Breastfeeding

I breastfed all four of my kids, three until 6-8 months old, and the last one for well over a year. Plus, I went back to work in as little as 2 months, so I had to pump.

When I worked at the hospital, I was able to use a hospital grade electric medela pump, which was awesome. For a personal one, I could only afford a manual pump. The two I've tried are Avent and Medela and liked them both. For breastmilk storage, I liked the Medela set because they had caps you could put on the regular bottles. All you have to do is take off the cap and put on a nipple to feed the baby.

It really hurts to nurse a baby that first week or so after delievery, You get engorged, and you're sore because the baby nurses every couple of hours. I liked the lanolin ointment for the soreness. Just get the smallest tube because after a week, maybe two, you're fine.

Everyone leaks initially so you have to buy nursing pads for your bra. I liked the washable, reusable ones. I've also tried the disposable, plastic backed ones and they make you sweaty because they aren't very breathable.


It's hard to find a good nursing bra. I loved this sleep bra. They're cheap (less than $15) and comfortable. And unfortunately you will be wearing a bra to bed for a while so you can keep your nursing pads in place. Unless you want to wake up in the morning with your night shirt soaked in milk.

I bought a boppy with my first baby and actually used it both for nursing and as a little support pillow while he was awake. I don't think I used one for the rest of the kids. You learn to nurse whever you are (even in the car while you're waiting for your school age kid to get out of school). So it's really not a necessity.

I saw these "breastshells" online and think the whole concept is ridiculous. They run $15- $20 and they're supposed to shield your sore breasts from rubbing on your clothing. There is no way to escape the discomforts of establishing nursing, you just have to tough it out.