How do you establish formula feeding from day 1?

[GuybrushThreepwoodMP]

Don't want to get into a debate- I breastfeed dd1 for over a year so I know what I'm doing. Am considering not breastfeeding at all second time round.
How does that work? How much do they have in the first few days? How do your boobs not explode?

An alternative might be combined feeding for a few weeks and then moving on to ff. I definitely don't want to ebf at all, not even for a day. Anyone know how to establish combined feeding early on?

[RandomMess]

I did with my eldest. I strongly recommend buying a 2nd kettle that you use exclusively for making up bottles - just saves you re-boiling water by accident etc.

I will be honest, my boobs were like canon balls and hurt like hell but I engorged badly when I breast fed with the others too. I slept sitting up for a week

Isn't it 1-2oz per feed for the first week and then slowly increases?

[fattymcChocolateEgg]

I ff my two from birth.
boobs do get sore and tender but DO NOT touch them and they will fix themselves
how much depends on how much your baby takes when newborn. my DS's first feed was 2 and a half oz so a hell of a lot. I made 3 oz up from birth for him.
my DD on the other hand I only had to make two oz for and you just increase as they become hungrier.
second kettle is a good idea though. I never thought of that. may try it with this one

[GuybrushThreepwoodMP]

Thanks. How long after the birth did you give the first feed?

[RandomMess]

As soon as they're ready/interested. Usually it's straight away - certainly within the first hour. I would put it on your labour notes and ask the midwives what they suggest.

[cupcakesandapples]

A really tight bra helps your milk go (thats what my mw told me and i had no issues)

[stargirl1701]

Sudafed, sage tea and the oral contraceptive pill will all reduce your milk supply. Savoy cabbage leaves in your bra.

It is possible to just bf the colostrum and then switch to DF, if you wish.

[wigglesrock]

I formula fed all three of mine from birth. I just fed them when they wanted fed, bottles were 3oz, I used ready made formula for the first week or so. My milk came in on the 3rd or 4th day. I wore a good bra the whole time, took some cocodamol, didn't touch my breasts, not even a sneaky relieving jet of water when in the shower.

[bonzo77]

I ff on demand from birth with DS1. Used ready made formula and offered 1oz at a time initially, storing the open cartons in the fridge, discarding if any left after 24 hours. Heated in microwave 10 seconds an ounce I think. Once he started finishing 1 oz I did 2 oz. Once taking 3 oz I started using powder. Was feeding 3 hourly from around 2 weeks and 4 hourly once 10lb on advice of health visitor. At that stage, again on her advice I stopped waking him to feed during the night.

My milk came in on day 4. MW said wear a firm bra 24/7 even when showering. Allow to air dry and take pain killers. Boobs gave me very little trouble.

[monkeyfacegrace]

No no no to a kettle. What you need is a Tommee Tippee perfect prep machine.

Dc3 is now 4 weeks old and only ever had formula. I don't do baby gadgets.

But I swear to fucking god, this machine is the best baby item I have EVER bought. Ever.

I bought packs of ready to use bottles of cow and gate for the first few days. You just screw the disposable teats onto the bottles and away you go. Dc3 had her first bottle at an hour old ish after she was cleaned and dressed. She took about 20-40 ml every couple hours. Now at 4 weeks she is having 120 ml every 3 hours ish.

[Jaffakake]

I'm combi feeding, ds2 is 4 days old. Perfect prep is amazing!

[Iseespring]

I recommend the sterile ready mix that cone with tears when in hosp -expensive but convenient if you're not in long. We went on to using the Perfect Prep machine. Only downside is the minimum delivery is 4oz so you waste a little for the first few weeks. My LO was quite hungry and took 3oz feeds after just few days. Well worth the investment, especially when ur doing night feeds. X

[GuybrushThreepwoodMP]

Might be less waste with me- I'm having twins.

[Ilovenannyplum]

My perfect prep machine is literally my favourite possession
Makes bottles at right temperature in 2 mins. If you're bottle feeding I cannot recommend enough.

[monkeyfacegrace]

I don't understand the waste thing.

I made up 4 oz, then poured half of it into another sterilised bottle and stored in the fridge, then reheated that for the next feed. They feed every 2-3 hours so it's not sat around for long.

Twins? In that case this machine is non optional. I'm slightly hysterical about it, but considering I have a newborn I'm allowed.

Buy. The. Machine.

[Iseespring]

But surely that defeats the object of the perfect prep?! Each to their own...

[Only1scoop]

I ff from birth Op and has pp has said a few days in boobs could have exploded just didn't touch and they were fine within a week or less.

We used cartons for first few weeks until brave enough to mix the actual powder

Good luck

[GuybrushThreepwoodMP]

Lots of really good information- thanks everyone.
That machine does indeed look amazing. I wonder if I could justify having one upstairs and one downstairs for easier night preparation...

[monkeyfacegrace]

Yes. Yes you can.