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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Should I buy formula just in case?

44 replies

TurtlesAreAwesome · 13/11/2016 22:04

Hi there, I'm getting closer to the big day, so I'm just thinking about the final things for baby.

I plan to breastfeed, but not 100% on the idea. I know my maternity unit does have little bottles of baby milk, in case I change my mind. But I live on my own, so getting someone to nip out and get me some formula if I change my mind on feeding method isn't going to be easy.

Do I buy some just in case, or should I see how it goes and commit myself a bit more to the idea of breastfeeding?

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MerylPeril · 13/11/2016 22:51

Yes - my milk packed in at around midnight on a Saturday night! It was a loooong night till something opened on a Sunday I can tell you!

WhatWouldDarylDixonDo · 13/11/2016 23:02

I chose not to buy any bottles/formula etc due to my pig headedness to BF. I was fortunate that I didn't really have any problems doing so. However I also have a DH who could have done an emergency 2am 24hr supermarket run if needed.

If I was on my own I probably would have got some prepared formula and a few bottles.

Original poster

TurtlesAreAwesome · 13/11/2016 23:10

Thank you for all the replies (I didn't expect so many)! I may get 3 or 4 ready made bottles and some nipple cream. My nearest supermarket isn't 24 hour and I wouldn't want a hungry baby screaming through the night if all goes wrong. There wouldn't be anywhere to get any from if I leave hospital on Sunday afternoon either (despite being in a city centre ).

OP posts:

SpeakNoWords · 13/11/2016 23:21

Get Lansinoh, it's the best stuff imo. It seems very expensive but one tube will last you an age as you need very little.

One of the starter packs, and perhaps a couple of the ready made cartons of formula would be enough to see you through till you could buy more if you needed it.

I would also read up on how breastfeeding works, what's normal, common issues and how to deal with them etc. There is a useful website called Kellymom that has loads of information.

Dixiechick17 · 13/11/2016 23:25

I bought some just in case, had an optimal starter kit and also some bottles and a steriliser. I disagree that it means you may not give breastfeeding a proper go, there were a few times in those first few weeks that I was tempted to give the odd bottle of formula, but I persevered and breastfed my DD until she was eight months.

Nothing wrong at all with having some just in case.

AlexandraEiffel · 13/11/2016 23:30

I didn't and I wouldn't, but I did collect together numbers of local breastfeeding counsellors, support groups etc. That was invaluable to have at hand rather than having to scrabble around when tired and stressed.

WilliamHerschel · 13/11/2016 23:32

I had a few bottles of the premade stuff. Not that dd would ever drink it! But it was there for emergencies.

MollyHuaCha · 13/11/2016 23:42

Hi, with my first born I remember thinking exactly the same thing - should I get formula in 'just in case'? My midwife said no, because beginner breastfeeding is difficult and if formula is available, it's too easy to use it. Once a baby starts bottle feeding, they might not want breastmilk, partly because drinking from bottles is easier for babies and they get satisfied more quickly, and partly because breastmilk is produced on a supply and demand basis, so if baby isn't taking it, the quality and quantity mum produces is reduced. Anyway, I'm glad I took her advice because she was right about it all. But, you should do whatever you feel happy with. Enjoy your final stage of pregnancy xx

Kel1234 · 13/11/2016 23:46

I'd say get a starter pack as they are most convenient for in hospital, just in case you need it. Then if you don't you haven't wasted a fortune, and if you do, you have it with you.
(I knew I was ff from the start, so I had to have one anyway). But I'd still say it's a good idea.

Evergreen17 · 14/11/2016 07:50

I wont. If BF doesnt work at first my emergency option will be express and cup feeding. Because if I start with bottles and formula I will give up. But this is me because I know myself and I really want to give BF all I got.
But people are different and I might change my mind when baby is here and can send DH for supplies.
Whatever works for you.

NerrSnerr · 14/11/2016 08:26

Evergreen the OP says she lives on her own.

I found BF really painful at first and expressing felt impossible for me at the start. I gave my daughter about 3 of those tiny bottles of milk when I was in just too much pain, I then got nipple shields and that helped and I no longer needed formula. Giving a small amount of formula does not mean you need to stop BF (if you don't want to), but of course if BF isn't for you formula feeding is fine too.

kiki22 · 14/11/2016 08:31

If you don't open it and keep your receipt you can take it back and get your money back. I've bought the wrong one before and took it back yo swap the tubs have a peel back thing as long as that's intact your fine.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 14/11/2016 09:20

Get the lanolin nipple stuff. I still use it on my lips as it's amazing. You will need a lip balm or similar during labour as you get very dry (lips/mouth/skin)

I get where people are saying formula is easier to just give up BF if you have it in which I suppose is true but you can never guess why your baby will need formula.
I am still heartbroken 8 months later that I couldn't breastfeed - dd had low blood sugar, needed resuscitation after birth and literally slept for 6 weeks after she was born. I had loads of breastfeeding people at my house who all thought they could get her feeding. Our latch was perfect but then she would literally fall asleep as soon as she went on the boob. All of them said you can't feed a baby like this (tried stripping her, making her cold, blowing on her face, flicking her feet, withholding milk longer till she was hungry and nothing worked). The lack of food was having an adverse effect as she didn't have energy to wake up. I'm not saying that this is a common occurrence but it's one that I had never even thought about. It made everything more stressful so I was lucky I had someone who could just go and grab food for dd.

£11 for formula is nothing in comparison to some of the stuff you buy which you end up not using

Becciilouisex3 · 14/11/2016 11:15

Definitely buy some. I was adamant I would breastfeed however, for whatever reason it wasn't for DS. He wasn't waking for feeds which isn't a problem in itself as I would wake him but the day after he was born, he went 7 hours without a feed and wouldn't latch despite me keep trying.

In the end I went into mothercare and bought a ready to drink bottle and said to DP "I'll try him on the breast again and then the bottle, if he takes the bottle and not the breast he's obviously hungry". He took the bottle and not the breast. It was way too stressful for me as a new FTM to worry constantly about whether he was eating enough x

Alicekeach · 14/11/2016 18:39

I would get some in. I gave birth four weeks ago and still am not producing any milk (despite help from all sorts of professionals). I knew breastfeeding would be difficult but I hadn't expected that my body simply would not do it.... It's unlikely you'll have the same problems as me, but I'd say it's better to be prepared.

Unexpectedbaby · 14/11/2016 18:50

I fully intend on breast feeding but I have also purchased an Aptimil starter back that has 6 premade bottles with teats as a just in case.

I also have purchased a breast pump and the sterilised freezer bags to express but they will stay sealed in the box incase I don't use them and want to sell them on.

I have seen far too many women want to breastfeed more than anything in the world and just haven't been successful. I think it's best to be prepared for either eventuality and not put pressure on yourself to do something especially when you don't know how you or baby are going to feel.

justwanttoweeinpeace · 14/11/2016 18:54

Better to have it and not need it, than be desperate for it and be stuck without.

We were given some free in the hospital though.

SpinALittleFaster · 14/11/2016 20:33

I deliberately didn't get any formula or bottles last time so that I wouldn't be tempted to give up. I'm glad that I didn't because I had mastitis at 3 weeks and probably would have made it worse by having DH bottle feed when I could barely sit up to hold her.
My milk didn't come in until about day 7 and I couldn't express before then. DD was fine on collostrum though and had started gaining weight by day 5.

It's a personal decision though and if you'll feel more in control having back up formula then get some ready made bottles.

sglodion · 14/11/2016 20:47

I Bought a starter pack and didn't use it, ended up donating it to my local food bank when my DD was about 12 weeks old and bfing was truly established.
If you're on your own, I'd definitely buy some. Can't imagine how stressful it would be to be having feeding issues and being sore from childbirth and having to do a supermarket run!

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