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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Buying formula - London, Christmas Day

71 replies

noveltysocks · 25/12/2016 05:15

Just realised after a 4am feed that we don't have enough formula to get our super-hungry, 10lb, three-day old baby through Christmas Day. Does anyone know where we can find some in London - N/NW postcodes, if possible?

I'm sure it'll be relatively easy to find somewhere in the morning, but appreciate any suggestions!

OP posts:
Bubbinsmakesthree · 25/12/2016 07:19

Good luck, you will probably find somewhere easily enough.

I remember being completely in the dark about formula feeding. I read all the breastfeeding books cover to cover and then had absolutely nothing - no bottles, no clue - when DS totally refused BFing.

BunloafAndCrumpets · 25/12/2016 07:23

Op if no joy with local shops, if you call 111 they should be able to advise on an open pharmacy near you.

Congratulations and happy Christmas Smile

Sherbert38 · 25/12/2016 07:26

Zafash Pharmacy in SW5 is open 24 hours if you don't find anything closer.
We are also in zone 2 and have a petrol garage open nearby today so they may be a closer option for you.

Miserylovescompany2 · 25/12/2016 07:30

Hello OP, I'd phone the hospital. They should be able to provide you with enough to get you through. Ideally, you should be getting the powder formula, allowing you to make the small amounts you require at any given time. The cartons will end up being discarded. Good luck. Congratulations!

(The hospital will have the little bottles)

Milk doesn't usually come through until the third day, so today might be easier on the breastfeeding front. Don't give up yet as its still early days. Midwife will be able to offer advice on that score. There will be someone on duty at all times in the hospital. They be happy to help and offer support.

Mrscog · 25/12/2016 07:33

At 3 days she'll still have some breastmilk if you get desperate in the meantime.

eurochick · 25/12/2016 07:37

If the baby won't latch, she might be able to hand express some milk to put in a bottle. Her milk should be coming in about now so that might help with breastfeeding. To buy formula, I reckon petrol garages are your best bet.

Congratulations on your newborn!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 25/12/2016 14:16

Any luck yet OP?

JiltedJohnsJulie · 25/12/2016 14:22

Don't know if this is much use but my advice, like some others would be to try 24 hour garages or corner shops in a mixed culture area.

I'd buy double what you think you'll need and extra nappies too. Just to last you over the next few days.

Congratulations on your new LO and I hope your DGF has a swift recovery Thanks

GlitterGlue · 25/12/2016 14:52

If there is a local newspaper which covers your area they may publish lists of pharmacies open over Christmas. (And if they don't, maybe they should.) your gp's surgery might also have a list if they have a website. Or there may be a duty pharmacy list in the window of your local pharmacy. Or call 111.

Although if you call the hospital they may also be able to direct you towards some additional breastfeeding support if that's what your partner wants.

ZoeZombie · 25/12/2016 14:55

We were in Wood Green last year and forgot nappies on Christmas Day, DH headed out and got some in minutes, loads of stuff was open round there.

plimsolls · 25/12/2016 15:07

Congratulations on your baby!

Lots of Tesco expresses sell formula, and I'm sure there'll be plenty open near you.

For those making the judgmental comments, I was actually advised by my midwife not to buy formula in advance - she was encouraging breastfeeding and said that if we had formula in the house then we'd be more likely to "give up" on breastfeeding.

Therefore, I could well imagine I'd be in OPs situation with a brand new baby had breastfeeding not worked for us.

Happy Christmas OP.

Wellitwouldbenice · 25/12/2016 15:30

Er, I don't think a big baby necessarily needs to feed more. Hmm

PossumInAPearTree · 25/12/2016 15:31

I think maybe people were thinking of a tub of formula powder which lasts quite a while and we're wondering how someone had gone through a tub in 3 days. Rather than thinking the OP had been buying pre made bottles.

Hope you've found some by now. Even in the provinces there's always the odd Spa type shop open so I'm sure London will have some corner shops open.

Reality16 · 25/12/2016 15:39

lol at Tesco being open on Christmas Day.

OP I wouldn't go phoning and asking the hospital, there will be a pharmacy or local shop or garage somewhere

plimsolls · 25/12/2016 16:49

reality there are loads of Tescos open. Not the major supermarkets but the small ones are open as normal.

plimsolls · 25/12/2016 16:50

Should say- the small ones attached to garages etc. Our local one is open.

bonzo77 · 25/12/2016 17:01

Hope you find something. Quite a lot of petrol stations are open. Also ethnic shops (owned by Jews and muslims) round our way (north London) are open.

Original poster
noveltysocks · 25/12/2016 17:14

Hi everyone, thanks again for all the comments. So having never been out shopping on Christmas Day in London I hadn't realised that there are plenty of places open. It turns out that in Green Lanes I could have done my grocery shopping, had a haircut and shave and bought some roasted nuts, so finding pre-mixed formula was no problem.

@wellitwouldbenice - you're right, it's not necessarily the case but it turns out that ours does tend to take lot with each feed. I guess this may be nothing to do with his size.

@everyone who offered helpful breastfeeeing comments - thank you, we fully intend to breastfeed as much as possible but honestly, it's difficult when your baby weighs 10lbs and you have a c-section scar thay makes it hard to sit up without being in pain. We are continuing to persevere, it's only day 4 after all.

All the best for Christmas everyone!

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 25/12/2016 17:33

A big baby will take more formula though surely as formula goes on weight?

OP so glad you managed to get some. If you do wish to continue Bfing or combi-feeding, there are some links to useful support here.

And there's some information on Bfing after a c-section here that both of you might find useful.

Hope yiu have a lovely evening of newborn snuggles. Thanks

PossumInAPearTree · 25/12/2016 18:08

If gf is struggling with sitting up has she tried lying on her side and bf? So she lies on her side, baby is held on their side and close to mum, get baby to try and latch on the lowest down boob. Good luck.

lightcola · 25/12/2016 18:39

So glad you found some formula. I have been thinking about you on/off all day as have a 2 week old myself and it is a fear of mine that I will run out of formula after deciding breast feeding wasn't for us. Hope you enjoyed your first Christmas with your son.

Reality16 · 25/12/2016 21:03

there are loads of Tescos open. can you point me to where? All of our stores are supposed to be closed today. So if they have opened I will be interested to feed it back.

PossumInAPearTree · 25/12/2016 21:35

All Tescos are shut but a lot of One Stops which is a subsidiary of Tesco are open.

HeCantBeSerious · 25/12/2016 21:43

Breastfeeding hasn't gone as we'd planned, ours is one hell of a big baby, and we just need more than we'd thought.

Has nobody told you that it takes 3-4 days for milk to come in? Baby is meant to be hungry in order to stimulate flow over the coming days. Supplementing now could destroy your partner' chances of breastfeeding.

Northernlurker · 25/12/2016 21:49

The poster asked where they could buy formula not how they should feed their baby.