If you were planning to breastfeed exclusively for at least 12 months, would you buy bottles?

[hobbgoblin]

I probably will buy some at some point but am trying to limit pre-birth purchases as far as possible.

The only reason I ask is because I will quite probably be having a C section and I guess this might increase the likelihood of me needing to express to feed at some point soon after birth. I don't want formula given so those hospital formula bottle things would be no use.

Anyone know what the deal is if for any reason you can't breastfeed post birth?

I've not been in hospital for longer than 4 hours post birth before and last two births were homebirths.

I had a second section a month ago. I have 4 bottles never used and I fed my first for two years. Save your money and see how it goes.

I didn't, but did need to give expressed milk quite early on (not a cs, infection in nipples caused by poor latch).

I didn't even buy a pump, but dh went out and bought one when I needed it and it came with a couple of bottles.

I hand expressed colostrum in hospital and cup fed for a couple of days using the lid of one of the bottles until I got demoralised by the amount of precious ebm I was spilling!

Both mine were planned c-sections (first transverse lie and second was an elecive repeat section). With ds2 I had absolutely no problems with feeding after the op and fed in the recovery room (with lots of help from an excellent midwife). With ds1 I planned to BF and didn't have bottles with me but he wouldn't latch on. The hospital gave him the measly amounts of colostrum I could express via a syringe.

One piece of advice post c-section though is to take all the painkillers you are offered and if you start to feel any pain at all, don't try to grit your teeth, tell someone and get more painkillers! With ds1 I hadn't really expected the pain (duh!) and turned down painkillers and had pain like I never imagined possible, with ds2 I took everything I could get my hands on and felt fine very quickly after birth. Ultimately this will help your frame of mind re breastfeeding.

You can always express colostrum antenatally - might take the pressure off you a bit if you knew that if you needed it for any reason, it would be there.

Hobbgoblin - if you have to express in hospital they give you little bottles which fit on the pump.

But if you want them I have two sealed Avent newborn bottles bought for last monkey, now nine months which are sat in my kitchen cupboard. They'd probably only cost a couple of quid to post? No more monkeys for me so they are bog all use to me!