To take bottles and formula into hospital even though I want to breastfeed?

[Giltedged]

Last time I ended up taking bottles and some formula as everyone said I should. Had a horrible birth and fainted so didn’t get skin to skin and DH gave our newborn baby some formula. I’ve no idea if that contributed in some way but failed miserably to breastfeed.

I don’t really want to buy newborn feeding bottles and formula - feels a bit like failure before I’ve begun. Equally I don’t have much confidence in my ability to breastfeed and don’t want to starve my baby! What should I do?

I didn't take any in with either, failed to breastfeed both but did try, was desperate with second to be able to do it and had supper for midwives who suggested lots of things to try and help and even used nipple shields to try and help with latch. I expressed though whilst there and fed that and didn't really use any formula but was offered it if I needed it. If you want to try then I would be tempted not to take any with you as they will have it and also even if you can't get them to feed you can express the colostrum.
Good luck and don't worry, I know it's hard when you want to do it one way but make sure you take care of you as well.

I took some of the pre made stuff in both times and successfully ebf both babies. I would much rather be prepared than trying to sort something out. So I don’t believe that just because you take in formula you will ‘fail’. At the end of the day fed is best.

It’s not often explored because some babies won’t mix feed.

if you want to breastfeed, introducing bottles can lead to reduction of supply, the baby preferring bottles, and a gradual move to bottle feeding.

it depends how attached to bf you are. I’d always say if you really want to bf then don’t mess with bottles as well as you may risk your bf journey. However if you aren’t particularly bothered then crack on with mix feeding, nothing lost if you do end up on formula.

it is great if it works for you. If it doesn’t though it’s really hard, if not impossible, to get a baby that has learned to prefer bottles back to fully bf.

that’s why it’s not often explored until mom is thinking about moving from bf to bottles anyway.

Gosh yes definitely take them. I very naively didn't with my first in 2016 and then got sepsis and breastfeeding didn't take and there was no help available. We had to ask everytime we needed some formula as it was kept in a locked fridge, because we wanted to beastfeed they wouldn't let us have a bottle but said we had to feed from a little spoon under supervision but they were so understaffed and my poor husband was always running around trying to get someone to help (I'd had emcs). Second time we got one of those little starter packs so we had it to hand just in case - did not need it - but we felt more relaxed knowing it was there.

I don't understand the logic of "if you take it you will use it" at all. It's not a chocolate bar it's required sustenance for your tiny baby - feeding him formula in the hospital (where there is a chronic lack of all forms of support) does not mean that you will not successfully breastfeed.

It's often something that's not discussed at all, and there are definitely people for whom it would work well and mean they could continue on breastfeeding for longer. It's all very much one or the other here and it's not the case elsewhere.

Might be worth taking in the mini ready made bottles with the teats. I had no intention of BF and that's what I took and also what the hospital has.

A lady next to me was struggling with breast feeding and asked for formula. The midwives gave it to her in the end I think as her baby wouldn't stop crying and the mum was knackered but did advise her they can only give her 1 bottle (they're 3 ounces I think) as they're needed for emergencies and that her husband should pick some up. They also tried to encourage her not to use the formula whilst trying to establish BF.

It’s not failing, and it’s sad you think that. It’s just another option to feed your baby. All that matters is that they’re full.

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. Unless you or your baby has a illness or there’s some physiological issue with your breasts then you will be able to breastfeed. If you take bottles then you’ll likely use them, the baby will get used to sucking bottles and will struggle with breastfeeding.
my daughter had galactosaemia so literally breast milk was killing her, but I honestly don’t get the whole ‘breastfeeding was impossible for me’ thing. I breastfed my first and second and whilst it was uncomfortable and annoying If you just persevere rather then stress out about it, it only takes a week or so to get adjusted to it and they won’t starve.

I didn’t take any in. My hospital do have them if needed.

my son was given some new to dangerous low sugar levels and then needed tub feeding in nicu. However soon as he was able to try feeding he took to breastfeeding fine. The formula hasn’t impacted me feeding him.

In my experience my milk supply has increased with each baby
My milk didn't come in with my first - he starved and went below birth weight. Only looking back I realise I should have FF. With my next one my milk came in immediately and was v easy to feed

Not everyone wants to breast feed . I used formula from day one by choice.

I wouldn't take it if you really want to have a go at establishing breastfeeding. It can be difficult to start with and if you have that option I think it will encourage you to give up.

I had a really difficult time feeding my first. She was small for dates so I was induced early, and she was a small sleepy thing that wouldn't latch. I had to express colostrum into a syringe and feed her that way in the hospital, while still trying to get her to latch. Then when my milk came in, I would pump between latching attempts and feed it to her with a cup. After a week she seemed to get stronger and started latching regularly. We then went onto feed for 14 months.

My second baby was much stronger, and I was an experienced BFer, so he latched nicely at the hospital and the whole thing was a dawdle.

You don't know what kind of baby you're going to get. I think it's best to be prepared in order to set yourself up for success. The hospital supplied the feeding syringes and cups, but you'll need a pump, storage cups, nipple cream and the mind set that establishing might be a slow process.

Also despite what the literature says, I think establishing breastfeeding hurts. You get one bad latch and your nipples get bruised and irritated and that takes about 2-3 days to heal. Even if all your other latches are good (which they probably won't be when you and baby are establishing) your bruised nipples will still hurt!

Good luck x

You can do what you like. I didn't take any, fully intended to breastfeed and knew nothing about bottles etc. We were in for a few days for various reasons, staffing levels were bad in the maternity ward, there was no help with breastfeeding and nothing was coming out, I was given a syringe and told to squeeze my boob and collect whatever I could then abandoned. Hours later I was sitting stressed out in tears with an empty syringe. My husband came in at visiting time, shocked at the state of me, said this is f*ing ridiculous, announced he would fix this, he stormed off to Mothercare (this was in 2012!), commandeered a sales assistant, bought everything they said (!) and took half the shop stock back with him. We fed the baby. What a relief! I didn't go on to have any other children anyway but I would absolutely be prepared next time. Every man/woman for themselves on a hospital ward whatever you are in for.

For those who do want to take formula as a back up - boots used to sell boxes of ready to go formula where you screw on a sterile teat. I wasn’t able to breastfeed my first due to a bad birth and having to be on strong meds so was really happy I had that as a back up. I took some for my second birth as a back up but didn’t need them and I will do the same this time round too. It doesn’t hurt to have a backup it’s better to have it and not need it then to not have it IMO ❤️

but there is no right or wrong answer.

If it will elevate a potential concern during a stressful time to have formula sitting in a bag ready to go then absolutely take it in.

Worst case is that you don't end up using it, and then you can just give it to someone who will.

I was desperate to BF, so didn't take formula/ bottles into hospital with me. My DD was severely tongue tied, the midwives hadn't realised until I pointed out that I thought she did the following morning after my birth. She was waking up screaming all through the night after I had her (one lady on the ward was soo rude to me about it!!), I was told to keep feeding her. But she wasn't getting anything from my boob, a midwife gave her some formula out of what looked like a tiny shot glass, she guzzled that and went to sleep finally. Felt so guilty that I wasn't prepared, DH had to rush out and get some bottles and formula that morning

Take it because you don't want anyone gate keeping if you decide you want to use it

With DC1 I had purist ambitions to never let them have formula and she ended up starving hungry before my milk came in. With DC2 and 3 I bridged the gap with some formula (as well as BF) and it was much better. eBF all three for months afterwards.

Using formula isn't failing. This is something i feel strongly about!

Pressing ahead with breastfeeding when it's not working, for whatever reason, just ends in frantic babies and stressed out guilty mothers who didn't see this coming.

If you're trying and it's not working and you've got the resources and knowledge to find lactation specialists to sit with you until you get it right then fab. If not, you have to be realistic with your expectations and there's a time to say - i tried, but it wasn't for me, and it doesn't matter because my baby is having formula milk and the main thing is that he/she is thriving and we're both happy.

And when they're all in year 1 together at school no one knows or cares who was breastfed and who wasn't! 2 of mine were and 2 weren't and there's no difference in their health. (eldest 20 something youngest 8)

There's a balance to be found. Balance the want to breastfeed with how it's going. Great if you can, but it's really really NOT a fail or some kind of tragedy if you can't. This guilt that women are feeling - where's this come from? Guilt or pride about breastfeeding ... sigh.

I wish i could go back and shake my 8 years ago self. My experience with DC no.4 was awful. I'd exclusively and easily BF fed no.3 for 7 months with no problems and my expectation that it would be the same with DC4 turned into a weird determination mixed up with awful awful guilt when it didn't work. She was still losing weight at 6 weeks and I i sobbed making her first bottle - but by 24 hours later i felt like a massive weight had lifted from my shoulders and my milk (what little there was) turned off like a tap overnight and the whole bloody ordeal was over!

Why the hell i persevered for so long is beyond me. I was trying to carry on so the health visitors carried on trying to help and it was a vicious circle because breast is best and all the rest of it. I wish one of them would have said ''Bugger this now Laiste. Give the baby a bottle and lets get her fed!'' The important thing should have been DD4 getting fed!

I wish you so much luck OP - but please don't build this up into something it needn't be (like i did!) x

I can't believe a hospital wouldn't have formula - what if you don't have anyone to run out and pick some up - they let baby go hungry?

I gave birth in the US and while that system has a multitude of problems (including costing $5000 with insurance) they simply asked if you wanted formula before birth and if so kept your room stocked with those individual bottles and teats! We even had a bunch left to take home with us. Diapers and wipes too!

When my eldest was born in the 90s (uk) the hospital gave us loads of stuff to take home as well. There was support to start breastfeeding if you wanted it, and more staff with more time. But if you didn't want to then ... they just gave you a choice of formula and some little bottles and and off you went.

There was less 'breast is best' narrative around back then. But that took away the guilt factor i think. What's the answer? I don't know. But at the moment you've got women taking the message in, then maybe finding they're not managing to do it, there's not the time or money for the staff to support them in hospital, and you're left with women feeling guilty thinking they're failing.

It's very sad.

Do they not have formula there if needed anymore (appreciate I’m possibly being naive)? They had mini pre mixed bottles when mine were born and it was handy because DS needed it and also because DH stole a bunch of them to bring home.

I took it both times and successfully EBF both times. Just because you take it contrary to other posters opinions doesn't mean you will use it. I like to be prepared for every eventuality!

If you are sure you want to breastfeed then there shouldn't be any need to take formula in as the hospital should have a supply in the event you are unable to breastfeed.
However! When I was in hospital after having DD the woman opposite me was unable to breastfeed. The lovely midwife said not to worry and she could use the hospital supplied formula as that's exactly what they kept it for. Each subsequent time the woman had to press her buzzer to request formula she was questioned as to whether someone told her she was 'allowed' to use their formula and when she would be buying her own (bearing in mind this was the middle of the night and outside visiting hours). If it were me I would take my own in as backup as unfortunately some of the staff were a bit 'funny' about her asking.

Well if they don’t, it’s probably because people kept stealing them.

not something to be proud of.

I'd take nipple shields as they saved me both times when I was trying to get things established with tongue tie babies