Hospital doesn't provide formula - if you physically can't BF what happens?

[NorkyButNice]

I had a breast reduction 5 years ago, and was unable to exclusively BF DS when he was born, so he was topped up with formula while we were in the hospital (he was born in New York).

We've moved back to the UK since then and the hospital where DC2 will be born doesn't provide formula. I'm keen to try BF again and have been promised plenty of support from BF counsellors and midwives on the ward, but there's a chance that this DC will also need top-ups.

Should I go prepared with bottles and formula, or will they find us some if we have the same problems as we did last time? I assume they must have SOME in the hospital for people who can't feed or am I being naive?

I expect they do have some emergency stock, however I am wondering that as you know already that you might not be able to fully bf then the onus is on you to perhaps provide formula just in case. I don't know what the situation is with regards to sterilizing bottles etc if this was the case.

Sorry I can't be more help, but like you I am sure there must be a contingency plan for those that are unable to bf immediately.

I had ds in 2007 in Queen Charlotte's London. They arrived in to me with a bottle of formula although I had wanted to breastfeed, because they said his blood sugar was low. The bottles were locked away and you were only allowed 1 at a time. I'm sure that yours will have some too.

btw it took my ds 2.5 weeks to be converted to the breast, so I'd give it a good go in the first instance with breastfeeding, if that is what you have decided to do.

You can take your own if you are concerned. Women who plan not to BF take bottles.

Hope the BF all works out for you this time. Have you already spoken to your local BF councillors antenatally?

I'll certainly be giving BF a good go!

Does anyone know whether there are likely to be facilities for sterilising etc, or if I'll need to take those single use glass bottles of formula if they won't supply it?

cow and gate and SMA do newborn starter packs that have the little pre-prepared bottles and teats included in them which would save thinking about have to sterilise bottles and make up formula. The cow and gate ones are apparently sold in Asda - I have seen the SMA ones in Mothercare

I had breast reduction too but DD is my firstborn so had no idea how it would pan out re. breastfeeding but the hospital did know this and never once suggested me bring in formula just said lets see how it goes. In the end she was in NICU and fed through a nasogastric tube for a week so we are on a mixed feeding regimen (breast feeding then ebm or formula top ups) but the hospital did provide formula for her (while my supply was getting going) despite having big notices that they wouldn't (though did say exceptions being medical reasons).

Do you think you might be in a while? if not i suggest leaving the formula and bottles at home, in an emergency the hospital will have some but in meantime you and your new DC can have maximum boob time to get your milk in and your supply as high as possible without the formula as your easier option? By the way have you read "defining your own sucess- breast feeding after breast reduction (BFAR) surgery" bloody great book and well worth a read.

Also chances are your supply will be better second time around- apparently BFAR women have more sucess in subsequent pregnancies. Good luck!

(oh and re. sterilising bottles in hospitals- they just don't! Hot soapy water and air dry!)

Best simply to ask the hospital what the situation is, Norky. Hospitals who ask you to provide your own always have an emergency supply, but why not just ask them?

Chances are, you'll be home before you need it. They will have stocks of formula anyway since they need it for babies in special care. They will also have expressing machines and microwaves for sterilising.

My hospital doesnt provide formula either, I just took cartons of ready made sma and sterilised the bottles at home the morning I went in and filled them up as I needed them, had I needed to stay in longer than the 1 night 2 days I did last time I would have gotten dp to take home the dirty bottles and bring them back sterilised, I had a c section the last 2 times so this worked well for me as I didnt need to mess about getting to the kitchen.

Thanks all - I will be speaking to the midwife at my next appt Tiktok but wanted to be prepared with an idea of what was reasonable to expect!