registry must haves...nursing/bottle feeding

i have a couple of girlfriends that are pregnant and have been asking me about things you should register for.  i know i have blogged about this in the past, but while this is still fresh in my mind, i am going to break it down into categories to let you know what i use all the time and what you can pass on.  so i will start with a big one; nursing and bottle feeding.

whether you plan to breast feed or use formula, there are still a lot of feeding must haves.  although we are no where near close to eating solids, i can only speak from experience of a newborn.  i also registered for some of the items that you would use to make and freeze your own baby food, but i will update you on those as we get into that stage.  for now, i will tell you what i consider to be a must have (and in no particular order).

a good electronic double pump.  this is the medela one that i have (and the accessories it comes with) and it was covered 100% by my insurance.

a breast pumping bra.  this is so key, so you can pump and be hands free!  i have the medela one and it costs approximately $30-$35

a good nipple cream and lanolin.  here are the two different kinds i use.  be careful they stain clothes! 

costs $7-$10 a tube

costs $11-$13

disposable nursing pads.  these will fit inside of your bra for when you leak.  you can also buy re-usable ones and wash them.

costs $13 for a box of 100

grass drying rack and accessories.  you will have lots and lots of bottles and bottle parts to wash, and this drying rack comes in handy.  it is super cute and be sure to get lots of the cute accessories to go on it, it helps to dry those small bottle parts.

large grass $25, accessories $5 each

bottles!  i use the dr. browns bottles.  a starter pack is good enough for me right now, which has a couple of small 4 oz bottles and 2 large 8 oz bottles.  when  you register they suggest you get a couple of different brands of bottles to see which one your baby prefers, but i think that is unnecessary.  i am pumping breast milk for the bottles, but if you are using formula, you will most likely need more than just a starter set.

bottle warmer!  i also have the dr.browns one.  i can heat up a bottle of milk in 3 minutes!

costs $45

soothies!  also known as pacifiers or binkies.  i started using these the first night we brought bowie home.  they also recommend getting a few brands to try, but i have yet to see a baby that did not take the avent brand.  get at least 2 packs (2 to a pack) of each size (0-3 months and 3 + months).

cost $4.50 for a pack of 2

nursing pillow!  i use the boppy, that seems to be the most well known nursing pillow, but i am not convinced it is the best.  the lactation consultant at the hospital uses the "breast friend" brand and that provided good back support as well.  if you get the boppy, the pillow runs $30 and be sure to get a water proof liner $10 and a cloth cover $10-$20

nursing glider.  i use this all the time, whether it is for nursing or pumping.  if you don't want to invest in a glider, make sure you have a comfortable chair or set up to feed.  i opted for a middle of the road glider, it is by storkcraft and i find it to be comfortable and do the trick.

costs $180

sterilizer.  i will be honest, i have yet to use mine, i use good old hot water and soap.  but i got an inexpensive microwave one.

costs $30

bottle brush.  bottles get a fatty film from breast milk, so be sure to get a good bottle brush and a good de-greaser soap to keep the clean.  i use the dr. browns bottle brush.

costs $7

nursing bras!  you will need multiple of these.  if you find one you like, buy it in every color!  i found target to be the best for this and i got 3 different styles of the brand "gilligan & o'maley" they ranged from $5-$20 (the cheap ones i found on clearance).  the store h&m also has some nice ones at a reasonable price.

nursing tanks!  i also got these from target and i have 2 of them.  i usually wear them to bed when i don't feel like wearing a nursing bra.  they are definitely softer and more comfortable.  they are also the "gilligan & o'maley" brand and cost $20

pump and store bags.  i use the medela brand.  you can pump directly into the bags or use the spout to pour your pumped milk into the bags.  it freezes your milk safely in measured bags.  i prefer this brand because i have used "lansinoh" (which are nice because they can hold up to 6 oz of milk as opposed to the 5 oz that medela holds) but they tend to leak and rip in the bottom corner of the bag.

$15 for a box of 50 bags

 gas drops and gripe water!!!  your baby will be gassy and this is where these come in handy.  even though babies do not take in as much air breastfeeding as they would from a bottle, this is a must have!!! 

$9 for 1 oz

$12 for 4 oz

burp clothes!  it has only been recently that bowie has started to spit up, this started around 7 weeks when she went through a growth spurt and started eating larger quantities.  it is a good investment to get at least a pack of 4.

$28 for set of 4 from "giggle"

vitamin d drops!  this is recommended if you are breastfeeding, and bowie likes the sweet taste of it.

$10 for 1 oz