Product recommendations?

Question

What products are must haves for Ep and bottle feeding? Ex: bottle warmers, sterilizers, bottles, pumping accessories. Special soap to clean bottles? Best ways to store expressed milk when it’s going to be used within the next day or so?

Answer

I epd for 11 months. Here are some thoughts/tips:
Dapple soap cleans milk film off of everything quite well. Plus it has no scent. 
Medela steam in microwave bags for occasional sanitizing (dont go overboard).
Buy an extra set of pump parts on Amazon, we did Nenesupply (wayyy cheaper than medela).  
I was just one pump ahead when feeding baby. Tht way your next bottle is always ready.  Breastmilk can be kept at room temp 6 hours (some say longer)! So - no need to refrigerate or heat up your bottle for baby. Trust me, after a few hundred pumps and cleaning parts you will be grateful you dont heat up the milk!!!!!
We used Dr Browns bottles. Be sure to have extra nipples on hand because they wear out n leak after awhile. 
Also, make sure you have extra rubber flanges for your pump. We changed ours at about 3-4 weeks. If they are old they loose suction. 
Buy a car adapter and battery pack for your pump. 
We used Target brand breastmilk bags. 
BE SURE to taste your frozen milk. Mine had high lipase and our son would not drink it to save his life!

Answer

I EP for 2.5 month and then finally got my LO to latch. I was several feedings ahead just so I had some flexibility if my pumping time was delayed or the baby was a little more hungry than I planned. I stored everything in lansinoh small storage bottles. I had quite the stash of these jars so I could divide up what I pumped into 4 oz feedings. These bottles can also be used with nipples, this way I didn’t have to transfer the milk to another bottle and clean an additional item. I bought these on amazon along with the nipples. 
The steam bags are great for cleaning pump parts. I typically washed everything and steamed once a day or so. 
You need to order extra flanges for your pump. They are pretty cheap on amazon. You definitely go through these frequently. If they tear at all while cleaning they are done. I always have at least two sets on hand. My pump had a battery so I was able to pump wherever. If yours doesn’t get a car charger. You’ll use it. 
Invest in a handsfree pumping bra. This way you can double pump and massage while pumping. 
I also recommend investing in an ice pack that curved to fit tight against the breast milk bottles. I bought the Medela one that came with the cooler and used it frequently when I was out and about. It’s also helpful to store the milk you have pumped while out and about. 
My LO wouldn’t drink the milk unless it was warm. I found that warming water in an electric tea kettle was the fastest way to do this (always stopped it before boiling). It was faster than warming it up in the microwave or running the water forever to get warm or using a bottle warmer. I then poured the water in a glass and just dropped the bottle in it to warm. If I was out of the house I filled a small yeti thermos 2/3 full with hot water and it would stay warm. The thermos I used was the perfect size to drop a bottle in to warm it. Maybe I’m crazy but this was the easiest way for me. 
I agree with the previous comment. Test your milk with the baby. Some babies will drink high lipase milk, others won’t. 
EP is hard, so good luck to you!

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