Newborns and formula

[plantsitter]

I'm 38+5 weeks pregnant and have got gestational diabetes which is pretty much completely under control with diet. I'm planning a home birth with approval from my diabetic midwife.

However, one of the things she told me to do once the baby is born is put her straight on the breast and then feed her every 2 hours for 24hrs. Obviously this is fine in theory as I am extremely keen to breastfeed.

The only thing I'm slightly concerned about is if it doesn't work as smoothly as that - if I find it difficult to breast feed for example. I was planning to have some formula in the house as its important the baby's blood sugar does not fall too low but will this have long term implications on breast feeding assuming I am able to eventually?

The alternative is to go to hospital for 24h after the birth so she can be monitored every 2 hours. I'd rather not do this but it's preferable to not being able to breastfeed at all (or obviously the baby getting into trouble, but that goes without saying).

I know the advice is not to give breastfed babies any formula but what can the consequences be?

the person you really need is Hunkermunker. She had GD and, despite shocking pressure from the midwives, successfully fed her DD without resorting to formula or tons of blood tests.

She has a BFing website that I can't remember the name of

Hunkers site is Here

Aha, just been pointed to this thread.

Congrats on your impending baby, PS!

It's excellent you're thinking about this now.

Here's a page from my site about colostrum and expressing it antenatally.

This may also help you - it's my experience with my second child and the pressure I had to feed him formula. I didn't, because I was by no means convinced of the science of doing so.

If you can express and freeze small amounts of colostrum now, your baby's skin-to-skin post-birth and you feed little and often and top up with what you've expressed (or express postnatally), you should be fine.

Good luck - looking forward to seeing your birth announcement!

Thank you, Highlander and RPCTM!

Thanks for the really useful link, Hunker. I think expressing is the way to go, and hopefully I won't need it. the community midwives here are really pro breastfeeding and have advised against formula so I don't think I will be pressurised into using it (although I may get some in anyway just to be triply sure).

thanks again! I look forward to my birth announcement too!

Good luck! You sounds like a very thoughtful and organised mum

Thanks Leeza! hope I turn out to be...