“Emergency formula” - keep it or give away?

[ReadytoPop6]

Before I gave birth to my LO I purchased a pack of ready made aptamil bottles with a sterile teat, to go into my hospital bag in case there were any issues with breastfeeding, some silly advice I was given, as now I know the hospital would provide formula in a worst case scenario if breastfeeding cold not be established, anyway... I still have a 6 back of these bottles unopened as I was able to breastfeed from the start with minimal issues.

I tend to carry one in my change bag as some kind of emergency supply, but we’ve never had to use this and I don’t see any reason we would.

So is it worth keeping them or shall I donate? The thing I am wondering is, is it worth having just 1 in case for some reason I couldn’t feed my baby (ie I got sick/left him with DH and was longer than expected and they’d used up all expressed milk)? He is 6 weeks old now so would this newborn milk even be suitable for him at this stage or further on?

Thanks

The milk is suitable until age one, it’s not newborn milk.

I did this, I kept it until DD was about 6 months and then gave it to my brother, whose DC is a few months younger and bottle fed. Keep it a bit longer if it gives you peace of mind but donate before the use by date so it doesn’t get wasted.

Yeah, hang on to it in case it comes in handy. As PP said, it should be suitable for up to a 1 year old, and beyond that it would be better than nothing in an emergency.

If you really don’t need it can you donate it to a food bank?

I would keep it in the house; if you’re ill or have to go somewhere at short notice then it’s useful to have and be kept for as long as it’s sell by date says

If food banks are linked to the Trussell trust they won't take it. They can't guarantee a supply to a mum or that it would be same brand etc and are signed up to baby friendly initiative so don't encourage FF as such

If you have expressed milk it’s probably not necessary to keep hold of them. If the worst happens and dh runs low on expressed milk he can nip out to get some. They even have those ready made ones at my local petrol station.

Our food bank do request formula from time to time but it is on a need basis and womens aid too. Keep it formula is formula there is no newborn /older baby thing so your baby could drink it if need be. A friend of mine did the same she got rid of it on her local for sale FB page.

“If food banks are linked to the Trussell trust they won't take it”

Did not know this. I’ve often considered donating some formula when I do my weekly shop. Will stick to nappies, wipes etc

Thanks all. Will hang on to for now and if I still have it a few months before this use by date I will donate via FB, not food bank.

definitely keep it til nearer the date, I got a vomiting bug and hardly produced anything. a spare bottle was a god send.

I kept my emergency pack and when I looked at it recently it was out of date (DS 4 months)

Yes definitely check the date. I did the same as you, my lo is 12 weeks now and the pack has just expired so I had to throw it!