Items to bring for Breastfeeding Moms

[Jennifer]

1. Breast pump (and batteries- some hospitals have rules on not plugging in personal items)
2. Storage bottles and labels (most hospitals will provide these)
3. Nursing pillow
4. Nusrsing pads
5. Clothes that are easy to breastfeed in
6. Breast Creme, since you are not able to feed for a long period of time you will be using the pump more than normal...sore nipples can arise from this.
7. A watch or cooking timer if you have one. With everything going on you might forget to pump if you dont have something reminding you...this is not the time to get engorged or let your milk supply go down, your baby will need those great antibodies your breastmilk has to offer while recovery from their surgery.
8. A small footstool. (b/c the ones at the hospital were much too large. It was much more comfortable to breastfeed with my feet on a foot stool. You can get one at IKEA for 3$ and it's a good place to pack things when you turn it upside down.)





If you have more items to add to this list, please send me a PM and I will add it ASAP. Thank you!

[Jennifer]

Notes from one BFing Cranio Mom to Another

--Be very explicit about what you want done with your milk. Ask the nurse to FREEZE it and NOT to take it out until you ask them to. Our nurse thought she was doing us a favor by taking milk out of the freezer only for it to go bad in the refrigerator. (Many LOs will not eat a lot right after surgery. You will continue to pump and have plenty.) You can keep freshly expressed milk (never refrigerated or frozen) at room temperature (66-72F/19-22C) for 6-8 hours (according to the Le Leche League website). I kept one feeding worth of freshly expressed milk out and would write with erasable marker the date and time (either military time or include AM/PM to help with my fatigued mind) when it would 'expire.' I continued to pump or nurse as necessary. My LO was not fully draining my breasts so I would pump after she was finished to make sure my supply would stay where it was prior to surgery.

--Ask about getting a meal for you from the hospital if your child is exclusively breastfeeding. It was included with my LO’s hospital bill since she wasn’t on formula or food. (The food wasn’t good but it was a nice snack to have delivered if there was a reason I couldn’t leave to go get my own food.)

--Ask about using a hospital grade pump. They should also have an accessory kit for you. (All of this was covered by the insurance for our LO). The hospital grade pump is truly better than even the best pumps you can buy for home use.

--Ask about a breastfeeding sign (PICU and regular ward) or make one. Ours read “Breastfeeding mother. Please knock before coming in.” This made me feel more comfortable and doctors/nurses wouldn’t walk in and have to ask if I was comfortable with them being there. Other mothers had signs that read “Breastfeeding mother. Please do not come in unless an emergency. Please knock to let me know you are waiting to come in.” Simply turn your sign over if you aren’t nursing/pumping.

--If you are having ANY issues breastfeeding, ask to see a lactation consultant (LC). Almost all hospitals have LCs on the labor and delivery floors. (We had a couple positioning problems post surgery and it was great to have the help!)
Room temperature66-72°F / 19-22°C10 hours