your baby literally has NO taste experiences in their life(other than amniotic fluid). Therefore, breastmilk and formula will be all they know. Think of it like the kid with food allergies - you taste their allergen free brownie and think it's disgusting but they love it because they don't know any better. We switched formula on kids fairly often in the NICU for various reasons, and typically we had babies be fussy for a feed or two and then settle into the new stuff if they were going to fuss at all over the change. Therefore, I'd use whatever they give you, but have a box of formula at home that is unopened and returnable.
Hubs and I finally had a night out sin baby #2 arrived. After her 4 week growth spurt and a wonder week she has been cluster feeding nonstop.
This is what I pumped in about 10 min after being gone for 5 hours! I was still going strong but didn't feel like changing out bottles for more. (Side note: I am MUCH more comfortable now!)
Shoutout to the [Haakaa manual pump](Haakaa Silicone Breastfeeding Manual Breast Pump Milk Pump 100% Food Grade Silicone BPA PVC and Phthalate Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F8W7CF0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rxotybBR6HFTM) (or the boob grenade as I lovingly call it) for making my supply amazing!
My Lansinoh pump has the option to use batteries but I never have. And honestly, I like using a hand pump way more. A friend gave me this one because I was getting engorged a lot and it felt way more efficient and handy to me. I can get 4oz in like 5 minutes when an electric pump would take like 20 minutes.
Lanolin! It's an occlusive like petrolatum, but it also absorbs through the skin. It's chemically very similar to the moisturizing layer our skin naturally produces. It's AMAZING. It gets me through my crazy-dry winter lips every year and got me through a course of accutane this summer.
One caution!: Lanolin comes from sheep (it's a waxy layer on sheep wool that's removed as a part of the woolmaking process) and if you buy unrefined lanolin, it'll kinda smell like farm animals. I think it's subtle enough, but if you're sensitive to smells you can buy refined lanolin, which is marketed to breastfeeding mothers, so you're going to have to deal with a tube that says "chapped nipples" on it.
Amazon links: Unrefined lanolin, refined lanolin
edit-- I just use lanolin at night. It keeps my lips nice and moisturized that they can take a long day of lipstick. When I was on Accutane, or occasionally in the depths of winter, I do lanolin all day and it has a nice gloss.
I was just researching this last night on Reddit (here and SCA) to see if I could find other options before buying the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask that I'd been eyeing a while. The thing is, my lips aren't really chapped or super dry, but I find that they tighten up pretty quickly and I needed something that wasn't just an occlusive moisturizer (which is what my Aquaphor basically amounts to, with SPF 30).
One thing I realized is I've been exfoliating the lips too much. I tend to scrape off the top layer (it comes off easily, it's not dry either but moist) every morning and I think that's caused a vicious cycle of it peeling easily. So this morning I used my thumb to go over my lips and remove leftover balm without scraping the lip itself. This may not be helpful to you in particular but I figured I'd mention it in case anyone with an issue similar to mine checks out this thread too.
More to the point: I decided on trying Lansinoh, which is lanolin (it's actually marketed to breastfeeding mothers for their chapped nipples, but who cares). I got it this morning and it's definitely unlike anything else I've put on my lips and they haven't felt dried out all day. I went for this option because people said lanolin can penetrate deeper for more lasting moisture, rather than just sitting on top like petroleum jelly. It's $7 on Amazon for 3 little tubes (https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Lanolin-Minis-Breastfeeding-Mothers/dp/B00FNZQHJA/) so I think that's worth a shot for anyone who'd want to avoid spending more right away. The Laneige pack is so much more pretty-looking though that I might want to try it anyway…
Kellymom.com is my go-to resource for everything breastfeeding and pumping related. You could try pumping after your baby feeds. My daughter used to eat on one side only and I would pump the other side when she was done. You might not get much, but it would encourage your supply. I also have a Spectra pump and use Medela parts. Just get these adapters from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DGEDVUM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vBt.zb62EH61A
Just Google search how to determine best flange size. The standard 24mm works for most women I'm pretty sure.
I have a Dr Browns Formula Mixing Pitcher as well as a Nuk bottle warmer. Can I just say that the pitcher is probably one of THE best purchase I made? With how much LO eats (my guy is 7 months now) it makes feedings super convenient. Plus, it does a great job mixing the formula - I'm amazed at how LO's formula never has any lumps in it when I use the pitcher. If you couldn't tell, I highly recommend going this route - it makes feedings convenient and is much more cost effective than a Brezza.
This stuff is amazing - expensive as HELL but really amazing: CV Labs Skin Balm I've also had great luck with the Bite Agave Lip mask, although that is just as expensive and is less versatile in terms of using it on other dry patches. I'm also ordering some of the Lansinoh balm, which I've heard good things about and which is much much cheaper.
Baby food website reference. I'm into week four of introducing solids. Avocado (purée uncooked) was my first win (rice cereal was a total fail and I don't blame my little girl). Summer squash so far is a yum. Carrots were too bitter on their own so I mixed in parsnips. I thought it was delicious, my girl didn't. Im going to try parsnips solo as they're quite nutty and delicious. Pears (skinned, poached, puréed) were such a hit that I made small dallops to freeze and use them for teething in a baby mesh pop. and I plan on doing the same with sweet potato if it is also a hit. I make a bunch of different foods on Saturday and fill up my special freezer tray for the next two weeks. I'm really enjoying it. We went on one solid feeding a day (with one of our five 5 oz bottle feedings) for the first three weeks and on week four we do a morning solid / bottle and evening solid / bottle (plus another three bottle only feedings). I'm holding off on bananas as the sweet may make everything else a bit less desirable, but I really can't wait to try those too. Good luck and don't be discouraged!
If you are in the US, call your insurance company and see if they participate in the free breastpump program (most do). I used 4 and 8 oz bottles. For the sterilizer, I love love love the microwavable ones. Simple, cheap, and I use it after every feeding. Much easier than running the dishwasher constantly! Here's the one I have.
This has been so wonderful for our 10 month old! It's my favorite thing so far! My daughter has six teeth, 4 on the top in the front, and two on the bottom in the front... meaning, she can take BIG bites out of anything (even those hard biter biscuits) and then, of course since she only has teeth in the front, can't mash the food up to swallow. This thing is great! I can stick some fruit in it, hand it to her, and she's happy for the next half hour. We even put a small piece of Easter ham, a green bean and a bite of scalloped potatoes in there for her on Sunday and she absolutely loved it! Until she gets more teeth, I'm sticking with this handy little tool and those Gerbers Puffs and Yogurt Puffs for snack time. My heart can't handle any more choking scares!
I EP'd for two months after trying to EBF for 10 days too! First, EPing isn't the absolute end to your dreams of breastfeeding. You can always go back if you want to try again. I did, it was hard at first. We had to overcome nipple confusion. But to my delight, using Dr Browns wide nipples actually taught my son how to latch properly.
Second, if you don't want to try again, many people have done really well with EPing. My friend successfully EPed twins 100% for a full year. That's truly amazing because I had to supplement with formula one bottle a day and that was with just one kid :)
A couple of resources I found really helpful:
Congrats and good luck! I trained for a half while breastfeeding so AMA. I have three kids who each nursed for 2+ years.
The good news is that neither exercise nor nutrition are likely to affect your supply. (Here's the science behind that.)
Finding time to nurse or pump is more likely to be an issue, if your long runs conflict with feeding times. My kids were always fine for about 3 hours between feedings, once they were a few months old, so timing wasn't an issue even for long-ish runs. When your runs get really long or if there's a lot of travel time before/after your races or long runs, consider bringing a hand pump. I have this $30 one and it was SO nice to know I'd always have a quick and easy way to relieve pressure if I was away from my baby too long.
Sports bras become extra annoying to fit while you're lactating, just because your boobs can be so big and/or change sizes. Get a good sports bra! I normally go with whatever bra is on sale, but in those early post-baby days I spent $50 on a Moving Comfort and it was SO worth it.
If you plan on putting your baby in daycare, you definitely need a double electric. As another mentioned, check your insurance!! But if not, I'd still urge you to buy one like the Spectra s2 which is $159 on Amazon right now. Even though it's a large upfront cost....don't forget that formula will cost you so much more in the long run. So you'd be making an initial large investment to then save way more later. Keep in mind that formula can cost anywhere from $70-$150 a month....depending on what you buy.
Don't listen to your bf. You have plenty of milk! Supplementing with formula is only necessary if you weren't making enough or you don't want to breastfeed.
I agree with getting a haakaa to catch the drips. Make sure to buy from haakaa USA. There are fakes that aren't guaranteed that pass themselves off as haakaa.
Haakaa Silicone Breastfeeding Manual Breast Pump Milk Pump 100% Food Grade Silicone BPA PVC and Phthalate Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F8W7CF0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3NaOBbW4JV9T5
One of the knockoffs which was actually a good and trustworthy one was the naturebond but I believe it's been moved likely for copyright.
For a haakaa, you use it either to catch drips after a feed and you're still feeling engorged or during a feed on the non nursing side.
But want to add that it is not a replacement for a double electric. Use a double electric for when your kid is in daycare and gets a bottle. The safe rule of thumb to maintain milk supply is nurse/pump as often as baby eats. For most babies....that's probably 8-12 times in a 24 hr period. you've got a big one so I'd expect your number closer to 10.
To build a stash, you can pump directly after you feed or do 1 additional pump in the morning about an hour after his morning nurse.
Does your bf explain at all why he suddenly wants to formula feed? I bet it's bc it bothers him to see something he sexualizes leaking...but boobs were made to feed babies first before they were ever meant to amuse men....just saying.
SPECTRA SPECTRA SPECTRA! :)
I had the Medela PISA and while it was okay, I bought the Spectra because it comes so highly recommended. I could NOT be happier with my choice. I have better output, it's quieter and I think it hurts less as the Medela sort of has a "tugging" sensation, the Spectra feels more like vibrating. It also has a timer and a nightlight on it. I've been telling anyone who will listen because I love it so much!
Also, if you have a Medela and the accessories already, you can easily use all the Medela parts with the Spectra. Here's the link (http://www.amazon.com/Maymom-Breastshield-Connects-Backflow-Protector/dp/B01DGEDVUM/ref=sr_tnr_p_1_2492161011_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1465222552&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=maymom+spectra+medela+adapter)
The Spectra is also a closed system like the Ameda, so you don't have to worry about any backflow problems! I purchased the Spectra with my own money and it only runs about $130 on amazon. Totally worth the money, in my opinion!! :)
Edit: I should also mention that I tried the Ameda, it's the one I chose from my insurance and I was not a big fan. the suction was too low and I thought the speed was slow as well.
I'm thinking teething too, but whether that's the case or not, try a mesh baby feeder -- something like this. Put some fruit in the freezer, like a bit of banana or watermelon, then when it's nice and cold, put it in the mesh feeder. If your son is teething, the cold mesh will feel great on his gums, but even if he's not, he'll get some solid food through the mesh. If he is teething, the cold will numb his gums a bit, and then he might take the bottle. This worked really well with my daughter.
My LC diagnosed a tongue and lip tie which we got taken care of on day 3 of her little life - there was an immediate difference. Up to about 10 seconds of pain while initially latching is considered normal (I would usually cry), but it should not persist beyond the initial latch on. (That eventually stopped though!)
If you don't have them, these were everything in the first two weeks - get two sets and keep them in the fridge!
Gel Pads
I had the LC teach my husband how to help me get baby latched properly because I didn't seem to have enough hands until baby got a hang of nursing and that was super useful. I would usually hold baby in one hand and my boob in the other while husband maneuvered baby's head jnto position and jammed it into my boob as soon as she opened her mouth wide enough. If you can, have LC come to you!
My guy is 10.5 months and is only JUST now verging on cutting his first two teeth. We eat everything that's soft enough. I give him cheese, soft breads (in very small pieces because they can stick to the roof of their mouths), teething wafers, yogurt bites, eggs, meats (as long as they're not too spicy, salty or covered in anything) - he's quite a fan of brisket. He eats chicken, beef, spaghetti, sausage, sweet potatoes, corn...
For mobile babies, carbohydrates are acceptable. It's fuel. In fact almost all fruits and many, many vegetables are pure carbohydrates. Cabbage, peas, beans, corn, carrots, sweet potatoes, just to name a few!
Full-fat yogurt is great too, cutting fruit into small pieces or even putting it into a little mesh teething thing like this is a great option.
This sounds weird, but the cheapest easiest way to get this stuff is nipple cream for women who are breastfeeding. They use it because it’s awesome for moisturizing but it’s safe if baby accidentally gets some. Lip moisturizer with lanolin will be like three times the cost of nipple cream and it’s the exact same stuff. I recommend this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Lanolin-Breastfeeding-Soothing-Essentials/dp/B005MI648C/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=nipple+cream&amp;qid=1564173135&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-3
So since she might be drinking it out of a cup instead of bottle, which will be more difficulty to shake, you might want to get the mixing pitcher and make enough for the day to store in the fridge. It's absolutely fine to store formula that has been mixed but not drank out of in the fridge for 24 hours! So you can mix a set amount, store it, and pour out however much you need. I do sometimes microwave our bottles, which is not recommended because it can form hot spots. I just make sure I mix it really well afterward and squeeze a little in my mouth to be sure it isn't too hot. Roo hates cold bottles and Aoife might not like them cold since she's used to body-temp milk!
Our schedule is like this:
7, wake up
Between 7-8, bottle (6-7 oz)
8, breakfast (eggs, oatmeal, whatever)
10, snack (Cheerios, fruit)
11-1, nap
1, bottle (6-7 oz)
2, lunch
4-6, nap
6, bottle (4 oz)
7, dinner
9, bedtime bottle (6-9 oz)
Sometimes he'll have another 4-6 oz bottle in there too, and sometimes he'll have a midnight bottle. You might want to start her at just 4 oz or so since she isn't used to it, so that you're not wasting too much. If she finishes it, give more! She should probably have between 24-32 oz at this point, depending on how much solids she gets down in a day.
You're supposed to dump formula after they've drank out of the bottle/cup. Sometimes we will put it straight back in the fridge, and add it to the next feeding. I hate wasting, and so far he hasn't gotten sick.
I sterilized everything once, when we first bought it, but now we just wash things by hand. I use tap water to make his bottles since we have very safe water.
If you're going out and about, they make cool little containers that you can bring along a premeasured bit of formula. Like this. And I'll pack some bottles filled with water, so I can just dump the powder in when he gets hungry.
I think that's all for now! If I think of anything else I'll pop back in :) Good luck! It might be a rough week or two, but it's never been super easy for you anyway. You got this!!!
Lanolish. It's actually marketed as a nipple cream for breastfeeding moms, but it makes a fabulous lip balm. Head over to /r/skincareaddiction to see many raves about it. It's the only thing that can help my lips in dry winter months. They'd be cracking and damn near bleeding before I found this stuff. After a day or so, they were back to soft and feeling great. Make sure you aren't allergic to wool/sheep products, but otherwise try it out.
We love the Munchkin Miracle Cup. I bought one of these, realized it was amazing, then bought more and threw out everything else.
Amazon link (on mobile, sorry):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MRZIGVG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1467161845&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=spoutless+sippy+cup&amp;pi=SY200_QL40
They are not 100% spillproof - when my daughter (who is now 19mo) throws them on the floor, a few drops fly out. But that's it. They're still way better than any other cup I've tried.
As some of the others have chimed in, formula or breast milk is best at this age. About 4 months old I begin giving my son small spoonful taste of soup or puree or even a piece of something to chew on (like a pickle or lemon or apple etc) And it wasn't until 6 months that we really started once or twice a day giving him a small meal. You have to watch out though, because at this young, water is dangerous to their little bodies because their kidneys I just figuring out how to filter out all the extra water.
Good luck to you! I'm starting those little systems on something new is always difficult
EDIT: turns out that my source is often discredited and so here is another link to a study about babies and water intoxication https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/100/6/e4
I realized that I didn't mention that we use those mesh net chewy things and stuck the snackers inside for him to gnaw on! It makes me look like a fool! https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Fresh-Food-Feeder-Green/dp/B000GK5XY2
Thanks to all you parents for being ever vigilant to make sure others have the best information!
Any toy that's sorting, stacking, and able to carry and move from place to place (a basket and Easter eggs at the moment). Leapfrog makes a tea set that she loves (but you'll be singing the songs for days). Sidewalk chalk and the box it came in. 360 sippy cup. Sturdy Velcro shoes. Extra utensils and cute bibs to take to restaurants.
LeapFrog Musical Rainbow Tea Party https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DCWM2ZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GxaRCb4FFGH64
PUMA Baby Smash Glitz Glamm Velcro Kids Sneaker -my LO is currently wearing these out and they are easy off and on. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074P83XNH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jEaRCbEHRWAW1
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup, Green/Blue, 7 Ounce, 2 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MRZIFD0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NFaRCbBJRH0NJ
You can find it in the baby section at most pharmacies, though I personally just order it off amazon. It’s marketed as nipple cream (not sexy but it works like a charm).
I also use it on my lips and it’s wonderful! I layer it over Aquaphor or use it by itself under lipstick.
I ALSO use it on dry spots when needed! Lanolin is my favorite multi purpose product. As with anything, do patch test it since some people do have a Lanolin allergy.
This could be a teething thing or just a developmental thing.
You should try some of those mesh feeders with frozen fruit or frozen purees in them.. they're a bit messy but they're great for getting some nutrition into teething babies.
https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Food-Feeder-Pack-Green/dp/B000GK5XY2
Also, full length bibs with sleeves (Ikea has awesome ones) are great for messy meals too.
A parent of toddler twins here.
An Amazon prime membership.
The munchkin diaper pail Munchkin Arm &amp;amp; Hammer Diaper Pail.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V92XAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_aHujxb4ACN1VM
And if you're doing formula the Dr. Brown's formula mixing pitcher have been great.
Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I481LM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_tIujxbJ68A4J8
Congratulations and good luck!
Unless you're very dehydrated (and hardly anybody is), just drinking water probably won't do much. Try using a gentle lip scrub in the shower, and then a really thick layer of some kind of balm. I flip between Cerave's healing ointment in a big tube, and plain [lanolin nipple cream] (https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Breastfeeding-Salve-Lanolin-1-41/dp/B005MI648C/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485505327&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=nipple+cream), which has a cult following as a lip balm for a reason - it's cheap and very good for chronic chapped lips. And changing your toothpaste to a super gentle one might help too - the sodium lauryl sulfate in some toothpastes could be irritating your lips.
One thing though: no matter what you do, the problem isn't going to go away immediately. When my lips would get like this, it takes at least a week or two of constantly applying lanolin (and a thick layer at night) and a gentle scrub to make them feeling good again. The skin needs time to heal. And if you're ever outside, I'd recommend Aquaphor's lip treatment with SPF - even minor sun damage can make it harder for the skin to heal itself.
I assembled this cart for our living room, and I thought y'all would appreciate it. We also considered naming it the T&A cart, but "boob & butt" won out.
The bottom shelf just has extra diapers, wipes, and nursing pads.
Kind of tangential, but for any bottle feeding moms-to-be that might be reading this, you don't have to mix bottles individually!
Dr. Brown's makes a cool formula mixing pitcher that is affordable and makes night-time bottles a breeze (I swear I don't work for them!). I make one 24oz pitcher in the afternoon, which lasts almost all day. All I have to do at night is pour 3-4oz in a bottle, and use hot tap water to warm it up for a minute or two. It saves a few steps.
Like others have said, there are benefits and drawbacks to both options. ;)
Yeah, like others said use one of those dishwasher baskets for the nipples, lids and other random parts.
Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Deluxe-Dishwasher-Basket-Colors/dp/B000RI8Y30
As for the bottles, I either wedge them in between a tall glass, or wedge them right up against the dishwasher basket. Our basket is on the top shelf, right between those vertical posts. So I just sort of move the basket a little, put the bottle on the post, then put the basket back on it.
You still get some bottles flipping and flying all over, but trust me you're just starting down the path.
Just wait until you get to the small plastic kid cups that just love to fly all over the dishwasher.
Leak proof is a necessity. My toddler tries his best to dump out whatever he can. That being said, when I first started transitioning him, he did not get it! Wouldn't go for a straw either. We ended up going with a NUK soft spout (as close to a bottle as you can get while still being a sippy) https://smile.amazon.com/NUK-Fashion-Elephants-Learner-5-Ounce/dp/B00BEVSSDA/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501782954&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=nuk+sippy.
Once he got the hang of that we switched him over to the munchkin 360. Love that cup. It's the least spillable cup I've found, and he likes it because it makes him feel like a big boy.
https://smile.amazon.com/Munchkin-Miracle-Trainer-Green-Ounce/dp/B00MRZIFD0/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=baby-products&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501783093&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=munchkin+miracle+360+cup
Definitely a yes on the handles too.
I use enfamil a+ powder and I legit tried it because I was curious about what I was feeding my baby - it tastes like milk. Richer than regular milk even - and it smelled nice. I mixed up some simlac once and just smelled it and thought 'wow... I don't think that will taste good so never mind'. I haven't tried any other brands because I was so impressed with the enfamil powder.
I was cautious about it at first because the pre-mixed enfamil was gross, but it was what the nurses had to supplement my twins while they were in the NICU and I was trying to get my milk supply better.
Also - I do kinda agree that straws are not great - to my knowledge they are not as good for developing teeth and for the oral coordination for chewing and swallowing or drinking from a regular cup. However, if you don't want to get her drinking from a bottle (or she doesn't like it) maybe try the trainer style sippy cups - they are cup shaped like an adult cup but have a silicone insert in the lid that prevents spills and your baby just sucks on the edge of the cup to get liquid out. My heath nurse told me that its better for an infants developing teeth than a sippy cups with spouts or straws (also IMO straws just let a kiddo drink too much too quick and they get the idea to suck on EVERY STRAW so they will try to grab your drink to suck on the straw too...).
Anyway, the trainer cups are what my twins are learning to use - they are 6mos and just starting solids - and they are getting the idea pretty quick just like how to use a spoon. (I've been doing BLW and giving a variety of foods and textures not just puree as I want them to figure out feeding themselves and having those skills)
Household additions:
Temporary adjustments:
Go through the house and act out common scenarios (bathroom, showering, eating, drinking, keeping tidy) and make sure all the essentials are in place for someone with limited mobility. Small things, like making sure a waste basket is in every room & easy to reach, can make a big difference.
So, what I have done is pump one side and nurse the other. That way I'm not stuck in the chair all day long. I usually do it once or twice in the early morning (thats when your milk is usually most plentiful, from 4am on) and it is enough for one solid feed at night.
I also have a fast let down and pumping for just one or two moments on that side can help with the squirt to the back of the throat. A haaka is a nice affordable option for this as it doesn't require lot of cords and tubes.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWK4S5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_wJlPDbQZ0BJNJ
I know it's exhausting. I also know you are a great mom for giving it your best.
She must pump, its' no more complex than that. It's a must.
So my wife had one of these. http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Pump-Style-Advanced-Breast/dp/B004HWXCJS/?tag=15615-20 Yes . . . it's expensive, but truly worth it. With a cigarette lighter attachment, it's a beautiful thing.
Along with it she had nursing bra's that zipped.
She'd latch on the pump then zip the bra to hold the pump in place, then would be completely hands-free for :20
And if by "busy" you mean "has a job", then I would hope that she would be able to sit in a bathroom or unused office somewhere for :20 and pump while reading things relevant to work on her phone or tablet.
Pumping 4x a day will absolutely keep here supply and size up. But it will only last a few months before supply starts to fall off and no amount of pumping will bring it back. within a year/year and a half, she'll be all deflated and empty anyway.
I've heard BITE's Agave lip mask is amazing. If you have money to drop for it (they also have a mini gift set with their lip exfoliator), then I would try it out. I don't have money to shell out for it, so keep this in mind:
Lanolin is the mask's active ingredient (it's listed first). It's the same thing used in nipple creams for breastfeeding mothers. I'd suggest purchasing Lansinoh and see where it goes from there. Plus, you can use it on cracked knees and elbows!
If you want to splurge on a yummy lip mask that you can't resist licking off your lips, then buy the BITE product. :)
If you're looking for a cheaper Lanolin alternative someone mentioned to me Nipple cream. Its super cheap and you can get A LOT of it. I personally love any products that have lanolin in it. Bite's lip balm and lip mask are my favs.
I ended up buying these for when I want something simple and effective. Would highly recommend.
Hooray, congrats!
It can be super painful at first! 4-6 weeks was about when I finally experienced that breakthrough moment with my oldest, and I'm so not looking forward to doing it all over again!
A nurse in my Mother's Group suggested hyrdogel pads to help your nips feel better in between feedings- they really, really helped me:
https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Soothies-Breastfeeding-Mothers-Count/dp/B002KGHUL4/ref=pd_lpo_75_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=859ZFQ7CNM1V4WRRYJR8
Everything I'm recommending can be bought on Amazon fairly cheaply:
1st Cleanser (PM only to get rid of sunscreen or makeup): The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil Dry Skin
2nd Cleanser: Cerave hydrating Cleanser
Hydrating Toner: [Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner] (https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Alcohol-Paraben-Cruelty-Eco-friendly/dp/B00PGOFYG0) or
Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist
Medium Moisturizer: Cerve PM Moisturizing Lotion
Heavy Moisturizer: Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream
Sleeping Pack: Cosrx Ultimate Rice Overnight Mask
Sheet Mask: Benton Snail Bee High Content Sheet Mask, illi masks, MBD masks (these might be out of your price range as they are between $1-3 per use).
Sunscreen: [Biore Kids Sunscreen] (https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Health-Personal-Care-carefree/dp/B019IDQ57G)
Lips: Lanolin
Makeup
BB: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream #13 (RP), Mizon Snail Repair Blemish Balm
Cushion: Innisfree
Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Nursing pillow (I use the boppy), milk storage solutions... Look into Kiinde Twist. You can pump from the Medela pump directly into the twist bags. My coworker gifted me the nice gift set and I'm pretty stoked to use it. Also these flanges, everyone tells me I have to get them, so I resisted for them. I also registered for the $30 medela hand pump because it saved my sanity with engorgement with my first one (hand pump + hot shower = relief).
The Spectra is better imo. The good news is that you can buy an adapter from Amazon that will allow you to use Medela parts with your Spectra. I didn't do this last time, but have purchased them for use with these babies.
Regarding the bottles - I was super concerned before baby about pumping into the bottles that baby used, but it ended up being easier for me to pump into the bottles that came with my pump and then transfer the milk into bags/bottles baby used. At least for me, I didn't ever pump the exact same amount, so there was always lots of adding/subtracting milk from each bottle before I could feed baby with it. I DID use the Medela bottles at first with Dr. Brown's preemie nipples, and using the adapters I linked to above, I can pump directly into these with my Spectra this time around.
Thanks for the advice!! And for the Silicone Breast Pump!! link for the u.s.
I actually had no idea that this was even a thing until my mom had mentioned something to me the other day. She told me I would have to put a towel or something over my other breast while the baby was eating. I had NO IDEA!! So, this thing is going on my registry.
Also, she's SUPER ADORABLE!! I love those eyes!!
Well the first thing I would buy would be these
Munchkin Miracle 360 Sippy Cup, Green/Blue, 10 Ounce, 2 Count https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00MRZIGVG/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_FoVhDbC3CDHW5
Now It depends if you like sippy cups or for bottles but having a pair of sippy cups around is really helpful I'm a daddy and I use my little sippy cup when I'm sick because these are so useful since you can fully tip them over and they won't spill. They have smaller ones with handles too.
Other then that I would suggest of blankie something soft that you can rub when stressed.
The rest depends on if your a little/middle, do you like oral things (like gum, cigarette/vape, chew on your hair fingers or lip) or are you more touch sensitive where blankets and stuffies of multiple fabrics and fluffiness would come into play. Are you an artistic little then crayons coloring books glitter and the like would be good buys.
but what are you looking at right now?
The pains definitely ease up. Use all the lanolin you can get for those cracked nipples! (Or, I really like earth mama natural nipple butter) And it will take a few weeks for your supply to figure itself out, but eventually you will start to worry why your boobs aren't hard any more and if it means your supply is dipping (it's normal and no, your boobs are just figuring out how much to produce and at what time). Warm compresses on your boobs help.
I recommend getting a haakaa milk catcher or similar type of non-pump device to catch those flood gates of milk and save it! You don't really want to pump a lot right now because that will just increase your supply more and more.
This stuff is the shit. It doesn't smell and isn't sticky like regular lanolin, and it's definitely safe for lips. I use this when nothing else is working or to help heal up the end of a cold sore. It's the best.
I recommend [Dr. Dan's Cortibalm] (https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Dans-Cortibalm-Balm-Count/dp/B00DME6W76/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520993027&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=dr+dans+cortibalm), it should help with the swelling. On top of that put lanolin - I use this [one]
(https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Breastfeeding-Moisturizer-Preservative-Hypoallergenic/dp/B005MI648C/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520992749&amp;sr=8-6&amp;keywords=lanolin). The [Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask] (https://www.amazon.com/LANEIGE-SLEEPING-Berry-Sleeping-Treatment/dp/B018AYHZX2/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_194_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=6CE1FFJBSM6B0QN5JPNK) is also great. I've been using all of those products and my lips are looking better than they did before accutane. Also, I get buying three things isn't realistic for some folks, so I would suggest getting the Dr. Dan's and putting vaseline over it.
What organisms are you planning to work with?
(tl;dr read refs 1,2,3; google "baby bottle microwave sterilizer)
1) If you are considering culturing environmental samples, read the diybio.org "Ask A Biosafety Officer" responses to the questions about culturing samples http://ask.diybio.org/questions/.
2) In general you should familiarize yourself with the CDC's Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition (pdf direct link) if you are not already.
In particular, Appendix B—Decontamination and Disinfection (pg 326) defines and reviews principles of sterilization vs disinfection.
An interesting and useful project would be to measure effectiveness of one or more "diy-friendly" alternative sterilization/disinfection tools + procedures. One way to start researching how to design such an experiment could start with reading the BMBL (at least the appendix B and related sections) to learn conceptual starting points & technicals terms. Van Doornmalen 2008 (ref 3 below) is a good review to learn more.
microwave baby-bottle steam "sterilizers"
Now, with that said, I'd like to suggest another set of consumer products that might be useful for home lab disinfection: baby bottle sterilizers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VBXKG2. In particular some are designed to be used with microwave ovens. They are usually plastic containers with an internal rack for holding the bottles along with a resevoir for water. The microwave is used to vaporize the water into steam. Unlike lab autoclaves, these are not pressure vessels and so the pressure & temp of the steam is at ambient and thus not capable of true sterilization.
However, it may be that the incident microwaves compensate for this to some degree - or not. Lit review + research required! Here is a PubMed search for relevant MESH terms ("Disinfection/methods"[MAJR]) AND "Microwaves"[MAJR]. It seems as if there has been some research into using microwaves to disinfect dentures and toothbrushes.
more lit
3) Van Doornmalen, J., & Kopinga, K. (2008). Review of surface steam sterilization for validation purposes. American Journal of Infection Control, 36(2), 86–92. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2007.02.002 (scihub)
4) ANSI AAMI ST55:2016 - Table-top steam sterilizers - FDA supplimentary information sheet
5) FDA.gov: Recognized Consensus Standards - Specialty Task Group Area: Sterility Standards; Title or Keyword: Sterilization. 1-119 results.
Good idea, definitely look into getting a pump. Personally, I just fed on demand and only pumped maybe a 2 dozen or so times in the 2 years that I nursed my son but this [Madela Hand Pump] (https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Harmony-Manual-Breast-Pump/dp/B0006HBS1M/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1487015148&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=medela+hand+pump) is awesome. I also had an electric pump but just found the hand pump to be way more convenient.
Is it really that good? I've heard good things about it, but have been hesitant to actually trying it :s My lips are definitely dry, but they aren't red and inflamed like some of the extreme cases I've seen people on Accutane go through. I'm a mess without Aquaphor on me all the time, but it always feels good when I re-apply it about every hour and a half. However, I feel like it's just sitting on my lips, as oppose to actually doing something. Also, is this the lanolin you're talking about?
Try to keep your nipples clean and dry, and use a really good lotion like Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter. That stuff is awesome.
Don't worry about the pooing. Her system is just getting revved up. Having foremilk/hindmilk imbalance is relatively unusual. Just keep offering each breast for as long as she wants it; she's communicating to your body what she needs, and your body will likely respond.
Those early days of breastfeeding, I was convinced I had every problem ever, all usually within the same feeding - she's overeating, she's not getting enough, it's a foremilk imbalance, etc.
We liked the 360 ones, but they taught him to bite on cup rims, so we phased those out.
Hands down, these work best for us. Easy to clean and no spilling or dripping at all. Not even when it gets thrown.
If your wife is planning to nurse, she needs lanolin cream for her nipples, and also either nipple shells like [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Medela-SoftShells-Breast-Inverted-Nipples/dp/B001XDKTXQ/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&amp;colid=2ASXZDZYVCW83&amp;coliid=IQ61JE9TGHYQY) to help protect her chapped nipples from her clothing, or gel pads like [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Soothies-Gel-Pads-2-Count/dp/B002KGHUL4/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1371531566&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=nipple+soothers) or, preferably, both. Those poor boobies get really, really sore in the first few days.
Plus, as someone else said, either nursing tank tops or simple nursing bras. Don't get specific size nursing bras (like 36C) yet because you have no idea what size they will be once her milk comes in, just just find one or two that are "medium" or "large." She'll have to go out and get the right size in a week or two when everything is established.
A nursing pillow, like a boppy, is also handy, but definitely not required. It helps with positioning and arm support during marathon nursing sessions.
Not nursing related, but one of those inflatable butt donuts can feel pretty good on tattered and torn lady bits. So can pain relief spray and witch hazel. And a squirt bottle to use instead of wiping - my hospital provided that. And colace (stool softener).
Second lansinoh soothies that your store in the fridge, and taking any postpartum medicine you might have been prescribed!
You can also pump just a TINY bit to relieve some pressure (if you pump too much, your boobs will be like “OH HEY YOU WANT ME TO KEEP PRODUCING THIS MUCH, YEAH?”
AND ALSO: demand of your support network time and space to take relieving showers. You are 100% not required to fully care for a toddler and a newborn at 3 days postpartum!!!!!!
If you want to save the milk a Hakaa pump is well worth the $20 investment. It's how I built up a pretty decent freezer stash with almost zero effort.
Edit to add that I also have a manual pump I occasionally use, but all the parts are annoying to clean so the Hakaa is something I'm still using almost daily three months out.
Also, my LO did the same thing and my midwife assured me not to worry, and it is getting better as she gets older. I definitely notice if I have more engorgement than normal and I don't pre-drain a bit, she becomes the exorcist with all the puking she does everywhere.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B01F8W7CF0/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1521749696&amp;sr=8-2&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=hakaa+breast+pump&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41G9iDjQW6L&amp;ref=plSrch
http://www.amazon.com/Pumpin-Pal-Super-Shields-Complete/dp/B0085CBA90 <--- you may find those are more comfortable. They are tilted flanges that allow you to sit in a more comfortable position and still get great milk flow.
I was a 32 G pre-pregnancy and gargantuan by the end. I used a boppy nursing pillow and loved it, but I am sure other brands are great, too, just something! It does feel like you have about 12 less hands than you need in the beginning, but you will figure it out. Babies make a lot of noise while they breastfeed. You will be able to hear her breathing and swallowing so it would be obvious if she could not breathe. I don't recall ever have any smothering problems. Really early on, since she was so tiny I had to tuck her body under the boob that she was not feeding on so that she could get close enough to eat. We breastfed for 16 months. The first month was hard. We had latching issues and I had bloody nipples, but we eventually got there. I don't think the latching had anything to do with my breast size. I would also recommend lanolin cream and these soothie gels. Put them in the fridge they are amazing.
I honestly don't know anything about baby led weaning.
I just wanted to suggest this product-
http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Fresh-Feeder-Colors-Count/dp/B000GK5XY2
You might already use it, but I thought I'd mention it just in case. :)
Edit: in case you haven't seen it before, you just pop the fruit or veggie into the mesh bag and snap it shut. You LO can hold on to it by themselves and chew away at it. They're happy and you dont have to worry about them choking on foods. :)
My lips are my biggest issue—they're in a neverending peeling cycle. I have really dry skin in general and I can't really breathe through my nose, and I think all the mouthbreathing exacerbates things. I don't get cracking or the red circle around the lips that kids get, but just constant peeling peeling peeling.
I use lanolin. It's the sheep equivalent of sebum, which doesn't sound great, but it's similar to the oils produced by human skin. I use Lansinoh, which is intended for nipples that are chapped from breastfeeding. (Don't buy pure raw lanolin, it will smell like sheep.) I recently found it in these minis, which I really like since they're a normal chapstick size. They helpfully say "SOOTHES & PROTECTS SORE, CHAPPED NIPPLES"... I try not to leave them out when my students are around.
It works best when I use it as a routine several times a day instead of as needed. I always fall back into trying to apply lip products only as needed, which completely does not work for me. I would never wait until I had a problem to apply any other moisturizer, so why do I do it with lip moisturizers? Who knows.
I do the wash cloth exfoliation thing, which maybe helps, but is not nearly enough for me. Does anyone do any intentional chemical exfoliation on their lips? Are there products for that?
I've never really found a solution for my peeling lips and have mostly just learned to live with it. :\
I'm going to try switching to an SLS free toothpaste. I've used them before and didn't notice it helping my lips, but I wasn't looking out for it so who knows.
For SPF I've been using Banana Boat SPF 45 Lip Balm. It's fine.
For cold sores I take 2g of Valtrex (an antiviral used for herpes) when I feel a tingle, and then 2g 12 hours later. If I take it in time it can normally completely prevent an outbreak. I also use Abreva, but only on the sore itself at the very early stages since it works by protecting cells from becoming infected. I don't think there's any point in using it once it erupts, though I'll keep using it on my other lip if it's touching.
If you end up with super sore and chapped nipples I cannot recommend hydrogel breast pads enough! They are amazing, cooling, soothing and help speed up any healing. Like these ones!
Good! You should be able to pump less and less as the weeks go by. As someone pointed out, now's a great time to introduce a bottle anyway.
Another thing to look into is a haakaa. I have not personally used it, but it is popular and might save you a little time or effort.
This pitcher is super awesome! If your baby doesn't mind cold formula it's so easy to mix up a days worth and pour bottles as you need them. I just buy those large water jugs and make 24oz at time with that pitcher. This is what my set up looks like (pitcher is in the fridge)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001I481LM/ref=sxts1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1472843090&amp;sr=1 http://i.imgur.com/Tm8AhUa.jpg
Yeah, just follow the instructions. My experience with formula is that you can pre-mix if you use within 24 hours. You can also get premixed liquid that keeps longer, but it costs more.
If you are mixing your own, I highly recommend picking up a formula mixing pitcher, it makes things way easier, especially as baby grows and needs to eat more. We had this one from Dr. Brown and liked it.
Check if you or your SO gets a discount through work. I was surprised to find both my work and my husbands had signed up for parent hood support groups. I got my Medela Pump in style at half price and I like it. Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with On the Go Tote However, you should not lend or sell your pump. It would be like sharing used underwear and it is advised against for health reasons.
Hydration is key- but you may also need an occlusive/moisturizer to help get them better. I use a lanolin based lip balm but anything with lanolin (try a nipple balm for breastfeeding moms ) or petroleum jelly will help.
I bought the Freemie's (Freemie Collection Cups The Only Hands Free and Concealable Breast Pump Milk Collection System, Clear, 25/28 mm Funnels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UV6JDN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1E-Eyb8Z7YA2B) when I went back to work (and a 9 volt car adapter for my pump) and they work sooo much better than my pumping bra. They don't stick out so I don't knock them while driving. I like to put it all together once I'm in the car and have my seat belt in, so I can get into a comfortable position. I don't see it being a problem with shifting, as long as you have the tubing out of the way before driving. I also got extra long tubing so I could maneuver it behind my shoulder to keep it in place.
Thats fantastic! And definitely check out what your insurance says about lactation support - I picked up my 100% insurance-covered Medela PIS (double electric pump) the day after getting discharged from the hospital. No reason for you to have to suffer through pumping sessions.
Also, if you're going to be pumping a lot, look into Pumpin Pals. They are amazing and saved me a ton of nipple pain from pumping back at work.
Keep at it, you're gonna do great!
Please do yourself a favor and get this ..
Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I481LM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hx.-yb6J461M9
It makes dealing the formula SO MUCH EASIER!! You make the whole days worth in the morning and then just pour as needed. We found out about it when our daughter was 5 months and it was great !
Ok and as for your wife .. I think you need to be blunt a " honey , she's my daughter too, I love her and would never do anything to hurt her , I may a mistake and have learned from it. trust me "
Thats what worked for me and my husband - mama doesn't always know best and isn't the only one that can take care of the baby but sometimes we need to be reminded of it.
I have one, but as a FTM without my kid here yet, I pretty much know jack shit. However, after searching for the S2 on Amazon, I found that customers also bought this and other various things to make life easier or that can work with Medela bottles/parts/etc like these flange adapters. The top customer review had some info about how they used medela bottles with pumpin pal flanges and didn't have to "hack" anything or cut tubing. Have a look around. I am getting a better grasp on everything by doing this.
First make sure you look into your insurance. Many insurance companies now are required to supply you with a breast pump. I used the Ameda Purley Yours with both my kids and I loved it. It worked very well, and I have nothing bad to say about it. I didn't use the pump regularly though, so sometimes it depends on how much you are expecting to pump. Generally the two popular pumps are the Ameda Purely Yours and the Medela Pump in Style.
That was the issue for us, weight gain, as they were born preemies (born @ 33 weeks). We had to prioritize getting them to eat food and gain weight, but that came at the expense of not learning to self feed. Will start with BLW efforts today, and try new type of sippie cups (I'm going to try the munchkin 360 cup and see how it goes). They both have 4 teeth (2 top, 2 bottom - prominent, and others are emerging). Thank you!
They're on Groupon often, believe it or not! Also I heard a lot about this single suction manual pump after it was too late to use with my son. I definitely plan to check it out with the next baby. And finally, it's nice to have a single manual pump too (not electric) - good for car rides, when you need to pump only one side a little, etc. Oh and one more thing - hands-free pumping bra. I liked the simple wishes one.
Not going to lie, it can hurt! I ended up using nipple shields for the entire time I breastfed (22 months) and I super recommend having some in the house - they make it so much more bearable! Getting your supply started with just the pump will take a lot of effort so if you can manage to feed direct it is honestly easier.
These are the nipple shields I used and I also used these gel pads for the first week, so soothing! Do what you’re comfortable with though, don’t feel pressured, just do what works.
I was unable to breastfeed my first, but when she was going through some medical issues we had a friend volunteer to pump for us. The milk were in these bags, and we either put them in a bowl in the fridge to thaw, or ran them under warm water for a minute or so. it was really quick and easy
Buy a haaka silicone pump. It quickly solved my engorgement/oversupply issue. My friend basically demanded that I buy one when I told her of my engorgement and I'm so glad.
The electric pump (while offering sweet relief) simulates a baby suckling, which causes your body to produce milk for that "baby." The haaka takes extra milk without stimulating extra supply. It's more like one giant prolonged slurp with a straw.
Check it out! Please don't keep suffering
https://www.amazon.com/Haakaa-Silicone-Breastfeeding-Manual-Phthalate/dp/B01F8W7CF0
First of all, it's not too late. Basically, you need to remove milk from your breasts either by pumping or nursing at least 8 times or more in a 24 hour period to maintain full milk supply. If your health insurance doesn't cover a pump (almost all do - you can check by calling the customer service line on your insurance card) then you can at least get a cheap manual pump like the Medela Harmony and still maintain milk supply. The only downside to a manual pump is that you can only pump one side at a time. I personally never responded to an electric pump, and exclusively used a manual pump at work through the first year. You can even use hand expression to maintain milk supply without a pump - and for many women it's can be even more effective than a pump! When you do get your hands on a manual or electric pump, try using the hands on pumping technique to help your output. If you're on Facebook, as to join this group BRAS Brestfeeding Support Group
You can find the Aritaum lip mask on Amazon.
If you want something cheaper, I really like pure lanolin - it's really sticky and thick, but it works wonders. Something like this is super affordable.
Wow. That is awful!
Did you get a hand pump as a back up after that? It’s a good back up for folks that can’t afford a full second pump.
I’ve heard good things about the Haakaa and put it on my registry.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01F8W7CF0/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1527714056&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=haakaa+breastpump&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51y0lBYeyEL&amp;ref=plSrch
Eco Friendly, Baby Edition! More suggestions are welcome!
I'm due this winter (being induced in December), and these cloth diapers would be really green and really helpful! My mom used cloth diapers with us, and though they're a little more work, they don't put THAT much extra laundry into the wash cycle, and they save on ALL that waste that's created by baby diapers! Crazy! We do not intend to do cloth 100% of the time, but they'll be nice when baby has already had a poo that day, and we expect no more poo, so they'll be there for pee only. (How predictable is a poo cycle on a baby? We'll figure it out!)
We also want to make most of our own baby food, from local produce from a farmer's market, which cuts down on gas used to bring us our food and all the glass bottles used to store food. Here is a plastic set of little food containers.
I'm also breast feeding, so here are some breast milk storage bags. THAT'S SUPER GREEN, and cheap, because I'm not using all that awful formula.
We used these with great success.
I might stray away from the rubbery ones only because real food encourages chewing, and standard pacifiers don't deal well with chewing...
I have a Spectra S1 and love it. It's very quiet, fast, and the parts are very easy to clean.
FWIW, I ordered the Spectra S2 from this amazon listing and they accidentally(?) sent me a S1. Just saying...
Also maybe look into trying the Haakaa. It’s a pump you use on the opposite breast while the baby is nursing. It just suctions on and does the work for you. It’s very easy to use and only costs about $15. Just another tool to help keep your breasts as empty as possible. Good luck!
Edit: here’s the link
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump 4oz/100ml,2019 New Style https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWK4S5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CEIrDbDCREG7N
That looks like the Munchkin 360 cups I have https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Miracle-Trainer-Green-Ounce/dp/B00MRZIFD0/ they're great, but my toddler just figured out how to get her thumb under the rubber lid and pour all the water out! Still a great cup, never leaks if it just gets left on its side.
My friend and I found these to be the bags we liked the best. Double zipper, so they don't leak. BPA free.
http://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Breastmilk-Storage-Bags-Count/dp/B006XISCNA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1409958104&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=breast+milk+storage+bags
I would pump into the bottle provided with the breast pump (Medela), and then pour the milk into one of these bags. I'd then freeze it flat. To thaw, I'd heat up a bowl of water for a minute or so on high, then defrost the bag in that.
If you are on the go. This is what I recommend!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004HWXCJS/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1?qid=1370534482&amp;amp;sr=8-1-spell&amp;amp;pi=SL75
It is what I have. Everything is conveniently in a bag.
Clean up is easy.
Cooler bag to store milk so it doesn't spoil. Etc.
I use this when I'm at school.
Though I wish I heard about this one.
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/463/freestyle-breastpump
It doesn't need an outlet
I got a Medela In Style from insurance (Thanks, Obama) and ended up buying a Spectra S2 from Amazon (hospital grade and insurance wouldn't cover).
I like both, but the s2 is lighter, quieter and more comfortable to use. Glad I have both (Medela can be portable for work) but if I had to have one - would buy the Spectra, it's not as much money as I had expected.
I know it sounds crazy, but nipple cream. Yes- cream for chafed nipples which happens when breastfeeding (apparently?! And sounds no bueno). It’s lanolin has a vaseline consistency, and comes in a purple tube. Holy grail for super dry and chapped lips:
Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream, 100% Natural Lanolin Cream for Breastfeeding, 1.41 oz Tube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MI648C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sxLvCbVHBEY2Z
If you want to try pumping more, I would highly recommend this silicone pump thingy. You can put it on your other boob while baby is nursing and get a couple ounces. I had the same problem with trying to pump while taking care of a clingy baby. It's impossible!
My husband and I had a similar problem where he always felt like he wasn't doing enough and it was honestly exhausting feeling like I had constantly reassure him
https://www.amazon.com/Haakaa-Silicone-Breastfeeding-Manual-Phthalate/dp/B01F8W7CF0
Dunno if this is what you were looking for, but I make large batches in the Dr. Browns pitcher and it's way easier than trying to get a scoop into a bottle. It makes mixing really easy and it has a little spout for pouring out your bottles.
I use the Lansinoh, or Target version of the Lansinoh, because they freeze flat for storage. I dont have a chest freezer, but what I use in my regular freezer is throwaway aluminum food trays, They work well to keep the bags organized. I recommend using the shelf in the freezer to lay the bags to freeze, if the shelf is wire like, you may want to put something smooth and flat down to lay the bags on. When I froze the bags right on the wire shelf, it was hard to stack the bags side by side because the bags became wavy from the shelf.
I got the Medela pump through my insurance and it works (it is pretty loud) but it is nice being able to get parts if needed at almost any store! I wanted the Spectra but my insurance didn't provide that option.
Many people use a haakaa on the side they are not feeding on to catch the letdown! I prefer the milkies milk saver since it goes right in your bra/tank top and you don't have to worry about baby kicking it off!
Yeah, a simple microwave sterilizer like this is cheap and convenient: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-AVENT-Microwave-Steam-Sterilizer/dp/B007VBXKG2
You sterilize everything. You can see all the different pieces in the linked product. I mean, you can probably skip sterilizing the caps since they don't touch either the milk or the baby's mouth, but it's really easier to keep everything together. I basically used my sterilizer as a storage device for all the ready-to-use bottles after sterilizing. Take one set and leave the rest in there, covered up and clean.
As for the brands, Philips is Dutch, Nuk and Tommee Tippee are British, and Tomy (Boon Nursh) is originally from Japan.
Get a nipple cream. I use the Lansinoh brand and have found it to help with the itchiness perfectly. It's thicker than lotion and stays on much longer. It's more like Aquaphor.
get the 360 cup thing maybe without the handles? But it helps them learn how to drink from a real cup without the ability to waterboard themselves by tipping the cup too far and having it all rush out at once. This is the cup we started my son on and he loves it (at 7 months) and can already drink water from a regular cup, although it's still messy. Edit to say I am an asshole and didn't see the last paragraph about how you finally decided on one. Glad you were able to find one you like and hit the order button!
I had a C-section. Here's my list of musts:
Nipple Cream: https://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-Certified-Organic-Cracked-Nursing/dp/B0007CQ726/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1524170982&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=nipplecreams+for+breastfeeding&amp;psc=1
Nursing Pads: https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Ultimate-Protection-Nighttime-Discretion/dp/B0179BQBP0/ref=sr_1_8_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1524171034&amp;sr=8-8&amp;keywords=nursing+pads
Huge drinking cup so you don't have to get up so often: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DGMBG5Q/ref=dp_prsubs_3
Nursing Bras: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075DBJ53P/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Extra Long phone charging cords: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074296YH3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Burp Cloths (which are useful for a million things, I bought 3 of the 10-packs and am so glad I did):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VBYVVA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
And my MIL got me this housecoat type thing made of sweatshirt material that was longer than knee length, zipped up, and had 2 massive pockets. I lived in the thing for like a month because I couldn't stand pants after my C-section. Plus it was warm and the pockets were really handy for carrying things (phone, water bottle, burp cloths, etc) while I was holding the baby.
One thing that really worked for us were frozen yogurt tubes. We'd get a box of Gogurts, freeze them, then give them to her half at a time. It's tasty yogurt and the cold really helped her gums.
Another thing was to get those little teething/feeding nets and put ice cubes in them. Like here: https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Food-Feeder-Pack-Green/dp/B000GK5XY2
Those nets are awesome. The baby can only suck on them so no worries about choking. Since we only put ice cubes in them, we never had much issue with keeping them clean.
Good luck.
This is all you need: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Formula-Mixing-Pitcher/dp/B001I481LM
I boil water and keep it in a glass jar for when I need to make a new batch of formula. I use this mixer and make 32 oz (as much as it holds) and I'm set for the day. Thankfully my girl likes cold formula, so I don't even need to warm it. Just pour it in a bottle and I'm good.
If you're using Amazon don't forget to use http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com to check the price increase/decrease history. For example I decided to pull the trigger and buy my Spectra S2 in November when the price dropped, as the history showed it probably wouldn't get any lower - http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Spectra-Hospital-Double-Electric-Breast/product/B00BLBLR1I?context=browse
Edited to add: we hit Ikea today and their baby stuff is surprisingly good. Their muslin cloths are better than the ones from Mamas and Papas and their baby towels are also really thick and soft. I'll probably pick up a few of their sleeping bags instead of GroBags too.
I have to call my insurance to see what the free option is. (I'm definitely going with the free option.) I think it's a Medela. And then I was planning on ordering the Freemie collection cups https://www.amazon.com/Freemie-Collection-Cups-Concealable-Funnels/dp/B00UV6JDN8.
Don't judge. I took out the rack on the top. It works great because it keeps it together and I can see what's in there. I keep my butane, cutters, lighters, bottle opener, and matches in it. Works great. As a note, we never used it for its intended use.
It is a nice idea. Although I used it farrr less often than I'd planned to when I bought them. http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Pack-Fresh-Feeder-Colors/dp/B000GK5XY2/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=electronics&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323040540&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr
Mine ended up becoming almost exclusively a grape feeder. Not just for frozen grapes, but anytime I wanted to give him grapes, I'd stick them in there because it was easier/lazier than cutting them, haha :)
My son is 3 months old and formula fed. Just hand wash and dry the bottles between uses, and you'll be fine. We've never sterilized them or boiled water. And look into a Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher. It is an absolute lifesaver!
Not AB, but I swear by nipple cream.
Yes nipple cream. It's mostly lanolin and it is very moisturizing. I use it as a lip mask and my lips are chap free for the rest of the day.
Here's a link to the one we have. My son loves mashed up frozen strawberries or bananas in it. The mesh adds some nice texture on the gums, too, like a washcloth (which he also loves).
https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Fresh-Feeder-Colors-Count/dp/B000GK5XY2
It sounds like teething, yes. It's pretty common for them to eat less when teething. Maybe freeze some milk and put a cube into a mesh feeder?
You can make a 25 hour supply of formula (however much your baby will eat in that time frame) and keep it in the fridge. This one is great: Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I481LM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_l-EdBbTNZRKMW.
I live in Texas and we do not have to boil water, we just use filtered tap. If the water in your area is a concern you could use bottled water.
Also see if your baby will drink the formula cold. Ours did and it was great because we didn't have to warm it.
Regarding breastfeeding... I never had any problem with my incision while feeding them - it's really low (close to your bikini line), so it's hard to irritate it while feeding them.
My nipples are definitely sore at times, particularly during the first two weeks or if the girls want to eat more frequently (i.e. cluster feeding). I find that using Lanolin after each feeding helps a lot. After the first few weeks, my nipples definitely started to get used to the feedings, so, most of the time, I’m not that sore.
The first two weeks were the most difficult for me. My hormones were raging, I was still recovering from the surgery, and the girls and I were still learning how to breastfeed. There were times when I felt like all I was doing was feeding them... After two weeks, I decided to start using the pump a little, so that we could give them bottles if my breasts were really sore or if I just wanted a break from breastfeeding. At first I felt guilty about it, but I am so happy I made that decision. For me, the breaks were definitely needed… plus, my husband gets to bond with the girls while he feeds them.
Tandem feeding has also helped A LOT! I use the My Brest Friend Twins Plus Deluxe Nursing Pillow and I would highly recommend it! It takes a little while to figure out how to use it when you’re by yourself, but it cuts feeding time in half!!
I survive breastfeeding the first couple months with the help of this.
Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter, 2-Ounce Jar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JVCBBG/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_chHPub0ASWG0M
Without it, I think I would have quit trying from first couple of days.
This too shall pass! Be strong mama.
I got one of these and am super excited to use it. Like OP, I'm also 5 days PP and am starting to have some serious spray issues. Going to try this guy out tonight and see how it goes!