First Time Breastfeeder!!

Congratulations!!!
First of all: TRY TO RELAX!!!! The worst thing that you can do is overstress! The baby will sense it and have a harder time. If you have not done so already, attend a good breastfeeding class- one taught by a lactation consultant or lactaion educator. Or attend as many La Leche League meetings as possible before the baby's birth. (they usually happen monthly, so you might only get to one) Find some people close to you to support you too (La LEche League is great for that too)!
Anyway, I used the Medela pump in style and loved it. I have heard good things about the ameda pumps, but have never used one. If you are going back to work, I would recommend a double electric pump.

I have to agree with the previous poster. Try to relax. Upon delivery all you have to do is put that baby to breast -- instructions are usually built right in the arriving package! :) And if there is a bit of hesitance no matter where you deliver you will be able to ask for some help to get the routine going.
I have not used either pump. I have seen the Medela pumps at the local LLL conferences and they seem wonderful. When I went back to work full time with my daughter I began 3 weeks ahead to pump my milk and boost my supply to have a freezer door ready with 4 oz. glass bottles for the in home babysitter. I fifo'd. She took out of the left I put filled bottles in the right when I arrived at home. Worked great. I used a small portable battery pump and had bunches of short 4 oz. bottles that fit perfectly under breast sitting and relaxing.
Check out your local La Leche League group. You will find a world of support both now and definately in the future.

Choosing to nurse is a wonderful connection I hope you will look back on with fond memories.
Best wishes in your upcoming arrival. :)

I've tried 3 different breast pumps and the best advice I can give you is to try the one at the hospital. I used an Ameda in the hospital with my son and it worked extremely well, but then when I got home I used one that I bought from the store - not so good. It was extremely painful. When my daughter was born, I ended up renting the Medela pump from the hospital and I loved it. I also bought a pumping band to assist with the "holding" of the pump. The hospital grade pumps just work so much better than the ones you can purchase through, say Babies R Us. Also, pumping is a bit more uncomfortable than actually nursing your child, so make sure that you have lanolin (I don't want to scare you, it doesn't hurt that much, just less comfortable) to apply to your nipples after pumping. The most painful thing about pumping is when you accidently spill your milk when transferring it from the pump's bottles to a bag. So, Medela sells bags with "tape" that attach directly to the pump so that you can avoid that. They are a bit expensive, so I was thrifty and bought a cheaper brand and used scotch tape. It worked just as well. I know it is more info than you asked for, but I didn't know that until my second time around. In a nutshell, whichever the hospital has will be so much better than anything you can purchase. Best luck, and don't be scared. Though it requires more time/energy, the bond that you form with your child is sooooo amazing and definitely worth it.

Congratulations on your baby and on your decision to breastfeed!!! I used the Lansinoh breastpump for almost a year - twice daily while at work and I loved it! It's much cheaper than the Medela. We purchased it online from Target. Good luck!

RELAX!! This will all be ok, this is what your body was ment to do. Go to the library, and take out a book called the womanly art of breastfeeding - it's a wonderful book. the nurses and lactation consultants in the hospitol will help you too. Le Leche League - on line, or by phone can help you at home if you have any problems.
I was scared at first too, but it turned out to be one of the easiest, and most convenient, not to mention loving thing I have ever done. Honestly - relax and enjoy it, there is plenty of help out there IF you need it.
*HUGS* K.

You got lots of responses, so I'll be quick:

most breast fed babies eat every 2 hours. Also, the increased stimulation of nursing will cause your body to produce more milk. On demand feeding can get tedious, but you can buy sling-type baby carriers that help support the baby, so you can walk around, holding on with just one hand, and accomplish some stuff.

The amazing thing is that they grow up ! Once they hit 6 months, and begin solid food, they won't demand to nurse so often, and once they wean themselves, you'll have lots more free time. It doesn't feel as if it will every happen, but it does. Try to relax and enjoy the coziness of this time with your baby, cuz even though it's confining and can be frustrating for you, it's time with your baby that you'll never get back, and the love and security you share with your child will impact him/her for life. My oldest is 27, and amazed as I am that she and I have both grown another 27 years, I am also awed at the confident and wonderful adult she is. I never would have believed it, when I was nursing her around the clock !

WOW! You are getting some great responses. These moms have some great experiences and thoughts. But since every mother and baby are different, I'll add my thoughts too.

I have three kids. My first baby, a girl, was born with jaundice. She was not extremely ill, but she was required to be in the nursery rather than my room. Therefore the nursing became difficult and the doctor put her on formula. After leaving the hospital, I tried to nurse but my milk supply never truly came in. So I pumped and fed it to her through a bottle along with formula. What I learned was: 1. I should have been more forceful with the doctor. I wanted to nurse and I should have done everything I could have to make it happen. 2. I tried 3 different pumps. The first two I purchased and they just weren't enough to get a good milk supply. By the time the 2nd one broke, I discovered my insurance company would have bought me one, had I asked for it. I got a Dr.s note, and the insurance company bought me a wonderful pump that was great. 3. No matter what pump you get, it is not going to do what a baby can do. The baby nursing directly from the breast is the best for the baby and mother.

My second child: I started nursing and struggled. She had trouble latching on and I was sore. But a nurse gave me wonderful advice. She said, "As a parent you will teach your child many things. The first may be how to nurse well." Also, my friend said, "Commit to nursing for 6 weeks, after that decide what to do, but at least nurse for 6 weeks." I took their advice and kept at it. My second daughter nursed for 14 months and used a bottle only two days due to illness.

My third child is my son. I started nursing and struggled again. It hurt and caused bleeding, so I stopped. He had formula from 6 day old until switching to whole milk. He is healthy and a normal child.

If you choose to nurse: then nurse. You can overcome each struggle with patience and support. And be sure to give yourself and the baby time to learn how to nurse comfortably.

To save yourself money and stress: check into medical insurance paying for a pump and also check into WIC. The WIC program is available for mothers and infants whether breastfeeding or not.

You can do this. You'll do great.

Hi N.,
First--congratulations on your soon-to-arrive bundle of joy. Get ready to fall in love like you never have before!
Next, I just want to say that while it is great that you are considering breastfeeding, keep in mind that it is a very personal decision for each woman.
I did not breastfeed because I chose not to. (I tried it in the hospital and my son latched on like he'd been doing it for years!) I was not comfortable with the idea. While I was pregnant I did not feel the desire to breastfeed. I tried it. It was not the A-HA! moment I thought it may be. (I felt obligated to at least give it a go--just to see!) It just confirmed that I did not really want to breastfeed. It is not a sign of a flaw as a mother NOR is it a yardstick of maternal love. It is what it is. Not all "good moms" breastfeed!
If you are stressed about breastfeeding, your baby will be too. My son is five years old and I have not regretted the decision I made for a moment. He is articulate, bright, fit and active--all thanks to formula and love at the beginning of his life. There is nothing wrong with that and it took me a while to realize that while there is a very strong vocal majority advocating the breast over the bottle, rarely do you hear what I am telling you: If you choose to breastfeed--that's great! You'll save money and experience an incredible bond with your baby. If you choose NOT to breastfeed, you'll spend money on formula and experience an incredible bond with your baby! Do what you feel is right for you and never feel you have to justify your personal decision to the masses! Good luck to you--a little piece of heaven is on it's way!

Hi,
All I can so is try not to have anxiety about breast feeding. It is a WONDERFUL thing to share with your baby and the more relaxed you are, the better. I nursed all three of my children, and at that time only had a manual pump. That was frustrating since it took almost 20 minutes to get 3 oz. Not fun to pump for me, but very rewarding to breastfeed. I don't know about the pump you are talking about, but there seem to be many nice pumps available now. Have fun and enjoy one of the best parts of early motherhood....breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can be difficult at the beginning, but it gets gradually easier over time and I think it's easier than the hassle of formula. So stick with it and you will most likely be happy with your decision. At 1st it is such a big deal, but you will become an old pro in no time :)

I have a Medela advanced pump and never have had to pump for more than 10 minutes at a time. It's very easy. I've never used Ameda, but I've also heard great things about it too. The only down side is that I hear replacement parts are harder to get since they aren't sold at as many places. But really, I've never had to get any replacement parts for my Medela so who knows if that really matters.

Good luck with your new baby!

I bought the Medela Swing and loved it. However, I would caution you that if you're going back to work, you might want to spend the extra $100 and invest in the double pump from Medela. The Swing was nice while I was at home, but it would have been so much nicer to have the double pump when I went back to work since you can get twice the milk that way. I'm already planning to buy the double pump when I have my next child.

If it's a good pump that's great. When I breastfed my first one I found it easier to squeeze it out myself. Sounds wierd but it took half the time it took with an electric pump.Push in different spots and you'll find where it comes out fastest.
You'll know pretty quickly if breastfeeding is right for you and your baby. My first one latched right on. THe second never got the hang of it.Try to relax.