Formula milk

[star15]

Afternoon,
I am currently 32 weeks with my first child and planning on breastfeeding, however after watching a few friends really struggle with it I was going to buy some formula milk to have in the house should the same thing happen to me. Can anyone recommend what formula to use?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

lozster am so, so pleased for you. Think that makes your Lo a very special baby. I had difficulty in getting my DC, think it makes them extra special. Didnt stop that newborn phase coming as a huge to me and I'm from a big family so I though I knew what I was letting myself in for

One thing that really helped me with dc2 was to have a baby welcome party. My mw suggested it when I'd had dc1 and was absolutely inundated with guests. I'm talking disconnecting the phone and drawing the curtains and people still banging on the door, guests popping around and still being there 3 hours later. Was completely exhausted. So when DC 2 was born we let people know and invited them around to our for drinks and nibbles on the Sunday afternoon. Id got all thecstuff in while i was pg. My bf and dM helped with serving drinks, answering the door etc and it was lovely to see everyone. We did of course let close family see her straightaway. Just something to consider

[Canalside]

I'd get an aptamil starter pack with 6 little bottles and teats in. Saved my sanity on more than one occasion. Doesn't mean breastfeeding won't continue, in my experience made it more likely to as I relaxed a bit more! Good luck!

[lozster]

Yes, first (super lucky last chance after 13 rounds of assorted fertility treatment and 7 years) baby being induced on Wednesday. Good tip on putting the numbers in my phone. My brain has melted to mush so I need the guidance!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

lozsrer so you're having your first baby this week? How exciting! I'm sure everything will be fine and if not you'll have the support of your mw, just put the numbers of the bfing helplines in your phone too, just in case

While you're waiting have a read of Preparing to bf, [[
kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing/ Bfing your newborn: what to expect in the early weeks]] and we don't Demand feed, we CUE feed!

[lozster]

I am facing the same conundrum. I've been to a couples breast feeding workshop and to a support group in advance of the birth this coming week. My midwife has persuaded me not to buy anything in advance for the reasons already given. I hope she is right!!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Well done Tarka for getting through what must have been an extremely difficult start

[TarkaTheOtter]

My dd had tongue tie and bfing was very painful at first. It got to the point where I asked dh to buy me some formula. He suggested I give it 24hrs and I went on to bf for 13 months.
I would have given up permenantly if I had formula in the house even though what I really wanted was to breastfeed.

[Mamabear12]

I prepared ahead of time with medela breast pump, bottles, advent bottles, organic hipp formula, Sam formula (both cartons). I wanted variety (just in case!). Breastfeeding was fine for me, but after 2 weeks I need to go to gp for last minute appointment and didn't have time to feed my daughter who was hungry, so had my mom bottle feed her formula and it was just fine! She preferred organic hip formula and liked advent bottles. I only formula fed when absolutely needed. I breastfeed/pumped 90 percent of time. Milk flow was fine, I always had a lot. I breastfeed over a year and stopped only after I returned to work, was two months pregnant with second one bc I was getting tired and my daughter didn't REALLY need it anymore as she was well established on solids.

I always like to be prepared and think its fine, just bc u bottle formula feed doesn't mean u will give up breasfeeding! Do what works for you. But one thing, if u bottle feed, good to pump as well to keep ur breast milk supply up :)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Congratulations frany

Lots of hospitals do use aptimil but this has more to do with its aggressive marketing at HCPs than it does the quality of the milk.

If you are having problems with bfing, seeing your mw is good but you may need additional support. Are there any Bfing Support groups you can go to? You don't have to wait until the DT arrive or when you have a problem, you will be welcome now

Did you read my links up thread? You might like these articles on bfing multiples too

[Franykins]

This is my first pregnancy and we are expecting twins. I am desperate to breastfeed but understand it might not happen. I have informed DP though that under no circumstance's are we having formula in the house as at the first sign of difficulty I am worried I will cave in. I will see what the midwife says at home visits re weight and any problems I may be having. They were very good with my sister who was having problems and soon told her when she had tried her best. She went onto formula milk after 3 weeks. She used Aptimal as she had been told this is what a lot of hospitals use (how true this is I don't know, maybe its just the hospitals local to us or maybe its b**)

With all the 24 hour shops around I am not worried about not being able to get some formula, and if its a Sunday and we've missed the shops, well its only one night to get through and they will be open again on Monday.

Having said this do what is best for you.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Research shows that if you have formula in the house you are more likely to give up on bfing. Having said that, if you do want to get some in I'd suggest getting in the one that is stocked in your local shop. You really don't want to be stuck in 3ft of snow this winter and pfb's formula is only sold in a shop 45 minutes away.

If you do want to prepare for difficulties, I second the suggestion of finding out where your local Bfing support groups are and go to them before Lo arrives, you don't have to wait until after the birth

Stick the numbers for the Bfing Helplines in your phone, have you got the numbers?

Have a read of preparing to Bf and if you want to read any books avoid are here. Instead I recommend the Womanly Art of Bfing and Babycalming by Caroline Deacon, your library will probably have both

[SpottyTeacakes]

Cow and gate and Aptimil have exactly the same ingredient list. I had formula cartons in the cupboard but didn't use them, I think it was just nice to know they were there at 3am (no 24 hour shops here).

[RobotBananas]

:)

[jammiedonut]

Fair enough, only plumped for aptamil as was recommended by sis who used it....may give cow and gate a go next time and save myself a few bob!

[RobotBananas]

Like I said,don't buy in to the advertising BS

[lurcherlover]

Jammiedonut aptamil want you to think that, but it's a myth. Formulas are all the same and everything else is marketing.

[Bert2e]

Lots of info here:
www.firststepsnutrition.org/newpages/Infants/infant_feeding.html

And no Aptamil isn't closest to breastmilk!!!!
www.cwt.org.uk/pdfs/Formula_PTBReport.pdf

[patchesmcp]

Can't help with which formula to use but if you are keen to bf it may be worth while buying some nipple shields before the baby arrives. They have been a life saver for me with both my DC.

Apparently, they are a little frowned on but I don't know if I'd have continued through the initial painful period without them. Also make sure you have a tube of lansinoh and apply it before and after feeding.

Good luck and enjoy your baby when it arrives

[jammiedonut]

Btw I've had no issues re nipple confusion and was able to switch to ebf in a matter of weeks by slowly replacing formula feeds with bf, so there's always hope!

[jammiedonut]

Aptamil is closest to breast milk, so that's what I would go for. The ready made cartons are fab on the go. I was absolutely determined to breastfeed but lo tongue tie was undiagnosed for 4 weeks, so had to combine formula and expressed breast milk. I was extremely reluctant to introduce formula (wanted to avoid nipple confusion), but was absolutely heartbroken to see ds lose weight so rapidly when he couldn't latch and my supply was dwindling despite pumping 8 times a day. I'm very glad I was prepared with formula- ds guzzled 12oz in one sitting and I was able to relax knowing he wasn't starving!

[RobotBananas]

Oh - cow & gate is made in the same factory as aptamil, and £2-3 a carton cheaper. Don't buy into the advertising bullshit. It is not 'closer to breastmilk' than any of the others.

[RobotBananas]

Whichever one they sell in your local shop, or the nearest 24 hour garage - because that's where you'll need to go if you need emergency supplies :)

(they're all basically the same)

[AlisonL1981]

I got some aptimil cartons just in case. Ready made and easy to use!

I breast feed at home but take the cartons if I go out. They also came in useful a couple of times when dp fed ds when I wasn't feeling well and didn't have the energy to express.

[lurcherlover]

I'd really recommend reading The Food of Love by Kat Evans. Despite the cheesy name, it's actually a really practical, humorous guide to bf and has lots of really good info.

[RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief]

I got a couple of cartons in with each. Aptimil is my preferred brand but they're all basically the same. Fwiw I mixed fed ds from 6 wks and ebf dd to 8 mo but the cartons of formula in the cupboard didn't deter me from bf. if anything it took the pressure off.