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Pregnancy

Feeding once baby is born

49 replies

K8eee · 20/02/2014 11:09

So it's only just occurred to me what happens feeding wise once baby is born? I'm hoping (I have everything crossed!!!) that I can try breast feeding just for the first few days but not exclusively. I'm not being pressurised into doing it, but is like to try and get all those good antibodies and other bits and bobs into my lo, but what happens if I can't stand it and don't get on with it once baby is out? Do I need to take some formula and bottles in with me or do the hospital provide this?

OP posts:

Report

purplemurple1 · 20/02/2014 11:14

It depends on the hospital - you can buy long life premade milk in bottles so it may be worth having a few of then and some of your own bottles to decant into as the quantities are too much for a newborn.

Cherryjellybean · 20/02/2014 12:10

I remember having a couple of bottles and a few cartons of milk ready just incase, I think I brought them in my hospital bag. I don't think my local hospital provides milk :)

SomethingOnce · 20/02/2014 12:37

My hospital doesn't supply formula, except in cases of medical need, but does supply sterile disposable bottles and teats.

If you're going to try BF at all, I think your chances of it working out are greater if you do it exclusively until your supply is established.

SomethingOnce · 20/02/2014 12:43

There are lots of very knowledgeable women who can advise over on the breast and bottle feeding topic.

NickyEds · 20/02/2014 15:38

If you are going to try BF you won't need to take in bottles and milk but you might want to have some bottles a steriliser and some milk at home. I was in hospital for 1 night and had a midwife there with me everytime I tried to BF DS- they will stay with you and guide you through it at the begining so there is no chance of your baby going hungry.You will also get a MW visit the day after you go home and they will check the baby is feeding ok. I found that I got lots of support with BF (I could see or speak to a MW everyday if I wanted ) so don't worry too much!!

Justgotosleepnow · 20/02/2014 15:48

You don't need to bring anything to hospital. A good one will help you get the latch right before you go.

And the first few days it's only colostrum that the baby is getting- mega calorific antibodies etc. so the volume isn't a lot compared to formula, but it is what it's supposed to get so it's fine. Then on day 3ish the breastmilk 'comes in'. That's the white stuff that is a more similar volume to formula.

Give it a go! Anything is good!

And if you change your mind I'm sure there will be a 24hr Tesco nearby to get a steriliser & bottles & formula from.

K8eee · 20/02/2014 15:50

I'm just scared my baby will go hungry if I don't get on with bf.

Is it not good to mix the feeding methods up to start with then? How does it work with night feeds whilst in hospital? Do you ring your buzzer to get a midwife to help you out?

OP posts:

K8eee · 20/02/2014 15:53

We have got bottles as I don't intend to bf for long and a tub of formula, but don't the bottles need to be sterile for no longer than 24 hours?

OP posts:

SomethingOnce · 20/02/2014 15:56

It's the stimulation from the baby sucking that tells your body to get going with the milk production, so the more the baby is on the breast, the better.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 20/02/2014 16:00

Your milk may not come in til day four or five. Babies can get confused with having a bottle and breast so early in, bottle feeding is much easier for them, bf uses different muscles, so you may find your baby won't want to bf if you given them a bottle as well. Also the baby needs to feed from you for you to increase your supply.

I struggled to bf as I didn't produce enough milk (lots of problems that arent relevant here) my DS definitely preferred the bottle and it was very difficult to get him to latch from then on.

Yes ask the mw at the hospital for help in latching and feeding. Also, they may well have a bf clinic at the hospital. I went to one when I was struggling and the mw were excellent. There are also plenty of bf drop in clinics around and cafes.

hubbahubster · 20/02/2014 16:08

Baby will still be full of nutrients from being inside you, and midwives will be on hand to help you with BF in fact they never bloody leave you alone

They will also have formula around but won't advertise the fact. They actually took DS off in the middle of the night and gave him some as his glucose levels were a bit low. There is zero chance of your baby going hungry while you're in hospital. And when you get home, Tesco is always there if you don't get on with BF.

K8eee · 20/02/2014 16:11

It's making sense now, thanks this is probably going to sound stupid but I'm worried it's going to be uncomfortable and hurt. I've heard it shouldn't hurt, but a good friend whose a midwife said her nipple got so sore and bad it looked as though it was going to fall off

OP posts:

SomethingOnce · 20/02/2014 16:17

Knowledge is power.

Why not read up on the basics?

E.g. Basics of Breastfeeding for the Early Weeks at kellymom.com.

K8eee · 20/02/2014 16:21

Thanks something I'll have a read!

OP posts:

LlamaLover · 20/02/2014 17:17

No judgements here - but interested in why you have chosen to breastfeed for a few days and then move on to bottle feeding?

Thurlow · 20/02/2014 17:22

If something happens and you aren't breastfeeding in hospital they do have formula. Most places would have those little pre-made bottles. When DD was in NICU and I opted to go straight to formula rather than bf, they just gave us the pre-made formula for a few days but then gently nudged us to bring in our own when DD came back up onto the ward with me.

BobPatSamandIgglePiggle · 20/02/2014 17:22

My ds was in nicu - tube fed then bf then tubed again then bf then bf with nipple shields then bottle fed then bf again. He was never confused and took it from wherever it was offered.

Only bf for a couple of weeks, had to stop for medical reasons. Ds managed fine.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 20/02/2014 17:30

Bf does hurt to begin with, although when I went to the bf clinic the midwives taught me how to latch DS on properly and it was a lot more comfortable. It just takes time OP.

MoominMammasHandbag · 20/02/2014 17:33

Actually it can hurt even if the baby is latched on properly. Personally short term pain for long term gain worked for me; I am far too idle to be arsed with formula and sterilisers.
But remember it is your choice OP, you may hate it, you may love it. My best mate was vehemently anti breast feeding and after being encouraged by the midwife ended up feeding all four of hers for at least a year.

SomethingOnce · 20/02/2014 17:43

I wish I'd applied Lansinoh from the beginning, instead of waiting 'til I really needed it. It's great stuff.

PurplePidjin · 20/02/2014 18:01

First off, don't get stressed about it. As long as your baby is fed, that's fine.

The first thing you should do after the birth is skin to skin - put your baby on your chest with both of you wearing nothing at all between you (a nappy on your baby and a dressing gown over both of you is fine!) offer the breast as soon as possible after birth - nipple to nose and tummy to mummy.

Make sure the midwives are fully aware that you want to breastfeed and that you're worried. Ask to see the breastfeeding or lactation consultant as soon as possible.

It is likely to hurt to begin with but only for the first little while of each feed. Count to 10 slowly and you should find that the pain recedes. Wallow in Lansinoh, well worth the money, before and after feeds. A small blob on your finger and rub into and around your nipples.

I had to give a few formula top ups to start with as ds was dozy from pethidine. I was given a syringe to dropper it in with because of the possibility of nipple confusion between breast and bottle. I was also shown how to hand express so that I/dp could give that.

Bear in mind that, after the first few weeks and barring any other problems, breastfeeding is significantly easier than bottle feeding - just whip a boob out and go, no sterilising, mixing, measuring etc. www.kellymom.com has a lot of very good information on all aspects of breastfeeding including mixed feeding so have a read through all the information.

It might also be worth finding your nearest breastfeeding support group and going along before you give birth. It's offered as part of the antenatal classes in my area, and a really good source of real life support. Ask your midwife, but a lot of children's centres host them. You could also check out La Leche League and breastfeeding network for information.

HelenHen · 20/02/2014 20:35

Both breastfeeding and bottle feeding are as easy/difficult as eachother. I breastfed him for about ten months with a bottle of formula before bed. Worked for us but only the breastfeeding caused me pain, mentally and physically, even with the correct latch. Op you cannot plan really. I'd no intention of breastfeeding but ended up doing it anyway. I know people who were breastfeeding obsessed and couldn't do it. Read up on both. You can even visit a support group beforehand, might be helpful.

Our hospital had little bottles of formula. We were even given some (sneakily) to take with us. They're not gonna let baby starve!

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pinkbear82 · 20/02/2014 20:47

You must do what you are happy with, a happy baby starts with a happy mum.

Bf does feel odd to start with, but you do get used to it. Don't expect it to feel normal straight away and you'll be off to a goods tart

HumptyDumptyBumpty · 20/02/2014 20:54

Not to be depressing, but absolutely take formula with you. You have no idea what will happen and it pays to be prepared.
I lost 3l of blood at delivery, so had no colostrum to give (mw tried expressing for me, in disbelief, I was dry as a bone), so had to ff at first.
I also think 'nipple confusion' is touted a lot, but you may have no such trouble - we didn't. DD takes breast or bottle without demur.
Take your own though, because I was refused formula by an evil over zealous mw who thought I was lying about having no milk. V upsetting the bitch. Also, sorry, but I got almost no help with bf. In fact, I got almost no help, full stop. It's a bit of an idealised, Gap advert kind of dream, IME, having a nice kindly lady show you how to do it, and smiling when your DC peacefully latches.
Find out about it now, take contact details with you for bf consultants/lactation consultants (you may need to pay ) and helpline numbers for La Leche and NCT bf chaps. Do not assume your hospital will give the tiniest fuck about how you feed except to tell you you are failing when you ask for formula.

I hope you have a lovely time and get lots of help. But be prepared for the worst. I wasn't, and I wish someone had warned me. Good luck!

HelenHen · 20/02/2014 21:21

Yep, no nipple confusion here either... Ds took boob, avent AND tommee tippee!

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