Preparing ahead, need a wee bit of advice

[MamaFlump2be]

Hi

I'm due on Monday and trying to plan ahead as much as I can. My plans are to breast feed and give it my best, however just in case things go a bit pair-shaped in the first few days I want to have 1 tin/packet of formula ready just in case. Trouble is I don't know which one to get ..any advice from those already had a baby(s) would really appreciate it.
Thanks

I don't think having it in is a good idea. I was also of the opinion that it was important for DH to help with feeding but in retrospect it would've been more helpful if I'd done all the feeding and DH had done more of other things. And we're normally an uber-partnership!

Good luck!

Mamaflump2b - it sounds like we are very similar. I am a bit of a planner and it makes me feel calmer if I have contingency plans in place! I had some cartons of aptamil in the house as well as various bottles [I daren't admit how many brands I bought!]. I didn't use them but it made me feel better that I was prepared!!!!

I did express loads and loads of milk - at one point I am sure I had a freezer drawer full of the stuff and it was lovely for DH to do the 1st middle of the night feed so I could go to bed at 8pm and then not wake up till 4am. Whilst I am not a believer of Gina Ford's strip them naked, pull open the curtains, open the window approach - I did follow her expressing timings which seemed to work for me. Mind you for the second time I am not planning on expressing as much as I did - it became a bit of an obsession - I like to think it was a maternal desire to feed!! Also, I don;t think I will be so particular that s/he doesn;t have a drop of formula until 6 months!

I think it all depends on if your body is playing ball or not - mine did for 5 months and then the milk just went all thin and horrid so having aptamil in the house was a bonus then!!!

From posts on the breastfeeding forum, I'd say that if you're worried, stock up on stuff to help you with breastfeeding, not formula. It's harder to find a breastfeeding pillow/nipple shields/a 24hr pharmacist for painkillers/breast cooling packs/etc in the middle of the night than it is to find a 24hour supermarket with formula.

Mama, I'd also recommend this book. Its written by Caroline Deacon who is a bfing counsellor and its very good. I read it before having DC2 and she turned out to be a very relaxed baby. Just wish I'd read it before having DC1