If you plan to breastfeed, you should be prepared to face a lot of challenges. Although you may already be concerned about the actual act of breastfeeding and weather or not it will hurt – there are a few other issues awaiting your discovery. Once you will have your baby, get some breastfeeding experience under your belt, and are finally ready to take your baby out in public – you may encounter new issues that you may have not thought of yet.

The first time you will have to nurse in public may be a bit challenging. First, it is a very private and personal thing that it isn’t always the most comfortable for brand new moms. Your best bet is to try and find a semi-private area of the park / a booth at the restaurant (rather than table), and/or a changing room at a store.

After a couple times you will find the best places to nurse and what clothing may work best for nursing out in public (a nursing top or apron) and you will learn quickly whether or not you are even feel comfortable with the whole experience of nursing in public. If you discover that it’s too uncomfortable for you -  you can always pump and bring a bottle with you when you are out of the comfort of your own home.

The one thing you can not control, if you choose to breastfeed in public, are people’s reactions – so be prepared for anything. Some moms may nod at you, as if you shared something in common, some people will stare with disapproval or make a comment or even ask you to go somewhere else. You should know your breastfeeding rights, so you don’t feel threatened. Even tough breastfeeding in public is legal in the United States, not everyone knows it, which may lead to complaints. If you experience incidents of discrimination when breastfeeding in public or have problems at the work place, you can report it to first right.

‘How long are you planning to breastfeed?’ is a very common question people tend to ask during this stage of your life. As if you can predict if nursing will work out for you as well as for your newborn, or somehow you have foresight as to how long your body will produce milk.  What is more challenging is when the questions are geared towards judgment of your choices in breastfeeding. There will be someone who will judge you for nursing for too long, explaining to psychological implications of the act, while at the same time, another will judge you for the exact opposite, grilling you for not providing those very needed neutrinos for long enough.

You may think this is an exaggeration. Hopefully in your case it will be, and you will not experience any of these or other unpleasant incidents. But just in case, be aware, maybe even prepared with an answer, and don’t take anything to heart. You are doing the best for your baby, whatever your choice is.

For baby

For the first time mom it can be a challenge to start thinking about and creating your baby registry list. If you have the opportunity – it is a good idea to take your mother or another experienced mother with you on your first stroll through the baby stores.

The major stores have their own check lists to hand out, but you do not necessarily need everything on them. Pick and choose, ask veteran moms for advice, and remember you can always go back after your baby is here if you realize you forgot something.

Here are some basics

• Burp cloths. Get plenty to minimize your laundry loads.
• 1 or 2 pacifiers, if you choose to use them get different kinds to try out and make sure they are for 0 months
• 4 bottles and nipples. Make sure they are for 0 months
• 2 to 3 hooded towels to swaddle baby after bath
• A “take-me-home” outfit. Look for a set that’s cute for photos, but practical for the weather as well as easy to put on (if this is your first time dressing your baby, you don’t want to make it more complicated than it has to be)
• 6 to 8 onesies, half short sleeve and half long sleeve. Select a kind that will be easy to pull over baby’s head.
• 5 pairs of pants
• 6 to 8 sleepers (aka coveralls) with built-in footies, or rompers if it’s spring or summer
• 5 to 6 sleeping gowns, which snap, zip (recommended), or cinch closed at the bottom, making late-night diaper changes easy
• 1 to 2 pairs of mittens (for winter babies)
• 6 pairs of booties or socks
• Sleep sac, for when baby outgrows the swaddle or sleep gowns, but is still too young for a blanket in the crib.
• 4 to 6 bibs. At least two should be waterproof. Once baby starts solids, you’ll need something you can just hose off.
• 4 receiving blankets.

Baby care

• Diapers. Choose weather you are going with re-usable or disposable route, and stock up.
• Disposable wipes. Always have a few packets on hand — this is not an item you want to run out of.
• Diaper rash cream
• Bottle brush
• 2 Thermometers. One to label rectal, another for use under the arm
• Nasal bulb syringe for clearing stuffy noses (provided by some hospitals after delivery)
• Baby nail clipper
• Alcohol swabs and bandages
• Baby shampoo and cleanser

Furniture +

• Crib
• Portable crib, commonly known as a Pack ‘n Play, for when you visit the grandparents.
• Infant bath tub or seat with a newborn “sling”
• Changing table with pad (you can also covert an existing dresser by topping with a pad)
• Rocking chair (nice to have, but not a must)
• Stroller: Baby won’t sit up for a few months, so you’ll need a Snap ‘n Go, a travel system or a model in which baby can fully recline.
• Swing or bouncy seat. Can give you a few peaceful hands free moments.
• Activity mat /  baby gym
• Mobile for the crib: Think music, lights and movement. Preferably with remote control
• Crib bumper
• 2 to 3 fitted crib sheets
• 2 waterproof mattress pads (unless you have a waterproof matterss)
• 2 or 3 changing pad covers
• A rear-facing infant car seat with base. If you have two cars, consider getting a second base.
• Baby carrier and/or sling
• Diaper genie: Choose one that you can operate with one hand, one that uses regular garbage bags, and has an odor control system.
• Baby monitor

Don’t forget yourself

While excitement levels are high and you only have eyes for baby items, you should plan ahead and get a few important items for yourself. Better being ready than having to run to the store (or send hubby only to have him go back and exchange it to the right size…) with…

• Nursing bras and pads (there are reusable or paper pads to choose from)
• Nursing covers for public nursing
• Nursing cloths
• Breastfeeding pillow and cover
• Breast pump. If you’re going back to work, get a \ fancy automatic double pump. You will not regret it!
• Lanolin lotion for sore nipples (provided by some hospitals after delivery)
• Breast milk freezing bags

Who would have thought there could be two people battling over… your boobs? Yea, I said ‘boobs’. Strange, isn’t it? But it is possible that one day your husband (who may originally have been the number one advocate for breastfeeding in the household) would suggest that you should give up nursing. Confused, you may wonder where this is coming from. Well, your husband misses having you to himself! It can and does happen that your other half is jealous of the intimacy you have with your baby, and may fear that he can no longer share that part of you.

While you may not feel the same, Daddy may be all about introducing a bottle to your baby just after a few months. You don’t have to cave immediately, nor do you have to attack him for these feelings. Remember, parenting is new to the both of you, and having someone new in the family, who takes up so much of the attention, can be hard on both of you. Talk about the reason for his suggestion and see what steps you can take that will suit all of you.

Before you make accusations, make sure Daddy isn’t just jealous that you are the only one feeding the baby. If this is the case, you can extract (pump) milk and let him experience feeding your newborn as well.

Also, don’t assume that your husband has ‘boob jealousy’. Your husband may suggest you consider switching over to formula for other reasons as well. One of which can be his acknowledgment that breastfeeding is tiring (which it is!) and you are stretching yourself too thin. If this is the case, you may want to listen to the logic behind this idea and consider your options. You can try and rest more, or depending on your baby’s age and nutritional needs you may consider increasing the amount of milk or even introduce solid foods. Certainly if you have doubts about what is best for your baby you can always consult your doctor in effort to find the best solution for you and your baby.