Second time mom, first time breastfeeding.
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Your insurance will send you a free pump
Id recommend just seeing how it goes, no need to buy anything until you know you need it. It can hurt a little at times such as during the let down stage, but not horrifically or unbearably. Its more of a release/relief uncomfortable feeling, but not everyone gets that. The bond with baby is worth it. SO much quicker and easier to attach an upset baby to your boob rather than making a bottle and faffing with formula 😂
My first had formula but this time round I'm breastfeeding. It was hard at first and yes it will be painful until nipples harden and get used to it (I dreaded EVERY feed for the first week or so) but it becomes second nature and it's so much easier than having to prep bottles and wash them etc. I got two pumps off a friend of mine so much cheaper than brand new and I pump on occassion and freeze the little bit of milk just incase I need to use it. Ill be pumping so i can go to a party for an hour or two at weekend too. I've found it easy since month 2 or 3 and I just make sure he's been fed before I go/leave anywhere with my two children x
I bought a nursing cover off shein and it was great at first when I was a new, nervous, nursing mummy in public and when family was visiting. I have nursing bras and tops that have been life savers for making it quick, easy and discreet in feeding my baby. I'm going to struggle next week at my brothers wedding feeding him in my bridesmaid dress, but I'll be taking the nursing cover and hopefully be able to feed him somehow under that. My little boy has been much easier to get to sleep than my first as he falls asleep breastfeeding when tired or just likes a snuggle but this may be coincidence but I do think breastfeeding has helped him fall asleep x
The good thing about breastfeeding is that you always don't need 'stuff'. You might at some stage need assistance or want to pump later on do you can have a break from bub. I nannied and part of the reason I wanted to bf was because I didn't want to have to lug a bunch of bottles around with me everywhere.
The only thing I needed was the nipple cream which is cheaper than formula lol and I literally only needed it for the for the first 6 weeks. I breastfed because it's best for the baby tbh, so yes it was hard, painful and time consuming but it was worth it to me. Also had 3 c sections. Healed fine.
925 silver cups off Amazon worked wonders no cracked nipples!! Squirt some breast milk and place the cups on nipples and wear them every time you are not breastfeeding.
The only thing you probably want right away is a nipple butter/cream — but the hospital might have some! Your insurance should cover a pump and your hospital also might have one available to use while you’re there if you want to. I love breastfeeding for the convenience of always having warm milk ready to drink available and fewer dishes to wash (the fewer dishes thing may change when baby is in daycare and I’m pumping more, but I’m enjoying it while it lasts). It wasn’t easy at the beginning; it’s like any new skill — neither mom nor baby are usually very good at it at first but with practice it gets easier. I’d say try it! Even if you only do it for a day, a few days, a month, your baby will reap the benefits of your however long you end up breastfeeding. I’m not sure how to also feed formula long term without affecting the establishment of your supply, but a good lactation consultant should be able to help you figure out how to do that, if that’s your goal.
Don’t get too carried away by the baby industrial complex. Women have been breastfeeding for thousands of years with none of that. All that adds comfort or is important if there are issues only.