Need info about what supplies/pump are needed

Hi folks, I'm 22 weeks along with mono/di girls and trying to put together a list of what I need to buy/finish up my registry. I am planning to be home for about 12 weeks (possibly a little more) following the birth, and then go back to work full-time. My husband will stay home as a stay-at-home dad. I'd like to breastfeed assuming we have no problems, so I am assuming that I'll need to start pumping before going back to work to stock up a supply and get used to it (and get babies used to feeding from a bottle). My questions are:
1) What do I need to buy in terms of bottles/breastmilk storage/etc? I assume these things can go on my registry. There are so many options for bottles I don't even know where to start.
2) My insurance will pay for either a hospital-grade pump rental or a retail pump purchase (but not both). Which is better?

Thanks! This is my first pregnancy so I'm totally clueless.

 

Here's some links on breast pumps and what to look for: http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/bf-links-pumps/

Since you'll be pumping long term, I would just invest in a good quality double electric pump. Maybe consider purchasing a "closed system" pump as you could get some resale value from that.

It's hard to say what kind of bottle to get as all babies have their own preferences. You'll want to look for something that's shaped similar to your nipple/breast and something that is slow flow to help avoid nipple confusion and/or bottle preference.

For milk storage, I always preferred milk storage bags as they take up the least amount of space. Freeze them flat in small amounts (about 4 oz usually) and you'll be surprised how much you can fit even in a small freezer.

Also, assuming all is well, I wouldn't bother starting to pump for at least the first 4-6 weeks. You'll be busy enough just getting breastfeeding established.

 

I have a medela pump in style. I got it when my oldest was born and am still using it with the twins. I pumped for a little over ten months at work for my oldest and am on about month seven for the twins.

Bottles are tricky. My oldest would only take the medela bottles until she was much older. The twins probably would have been open to trying others but I just stuck with medela since I already had a set. You might put one set of your choice on the registry and then see if the babies agree with that choice.

I agree with thebags for milk storage. I would put the medela or lansinoh ones on your registry. I have been buying the target brand and a couple of them leaked when the milk thawed.

I agree with not pumping until weeks 4 to 6 if all is well. I started at 6 weeks this time around with a return to work at 8 weeks. That was cutting it a little close. But if you start 3 to 4 weeks before your return, you should be in good shape.

I would also add some nursing pads. I personally am a fan of the nuk washable ones and the ultra thin disposables. You can also include some nipple creams if you like. It is that much less that you would have to get later. I didn't use a lot of cream but it was nice to have on hand just in case.

 

I vote for a Medela PIS.
Register for the car adaptor too! I use mine every day!
And a hands free pumping bra. I know you can make them out of sports bras, but it sure is handy to zip on and off when at work.
I would register for just a few bottles. You or babies may end up hating the ones you choose. I registered for a ton of born free bottles and parts with my singleton and hated them and ended up giving most of them away.
I love the lansinoh pumping bags. They can store so much more milk than the Medela bags, hold up well in the freezer and can lie flat easily to freeze.
Congratulations!

 

Oh - register for one bottle from a dozen different brands! Then you can test them all out & see which one babies prefer when they're here.

 

I agree with everything the ladies have already mentioned. I was in exactly the same situation as you. Twins were my first, stayed home for 8 weeks, then twins stayed home with DH while I worked. Definitely a portable pump to take to work will be needed. You really would only need a hospital grade if you were pumping exclusively or if babies were born premature. I honestly did not have much of a freezer stash before I went back to work. I found it really difficult to find time to pump with nursing them on demand. I had enough put away for a few feedings, which was enough to give me a cushion in case I missed a pumping session at work. Otherwise, I just brought home what I pumped during the day and put it into storage bottles for the next day. So, don't stress too much about pumping early on. It is much more important to focus on both you and them getting good at nursing.

I also agree with registering for a number of different bottles. My twins did great with several different bottles, but my youngest could only use a certain kind. It's a lot of trial and error! A hands-free bra is a necessity!

So good to see another working mama with a SAHD! Feel free to hit me up with questions as the time gets closer or if hubby has questions I can connect him with my DH.