I gave nursing a good try this time around. I really did, but it's just not my thing. I nursed Connor for about a month before switching to exclusively pumping, which is what I did with William. Connor was such a lazy eater! So I ended up nursing, then pumping. It was just too much work.
Since this is my second time around, here are my favorite, must-haves for pumping.
1. Boon Drying Rack: I found this drying rack used and tried it out. It is soooo much easier to keep clean than the last one we had so I grabbed another one. I also love the little branch and flower accessories--both great for bottle nipples.
2. Medela Breast Milk Storage Solution: Still love this the second time around. Note from the first time around: Matt and I have loved having this storage container for our frig. In the beginning when we were mixing breast milk and formula, this was great to help us stay organized. It has also saved us when one of my storage bags had a leak--everything was contained! Also, having the extra bottles and lids is awesome! This lids with the days of the week are super helpful!
3. Palmolive Oxi Dish Soap: This stuff is amazing! I had issues with greasy bottles and after switching to this soap, our bottles are so much cleaner and clear.
4. Gerber Bottles: Cheap, easy to find and work with the Medela PISA (and other pumps I think). Note: Connor didn't love these to drink out of though.
5. Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags: I had these with William, but didn't really use them much because I just washed everything in the dish washer. I have found it easier to just pop things in the microwave in these bags vs. wait for an empty dish washer (I don't like to mix food dishes and baby dishes).
6. Up & Up Breast Milk Storage Bags: I still love the Lansinoh bags, but I'm loving the Up & Up (Target) brand as well. They are thicker than Lansinoh and slightly cheaper I think!
7. Medela Advanced Personal Double Pump: I got another pump for Connor and decided to stick with the same pump so all my parts would work. Having two pumps is amazing!! I don't have to take my pump home from work--I just leave one at work and one at home (and get a set of flanges for home and work!). The only bummer is that the newer pump doesn't have a handle and pocket. Still good though, but I love the handle on my older pump. Also helpful to have is a car adapter. We have friends all over so to multitask, I pump in the car when traveling to visit family and friends who live more than 30 minutes from us. Saves so much time!
Note from the first time around which all still rings true: For moms who think they may want to breast feed (or at least give their baby breast milk), check with your insurance because most offer some options for free. I chose this Medela pump (covered by my insurance) and have loved it. I will add that it is helpful to make sure your flanges are the right size, and it's nice to have an extra set for when the others are in the dishwasher (we sanitize all baby things in once a week) or it's been nice to just keep an extra set of needed supplies at work during the week.
8. The Let Down Project: OMG, so I don't know if these helped me or not, but they are so good! A friend gave me some cookies that she wasn't going to use and I bought some during black friday deals. I love me some sweets so why not eat some that help with milk production.
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