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Thanks for the site...I will check it out...

Try ebay too.

Ok, I know nothing about nursing clothes.... so let me display my ignorance...lol. Why are nursing clothes necessary? I look at them and think... well, I can do that w/ my regular clothes. What is SO special about them and what advantage do they have over other regular clothes? I just don't get it...and have not bought any for that reason. Someone please tell me!!!!

E, supposedly they are more convenient, and may help you to nurse more discreetly. I never loaded up on nursing clothes with my first two children. The only nursing clothes I had was a nursing gown. I don't think they're all that necessary, unless you just feel like you have to have them. Your own clothes will work just fine.

melonbelly, thank you very much for responding. I was afraid I would NEED them and I was just being unprepared for nursing. It is a__suring to hear that an experienced mother did fine w/out them. I just didn't want to purchase something that I can do without...especially when I don't like the way they look, they are expensive, and I wil not use them after nursing. Thanks a lot melonbelly. What's the scoop on nursing bras? I am planning on buying just one... in case. I don't intend to b___stfeed in public... and if I have privacy, I can just unhook my bra. I will probably get some w/ the front snap so that it is easier. Again, the nursing bras look so old-fashioned to me...something I would not be wearing once I stop nursing...and are expensive.

That is definately true ~E~ you will have no need for the clothes if you aren't planning to b___stfeed in public. I didn't with my firrst child but it was because I felt uncomfortable with the possibility that people would see what I was doing and for that reason never did it in public. Breastfeeding is just very much of a convenience to me though and saves a lot of money, which I am tight on right now. So for that reason I wanted a way to b___stfeed in public discreetly. Nursing shirts still cover you completely when you b___stfeed so that no skin at all is showing. Couple that with a sling which I am also getting and no-one will even know what I'm doing. So I don't need the ha__sle of cleaning bottle and mixing formula and getting it to the right temp and so on and so forth. It is a very personal decision though, not anything that is in any way necessary.

Misty... my plan is to used pumped b___st milk to feed the baby when I am in a public place. I feel awkward about the idea of b___stfeeding in front of others (besides my husband and mom). I guess whatever works for you!

Hehe, I'm not even sure yet if this will work for me, I just plan to try it out and see how it goes. :-) Pumping didn't work well for me. In fact I got so aggravated at the pump one day that I threw it. Temper temper I know. :-) But pumping just didn't work well for me at all. I plan to try it again this time too, but want a possible back up if I have the same difficulty as I did last time.

Misty, that was too funny. I am afraid of the pump myself...this is my first, so I don't know what to expect...Hopefully, I don't find myself getting that frustrated w/ the pump...sadly, I can already imagine it happening. :-S

Hi E :) I had nursing bras with my last, and they do come in handy when you don't want to take your bra off. You can probably get by with one or two. There was only one I really liked and wore it all the time. Gross, I know. :) I didn't like b___stfeeding in public either, but it's recommended not to bottle feed (even with b___stmilk) for the first few weeks so they can get established to the b___st and avoid nipple confusion. Luckily, you can usually find a place to b___stfeed privately. I've even done it in the car. :) Nursing clothes, in my opinion are not mandatory, but b___st pumps are a whole other story. You will definitely want to invest in a good pump. I wore out my hand and got horribly frustrated with battery and manual pumps. They hurt and I was never able to get much milk with them either. You will want to get a good electric pump and those are very pricey. The good ones are between $150-$300. There is a good alternative if you can't dish out that much. You can contact your local Le Leche League and they will rent one to you. I did this with my son and it worked great for me. Don't worry, all the attatchments they give you are brand new, so it's not gross or anything. www.lelecheleague.org Click on groups/affiliates to find one in your area.

FYI - Baby Gap (not Gap Kids) has nursing rooms for moms. I think it is wonderful. You don't have to buy anything, either... The doors say "nursing/fitting room". I have seen many moms go into them for feedings and the staff is always friendly and non-judgmental.

melonbelly, thanks a lot for the info. I will refrain from introducing the bottle in the first few weeks. What are the manual pumps you used? I was thinking of getting the Avent Isis (it was recommended by a user on this site for occasional use). I was considering getting a used medela in style pump and relacing the tubing, cones, and bottles. However, the medela 1-800 number adviced against this...they said that something in the motor could still be contaminated... anyone heard of this? I will contact the la leche league for more info as well. Correction to the address you posted if anyone else wants to visit their site... www.lalecheleague.org Thanks again melonbelly (great name)!!

Go to target.com and you can read hundreds of reviews about the isis. I think I am going to buy it too.

Hello ladies, thought i'd share my 2 cents... The Avent Isis pump is wonderful for the occasional pumper. The Medela hospital grade pump is excellent for moms who need to pump all the time. I had to pump for the first 3 weeks while my son was in the NICU, so we rented the Medela Symphony pump from the hospital. It's electric and can pump both sides at the same time in about 15 minutes. The lactation consultant at the hospital where I delivered gave me brand new, never been used attachments. Insurance covers the attachments, but my hospital charged $35 a month to rent the machine. I think it's odd that Medela doesn't recommend sharing the actual pump since they are rented out all over the world. As long as the attachments are brand new, I don't understand the problem. The motor is completely seperate, so I just don't see how contamination could happen. Sounds like a way for the company to suck $$$ from unsuspecting parents. In my opinion, nursing clothes aren't necessary if you don't plan on b___stfeeding in public. A nursing bra however is worth it. They aren't the prettiest things, but they are super convienant (sp??). Don't get the ones with the little silver snap, it always comes undone. If you can find one with a zipper, that would be your best bet. :o)

Hey ladies. I am nursing my son, he is 2 months old. I have a few nursing tops, but some of my regular tee shirts provide more coverage. However, I have found a good supply of nursing bras is a MUST even if you never leave home. Here is why... when nursing your baby the MER (milk ejection reflex) often causes milk to leak from your other b___st - in the beginning it can even spray! Having that b___st covered often eliminates or at leat minimizes the wetness, dripping, and possible spotting on your shirt. Also, I change my nursing bras frequently to keep my nipples as clean as possible. I don't like nursing pads although they were necessary in the beginning.

Jenn, thank you for sharing your experience. I never thought about the other b___st spraying...kinda sounds funny...altho I probably will not find it amusing when it happens. The idea of wearing nursing pads grosses me out already... must I wear pads EVERYWHERE?!...atleast I would like my b___sts to be free...lol. I, hesitantly, bought a few cloth ones so that I can be ready. It is refreshing to know that after 2 months of nursing, you are not using them...woohoo! How long did you find yourself using the nursing pads? Any preference...the cloth vs. the disposable?