(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best nursing pads

Congrats man!

I have 2 girls, 3 and 5, and I am 32.

So read the book and watch the movie what to expect when you're expecting.

Seriously it helps, and the movie is pretty entertaining and funny.

Here's some things I think others aren't going to point out since I'm late to this thread.

Most women have no idea how to breastfeed. My wife and I attended two 3 week courses offered by the hospital we were delivering at. They were actually covered by insurance! One was on the actual birthing process, which, lets face it is going to happen one way or another. The other was a breast feeding course. It laid out not only techniques for breastfeeding that subverted the common knowledge (and REALLY work), but also pointed out that you are given access to a breastfeeding assistant in the hospital (I forget the technical name for her position but she would come in and work with the mom on initial breastfeeding.) Colostrum, immune system, bonding, none of these things can be found in formula. All the same there's no shame in it if breastfeeding simply doesn't work. But it is WAY cheaper than formula as well.

You'll also want to invest in a shit ton of nipple pads (nipple shields) and nursing bras and a good pump if you're going that route. Shit ton of nipple pads. They're basically maxi pads for your nips for when you spring a leak.

https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Nursing-Packs-Disposable-Breast/dp/B06XPHR7DF/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=breastfeeding+nipple+pads&qid=1556119448&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I point out all the stuff about this because I knew NOTHING about what all goes into breast feeding before my first kid, and I was shocked by a lot of it.

I would definitely plan time off, at least a couple weeks after the baby is born if not more. Take as much time off as you can. You'll always have work.

There's the possibility of a c-section, which is what my wife had. If that happens, she'll be prescribed narcotics to take home. You should control how many of those she has and when she gets them, she should also get laxatives. Every single time. Because narcotics block you up, and the last thing you want is to be constipated with a c-section scar healing. And if she takes too much (which is why you should be doling them out) she's definitely going to get constipated.

Get yourself whatever coffee maker is easiest to use. I prefer a keurig because it's so damned instant. Gonna be a lot of sleepless nights right off the bat. My wife takes over after I go back to work but the time I'm off we're basically bleary eyed half dead 24/7. So also have some shit to binge, and make sure you have a COMFY bed. My wife and me and my baby all just hung out in the bedroom for a week straight watching OITNB while she recovered from her c-section.

Your wife poops. You may have to witness and/or clean up after that depending on a lot of things. My wife got constipated and couldn't twist to wipe herself because of her c-section scar after she finally got it out of her. You just gotta man up and do that if it comes down to it, and don't make a face, and maybe make a stupid joke about it.

This is the single most important thing you'll buy:

https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Sweet-Snugapuppy-Dreams-Cradle/dp/B01MQM7W6M/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=baby+swing&qid=1556119614&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Seems dumb and gimmicky but this thing has all the science man. Great way to transition a baby into the world of the real and out of the womb. It actually plays a muffled heart beat like she would hear in the womb, while mimicking womb movement. It rocks back, forth, and most importantly SWINGS. Which gives the baby the sensation of being back in the womb. This is the babie's sleepy time chair. This keeps the baby asleep when it needs to sleep instead of screaming because it doesn't feel like it's in the womb.

Learn how to do a badass swaddle. Burrito that baby up. It doesn't like free motion in its hands and legs. It likes to be in a tight little wad, because it has been for 9 months. I don't think babies are fully cooked when they come out yknow? They still want to be in.

https://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Maternity-Contoured-U-Shape-Bluestone/dp/B00DVKJXFE/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=Pregnancy+pillow&qid=1556119831&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

Go ahead and get that RIDICULOUS pillow right away. I'd get it today. My wife....adored hers. It took the pressure off her hips at night and she could sleep like a baby on it. It's also GREAT for nursing. You will hate it. It eats the bed. But...this is about her.

It won't be long till you need the baby to have mobility so they don't freak out, and you'll want to keep them in a relatively small area. So get one of these bad boys:

https://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Exersaucer-Door-Jumper-Owl/dp/B00O8RQYGU/ref=sr_1_38?keywords=baby+jumperoo&qid=1556119950&s=gateway&sr=8-38

Hot damn they're awesome. The kid is trapped, but they can jump around like crazy and it's fine. Probably won't need it until 6 months to a year after birth but.....trust me it's awesome.

That's all I can think of man. Good luck. Have fun. It's a crazy adventure.

I am a fan of being braless/padless at home, too, but I dislike the extra laundry. So I like nursing tanks with wool breast pads. Wool is the best! They keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer, great for boob sweat as well as milk. They don't itch and they last all day without needing a change. They are expensive but you only need 2-3 pairs because after they air dry, you can use them again without washing until they are crunchy or stinky. I have a little bit of nipple blanching and wool helps with that, too.

Here are my favorites :
Nursing Pads Ekstra Style, Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018T09ZI/

My best friend made me my own coupon book with a few necessities like having her baby sit for a few hours, grocery run, and having her son mow the lawn. She stuck it with some contoured reusable bamboo nursing pads that have held up great over time.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FCZD432/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_awdo_zcvBxbY1SGYP7
Super cute idea that made me feel very loved.

Most people have a “lazy boob” regardless of any noticeable size differences. I usually get 1 to 1.5 less ounces from lefty when I pump.

Leaking is totally normal especially during the first six weeks before your supply is regulated. Get some nursing pads like these. Lots of companies make disposable ones too if you prefer.

Also try out a Hakaa. It’s silicone and suctions to one breast while feeding from the other. It will gather everything that is leaking plus some since the suction brings out more. Just beware this is a mild form of pumping so don’t overdue it or you could end up with an over supply.

At a week in it sounds like you’re doing great! It’s quite a journey and the first month or two sometimes feels like you’re never going to figure it out and then it’s like one day it just all clicks!

Here you go!. They do pretty well with sweat, stay sticky and don't slide around. They don't get smelly either, pretty easy to clean.

I freaking love the FuzziBunz reusables! They are a bit thick and I can seriously use them for a whole day, day and a half without leakage. The layers wick away moisture from your nips so they don't feel wet all the time. :-D

I also have Bamboobies regulars (the heart ones) and they get instantly wet and feel cold and I have to swap them out so they can dry for a while before putting them back on again. :-(

I also have the Philips Avent ones which are smaller so they hide better under clothes, but they are a much lighter absorbency. BUT I like them because they are breathable and yet don't soak through to the other side. They are good if you just need one for a leaky side while you nurse on the other side, then take it out to air dry.

I tried these: Organic Bamboo Nursing Pads (10 Pack) With Laundry Bag - Reusable, Ultra Absorbent, Super Soft, Irritation-Free Washable Breastfeeding Pads for Mothers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F0GB6RE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_oY9jybDQCPB3G


And: Love My Antibacterial Soft Bamboo Water Absorbent Nursing Pads for Breastfeeding Mothers, 6-Pairs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XHBCIS6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dZ9jybMN1YKAC

Both were equally comfortable.

You'll definitely need nursing pads and better to have organic bamboo ones, like these - 4 pairs for just $12:
Organic Bamboo Nursing Pads

I got softies as a gift and they are great.

These pads are like the most amazing kept secret on the planet and I can't believe no one told me about them so here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018SY2NO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Lln0DbBJY7JTM

There's absolutely no reason to spend $25 on these things. I've tried the expensive ones and the cheap ones and there is little to no difference.

I bought 4 pairs of the cheap ones at the beginning of the summer. I wear them 5x a week and they're all still in great shape. They've never fallen off, even on hot, humid, sweaty days (and I have fairly small breasts btw). They're not at all noticeable on their own or under a bralette, and they completely mask my barbell piercings. These things have allowed me to go braless most of the time and I love them!

For disposable I like these: triangle shape is more discreet for my bras (No adhesive)
http://www.amazon.com/Ameda-Premium-Disposable-Nursing-50-Count/dp/B003TJAGAI

Tried cotton medela ones originally and they didnt work well. Recently purchased some from Etsy, love them and wash well: 2 pair $5.50
https://www.etsy.com/listing/164652461/new-sale-organic-bamboo-washable-nursing?ref=shop_home_active_3

Edit: I've found they slide around more with sports bra type nursing bras. Little one is almost 4 months, i hardly ever leak. I use 1 pair per day

I used to put these heat reflective breast pads in my bra or nursing top.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ81T0D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NqXFDb0QY7X60

When I pulled down my bra to nurse, I'd immediately place my (warm) hand over my nipple until baby latched. I'd also visually inspect my nipple to make sure it wasn't blanched before latching.

This might sound odd but I’ve found that breastfeeding pads work wonders!

They’re soft (with texture) and meant to be used against a sensitive area, so gentle enough to be used around the eyes. They’re large enough that one will do my entire face and eyes. They also come with a mesh wash bag so easy to just toss in with other laundry.

Hope this helps!

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B077QMKRX5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iqTTCbZQJN1ZH

If the cups are too big you might try adding chicken cutlets. You can sometimes put them between the outer layer of the swimsuit or the lining.

There are other things you could do but really a picture is needed like the other poster suggested.

I had a box of these that lasted me forever. I loved them to death.

I really wanted to use reusable ones, but the edges were so bulky! They're not exactly green friendly, but they surely did the trick!

Like these? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004L5EBYQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?qid=1397721201&sr=8-11&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70#

My baby had a tongue-tie. I am so sorry - NO ONE could understand how much it hurt. I am still bitter about my experience and being told to wait.

Apparently what happens is that they can't use their tongue properly to suck milk - normal tongue movement is they use their soft squishy tongue to push milk out of your nipple. However, babies with tongue-ties use their hard gums to draw the milk out, which crushes your nipple. It is awful. I cried when my baby wanted to nurse again every day, because I didn't think I could take it anymore.

My strategy for coping until I got the tie fixed -

1. Breast rest - I would pump and my husband fed the baby with a bottle. I was so paranoid about supply that I also pumped random other times, which actually gave me a bit of an oversupply (but also a small freezer stash). We used premie super slow-flow nipples. My baby had zero issues going back and forth between boob and bottle.
   
   
2. I occasionally used a nipple shield when the pain got really bad. It reduced the pain maybe 20%, but that was better than nothing. I heard horror stories about it affecting supply, but I never had any issues. Again, I only used it a few times when things got dire.
   
   
3. I used those soothie nipple gel pads constantly. Pop them in the fridge for more soothing. You too have to rinse them a lot and replace them every few days (and let your nipples dry out in between) otherwise you can make your thrush worse, but I loved those things.
   
   Good luck! And remember - after the tongue-tie surgery, your baby has to relearn how to suck, so you might not get completely instant results. For us there was was a big reduction of pain instantly, but it took 2 weeks to be 100% pain free after the revision. My only regret is that I didn't push to have it done sooner.
   
   Edit to add: Now my baby is over 8 months old and we are still going strong! Nursing is awesome now. I'm already getting bittersweet about him turning over a year and possibly self-weaning.

Nursing mom here. A proper fitting bra won't squeeze enough to make you leak. I really like these nursing pads because they have a waterproof backing. I had an issue leaking through regular cotton ones. I think there are a few cheaper similar ones on Amazon, these were cheap when I bought them and the only ones I've used in the year and a half I have been nursing.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DZB0F1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bgnbAbF3CAB8Y

lily padz silicone nursing pads. suction to you so you don't really leak and they stay put

I use these nursing bras

CAKYE Cotton Racerback Maternity... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078FY6X3X?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share



And these washable nursing pads


Bamboo Nursing Pads (14... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QDR1TFL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Nursing pads, they can also be the washable ones, but I've had too many spills that I keep some stashed in my locker.

It could be reynauds syndrome! i use these in the winter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ81T0D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7AzRBb0XTV9BD

http://www.amazon.com/Nursing-Pads-Ekstra-Style-Medium/dp/B0018T09ZI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412358262&sr=8-1&keywords=lana+wool+nursing+pads

these saved me. I also (under the guidance of my LC) did modified block nursing. two nurses on the left normal side, and one on the over achiever. helped a lot! I still struggle with slight oversupply, but you are still very , very early on, so it could possibly even out on its own!

Bamboobies Super-soft Washable Nursing Pads - All Pale Pink https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043ZM178/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_r0oEub0NKERKP

I have some thicker ones and they suck. These stay in place and absorb.

I ordered from Amazon. There were a variety of price points, but I stuck with the cheapest ones with decent reviews since I'm still not sure if the whole idea is a total nonstarter yet. one, two, three. Basically bad reviews boil down to 1) not sticking well: falling off, sliding, and curling around the edges, and 2) too obvious under a semi-sheer top: shade was off, weird shape. The complaints were scattered across all different priced items so I figured I'd order a few pairs and see if any work out. If you have the patience I recommend AliExpress though it's basically all the same source manufacturers/vendors as Amazon but even cheaper since their inventory is overseas.