Couple of questions re preparing for a baby ...

So much useful info! Thank you everyone

Thanks for posting this OP - i was wondering the same few qs. Esp about breastfeeding. i dont want to buy a pump etc as i feel i will go to it when things get tough and i want to EBF. However im under massive pressure from friends who are mums who cant belive i havent got one yet etc. Good to see some support for trying to do it naturally x

agree with everything sad below, don't start preparing for breastfeeding to fail before it has ever begun. Very few women who don't end up breastfeeding do so due to not being able to make make milk. A pump is not a necessity unless you are returning to work while still breastfeeding, if you NEED a pump (as in returning to work) then I would buy a double pump. I breastfed my son for nearly two years and will probably do the same for my now 11 month old, but I've probably used my pump around 10 times all up, with my son I pumped a bit in the beginning as his latch (the way he was sucking) was super-painful until he learned to do it properly. I had the same deal with my daughter but used nipple shields for a week instead which was a lot less faff. I have never been able to get much milk out via pumping. Much better to invest in a few sessions before and after the birth with an IBCLC to get breastfeeding off to the best start. Blackout, worth doing, tinfoil over the windows works just as well though. ;) Breastpads, not everyone needs them (I never have, not everyone leaks) buy a couple of packs and see how you go. Temp of the room, anything from 18 to 26, basically the room should be at a temp that if you are sitting in it in a t shirt you are not cold. Babies should be lightly clothed when sleeping, overheating is more risky than being cold. (don't sleep them in a hat!) Nipple cream; pure lanolin (medelela (the yellow one) or the purple one, lanisoh?)is best as then you don't need to wash it off before you feed your baby. Don't put too much on you could make it harder for your baby to latch. Humdifier isn't essential, if you get one get the kind that measures the humidity of the room, you don't want to make it overly humid and encourage mould. We have a purifier humidifier and only really use the humidifier if someone has a cold/cough. Towels? I never bought special baby towels, just chuck you regular towels in the drier and they will be plenty soft..

Really recommend Lansinoh nipple cream, it comes in a purple tube and is a miracle cure a week or so in when breast feeding hurts and you can't face it! Not sure if you can get it out here (brought mine back from UK) but you could order it online through amazon and pay shipping if you get a few other things to make it more worthwhile. I used washable Avent breast pads initially but actually found the disposable ones to be just as good and more convenient when big leaks happened due to the waterproof backing! Good luck! Relax, it's amazing how naturally it will all come. That said, I'm having minor panics about no.2s imminent arrival! :)

I forgot to mention, about the towels, if you have really soft towels you dont need any baby towels but ours feel as if they have been through a war so I will get about 3 really soft baby towels, I think that is more than enough.

I would definitely get the black out curtains. My son sees one sun-ray and he is up like a rooster. MOMMY... ITS SUNNY OUTSIDEEEE... WAKE UP... And imagine we DO have black out curtains in his room... The breast pump I wouldnt get at all, I got one as a gift but pumping was never my thing. My boobs never cooperated when it came to pumping they went on a strike. Worse case scenario your hubby can always run to the store. I just want to say that what ever you will need, it is is all in the shop waiting for you and it is much better to buy as you need then stock up on lots of stuff you will never use. That being said, I do think you will need a LOT of newborn diapers and having gone through some issues with the correct size of nappies not being in stock I have developed a certain fear of running out, haha.... About to deliver and I already bought 3 different brands of nappies...

Hi Ladies, Just after a few answers for those seasoned Mums out there to shed some light on what appears to be a never ending source of conundrums for me at the moment :) Do I need to get black out blinds for which room the baby sleeps in (ours for a wee while and then the nursery as and when)? Chances are your newborn won't be bothered much by sleeping in the light. In fact, many newborns have their days and nights mixed up and sleep more during the day and are awake more at night. When baby is older, more alert and in the nursery you'll be thankful you have black out curtains. What temp should the room be for the baby to sleep in? Newborns can't regulated their body temperature well, so keep it at a comfortable temp given what baby is sleeping in. We never adjusted our thermostat when we brought either of ours home, just made sure they were dressed appropriately for sleeping. Is a humidifier advisable/necessary? We only found one necessary when our kids got respiratory viruses and such. How many towels do we need to start off with? How often do you do wash? I ended up with a lot more than I needed. After all, you don't really need special ones for the baby. One of your regular bath towels will work in a pinch. Breast pads: are they all much for muchness or are branded ones better? Try out a few and see what works best for you. When should I purchase a breast pump? Just conscious that as much as I want/plan to BF, it may well not happen for whatever reason, so not sure if buying the pump before I know if I can BF makes sense. Nearly all women can breastfeed. Put that "it may well not happen" thought out of your mind. It is very, very rare that women are physically unable to produce milk. That doesn't mean you might not face some challenges. Too many women face challenges and either don't choose to or don't know where they can get help. But, trust your body and know that with the right help and support you should be able to nurse your baby. Whether you'll need a pump really depends on how frequently you anticipate being away from your baby. If you're a stay at home mom, one may not be necessary. It's generally not a good idea to introduce a bottle in the first few weeks until breastfeeding is well established any way. If you anticipate needing a pump your best bet might simply to be to know what one you're considering and where you're going to purchase it from then buy it when you need it. It is possible to rent a pump here in Dubai, too. Check the resources info on the Breastfeeding Q&A Dubai Facebook page. Nipple cream: should I look out for something specific when buying or is any (depending on sensitivity) generally fine? Pure lanolin works great for most women. Just get a small tube to make sure you don't have a reaction. My honest advice is to try to go with the flow and try to relax. I know it's hard to relax in anticipation of such a major life event.