Preparing ahead, need a wee bit of advice

[MamaFlump2be]

Hi

I'm due on Monday and trying to plan ahead as much as I can. My plans are to breast feed and give it my best, however just in case things go a bit pair-shaped in the first few days I want to have 1 tin/packet of formula ready just in case. Trouble is I don't know which one to get ..any advice from those already had a baby(s) would really appreciate it.
Thanks

[japhrimel]

Do you live right out in the sticks? If not, I wouldn't bother TBH - it's not often that no shop with formula is open and IMO if you have it in the cupboard, you're more likely to use it when it gets tough.

Choosing formula seems to be about price, preference and how well your baby tolerates diferent brands which you can't know now.

[duke748]

I'm pregnant with my first and planning on doing the same, so would also be interested in answers.

I have read that the bottle should be as similar to your own nipple as possible so the transition between the two isn't too disruptive for little 'un.

I have set my other half a mission to find the bottle most like my nipple (!) and enough ready made formula to get us through a couple of feeds.

I don't imagine that there is a massive difference between brands (much like most other things really) but they are all designed for different ages, so make sure its suitable from birth.

Hope that helps.

[OnEdge]

i dont know why but my hv said aptamil. i have used it with last two no probs.

[MamaFlump2be]

Thanks

Yeah we have a mini sterilser and a couple of closer to nature bottles just in case. Mainly for once breast feeding is established so that I can pump and my husband can enjoy the closeness of feeding him. I just really like to be organised so I dont panic especially in those first few days when hormones are haywire.

[OnEdge]

i would recommend that you get about 3 cartons and a bottle ready just in case. mothercare do some bottles that you can steralise individually in the microwave. you just put a little water in the lid, and put the bottle onto the lid upside down and nuke it and it steralises. if you buy one and dont use it, you will probably use it when they are older. sorry bout typing, hands full .

[OnEdge]

these

[OnEdge]

oops x posted a bit

[laurenamium]

Ive been reccomended Aptimil by a few different mums too!

[bobblemeat]

There is no significant difference between types of formula. Aptimal and cow and gate are made by the same people but marketed differently. Non of them are bad (in relation to each other).

Powder doesn't last after being opened so may not be appropriate for a one off feed. A carton might be better anyway as you won't have to faff about boiling and cooling water.

Try not to think too negatively. Only 1% of women actually can't bf (and I know all of them ). Lots of women give up before they really want to because they are given bad advice and are unsupported. The best thing you can do is find out about bf groups/councellors/support in your area so if you are struggling in the early days you can get some actual physical support from a RL person. You might even have time to go to a group before your baby is born and get advice from new mums.

The following is a bit patronising but I didn't know these things before I had my ds1. I think if I had known I wouldn't have failed to bf.

Giving a bottle or dummy may make them reluctant to bf.
Its normal to 'cluster feed' esp in the evenings and it will pass
When they have a growth spurt they will want to be fed more. It doesn't mean they aren't getting enough and need a bottle, they are just building up your supply a bit and it will settle down after a few days.
Boobs work on a supply and demand basis. If you use formula, your body doesn't produce as much milk.
A breast pump doesn't get as much milk out as a baby. If you pump and only get 20mls don't worry, your baby is capable of getting a lot more. This also means you may have to pump lots of times to get enough for one bottle.
There are videos on YouTube showing correct latch.
www.kellymom.com/ is a great website for practical advice.

[Ineedsomesleep]

Agree with japhrimel. Unless you live over an hours drive from a 24 hour supermarket I really wouldn't bother.

Can't find a link for you but research shows that you are more likely go give up bfing if you have formula in the house.

"Mainly for once breast feeding is established so that I can pump and my husband can enjoy the closeness of feeding him."

I really wouldn't bother with this either. Your DH can get close to your baby in so many other ways, bathing LO, skin-to-skin, taking them for a walk, changing them, dressing them, looking after them while you have a bath etc.

You will probably find that you have to sterilise the pump and bottles, express more than once to get a bottle. Prepare the bottle yourself. In short you will be doing all the hardwork while he sits on his bum telling you how he is helping you out. Get him to read this instead

If you really want to be prepared I'd find out the numbers for all your local Bfing Counsellors now and pack them in your hospital bag just in case, you could also put the numbers of the Bfing Helplines in your phone. And if you're really organised find out where your local Bfing groups are and start going to them before you have the baby. Some Children's Centres and branches of the NCT also run groups for Dads.

[MamaFlump2be]

Thankyou bobblemeat, that wasn't patronising at all, it was very helpful and informative. I am going to give it 100% am just a bit of a worrier! like to be prepared for anything but I realise with a newborn...its not always possible

[MamaFlump2be]

I appreciate the advice you have just given me Ineedsomesleep however with all respect not all men are the same and my husband is incredibly supportive. Maybe I am naive but we work as a team. But thanks for the info on Bfing counsellors.

[Ineedsomesleep]

Glad you have a supportive husband and hope that your plans work out.

Perhaps I didn't express myself very well as I wasn't trying to undermine your husband, just point out what incredibly hard work expressing a bottle to give another the opportunity to feed your baby will be for you. Much easier just to pick them up and feed them yourself

[bobblemeat]

I found expressing very time consuming, even when someone else was doing the washing/sterilising. Even the most supportive partner can't actually do it for you. I did loads when my ds2 was born as he was tube fed and I had to express 15mins in every hour to get enough. When he was a couple of months old I did it again when DH and I were going out. It took 2 days of expressing 4 times a day to get one bottles worth. Obviously other peoples experience will be better than mine but if DH suggested I went through that again so he could spend 10mins giving ds3 a bottle then I would be kicking him into touch.

[Ineedsomesleep]

bobblemeat that sounds really tough, good on your for expressing for so long.

Thought your tips were very good and wish someone had given them to me before I had DC1.

i found expressing really, really hard too. Got hardly anything out with DC1 although he was obviously getting loads out himself from looking at how chubby he got. With DC2 it was just such a faff looking after them both and trying to express.

[MoonUnitAlpha]

Agree with Ineedsomesleep - there's more to bonding than feeding, a father can be in charge of bathing or nappy changing (especially in the middle of the night!).

If you're going to ge3t formula in, go for the brand that's stocked by your nearest shop so is easiest for you to get.

[Ineedsomesleep]

Sorry for the typos. Will go now and find alcohol and chocolate hide my shame.

[Ineedsomesleep]

"If you're going to ge3t formula in, go for the brand that's stocked by your nearest shop so is easiest for you to get."

That's probably the best advice I've seen regarding ff MUA.

[MamaFlump2be]

Thanks for your advice ladies. Who knows how it will all work out. We'll just take each day as it comes and deal with things as they arrive I guess . But thankyou

[ClareV]

Can I just add a couple of things - to succeed with breastfeeding takes some perseverence.
No-one ever told me that is will most likely be really tough for a good couple of week, and maybe more. It will quite possibly hurt like hell and you will be exhausted, like you've never been before in your life. Two-hourly feeds are a killer, and they may well be much closer together than that too.
Also, just because in the first few days you don't have milk flowing out of you, the baby will be getting just what it needs. 'Milk' doesn't come in for a good few days (5 with my baby), but you do produce a highly calorific substance that is all the baby needs.
Also, just because you stop feeling 'full' doesn't mean your baby isn't getting enough. You body adapts and produces the right amount once your baby is feeding.
If you are determined, then you need to have a goal in mind - something like 2-3 weeks. If you make it to 3 weeks, you'll be fine and most likely carry on for ages.
I would agree too about the expressing to give a husband a chance to feed. It is such hard work expressing a bottle, that they really won't be giving you a break, even with the best intentions in the world. I do the feeding, hubbie cooks dinner, suplies me with drinks etc, and cuddles the baby for bonding and giving me a break. Nappies....whoever comments first gets to do it!

[broughthimroundtotheidea]

Don't they dish it out in hospital any more? They did when I had my 2 although that was 10 years ago! My dh was jangling with all the bottles I "borrowed" as he left the ward for 4 nights. They had sma and one other, which I can't remember the brand.

[MoonUnitAlpha]

I think they only give formula in hospital if there's a medical need - not as a matter of course/feeding choice.

[OnEdge]

they gave it to me, asked me which was my preference and fetched me some.

[CoinOperatedGirl]

They basically forced formula on me, then berated me for not providing it . Honestly mixed messages agogo.

[CoinOperatedGirl]

I was adamant that because they forced me into topping up that they would provide the formula. They were not happy, but fuck em. If I had followed my instincts and ignored them ds2 would still be bf.