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Definately get pads. I didn't have anything when I got home from the hospital. Wasn't sure how b___stfeeding would go. I got the Johnson & Johnson brand pads because they're thicker and firmer than the Gerber brand. These seem to bunch up and are too flimsy when you try to nurse. They never stay in place even with the sticky deal. Get some of the Lanolin cream that Medela sells. You can get it at Target or Walmart but the hospital should give you a tube. Ask for it cus your nipples might crack within the first couple weeks. Mind did soooo bad and it hurt something aweful to nurse but you have to keep doing it. I never needed nipple guards. Maybe have a hand pump handy cus you'll get really engorged after the first few days and it's hard for them to latch on when you're so engorged and it's really painful for you also when they do. These are some things I found VERY handy to have. Oh and some cabbage leaves. Wet them and put them in the fridge and lay them on your b___sts when they hurt really bad. It really helped with swelling the first couple weeks. I also took Tylenola a few times to help with the pain when my milk came in. It sounds all bad but it's not really. Just the first couple weeks can be hard. I know lots of moms give up thinking it'll always be that bad but it's not. Once your nipples firm up you'll be fine. Ha ha!

I agree with Heidi on pretty much everything she said. Well put, Heidi! :)

Thanks! Ha ha! Oh that cream you use, I recommend that brand because you don't have to clean it off before nursing. It's 100% Lanolin.

I also agree w/ the pads. For the first few weeks you may leak. I personally never had any problems w/ engorgment (not enough to pump). Also I had no problems w/ sore nipples, but I hear alot of people do. The best thing that I could recommend be having kellymom.com on your favorites and a nursing tank top to wear around the house and sleep in. I got one at Target. Good luck, b___stfeeding is sooo much easier in the long run!!

Thank you very much for the advice. I will go to Target and buy some pads and lanolin cream. I am so nervous about how hard the first few weeks are going to be. I am determined to make it through. I just wanted to have all the right materials on hand.

Not to mention b___stfeeding is sooo much cheaper. Especially if you don't need to pump and stay at home. I had to return to work therefor I got a used pump and have to buy lots of storage bags but it's sooo much better than formula and the bonding you get out of it is awesome! I nurse in bed a lot when she wakes at night. I just put her in bed with me and she nurses and we both fall back asleep. It's soooo convenient. I'll nurse in the van if we go shopping and she wakes up hungry but now she's big enough to give bottles to but when she was a newborn I did this a lot cus I hated staying home all day long.

i love lansinoh pads and lanolin. Also, ask at the hospital for a manual pump. i noticed it as a check-box on the release paper, so asked for one and they gave me a medela harmony manual pump, which has totally met all my needs, even once I returned to work!