Reddit mentions of 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)

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.

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.

We are a 20 minute drive from the hospital and husband will not leave my side, so I'd like to get everything in. I'm a notorious overpacker, too, but I'd rather have something I don't need than have not have something that I do need.
Mom Stuff:

• A nicer hospital gown to make me feel human
  
• Mesh panties
  
• A few non-slip socks
  
• Travel sized makeup & general toilettries
  
• Nursing shirt
  
• Super comfy yoga pants that I can leave with
  
• Heavy flow pads
  
• A few different stool softners
  
• A few different nursing bras
  
• Something to lay down in the car for leaks
  
• Disposable nursing pads
  
• Tucks cooling pads
  
• Spray
  
• Nipple butter
  
• Preperation H wipes
  
• Gel nipple soothing pads
  
• Nursing pillow
  Baby Stuff:
  
• Onesies in different sizes (nb, 0-3)
  
• Hat, socks, mittens
  
• Car seat
  Dad stuff:
  
• He's kindof on his own. I've been telling him for a month that I need his overnight stuff. He finally got some travel toiletries, so I guess we're getting somewhere
  Both
  
• 10ft charging cable
  
• iPads
  
• Kindles
  
• AppleTV (we're still not decided on this though)
  
• Snacks
  
  I think that covers just about everything. I used travel packing cubes to keep all of the clothing items organized, and I already had several different other travel bags that I generally use when actually leaving town, for all of the "other" items. [edited formatting]

This one is my favorite.

Edit to add: their diaper balm is also the best for when you get to that point.

I've got earth mamma angel nipple cream. no experience using it yet, but it says it doesn't have to be wiped off.

Bookmark kellymom.com on your phone. Queue up your Netflix. Keep everything within arm's reach. Be ready to sit around for the long haul. The early weeks are the roughest, mentally.

Don't be dismayed if it seems like your baby is eating all.the.time. You're going to think you have too little milk, too much milk, and too little milk all within the span of every hour. You'll think you have a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. You'll think your baby is eating too much and then too little. That's normal. In fact, everything you worry about is normal. I found it hard to trust that my baby and my boobs were working in tandem and that everything was just fine.

I spent about a month sitting around in pajama pants and an open robe. Breast milk itself is the best nipple cream but I preferred the Earth Baby Mama Angel Whatever nipple cream over lanolin. I found the gel pads to be irritating on my skin and on baby's skin.

I had a recurring milk blister that Epsom salt packs helped more than anything. I'd take a hot shower, put some Epsom on a washcloth, and let it soak or I would also put the salted washcloth over my boob and put a heating pad over it.

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!

https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-Natural/dp/B000JVCBBG

This was a must have for me.

I took 1 newborn sized sleeper and 1 0-3 month sleeper. I didn't really use much that the hospital didn't provide, except for nipple cream (I got this kind and really liked it) and the Boppy pillow.

I got this stuff http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-Natural/dp/B000JVCBBG as an alternative to lanolin.

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 heard so many good things about Earth mama nipple butter from several new mama's around who are currently successfully breastfeeding their little one. It has been 9 years since I've since BF a baby and I struggled for the first 6 weeks. I'm hoping it's a little different this time.