Feeding once baby is born

[K8eee]

So it's only just occurred to me what happens feeding wise once baby is born? I'm hoping (I have everything crossed!!!) that I can try breast feeding just for the first few days but not exclusively. I'm not being pressurised into doing it, but is like to try and get all those good antibodies and other bits and bobs into my lo, but what happens if I can't stand it and don't get on with it once baby is out? Do I need to take some formula and bottles in with me or do the hospital provide this?

I think I might go to the local children's centre for the only ante natal class left before I give birth. Would dh benefit from it if he came too? What do they talk about?

The idea of breast feeding to start with and then going Onto bottles is because I think I'll want my body back, and don't fancy my boobs leaking for longer than necessary. I want to give it a go as my mum has been really anti breast feeding and all she says is sarcastically 'oh good luck! You won't last long doing that' yep, really supportive!

Agree that all is fine as long as baby is fed, and that you don't have to bf just because others want you to/ recommend it.

However just wanted to add to all the sensible comments on this post that there is no reason why you should find it unpleasant to bf. in many ways it is the easier option as breast is always right there when baby wants it - easier for night feeds as no preparation required. I didn't have any discomfort or physical ill effects feeding dd so there is no reason why you should. It is luck of the draw whether it works for you to a certain extent (there is obviously a lot of help you could either have or not have that can also make the difference) and don't beat yourself up or be disappointed if it doesn't work out, but just thinking it is not something that you should expect to find unbearable or even unpleasant.

I didn't feel my body wasn't my own and I was more than happy for DD to have use of my boobs for as long as she benefitted. That's what they are for

Oh, re the ante natal class, def go along with DH. At the very least it'll help get you focused on going into parenthood as a team.

Content is very variable but you might pick up some tips and meet people that you then see around with new babies, so maybe a nice-breaker!

Ice-breaker!

If you want to breast feed then go for it. You can do, just don't be afraid to ask for help in hospital with latch and positioning. You don't need bottles etc, you're going to be fine. I recommend a book called Bestfeeding, it had lots of photos in it x

Ignore your mother - that's all HER issues, nothing to do with you and your baby.

I only asked as to me the hardest part of breastfeeding is the beginning bit where you're getting it all established, and the easiest bit is later on when you don't have to worry about bottles and sterilising etc. It seems you're opting in for the hardest bit of both methods, if that makes sense!

Why not give breastfeeding a try, and see how you get on with it? You don't have to commit now to how long you will/won't do it for now.

There's loads of great ideas on this thread already and lots of professional support out there, so go for it. If you bet on with breastfeeding - win, if not, no problem, bottle feeding is also good.

Try not to discuss it with your Mum, sounds like she won't be supportive of you at all. Just think of a stock phrase to say to her when she asks. And repeat. Don't share any highs or lows with her about feeding, as it sounds like she will undermine you either way.

Good luck with it all. Exciting times ahead!

I'm going to be proper shallow here OP, but the best my figure has ever been is when I've been breast feeding. Massive boobs, dead skinny and able to stuff my face as much as I liked.
Of course that has nothing to do with why I fed all mine 'till well over 12 months

Hmm weight loss due to bf sounds good!

Well at least if I give it a try, I can always say I have given it a go. Like some of you have said, everyone's experiences are different, and it could be really enjoyable and satisfying for both baby and me. My mum is one of those who tries her hardest to push onto you what she thinks should be done. Pretty frustrating, and I definitely don't feel like telling her the ups and downs of how it goes. All through out my pregnancy, if I've suffered with anything the main response I've had is 'welcome to my world' hmm yeah that helps!

You don't actually have to tell her K8eee everyone in the world has an opinion on how your children should be raised particularly old ladies on buses - perfect the art of Smile And Nod, with a flat stare for anyone particularly pushy

Heya - if I understood your comment correctly then you don't need to take any milk. Although my situation was different (I very much wanted to BF my DS but he had problems), I learnt the hospital will supply you milk in emergencies, so in other words they won't actually let your baby starve if BFing is going all wrong! If you do try to feed yourself but change your mind later, you can always send someone out to buy you some formula.

P.S. there is nothing like annoying my mother to motivate me to do something so go for it :D

I'm 34+4 and I still don't know how I'm feeding yet either, it's my first and I really want to try breastfeeding because I know it's best for baby, so I'm just gonna go with how I feel once its here. I don't want to feel pressurised by mw in hospital either coz that will put me off! I hadn't thought about taking formula into hospital but I'm think she said if u decide not to breastfeed then they will make bottles up for u, not sure if its the same at every hospital tho x

It a few years since I gave birth, but there wasn't much support for FF where I delivered. But like another poster said, the staff won't let your baby starve. I really struggled with bf at first and the hospital did give me some formula for DD, but I persevered with bf and it came good in the end.
However, you're likely to only be in hospital a few days and if it looks like you may need formula, would you have someone who could bring some in for you?

A little side note: OP if I remember rightly you're going to WHH? When we were there my LO had trouble bf at first and the midwives would only give us one disposable glass bottle of formula then insisted that DH go to the Tesco next door for more. Also R.e. your question about sterilised bottles - the postnatal ward has sterilising facilities. The biggest advice I can give you is get yourself home asap and get bf support from community midwives who have more time to give. I also went to a group at the children's centre to see the lactation consultant. I think you can go there antenatally too. Do whatever feels right for you but if you're interested in bf maybe give it a few weeks until the discomfort passes so you can decide if it's for you

I've lost 2 stone so far, this time I've been breastfeeding, and lost 3 stone in all last time,while eating cake and all sorts! Sadly I put it all back on last time by not eating sensibly once I stopped BFing. Am going to make sure I keep it off this time!

Well I won't take anything in with me then and shall give fb a go. Will try and eeek it out and see how I go.

Thanks for all your answers everyone, hopefully the whole skin on skin contact will help too

Hurrah! You don't know what you can achieve till you set your mind to it :)

FWIW, dp did skin to skin as soon after the birth as possible to help bonding so don't forget daddy!

Oh yes shall suggest to him, would be nice for baby to bond straight away with dh

Best advice i would give is to have no expectations. With DD1 I was adamant I would BF, but sadly barely made it to 8 weeks (should have admitted defeat long before but was a stubborn mare!!) DD2 I was very relaxed and open minded, and actually didn't expect to BF. I had bottles and milk at the ready, and to my absolute shock she & I took to it immediately. I just wish I had found MN when I had DD1 13 years ago.

Even if you have difficulty with BF or it hurts too much you can always hand express the wonderful colostrum and syringe it in. I always wonder why this isn't suggested more to people!

Hospital provide. I had some problems breastfeeding my son in the hospital due to him having a tongue-tie. I mix-fed him during first months and it was a nightmare for me. I switched to exclusive BF when he turned 1 month and never looked back. I'm pregnant with the second baby and next time I hope to BF only because I feel it's the write choice for me. Whatever happens, just do what it feels right for you and don't listen to anybody:) Good luck!

I breastfed both of my boys and I (hopefully) will again with DC3. It DOES hurt for the first few days until your nipples get used to it, and it hurts your uterus too for the first couple of days (you get mild contractions while you BF, which is your womb shrinking back into shape), but like I said, this is just a few days and after that I found it a doddle. (It can be quite tiring though, your body works hard to make that milk and you do feel it - however, standing around waiting for formula to warm up in the middle of the night must be pretty tiring too).

I loved breastfeeding and like others have said, the initial negatives, for me, are far outweighed by all the positives - not having to warm formula, sterilise bottles, etc, etc - not to mention all the calories you burn. I found it helped me lose all my pregnancy weight within a month.

those early days of bfing are not always painful. hopefully you will have a baby who nails the latch and technique quickly. I agree a mil and/or dm expecting you to fail is a very strong motivator.

the leaking doesn't last long and I agree with pp that big boobs (albeit out of bounds to dh) and losing 3 st in 6 mths resulting in a better bod than before baby is a good trade off.