Not breastfeeding

[babynelly2010]

I am due for an operation that may prevent me from breastfeeding. One of my breast ducts will be removed, there is a possibility that damage will prevent me from breastfeeding. Anyone did not breastfeed from the start? What was it like? What did you need for hospital bag and early days?

[SeashellHoarder]

I bf dc1 and ff dc2. I would take the ready made milk packs to hospital, they have sterilised teats so no fuss at all to prepare.

There was very little difference between my 2 in terms of health/ contentment/ sleeping.

I hope your op goes well.

[savagehk]

If you do want to breastfeed, will your other breast be unaffected?

[Laura05]

Hi I didn't breastfeed with DD or DS. DD couldn't latch on properly so went onto to formula and with DS I put him straight on formula. I'll not be breastfeeding this time either.
My hospitals have formula that they give to you to feed baby and I got a couple of bottles to take home both times too.
I'm not sure if you would need to take any feeding stuff with you depending on your area? You could ask your midwife.
I personally don't think formula feeding has impacted my two in anyway I'm sure they'd still be rockets if they'd been breastfed

[Hellmouth]

Get hold of some disposable baby bottles and the premade formula. In the first few days, you don't want to be bothered with sterilising and making up the formula. And don't forget bibs!

I wish you the best of luck on your operation!

[Kel1234]

I didn't even try it as I didn't want to. A starter pack of your chosen formula is best for hospital (all you need to do is put the sterile teat onto the bottle and warm it up- the midwife in the birth centre warmed it in a jug of hot water for me).
You still get the connection when feeding. I looked down at my tiny baby wrapped in the towel in my arms, and felt instant pride and love. I'm convinced I couldn't have felt any more connected if I was breastfeeding.

[sweetchilli77]

Kel1234 That was lovely what you said, have an adopted baby ( 7month now )who has been with me since birth, Obv not breast fed.
Now im pregnant and have chosen not to BF as i feel guilty on my 7month old. I will express my milk though.

You have made me feel better by what you said

[TheFlounder]

I don't have any advice regarding what you should take, however if you do want to BF (please don't think I'm pushing you to). You can breastfeed with only one breast. I did that for my DS and he gained weight brilliantly the whole time. The supply will just adjust to demand.

[Thatwaslulu]

I had no intention of breastfeeding so bought formula. The hospital provided formula whilst he stayed in (was in SCBU for 3 days) and I could choose which brand so I got the same one I had at home. I didn't need to take bottles or anything in my hospital bag, they were all provided. Things may have changed now though as that was 16 years ago.

[Thatwaslulu]

Also I was sick through out my labour so my mum gave him his first feed - it was great being able to have that flexibility. It made it easy for my DH to take his turn too.

[Tangoandcreditcards]

Double mastectomy pre DCs so obviously didn't BF.

Yes to the starter packs of formula for hosp (although I only spend a few hours with DS1 and DS2 was homebirth). I also didn't heat up but fed room temp which didn't seem to bother either.

They're v expensive though so quickly moved on to premade formula (big bottles, refrigerated between feeds and heated in hot water). Moved onto powder about 6-8 weeks when feeds got more predictable and larger. Used the Tommee Tippee perfect prep, which I understand isn't getting the rave reviews it once was, but made life super easy for us.

[Tangoandcreditcards]

I should add with DC1 - the hosp provided formula (was only a couple of years ago). But with DC2 (last year - different area) I was told to pack it in my bag & hosp couldn't provide it (bag was only in case of emergency as was planned HB). Check with your MW because it varies from trust to trust.

[choccybiscuit]

I didn't bond any more with the breastfed child than my formula fed. Both I bonded with equally. My first I formula fed and she had reacurring ear infections from three months until she was 10 years old. So with dd2 I decided to breastfeed to see if it made a difference health wise. The breastfed baby suffered lots more different illnesses. Made no difference health wise at all for us.

[babynelly2010]

Thank you all, I feel much better with all the comments and have good idea on what we will need. There is a chance my breast will still work but I want to be prepared if it does not. I could feed in one side I suppose, I did not think of it.