Product Recommendation Needed!

Melissa - posted on 12/12/2008

It looks like I will be able to get a pump through WIC. I appreciate the feedback on the nursing pads since I was going to use the Gerber ones but not now since tons of you said they leak! I appreciate all the feedback.

Emily - posted on 12/12/2008

Best advice I can give to you is get hooked up with a Lactation Consultant before you leave the hospital or make an appointment as soon as you get home. You wont realize how much support you need until you get home.

Kimberly - posted on 12/12/2008

oh, and I agree with the last poster, Lansinoh Lanolin for you nipples.....

Also, works great on a baby duppa with a rash!

Kimberly - posted on 12/12/2008

I have 3 kids, and these are the brands I have learnded to LOVE over the last 5 yrs.....

Breast Pump: Medela

Pads: Lansinoh (very absorbant, but don't show alot)

Bottles: Playex, with the drop in liners

Freezer Bags: Lansinoh - I freese them flat and store them upright in ice cube trays, in the freezer.



Good Luck!

Claire - posted on 12/12/2008

Oh I forgot to say the Lansinoh lanolin breast cream is a total must. you may be fine but I had a lot of trouble with my baby latching on properly and all the associated problems and this saw me through the hard times when I was thinking about giving up...it really saved my nipples.

Claire - posted on 12/12/2008

The Dr Brown bottles really are the best. I'm a big believer in you get what you pay 4. that goes for the breast pumps as well. I have a Medela Mini which has been fine for pumping once or twice a day. I wish I had bought the larger pump though. Good luck. and welcome to the wonderful world of breast feeding xxxxxxxx

Dawn - posted on 12/12/2008

I used a Medela electric double breast pump. Loved it, but had stronger suction if I pumped one breast at a time. I used the Playtex breast milk storage system. It worked well with my pump and the bags never leaked. I also stored breast milk right in the reusable bottles that came with my pump. I loved the Johnson and Johnson breast pads because they were thick and shaped like a boob and had a fake nipple on them so it looked natural under clothing. The other brands worked fine, but came folded up and didn't look as smooth under clothes. I had to play with them to get them to stay in place. The only problem I had was the J & J ones were hard to find. Lansinoh is my 2nd choice. Good luck. I never did find a nursing bra that I loved.

Shannon - posted on 12/11/2008

As far as bras go... I have no favorite brand... just a favorite style! Now that I am back at work, I prefer the motherhood padded underwire ones... great support and th epadding helps in case I do have a leakage problem... which rarely ever happens since I use either the Lansinoh or Playtex pads.. very absorbant and soft!! I wear a lot of tanks though while at home... and sleep bras.. ohh what a wonderful thing!!

About pumps... each person is different. I had a Medela.. I personally hated it. I now have a Ameda Purely Yours (same as the Lansinoh one BTW...) and love it. However I do not being my electric one to work due to cleaning issues. I use a Avent Isis manual pump for work. Very easy to stick in my steam bags at work... and I pump 3 times a shift and usually get about 12oz while there... I only work 3 days a week, so this is a gret amount since on my days off I pump as well, and have a lot saved in the freezer.

Bottles when I went back to work... that was a mess. We started Playtex disposables, he hated them, went to the NUK ones... hated those too! Tried the breast flow (hated them!), the soothie's, which he sorta took, and finally now he takes Avent ones.

Good luck with all you try... each child is different, so seriously buy one of a lot of different products to try out... we went through every type of pacifier as well.... ended up with MAM...

Bobbie - posted on 12/11/2008

I also have a Medela pump ans style. I love it and when i was having problems with it the customer service was great and when it had lost all suction due to unknown cause they over night shipped me a new one.

Bobbie - posted on 12/11/2008

Breastflow bottles from the first years are great for breastfed babies mine loves them. They look like and mimic the breast and have a slower flow just like the breast to cut down on the over feeding that happens when you bottle feed. Check them out. I wear nursing tanks not bras. They are more comfy, fit better and you can layer for breastfeeding in public. Nursing pads, I used medela disposable and really likes them.

Ericka - posted on 12/10/2008

I've bought all my nursing bras from Target (they have a good variety from sports bras to lacy types) at a good price, but don't buy too many bras just before or just after giving birth because your size will change.


For nursing pads I first tried the reusable ones (I think they were Gerber) and they didn't hold enough liquid (they'd probably work for me now since my supply has regulated), so I tried the Avent brand and they are super soft and my sore nipples loved me for it. The down side is they are quite visible under certain shirts. I tried the Lansinoh too but found them too rough.

For bottle I use the Adiri brand, but I think your baby will end up deciding which bottle you use. The Adiri are a bit expensive, but my son loves them. They have two parts the bottle and the bottom. There is a "vent" system built into the bottom to minimize gas too, and it works for him.

I use the Ameda Purely Yours pump which works great for me.

Jeannie - posted on 12/10/2008

I love the Motherhood Sleeping bra too! I use whatever nursing pads are on sale- a big tip for the first few weeks: Don't bother putting the Lanolin cream directly on your nipples, it will often hurt too much- just put a blob of it on the nursing pad and then apply it to the nipple, it works like a charm and keeps the cream in place! For bottles we use the playtex drop ins, and the madela bottle, They both came with slow flow nipples. The madela seems to have a slower flow than the playtex, but both work great for our son.

Karen - posted on 12/10/2008

Nursing bras - Bravado - and their phone help line is really nice about helping you with the correct size.

Nursing pads - I bought 3 boxes of Lansinoh pads before the baby was born. I never needed them - I have never leaked (which has always made me doubt my supply, but that's another story).



I would say whatever you purchase - save receipts. I would also suggest you don't buy your pump until very close to delivery date in order to get the most out of the warranty time, and keep in mind that all pumps are non-returnable once the seal on the box has been broken.

Staci - posted on 12/09/2008

As far as the bras go, it really depends on your size. I couldn't find a nursing bra in my size, even online. Once my milk came in, my cup size went up a full cup and they just don't make them in my size. I ended up using underwire sports bras instead and just pulling them up over my breast to nurse and they have been much better. As for storage bags, Lansinoh are the best - they are a heavy plastic and have a double seal which is awesome. The Gerber ones get alot of holes in them and leak when you try to defrost the milk - I would not recommend them at all. For nursing pads, I have found the Avent brand to be the most absorbent but not always the most discreet. Again, I would not recommend Gerber on this one either - if you have a forceful letdown, you will leak right thru the Gerber ones. Not fun! I use an Avent Isis manual pump and like that I can control how fast or slow or forcefully I pump. I tried the medela electric one from the hospital and was not a fan. I intend to get the Avent Isis double electric pump for the next baby since it has a smart memory on it that mimics your pumping. I have used both Avent and Breastflow bottles. Breastflow really mimics the breast incredibly well and is a great fake-out for baby. Dr Browns has an air release tube in it that reduces air just as much as the bags but doesn't create as much waste...I have alot of friends that swear by that. When it really comes down to it though, it's alot of trial and error with both you and the baby. I wouldn't get a large stock of any brand until you know what your baby will like. Save those baby shower gift cards and buy whatever he/she prefers.

Shelby - posted on 12/09/2008

I got all my bras on the clearance rack at Motherhood. Looked at the ones in Walmart & they definitely lack quality & support. My son came early so I didn't have time to shop around.



I have the Medela Pump in Style double electric pump & love it. So worth the extra money for those of us that never have enough time in the day. Also, my production started to slack off & it's got a strong enough suction that between pumping more & taking alfalfa pills it's increased about 25% in a week. I use Lansinoh bags...the Gerber ones definitely have leaking problems.



As far as the bottle system...I wanted to use bags to minimize air as well. I tried the Playtex drop ins. My son is not a fan. The nipple isn't quite long enough & after talking to the nurse at his pediatrician's office they recommended the other bottles I had started using - Avent. Apparently they think the Avent nipples are designed better than others for breastfeeding babies. He hasn't had any problems with them. Now that he's almost 4 months I do throw them in there a few times each week trying to get some use out of all these inserts & minimize the washing of the bottles.



I know it's rare but I have a lipase problem in the milk. From what I've read it supposedly affects 25-33% of women. After the second or third week be sure to taste the milk when you pump. Then put it in the fridge & taste it after 24 hours, 48 hours & 72 hours. If your milk spoils after a few hours or less than 4 days in the fridge you'll want to look up info on this. Basically it's a protein that helps in digestion of the milk - helps break down the fats - but some women produce too much & it makes the milk to bad. Even if you freeze it right away. I had to trash nearly 10 bags of milk :-( The best solution I've found is to scald the milk which I was doing on the stove until I made it to the store for the bottle warmer. It destroys some of the beneficial properties of breast milk but it's still better than formula. There's a ton of info out there on it or if you run into this problem I can always give you more info. Good luck!

Carissa - posted on 12/08/2008

Congrats on your baby! I really liked the nursing bras from JCPenny, but as I became more 'big', I began to grow out of them or they shrank in the wahs. I heard/read that nursing moms shouldn't wear bras w/ underwire because of the possibility of mastitis (I survived 3 bouts of it w/ my first daughter). Spend the extra money & also get a night bra! I am still wearing it to bed!

Nursing pads, I have used the Gerber brand-I liked those, but if you want really absorbant ones, I would use the Lansinoh brand. When I nursed my oldest daughter-I was 20, my one nipple would be sooo sore, it would bleed, etc & make nursing so painful that I ended up stopping @ 2 months. With my second I was determined to keep nursing. I nurse at the hospital told me about Soothies (I ordered them after I got home & they arrived after 5 days of sheer pain. They are gel-like pads that you can put in the fridge to cool & they stick to your nipples. They feel great when you are in pain. Got the hang of nursing, I did on demand, & 20 months later, we are still nursing.

Pumps..I used the Medela brand-pump in style, double pump. I think it is the only way to go. I got a lot of plastic bottles from rummage sales & froze milk in them. I also used the Lansinoh milk bags which were great too.

Bottles, my little one did not take one & she had to go to daycare @ 4 months. I found the best bottle @ Target..BreastFlow. It has a nipple w/in the nipple, it makes baby suck hard like nursing.

If you don't have a dishwasher, like me, & worried about sterilizing, use the Medela steam bags. You can toss in your breast pump parts, nipples, pacifiers with a couple of ounces of water, pop it in the microwave for anywhere from 1.5-5 minutes-depending on your micro. watts & everything is sterilized. I got them @ Target. You can use one bag 20x, I think they come in a box of 5. Hope all this information isn't too overwhelming!! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!!

Mae - posted on 12/08/2008

I practically lived in my nursing night gown LOL. It was sooo comfy and easy to use. Unfortunately I didn't buy it and I have no idea where it was bought at.



I also did have some of the nursing tanks from target, but I think I was allergic to something in the built in bra area and it made me itch sooo badly under my breasts when I wore it that I just couldn't wear them very much.



I bought a couple of nursing bras at wal mart and they worked pretty good (the kind I got were all cotton and weren't the greatest for support but were fairly comfy).



For bottles, we found that using the playtex drop ins worked great. If you pump...they make storage bags that you can use directly in these bottles as well. My daughter liked the nipples cause they were shaped more like my breasts.



Lanisol (think that's the name) has a great cream to use on chapped and sore nipples as well!! They also make nursing pads. I found that the rewashable nursing pads were more comfy than the disposable ones.



(Congrats on your baby coming in March!! I've got twins due in May!!)

Audrey - posted on 12/08/2008

I love the nursing tanks that they sell at Target! I lived in them for the first 6 weeks, and then decided that I should probably get a real bra. As for bras, don't get Motherhood bras! They are inexpensive, but they don't offer nearly enough support. I never fit well in any of them. As far as pumps, I really like my Medela pump in style. It was a little spendy, but for something that I've used almost every day for the last 8 months, it was well worth it.

Mary - posted on 12/08/2008

I have gotten all of my nursing bra at Motherhood Maternity. They are great and affordable. Also I used Lanisnoh pads, they were the only ones that held everything that I leaked. As far as pumps go, Medela and Ameda are the only companies that really do suffiecient research on how babies eat, so I would only reccomend using one of those two. I have used both and I preferred my Ameda pump, but Medela is easier to find. We have used playtex nursers and soothie bottles (both take bags). I preferred the Soothie brand.

Tami - posted on 12/08/2008

Oh, I forgot. The pump I have and love is the Medela Freestyle. It's portable, tiny and battery operated. You attach it to a belt that comes with it as well as hands free straps and go about your business while you pump. It's awesome. It is equally as strong as the Medela Symphony I rented, but with freedom to move around the house and get stuff done.

Tami - posted on 12/08/2008

The nursing bra I use and love is Bravado. They are for day wear but I wear them to bed as well and they are comfortable and offer full breast exposure for easier nursing/pumping. I use the Lansinoh and Medela cloth pads. I kind of like the Medela ones better, they are softer. I tried the Lansinoh bags and every single one leaked when I defrosted the milk. I quit using bags after that. My baby is a preemie so I went back to using the bottles NICU gave me for freezing my milk. Good luck to you!

Casey - posted on 12/08/2008

I really like the Johnson and Johnson nursing pads. And the Madela Swing is the breast pump that I have and I have been very satisfied with it! I have a ton of different nursing bras, none that I just love, but all do the job.

Stephanie - posted on 12/08/2008

one inexpensive option for nursing bras is Target. I got several there in a store brand that were $12 -$16, instead of $45 like many others are. I'd say the Target one's aren't AS good, but a few extra cheap bras are helpful, so was worth it to me.

Zee - posted on 12/08/2008

I use a Medela Pump in Style pump, lansinoh cream and disposable nursing pads, and a I buy my nursing bras from Target. I've used Dr. Brown's bottles with both kids.

Crystal - posted on 12/08/2008

You can check with your Health office alot of them will give you a breast pump if you are going back to work. I had one with my son (second child) and it worked great! Hope this helps.

Emily - posted on 12/08/2008

I tried lily pads and hated them. They didn't fit well on my breasts (I'm fairly large-chested for such a small person), and they constantly leaked (I have major overactive let-down for about four months). I much preferred Lansinoh pads. They hold so much liquid and were the only thing that kept me mostly dry overnight. :)

I'd definitely get a good sleep bra, and I currently love my Bravado microfiber bra.

My first took bottles, but only a gerber brand without a bag... she refused everything else. My second and third have never had bottles. I liked the look of the Playtex bottles... but never really got a chance to try them out.

Coreena - posted on 12/08/2008

I love the lily pads. Allowed me to sleep without a bra once my milk supply was established and also allowed me to wear some of my favorite clothing without seeing my nursing pads. Definately worth the money.

Jessica - posted on 12/08/2008

I use the Lansinoh bags - never had a problem. I have used the Gerber bags also in the past and have had a high rate of leaky bags. We tried a ton of different bottles with my first child and settled on the Dr. Brown's. Now with our 2nd, we just use the Dr. Brown. I like the Medela pads - they are softer and are less noticeable under clothes.

Rebecca - posted on 12/08/2008

I use the Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump and so far have had good luck with it...It's both electric and battery operated. I pump about once a day so I'm not a heavy pumper but it has worked well for me. It's economical too!

Kristen - posted on 12/08/2008

I LOVE my Medela sleep bra--quite comfortable and I cheat and wear it during the day sometimes too :)



Lansinoh nursing pads are the best for me--they have "ultra soft" ones that were great when my body was trying to regulate flow; now that my little one's 4 months old I use the other type of Lansinoh pads (Ultra thin, I think).



I LOVE my Medela pump; I can get 5 oz in 5 minutes most of the time--with my first child I had a hand pump (Avent) and it was miserable for me, and I ended up not pumping at all and using formula when I couldn't be around him. With my Medela I was able to get plenty of milk stored up and am still pumping! They do make a Medela that is adaptable to bags instead of bottle collection, but I find that i's not big deal to just dump the bottles into the bags before freezing.



I use the Lansinoh bags as well--they seem to freeze fine, no air problems--one tip if you freeze milk: Lay the bags down flat and they take SECONDS to defrost, instead of a big ice cube of milk :)

SooMee - posted on 12/08/2008

i have to tell you... i researched a ton... and ive stuck with Lansinoh bags.... no matter what brand of pump you end up using....

they're cheap and i have no problems with them.



pump wise... i got a dual Avent Isis iQ Duo breast pump... thinking itd be conveient to take to work... i almost always ended up using one and not both pumps at once...

Its a really good pump though... no problems yet... and like any and all pumps... cleaning a sterilizing all the little parts do get quite annoying after a while....

to be honest hand pumping is a cheap and easy way to go...

Nicole - posted on 12/08/2008

I am a big fan of the Motherhood (motherhood.com) Maternity sleeping bra, 100% cotton. However, please note it doesn't offer a lot of support, it's more about comfort for me. I am also a fan of the nursing camisoles, they offer decent support and easy nursing access.
Then for nursing pads I really like the hemp ones you can find on-line for washable, reusable ones, and disposable, Lansinoh disposable pads work the best. They hold A LOT, but don't put off chemical type smells.
I could never get my son to take a bottle, so don't have much advice there.