The Breast Feeding Support Thread

fits

No but that sounds very very sore. Feel better soon.

FairCity12

Hello ladies. First time mum to be here!

I want to buy a breastpump. I was looking at the Lansinoh electric one. My friend has Tommee Tippee bottles and a microwave steriliser that she was going to give me. Can they be used with the pump? I heard mixed reviews with the Tommee Tippee pump adaptors - some say they can be used with Lansinoh pump, others say they can't. Please help!

fits

A lot of people speak highly of the spectra pump. I don’t know about the lansinoh. Have you had your baby already? I wouldn’t necessarily rush to buy one before baby arrives. I rented a hospital grade pump for two months after my twins came home. I then bought one second hand but rarely used it after that.

bee06

I’d agree with Fits that you don’t need to buy one straight away. It’s not recommended you pump during the first 6 weeks unless you are having issues with feeding and after that you may find you don’t want to. I bought a pump to pump at work when my little boy was 10 months. Used it for 3 months and haven’t pumped at all with my second (now 9.5 months). I hate pumping ... such a pain to wash all the bits and take time away to actually pump.

LillySV

I have the Spectra pump - the one that is mains operated only. My little boy is 3 months old, I bought the pump second hand - I’m glad I didn’t buy it new as I don’t use it much at all. It is a good pump but they are not comfortable to use- i found putting coconut oil on the pump helps with the friction but I only use it when I absolutely have to. I can only get between 2-3 ozs between both breasts, the baby will always get more than a pump can.
In relation to your question I use the spectra bottle to collect the milk, then pour it into a Tommy tippee bottle for storing and feeding.
Best wishes, hope it all goes well for you.

FairCity12 wrote: »

Hello ladies. First time mum to be here!

I want to buy a breastpump. I was looking at the Lansinoh electric one. My friend has Tommee Tippee bottles and a microwave steriliser that she was going to give me. Can they be used with the pump? I heard mixed reviews with the Tommee Tippee pump adaptors - some say they can be used with Lansinoh pump, others say they can't. Please help!

Millem

LillySV wrote: »

I have the Spectra pump - the one that is mains operated only. My little boy is 3 months old, I bought the pump second hand - I’m glad I didn’t buy it new as I don’t use it much at all. It is a good pump but they are not comfortable to use- i found putting coconut oil on the pump helps with the friction but I only use it when I absolutely have to. I can only get between 2-3 ozs between both breasts, the baby will always get more than a pump can.
In relation to your question I use the spectra bottle to collect the milk, then pour it into a Tommy tippee bottle for storing and feeding.
Best wishes, hope it all goes well for you.

Check the size of the flange. I made the mistake of buying a smaller one....omg it is a bit pinchy!! I never use it though but it has saved me in the early days when I had clogged ducts!!

Shelli2

I rented the hospital grade Medela on recommendation of the hospital lactation consultant. I used it for a total of 2.5 days as just to try kick start milk production, and never bothered once it came in.
I do use a Haakaa though, about once a day, usually early morning when I feel very full. Building up a nice freezer stash already, and in the early days I had just enough to avoid formula when I spent a day in hospital.
Baby is just one month today.
I get about 3oz from one side each use.

Who would you all recommend for tongue tie? Baby has a very mild one, she feeding really well but I can hear the tell tale click and I think she may be taking in a bit of air. She also struggles to hold the latch during let down, mine is particularly strong though.

jlm29

Shelli2 wrote: »

I rented the hospital grade Medela on recommendation of the hospital lactation consultant. I used it for a total of 2.5 days as just to try kick start milk production, and never bothered once it came in.
I do use a Haakaa though, about once a day, usually early morning when I feel very full. Building up a nice freezer stash already, and in the early days I had just enough to avoid formula when I spent a day in hospital.
Baby is just one month today.
I get about 3oz from one side each use.

Who would you all recommend for tongue tie? Baby has a very mild one, she feeding really well but I can hear the tell tale click and I think she may be taking in a bit of air. She also struggles to hold the latch during let down, mine is particularly strong though.

Depending on where you’re based, I would highly recommend the national tongue tie centre (Justin Roche), in clonmel

Shelli2

jlm29 wrote: »

Depending on where you’re based, I would highly recommend the national tongue tie centre (Justin Roche), in clonmel

Thanks, I'm in Dublin, should have mentioned that.

Millem

Shelli2 wrote: »

I rented the hospital grade Medela on recommendation of the hospital lactation consultant. I used it for a total of 2.5 days as just to try kick start milk production, and never bothered once it came in.
I do use a Haakaa though, about once a day, usually early morning when I feel very full. Building up a nice freezer stash already, and in the early days I had just enough to avoid formula when I spent a day in hospital.
Baby is just one month today.
I get about 3oz from one side each use.

Who would you all recommend for tongue tie? Baby has a very mild one, she feeding really well but I can hear the tell tale click and I think she may be taking in a bit of air. She also struggles to hold the latch during let down, mine is particularly strong though.

https://www.tonguetieclinic.ie/

This guy was recommended to me by paediatrician and my le leche group.
We didn’t have to go as she is feeding fine. Don’t know what hospital you went to but there is one paediatrician in private clinic in Rotunda who does the 2 week and 6 week check he is also a lactation consultant. I think I claimed all the money back with vhi €150. I think they cover up to €200.
Killed two birds with one stone

I had problems with let down on middle child. It is just one of those things there are a few different things you can try eg laid back position or hand express a little before hand.

Vaquita

FairCity12 wrote: »

Hello ladies. First time mum to be here!

I want to buy a breastpump. I was looking at the Lansinoh electric one. My friend has Tommee Tippee bottles and a microwave steriliser that she was going to give me. Can they be used with the pump? I heard mixed reviews with the Tommee Tippee pump adaptors - some say they can be used with Lansinoh pump, others say they can't. Please help!

I bought the Bellababy pump in advance of my baby as a "just in case". Its incredibly affordable compared to many others and I use it with the bottles it comes with but I know it has adaptors for direct to bag too. Its a full kit that you recieve no need for extras.
I thought it would be just in case I needed a pump (which i did in the early days) and that id "upgrade" if i needed one longterm. Luckily, I was able to breastfeed full time from 4 weeks to 6 months and now that I'm back at work this is my work pump. V small and lightweight, charges with a USB, and is a double pump.

I would recommend getting a few pumping bras too. Again, Amazon is great for affordable pumping/nursing combi bras. Definitely function over fashion mind you.

FairCity12

Thanking you. I'm thinking more of a 'just in case' thing as well, and would like OH to be involved in feeding as well - and maybe to give me a break now and again!

bee06

FairCity12 wrote: »

Thanking you. I'm thinking more of a 'just in case' thing as well, and would like OH to be involved in feeding as well - and maybe to give me a break now and again!

If your baby when it’s very young gets a bottle you need to pump at the same time to maintain supply and avoid blocked ducts and mastitis so it’s not the break it would seem.

dubstarr

FairCity12 wrote: »

Thanking you. I'm thinking more of a 'just in case' thing as well, and would like OH to be involved in feeding as well - and maybe to give me a break now and again!

Its not worth the hassle.
I fed 5 kids and i couldnt pump. Sometimes its easier just to feed the baby than go through all that faff.

scarepanda

Second Justin Roche. My second got hers done at 10 days and it was so quick and easy.

And also second the Haakaa. I pumped a decent bit on my first and wanted to get an electric one for my second. I didn't end up getting one in the end because I couldn't decide what one to get. I got a Haakaa instead and it was brilliant. So easy to use.

fits

FairCity12 wrote: »

Thanking you. I'm thinking more of a 'just in case' thing as well, and would like OH to be involved in feeding as well - and maybe to give me a break now and again!

He can do plenty to help that isn’t feeding. Lots and lots.

dubstarr

fits wrote: »

He can do plenty to help that isn’t feeding. Lots and lots.

Yes your partner would be better cooking dinners, making you snacks. Changing the baby.

You sit and watch boxsets and eat your bodyweight in cheese.:D

FairCity12

FairCity12 wrote: »

Thanking you. I'm thinking more of a 'just in case' thing as well, and would like OH to be involved in feeding as well - and maybe to give me a break now and again!

The best thing about bf my last baby was that I did nothing else.
Trust me!
Still feeding said 21 month old. I used to love getting home from work and after my shower just sitting bonding with him as he got older and just feeding.. Dinner handed to me feet up..
OH can help with so much more.
BF is something special

FairCity12

bee06 wrote: »

If your baby when it’s very young gets a bottle you need to pump at the same time to maintain supply and avoid blocked ducts and mastitis so it’s not the break it would seem.

Yeah I've read up on this, and about not pumping regularly until about 6 weeks when supply is established

FairCity12

dubstarr wrote: »

Its not worth the hassle.
I fed 5 kids and i couldnt pump. Sometimes its easier just to feed the baby than go through all that faff.

Lots of ladies online have had positive experiences with pumps though too! Some have even used them exclusively.

FairCity12

fits wrote: »

He can do plenty to help that isn’t feeding. Lots and lots.

Yes of course I understand that but I'm specifically asking about feeding in this instance!

FairCity12

Deleted User wrote: »

The best thing about bf my last baby was that I did nothing else.
Trust me!
Still feeding said 21 month old. I used to love getting home from work and after my shower just sitting bonding with him as he got older and just feeding.. Dinner handed to me feet up..
OH can help with so much more.
BF is something special

I understand that, and some of my friends were unable to stick with BF for different reasons. I am planning to try the best I can but am trying to be prepared or at least think about all eventualities. Because of the special bonding of feeding, and reading other fora, I know it can be a nice experience for the man in my life also.

Breastfeeding, even with a bottle, still ensures the baba gets the goodness!

Minier81

FairCity12 wrote: »

Thanking you. I'm thinking more of a 'just in case' thing as well, and would like OH to be involved in feeding as well - and maybe to give me a break now and again!

I got a spectra double pump and found it good. Used it from about 8 weeks. It came with all this bits you needed, and I just bought freezer bags then. It cost 200€ish.

I did get a haka too. If it's just the odd bit of pumping then the haka can do the job for the odd feed. They cost about 20€ and are in lidl this week on the baby special.

In retrospect I never needed the expensive pump. The pump can be seen as liberating but its not necessarily, it's way quicker to just put the baby on the boob after the first few weeks than to get a pump out!!

Minier81

FairCity12 wrote: »

I understand that, and some of my friends were unable to stick with BF for different reasons. I am planning to try the best I can but am trying to be prepared or at least think about all eventualities. Because of the special bonding of feeding, and reading other fora, I know it can be a nice experience for the man in my life also.

Breastfeeding, even with a bottle, still ensures the baba gets the goodness!

Totally agree that all breastmilk getting into baby is a benefit. However if it comes down to choice just remember there are non nutritional benefits to breastfeeding as well x

FairCity12

Minier81 wrote: »

Totally agree that all breastmilk getting into baby is a benefit. However if it comes down to choice just remember there are non nutritional benefits to breastfeeding as well x

Yes I know - every night I'm reading/watching videos about breastfeeding and different aspects of it! Trying to get in the zone mentally haha

Minier81

Sounds like you are much more prepared than I was!! Knowledge is power, you will be fine :-)

FairCity12

FairCity12 wrote: »

I understand that, and some of my friends were unable to stick with BF for different reasons. I am planning to try the best I can but am trying to be prepared or at least think about all eventualities. Because of the special bonding of feeding, and reading other fora, I know it can be a nice experience for the man in my life also.

Breastfeeding, even with a bottle, still ensures the baba gets the goodness!

Absolutely, but being armed and prepared before having the baby gives you a better chance to avoid those different reasons others may not have been able or able to continue.
I work with BF mums, the amount of woman who no nothing before having the baby is shocking, prior education is key, even the basics will stand to the experience.
There have been studies to show that breast milk straight from the best holds a better nutritional value than pumping though too.
Pumping can take it out of you also keep in mind. The baby feeds so much in the first few weeks you barely have time to pump. And if you start pumping before 6 to 8 weeks you can create an oversupply which can be uncomfortable for mum and baby.
I pumped for 6 months for a very ill baby who couldn't go to the breast, no breast at all. It was tough.

FairCity12

And that's why I'd like to be prepared for all eventualities I may not pump. I may not breastfeed! But if I DID have to pump I'd rather not be scrambling for knowledge on decent ones at the time!

FairCity12

FairCity12 wrote: »

Thanking you. I'm thinking more of a 'just in case' thing as well, and would like OH to be involved in feeding as well - and maybe to give me a break now and again!

Just in case--it's great to have one in mind for just in case.. And purchasing it when it's needed.
Wanting OH to be 'involved in feeding' isn't a valid reason to introduce bottles as alot of babies can become confused and refuse the breast. My OH wouldn't dream of breaking the breastfeeding experience cos he wanted to 'feel involved'. Old and hairy enough and all that.
Breast feeding is difficult and takes comittment at the beginning but once established its much easier and you'll have lots of breaks.
Plus with covid rampant - breast is the best.

Redser87

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Dinner handed to me feet up..
OH can help with so much more.
BF is something special

Dinner with the feet up sounds great 😀feel free to send your OH over whenever


Seriously though FairCity, if you are going to pump I'd leave it until week 6 if at all possible - you'll have so much going on in those early weeks, and your supply won't have stabilised until then. I have the medela mini pump as well as a haakaa and together, they do the trick for pumping 2 or 3 times a week.