ELCS on Wednesday, what do I need to have to feed?

[Longleggedlovely]

First baby due by ELCS on Wednesday. I’m hoping to breastfeed but if this doesn’t work/I can’t produce enough etc what do I need to have in ‘just in case’? Bottles? Formula? Steriliser? I thought I was organised but now worrying!

Nothing you can get stuff in if you need it but more likely to fail if you have formula there. Remember most babies will feed constantly from day 3-5 when your milk changes from colostrum to milk, this is normal lots of people mistake this for not enough milk. It’s not it’s your supplybgetting established

Thank you! I’m totally clueless, what happens from day 1-3 before my supply is established?

Before your milk comes in you'll be producing colostrum, which is all baby needs for the first few days (their stomachs are only the size of a marble).

You don't need to take anything if you intend to breastfeed. You have colostrum in your breasts already and if you are struggling while in hospital and there are any concerns about baby the midwives will give you bottles and formula. Just take breast pads and a nursing bra.

Brilliant, thank you all so much for your help!

Hi. I had elcs 6 weeks ago and have been breastfeeding. I didn't take formula and I'm glad because after constant cluster feeding on night 2 I would have used it. The hospital would provide it if you desperately needed it. My milk began to come in around day 3/4 but was really day 5 before properly in.

Good luck

I think hospitals differ on what you need to take in the case of formula feeding - ie I think my hospital specifies ready made formula and doesn’t supply it at all iirc. So it’s worth checking on that just in case. I know everyone else has said you won’t need anything if you’re breastfeeding but personally I think it’s worth being prepared and organised for any eventuality!

patchwork the hospital won't let your baby starve and will have some formula around. They just (rightly) goose to save money by encouraging people to bring their own formula if ff.

*choose

If you want to breastfeed just breast pads and Lansinoh nipple cream (to soothe sore nipples).

Well no Spanneroo I suppose they won’t let a baby starve but their policy says this:
“If you choose to not breastfeed you will need to bring in pre-packed cartons of a readymade newborn formula with you. The wards will provide single use sterile bottle and teats, but formula milk can only be provided if medically indicated.” (Just checked their website).
Therefore I’d say it’s worth OP at least checking the policy of her hospital! Personally I like to have all the info!

I think if breastfeeding isn't working for whatever reason then that would count as medically indicated? That policy refers to women who know they are going to formula feed from birth, rather than those who intend to breastfeed but might face issues.

If you don't have formula the midwives will be able to help you to express so that the baby will still get fed even if they have problems latching on or suckling.
This may involve them squeezing your boobs to get the colostrum, or they might show you how to do it yourself.

"medically indicated" covers a baby/mum that is struggling with bf and is v sleepy/low blood sugars etc. As PP say hospital will not let your baby go unfed, they just don't want to have to supply expensive formula to people who intend to FF from birth. In any hospital, if your plan is to bf you don't need to take formula - and it is very easy to get hold of in a pinch anyway.

What the others said. I bf, but when in hospital DS needed formula. Midwives sorted it all

If you haven't bf before you could try bringing some nipple shields with you. They saved me this time around and the midwives suggested them but they didn't have any to try in the hospital.
Also, bring a nightie as well as pjs as you will need an ' open bottom' iyswim for the catheter... Even better if you can unbutton the top.
Soft sleep bras are also brilliant.
I had my elcs 3 weeks ago, it went fine, good luck!

You should get a starter pack - any supermarket sells them. They contain six cartons of ready-made pre-sterilised milk with pre-sterilised teats. They're great to have in the house.

My two babies fed almost constantly Day 1: don't take this as a sign you 'haven't got enough milk' - they're building your supply. Just keep offering your baby a breast, disregard how often or for how long.

In my experience the hospital was able to provide formula/bottles/feeding syringes as needed - I'm sure it depends on the hospital though.

One bit of advice that I was really grateful for was to hand-express some colostrum before baby arrives and keep in freezer to bring into hospital with you. If baby is unable to latch/taken to SCBU, then at least you can give them some of your own milk.

I really didn't understand the point until my DS was taken to SCBU!