Anytime now...have questions about BF...

Brooke7748

So I'm at a 5 and 60% efaced.  She said that if I'm a six or seven next time I go in, they'll just send me over to the hospital.  So...that means I have less than a week left and I'm not prepared at all, if I even make it the next six days.  With DS #1, we didn't BF but I'm really thinking I want to with this one.  We haven't purchased a pump yet (people told me they're cheaper at the hospital and to get one there?).  Can I just buy one there and it will be ready to go, or do I need to go ahead of time and bring it home and wash/disinfect it and get it ready?  Also, what kind of bras do I need, anything special?  With DS, I just brought sport bras bc I wanted to constrict them as much as possible.  My current bras are getting pretty small on me currently, am I going to need to go in and buy bigger ones expecting that if I BF they will get bigger?  None of my family has ever BF, so I'm really in the dark as to what to expect so I'm really relying on you girls for all my knowledge.  Also, is there anything additional that I need to pack in my overnight bag since I'll be bf'ing?  Speaking of which,...I should probably get that bag packed

J.Johnson-Smith

Buy your pump at the hospital, because your insurance just might cover it or at least the majority of it.  The hospital will be able to tell you for sure ( they will call etc. for you).  I really love the bravado nursing bras though they're pricey and they can wait in all honesty.  Sports bras can work too especially in the beginning when you're home.  You may want to purchase fancier nursing apparel later when you will be nursing in public to be able to have easier access and more coverage, but at home? I let it all out .  Take advantage of the hospital's lactation consultant!! They're amazing and are there just for you.  Also take advantage of anything they will give you for free..like lanolin, breast pads, gel pads etc.  I encourage you to put the lo to the breast asap after birth, hopefully your nurses will encourage this as well.  Just take it one day at a time.  It isn't always the easiest thing to start out with, but it's very worth it! Good luck!

bethbeth

In the beginning I loved wearing nursing tanks. I still wear them at night, too.  I got some from Target for pretty cheap.  Also, I liked the nursing sleep bras (mine was from Motherhood Maternity, but I think they have some at Target, too).  They are really comfortable, and the size doesn't have to be exact.  I wouldn't get fitted for other nursing bras until after.  The nurses and lactation consultants can be very helpful so don't hesitate to ask for help.  With my first I had a nurse come in every.single.time I fed him for awhile.  Good for you for making the decision to try it out!

laceymb

If your insurance won't cover it look into www.lactationcare.com. I bought my pump through them and it was like $100 cheaper than the price in stores. I just checked the prices on them last week and it is still the same huge discounts.

I second the nursing tanks and sleep bras. They are comfy and since they are all cotton (no uncomfortable wires or anything) they are forgiving in size if you aren't sure what to get. 

ss+el

bethbeth:

In the beginning I loved wearing nursing tanks. I still wear them at night, too.  I got some from Target for pretty cheap.  Also, I liked the nursing sleep bras (mine was from Motherhood Maternity, but I think they have some at Target, too).  They are really comfortable, and the size doesn't have to be exact.  I wouldn't get fitted for other nursing bras until after.  The nurses and lactation consultants can be very helpful so don't hesitate to ask for help.  With my first I had a nurse come in every.single.time I fed him for awhile.  Good for you for making the decision to try it out!

Ditto this. I love the sleep bras from Motherhood, they are much cheaper than nursing bras so a good way to start out until your milk comes, when you can get a more precisely sized bra. 

As for the pump, I used my sister's but didn't have any parts yet when I gave birth, so they gave me (read: billed me for it later) a starter kit. If I recall, everything in it is pre-sterilized, so it is ready to go. 

theDJMs

Target has some good bras that i use a lot they are made by bravado but are much cheeper.  Those and tanks are still what i live in when I am home, don't worry to much about a good bra till you go back to work. 

As far as the pump get it at the hospital.  But honestly you will not need it right away it will take time for you milk to come in so don't worry to much about not having one right now.  I am not sure what the hospitals are like up there but take advantage of the nurse they really are helpful and encoraging and go to a mommy and me BF class with the baby if they have it I loved them.  Ask for gel pads the hospital one are soo much better then any other ones. 

Pack a boppy for the hospital too. 

Good Luck!!!!