I know... I have a lot of Bottle questions...

That depends on you and the bottle system you choose. I ended up using the Platex drop ins -- with the latex nipples. You just need to wash the bottles and nipples in hot soapy water, because the formula goes in a sterile disposable liner. You only sterilize the nipple (in hot boiling water) once. (with silicone, I think you can sterilize it each time). I put the bottles and caps in the dishwasher a few times a week.

Some systems have different sterilizers (Avent is one). They have a self contained one and one that goes in the microwave ($60 & $30, I think). But a pot of boiling water and /or a dishwasher can do the same.

Some people opt not to sterilize (except prior to first use). I was a bit obsessive about it, myself.

Melissa- are you going to try and breast feed or go straight to bottles?
Go to BRU or BBB and read the boxes of each kind of bottle and start to look at them all. You might even want to buy one of each kind to bring home and play with. That way you can get to know each bottle a bit before deciding.

From what I understand Melissa- and I am NO expert- at 6 weeks you must pump or breast feed almost every 3 hours in order to get your supply up and running and in good shape. So I think you do need to pump while at work for a few months- or at least that is my understanding. A class would help you sooo much to understand all of this. But after a few months I think you can cut down the pumping at work and just bf at specific times during the day.
Ask Phyl she knows about pumping and working.

hi there- Wow!! I was mentioned by NAME as knowing something! wow! hee hee good for my ego...anyways--
if you BF..,please make sure that the hospital staff knows- even right it on a index card to attach to the baby's crib while in the hospital nursery. This way they will not give your little one a bottle.

I was told and also read that you should not offer a bottle or a PACIFIER until at least 6 weeks old. This avoids nip*ple confusion. There are other moms on this board that bottle fed earlier and there was no confusion- but I say why risk it?

I bought a Medela Pump N go- got it BRAND NEW on ebay for much less than going price. I would advise to watch ebay for prices...but make sure to get a brand new one.
once you get it, u will need to boil some of the parts to sterilize it.
Same with bottles. I use playtex nursers with drop in liners. I use very hot water and a brish to clean the nip*p*les and the rings/bottle. I also put it in the dishwasher in a special container that keeps the Nip*ples from falling out...wash it in there 1-2x a week is FINE. the water gets SOOO hot in there it sterilizes it- just dont put anything else in there but baby stuff. ( I put in her rubber chew toys at the same time..and her plate/spoons)

the drop in liners assure that you have a clean sterized container each time.

while you are home, you should have the pump all ready and use it. I know- there isnt much time inbetween feedings, but if you can , PLEASE PUMP!! before you go back to work and freeze it. you need to start a good sized supply before you go to work.

Then I took the pump with me to work each day, set aside 2x a day to pump. sometiomes it was as soon as I got in (830 am)...and then again at lunch...other days it was lunchtime and then at 4. Find out what works for you. You really shoudl try to pump 2x/day at work in order to maintain your supply. If you can do 3x that is GREAT! even if it is only for 10-14 minutes.
Look at it this way- if the smokers in your company can go out to smoke- 3-5 times a day, you should be allowed to pump 2-3x a day!!!!

let me know ifyou have any more ?s
I will be happy to help!!!

dont be discouraged!