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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider formula for my bf baby in this situation? Suggestions welcome please

28 replies

Mummyofmay2020 · 22/08/2020 18:23

I will be having surgery done, so will be away from bubba for up to a whole day. Nervous about having to leave her with family but dont have a choice. She's almost 8 months, very attached to me and loves breast feeding although has started solids. Health visitor suggested pumping and freezing in preparation, but I struggle to get much from pumping so will take a fair while to build a decent stash. Someone suggested just giving formula for the day and using formula in her food or giving a bit here and there in a bottle to get her used to it before the day. Any thoughts welcome please. Should I:

A) at least attempt pumping and storing what i can
B) formula
C) something i haven't thought of

OP posts:
KitKatastrophe · 22/08/2020 18:27

Whatever is easier for you really!

You might want to take your breast pump with you to the hospital as you might get uncomfortably full if you dont feed her for the whole day.

Caspianberg · 22/08/2020 18:31

If it’s just for 1 day at 8 months, I wouldn’t worry about pre preparing her with formula leading up. Express some if you can, buy some pre made formula someone can try, and she can have normal milk also for just that day if she prefers. Or she will be fine with water and food for 1 day if she refuses the other options.
Good luck

jomaIone · 22/08/2020 19:04

It's a difficult one, I would probably pump as much as I could but have formula in case you don't get enough. I struggled to pump too, took me a week to get enough for 1 bottle for a night out 😅

Try not to worry too much, your baby will still feed fine when you get home!

SideEyeing · 22/08/2020 19:08

I've had to start giving my bf DD (also 8m)a bottle of formula a day in preparation for nursery next month as I'll be going back to work. To be honest the issue hasn't been whether or not she'll take formula but whether she'd take a bottle full stop - took forever to find one that she'd accept! She's had a few mornings or afternoons away from me now and taken the formula fine, no effect whatsoever and straight back to loving the boob as soon as I'm back. I'd say do it, it's one day and if she takes a bottle it's one less thing to worry about. I can't pump either, could at the start but it seems to not work for me any more.

Newuser123123 · 22/08/2020 19:08

I'd get a little bottle of ready made formula but I doubt she'd take it as it's not as tasty as breast milk! Lots of milky porridge, Yogurt, soft food so she gets full, water and cuddles from whoever is looking after her. But yes take your pump in case you get uncomfortable x

Hollyhead · 22/08/2020 19:13

I bf my DS for 2 years but after 6 months I used formula to mix up porridge etc. Honestly, it’s not poison, just add it in for 1 day’s nutrition Smile

june2007 · 22/08/2020 19:16

Get some ready made baby milk but good to pump as well.

Capsulate · 22/08/2020 19:21

I'd give formula and bring a pump to hospital to pump and dump if necessary.

I exclusively pumped for one of mine who had TT from about 3mo. Doing a mix of pumping and bfing before that. But, when I stopped bfing and just pumped, I got so much! You might find you do too when you aren't feeding as well. Not that it matters, as you are planning to go back to bf straight after.

GreenLeafTurnip · 22/08/2020 21:55

Random tip that really helped me with pumping was to put the bottle into a sock. Then I couldn't see how much was being collected and I relaxed a lot quicker! Got loads more doing it like that.

countbackfromten · 22/08/2020 22:04

Try power pumping in the run up to boost supply and be able to store some. Do pump whilst in that day prior to surgery and tell people you are breastfeeding. The overwhelming majority of drugs we use for anaesthetic and post surgery are safe with breastfeeding so please challenge anyone who tells you to pump and dump!!!

countbackfromten · 22/08/2020 22:05

Oh and power pumping:

To power pump, find an hour in the day that you can pump uninterrupted. (Do your best to find time in the morning because that’s when many women’s milk supplies are at their highest.) Within that hour, use this pumping pattern:

Pump for 20 minutes, rest for 10 minutes
Pump for 10 minutes, rest for 10 minutes
Pump for 10 minutes.

TakeMe2Insanity · 22/08/2020 22:06

I’d go with formula. You may be on strong drugs after your surgery which maybe unsuitable fto have while bf or you may just be weak and supply reduced. The best mantra, a fed baby is a happy baby.

Immigrantsong · 22/08/2020 22:11

Yanbu and I am very pro breastfeeding.

Things to consider:

If you decide to pump even if minimal amount that can still be used during your absence. Mixed with baby porridge or given on it's own.

Research re drugs given as it may be longer than anticipated that you have to stay away from breastfeeding.

In my culture, if you have any friends that also breastfeed we would take baby in and wet nurse with ours. I realise this may be alien to you, but worth checking if possible and you and the other mum would be happy doing so.

All the best of luck and everything will be just fine.

countbackfromten · 22/08/2020 22:11

@TakeMe2Insanity sorry you are wrong about the drugs (I’m an anaesthetist so know this stuff). Fed baby comes first but important that the facts about breastfeeding and medication are known and surgery doesn’t mean not being able to feed/pump!

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 22/08/2020 22:13

I tried giving formula when mine went to childminder at 7-9 months two days per week. Didn’t work As they wouldn’t drink it but they did like cows milk! It’s only a day.

Pumpkinnose · 22/08/2020 22:14

Definitely give some formula - my view was the minute you start giving food I was comfortable with giving formula. It changed everything.

Hope the op goes well

countbackfromten · 22/08/2020 22:15

If anyone tells you to pump and dump in hospital please point them to this new guideline by the Association of Anaesthetists Great Britain and Ireland on anaesthesia and breastfeeding. Only drug we should totally avoid in breastfeeding women is codeine and tell people you are breastfeeding! I’m an anaesthetist who is very pro supporting women in their feeding choices!

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anae.15179

countbackfromten · 22/08/2020 22:17

(When I say only drug we should totally avoid I mean in the drugs we regularly use in anaesthetics. Obviously lots of other drugs to avoid in breastfeeding women - realised I wasn’t clear!)

Lockdownseperation · 22/08/2020 22:17

Contact the surgeon secretary and tell them you are breast feeding a baby and ask to be first in the surgery list for the day.

@TakeMe2Insanity I had an hour long emergency surgery after I had DD2. As soon as I was awake enough to hold the baby I breast feed her.

Shmithecat2 · 22/08/2020 22:19

Meh. Formula for such a short time will be fine. I'm a big bf advocate, fed my ds for nearly 4 years, but couldn't pump for toffee. Take a pump for you. Give the baby formula.

bluebluezoo · 22/08/2020 22:21

Firstly, if she’s on solids at 8 months she will be fine for a day without bf. She can have cereal, yoghurt, milk in a cup, cheese etc.

Secondly speak to your surgeon about the drugs you will be in and whether they are compatible with breastfeeding. Is it a full on GA or a minor op?

Then speak to the drugs in breastmilk pharmacists, there used to be a specialist dept at nottingham hospital you could phone up. It’s likely your surgeon won’t know so to be on the safe side it will be a blanket no.

Most painkillers will be fine. It will just be the anaesthetic. The pharmacists will be able to tell you how long it stays in the body and how long, if at all, you should avoid bf for. But as many c-sections are GA and you can bf after them, there may not be a problem at all.

Pumping might be for your own comfort more than anything.

Kezziethecat · 22/08/2020 22:26

I wouldn't bother with formula at 8 months. Unless she's a really reluctant eater I would just give water and cows milk in cereal, yoghurt etc.

Feetupteashot · 22/08/2020 22:30

So long as she will take water from someone she'll be ok.

Mine would have just waited 24h and refused milk till I came home I think

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 22/08/2020 22:35

She’ll be fine with a bit of formula at that age. I agree with the suggestion of getting a couple of ready made up bottles in.

She’s having solid food so it’s not like breast milk has been her exclusive food. I wouldn’t make your own life harder by trying to pump - you’ve got enough to worry about.

You’ll want a rest afterwards too, so I’d make sure you get enough formula in that you aren’t straight back on duty.

Capsulate · 22/08/2020 22:48

I only meant pump and dump, for her own comfort btw. I appreciate she could probably feed her baby with the milk, but who wants to be carrying breastmilk around and making sure it's stored hygenically in hospital? Again, saying that as someone who fed exclusively breast milk to a baby from a bottle from around 3mo till 11mo, (obviously with solids after 6mo).