Breastfeeding is possibly one of mother nature's crappiest systems. I recommend taking a class and locating a good lactation consultant before your baby is born, just in case you have problems. (By the way, when people refer to "breastfeeding problems," it sounds like they mean a little technical glitch, but what they really mean is often terrible chronic pain. They don't discuss the details because they don't want to discourage you, but then you feel like something is really wrong with you when you begin experiencing normal difficulties. It truly is worth it to stick it out, but the majority of women sadly give up because their regular doctor is not able to assess and treat their complications properly, and they think they "have to" quit in order to resolve the pain.)

The Pump Station in Santa Monica, CA is a world-class resource and may be able to provide you with a referral.

Please see the Breastfeeding Advice page on this site for more information, and e-mail me if you have any questions. I have been through so much lactation therapy I even acquired a nickname ("Nipple Queen") at the clinic!

The Rolls Royce of pumps: Medela Classic

*Bras: You really can't know what your boobs will be like after they settle down (a few weeks after delivery). For this reason, and because you will have to wear a bra day and night for a while (which sucks), I recommend buying two really comfortable stretchy seamless bras before you deliver (Medela Comfort Light Support was the only one I liked). Later you can shop for other styles, or you may just stick with the stretchy ones. If you end up with small bosoms, you should try the Japanese Weekend crossover bras that just pull down to nurse (no snaps or clips). They're comfy and convenient, but provide almost no support. The Bravado is a classic, which I found relatively comfortable and supportive compared to other brands, but the elastic band still tends to bunch up in the crease. My favorite ended up being the cheapest one: QT molded soft cup . . . this has lots of support, is not a pullover, and has clips that are easy to close with one hand. (Clips that work like hook-and-eye seem easiest; snaps are okay, and the kind that inserts like a seat belt is okay) In any case, it's always better if you can try bras on in person, but these brands should be pretty good bets even for online ordering.

*Nursing clothes: at last, an expensive and ugly product that you absolutely do not need! Unless you are going to have to nurse very discreetly in a business setting or something, don't bother with special nursing tops. If it's summer, you can wear two tank tops: pull one up, the other down, with your boob in the slit in between. In winter, you can wear a stretchy under-shirt with a cardigan over it; the open cardigan will shield your sides from view. In general, though, you can just pull up any shirt and nurse in public; the baby covers most of you, and this is a sight people should see more often anyway! I did enjoy one piece of maternity clothing, which was a nightgown (Majamas, $50?), where the front just pulls down (no snaps or flaps). This made night nursing easier, and it made me feel cuter during the dowdy postnatal period.

*Nursing pillow. The jury is still out on this one, but I recommend the Brest Friend ($35) because you can strap it on; that way, it doesn't flop around when you change position, and when the baby falls asleep at your breast you can then get up and move around without waking him. Make sure to get the newer version with the buckle instead of Velcro, which wakes the baby. The ever-present Boppy isn't really that good and wasn't designed for breastfeeding in the first place; but you can buy a great pillow that is an overstuffed, u-shaped (not C-shaped) version for about $60 (one of the most beloved is called the "Tula-Lu Cuddler," available online at grometville.com (see Links). One of my friends probably would have married this pillow if she could have!). They key features are: high and firm, so you don't have to hunch over to make your boob reach the baby, and ease of getting it in position. This is such an important item, you might want to buy 2 different ones -- you will probably use them about 6 hours a day (or more) for the first 4 months.

*Pump: everyone gets the $300 Pump In Style, but here' what you might not know. There is a new $35 hand pump by Medela called the Harmony which works almost as well and is much more convenient (silent, and you can walk around while using it). If you are only going to go out without the baby for a few hours a day, this may be all you need, truly! It's really good, not like earlier hand pumps. If you are going back to work, get the PIS. The company will advise against buying a used one due to a slight risk of disease transmission, but if you know someone who's selling, you might consider it: the milk normally never even touches the machine. It just pumps air through a tube to the plastic accessory parts that touch your body. You can simply buy these cheap parts separately, or sterilize used ones. You will also want to buy the hands-free bra (like a wide elastic bandeau with holes around the nipples, $30? --don't get the weird rubber-band adapter kit), so you can double-pump without losing your mind. Finally, though, if you have any problems at all with your breasts, IMMEDIATELY rent a hospital-grade pump from the hospital or a local baby boutique (about $1.50-$3.00 per day). It makes a huge difference, and it is absolutely worth the cost. It's more gentle and gets a lot more milk than the PIS. The Medela Classic is the Rolls Royce of pumps, but the company is phasing them out . . . get one if you can.