It seems like everyone I know is having a baby, and of course, I just had one. Even though Felix is my second child, we still had to rack our brains about what we needed this time around, what we already had, and what we needed to buy. It's amazing how fast 3 years goes by and how much we had forgotten over that span of time. Therefore, I have put together a list of my Top 10 Baby Items that we simply could not do without.
1. Breast pump
If you plan to breastfeed your baby and will be working at all after the baby is born, even part time, you will definitely need a breast pump. And you will definitely want an electric one (not a manual), unless you are ok with developing carpal tunnel. After seeing the prices of everything baby-related, you will totally be tempted to cheap out on this item, as some of them are $300 or more, depending on what you get. But believe me, you will want to get a good one.
Here's why.
When you are away from your baby and cannot nurse him/her, your breast pump not only allows you to pump your breast milk to feed the baby while you are gone, but it also is meant to stimulate your breasts to produce milk. If you do not pump regularly or pump enough milk, it can cause a drop in your supply which can eventually result in not having enough milk for the baby when he/she is around to eat. Therefore, you want something that will do the job right.
There are numerous brands to choose from. I personally have a Medela Advanced Pump in Style similar to this one. Yes, it was expensive, but you can always wait for them to go on sale or wait for a coupon. Babies R' Us sends out coupons frequently. There are lots of others on the market as well, so be sure to do your research. Whatever you get, I recommend a double pump so you can pump both sides at the same time and not have to do just one at a time. I also would not spend the extra money on a hands-free pump, as there are bustiers you can buy that will make them hands free and they are cheaper than the extra money it costs to buy a hands free pump.
Feel free to comment with any other pumps you have had experience with.
3 comments:
For the most part, I really like my Phillips Avent double electric pump. The only thing that I have absolutely had to replace on it is the power cord. From everything I have read, it is on par with the Medela, but a little bit cheaper. It's gone almost two years of daily/multiple times a day pumping for two kids now.
Yep. That is my fave too. Good old Medela. Mine talked to me...it said, "One more, one more." That's what the motor sounded like when it was on. I know that sounds crazy, but by kid #3, I am proudly crazy. :)
I had to replace my power cord to my Medela at probably around 9 months when I was pumping for Anya, so I think that probably happens to everyone! Back then I was working 5 days a week, so pumping "full time" like that really wears on your pump, no matter the brand. And not sure what my pump is trying to tell me, but it is definitely a distinctive sound!
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