To think hospitals should give baby of atopic parents hypoallergenic formula instead of normal formula

[ShineSmile]

... if baby is not taking to breastfeeding for whatever reason, and needs formula milk (normally for a day or two to build up strength etc), the hospital should give baby of atopic parents hypoallergenic formula instead of normal cows milk formula?

(babies of both atopic parents have a 80% chance of allergies, which includes food allergies)

[lyndie]

Why don't the parents provide the formula?

[KirjavaTheCat]

I thought hospitals advise you bring your own, dairy or otherwise, these days.

[BeachyKeen]

I think it would be the parents buying the formula, and then they can get which ever they prefer.

[KirjavaTheCat]

Mind you, if the baby is likely to be dairy and soya sensitive, they'd have to prescribe the milk, so... I guess yanbu.

[gamerchick]

You have to take your own in here.

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

How much extra will that cost though?

I'd imagine, if there's that much of a risk, the parents should bring their own formula.

I took my own to hospital just in case breastfeeding didn't work out. When it didn't, I offered to use the formula I'd bought, but the hospital provided it for me instead. I think it varies according to NHS trust.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Why don't the parents provide the formula?

Have you seen the price of the pepti milks?

Your talking £30 a tub. When dd was a baby it was prescription only, no idea if it's available to buy now in a chemist without delivery charges or worry it's not genuine

[cardamomginger]

There are lots of different types of formula for allergic babies. They need to be prescribed on a case by case basis according to that baby's needs and symptoms. A hospital can't know in advance which formula is going to be suitable. So I think YABU.

However YANBU if you asked for faster referral to paed gastric/allergy specialist and prompt, no nonsence, prescription of suitable formula. In my experience as the mother of camp allergic DD, there is far too much faffing about with low doses of ranitidine and 'reassurances' that screaming and writhing are 'normal'.

[cardamomginger]

Camp allergic? CMP allergic.

[helensburgh]

Yes no doubt they should, cost is the reason why it doesn't happen.

[grocklebox]

Buy your own, ffs.
Holy crap, your priorites are fucked.

[fledermaus]

If they baby cannot be breastfed and needs formula for medical reasons then the hospital should provide something appropriate.

If we're talking about a newborn though, what they really need is colostrum for the first few days, especially if they might be allergic.

[grocklebox]

its highly unlikely that the baby "cannot" be breastfed, rather that the parent(s) choose for one reason or another not to do it.
Either way, buy your own. Its your kid, not the NHS's.

[eekihaveadate]

Grocklebox it may be "highly unlikely" but it does happen that some babies cannot breastfeed. Or cannot digest the protein or sugar in their mother's milk or in cows milk or soya milk and need an artificial hydrolysed formula.

In my case, my child's food supplements were prescribed and continue to be prescribed. From the age of 2 months until now and will continue to be prescribed, I expect.

I suppose you think I should be paying for that because it's my kid, not the NHS's? Do you say the same for diabetics or anyone else with a life long condition that requires medication?

[grocklebox]

nope. But thats not food. Parents pay for their kids food, right? Kind of a no brainer. (although actually I do pay for my own childs long term medications)
I'm aware some children need it. Some children need lots of things...and the nhs needs the little money it has to do things like chemo and operations and stuff.

[eekihaveadate]

But my child's condition means that they need special food which the NHS funds, as they cannot digest normal foods. I simply could not either source nor afford the specialist supplements they need.

My father gets his fortisip on prescription. He's a cancer patient, and that's food, so is that OK?

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I can't speak for everyone else but I can assure you that being able to go into any shop or garage or online with my tesco shop and be able to buy formula would have been an absolute dream!!!!!!!!!!

When it turns out that regular formula makes your baby writhe around in pain and causes an array of symptoms that make her life miserable and you have to convince a dr that there is a problem, well, that's hard work and not worth the stress just to gt free formula tbh!!

Normal formula is 8-10 pound a tub. You can budget pretty effectively for that!

You try finding £30+ a week. It's not easy even if your in otherwise good circumstances.

[grocklebox]

I think you are clouding the issue. Read the OP and stop bringing all these totally unrelated other issues into it.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Is it even available to buy these days? It never used to be.

[eekihaveadate]

I don't think I am. You said

"Buy your own, ffs.
Holy crap, your priorites are fucked."

I found that rather offensive. If I could have bought normal formula for my child and given them a normal diet I'd have sold my soul. Rather than what we've been through.

[firesidechat]

its highly unlikely that the baby "cannot" be breastfed, rather that the parent(s) choose for one reason or another not to do it.
Either way, buy your own. Its your kid, not the NHS's.

Judgemental much!

For what it's worth I easily breastfed both of mine. My mum couldn't feed any of hers and, despite being desperate to breastfeed, my daughter couldn't either. So there!

But you're just being nasty aren't you?

[firesidechat]

And yes I do agree that on the whole parents should pay for formula themselves, but sometimes it's not a choice.

[elliejjtiny]

DS5 was given "normal" formula down his NG tube when he was born and I was too ill to feed him. We had a choice of 3 brands. DS4 has prescription formula and when he has been in hospital they have got it for him but it takes a while so we have to bring in 2 days supply from home.

Oh and DS4 couldn't breastfeed. It's more common than you think. The 99% figure that gets quoted all the time is the number of mums that can breastfeed. It doesn't include the babies who can't.

[ICanSeeTheSun]

If the baby in a patient then I think that formula should be supplied.

My niece was in hospital for 5 days when she was 5 months old and was just having bottles. My sister had to bring in her own.

Every other patient don't have to bring in their own food so why should the parents.