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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Want to breastfeed - but should I buy FF stuff just in case?

44 replies

wondering7777 · 18/01/2020 16:54

I’m hoping to EBF my first baby, and hope to express milk for any times when I have to be away and DH is in charge.

However, I’ve read that some women struggle with breastfeeding and that it doesn’t always work out. I’m wondering - should I buy formula feed (and all the kit?) in advance of the birth, just so I have it to hand in case I can’t BF my baby? I don’t want them to go hungry!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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bingbangbing · 18/01/2020 19:24

I exclusively breastfed and I had a few premade bottles just in case.

You'll need a steriliser if you plan to express anyway- cold water one is actually the best.

I asked my midwife about perfect prep machines and she advised against them. Apparently it's impossible to properly sterilise the internal pipes. Won't be a problem for most babies according to her, but any vulnerabilities or illness may mean it is. I wouldn't use one.

Booberella9 · 18/01/2020 19:27

Better to buy lansinoh, muslins and comfy vests to bf in.. (not bras!)

For bf to work you have to commit to it. If there are issues you will end up referred on anyway. Baby won't starve no matter what.

Bf is difficult (and painful) to start with but then becomes a piece of piss, unlike formula which is a piece of piss to start but rapidly becomes a pain in the arse...

Twolittlebears · 18/01/2020 19:32

Op def bf support depends on your area. But I'd be prepared to use it. Bf is worth it and easy once you've got the hang of it. But getting the hang of it can be very very hard - most people struggle and it's not talked about enough imo. The London borough I lived in had amazing BF support - home visits, daily drop in cafes & good tounge tie checking/support. I needed them all!!

Other boroughs I've heard are less good. I would have paid for help if not available but realize I'm v privileged to be in the position to do that.

Jamhandprints · 18/01/2020 19:33

If you contact your local nct, they will run breast feeding drop ins. Local childrens centres probably will too. Your midwife SHOULD have all the info if you ask. There are also helplines you can call anytime. All this will be free of charge.

Oct18mummy · 18/01/2020 19:38

Buy the ready made sterilised bottles for your hospital bag just incase. Also buy breast shields- these were invaluable in my breast feeding journey as my baby struggled to latch x

HavelockVetinari · 18/01/2020 19:41

I took one of those ready-to-go kits to hospital with me, which I was grateful for. DS was premature and an EMCS under general anaesthetic so very sleepy at first. He struggled to latch, so I carried on bf but gave him a small amount of formula so as not to worry about dehydration. He's 2.5 years old and still going strong with bf!

AnneLovesGilbert · 18/01/2020 22:53

Breastfeeding doesn’t hurt for everyone. My milk took 5 days to come in but DD was doing fine on colostrum and I kept putting to the breast and didn’t have any pain. Some minor tenderness but liberal use of lansinoh stopped it turning into anything and I never had pain, cracked nipples or anything worse than a stiff neck from wrangling a tiny baby head and big boobs.

DillBaby · 18/01/2020 23:01

I would certainly recommend getting a few pre made bottles. Even if you never use them and end up throwing them out. Just on the off chance that you can’t feed one day. I was seriously ill and couldn’t cope with bf but the shops were shut and there was no way to get formula. So I was lying there virtually passed out and DH had to hold the baby on my chest to feed, then lift him off when I rolled over to vomit, then put him back on. It was hell. If I had formula in the house he could just have let me sleep.

bonbonours · 18/01/2020 23:36

Most people I know who gave up with breastfeeding would have been fine if they'd just given it more time. If it's less than 3-4 weeks then it's still really early days. People would tell me 'I had to give up, she was feeding every 20 minutes' and I'd think, 'yeah, me too, that's just what it's like at first'.
If you really really need formula it is easy to get hold of at 24 hour supermarkets so I don't think there's any need to have it in.

bobble53 · 19/01/2020 00:20

I wanted to breast feed. I bought a pump and bought just a couple of bottles for when I wanted to start expressing.

My baby didn’t take to breastfeeding at all. He lost weight and was nearly admitted back in hospital because of it. 5 days in, we decided to switch him to the bottle. It was so much easier to do it straight away as we had bottles in and just popped to the supermarket for formula. As long as you have bottles, formula is easier to get. Good luck.

LucaFritz · 19/01/2020 03:09

Ive got the premade bottles for hospital and some formula as a back up at home as I've considered combination feeding if my milk takes a while to come in so baby isn't getting hungry and frustrated. Just do what you thinks best for you if you don't end up using any of it you can give it away to someone in need

OrangeLindt · 19/01/2020 03:11

Yes invest in it as it, my intentions were to BF all of my children but when they were born I struggled beyond belief with it. In the end they would only drink formula. Please do what you want OP and not be swayed by others whatever happens.

DramaAlpaca · 19/01/2020 03:16

I didn't buy anything for bottle feeding. I wanted to breastfeed and was afraid that if things got tough and I struggled, and I had formula and bottles on hand, I'd give in. I'm glad I didn't.

GeraltOfRivia · 19/01/2020 07:19

I didn't buy anything for FF at all and was fortunate not to need it. As PP have said the stuff you need is available at all supermarkets so as long as you have a 24/7 supermarket around so that if it's not working you have the reassurance you can get supplies anytime you feel you need to.

What I would get is some Lansinoh for dry cracked nipples while you establish feeding. The pain from not being prepared on that front was rough!

Good luck with the new baby.

user1480880826 · 19/01/2020 07:34

There are loads of free breastfeeding support groups/phone numbers in London. Just ask your midwife or hospital to print off a list for you.

Don’t bother buying formula until you need it otherwise it’s a waste of money and plastic.

However, if you want to be able to give your baby expressed milk in a bottle then you really need to introduce a bottle very early and give a bottle feed regularly (probably once per day) otherwise the baby is highly likely to reject the bottle. Breastfed babies don’t readily accept bottles unless they are conditioned to use them right from the beginning. Ignore the nonsense that people will tell you about nipple confusion. Just search on hear for baby bottle refusal and you will find a lot of threads from desperate parents who have babies that won’t feed from a bottle.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 19/01/2020 09:05

Im in the same position as you. Ive got some bottles, a steriliser and a bottle warmer, and I plan to take a bottle and a ready made bottle of formula to hospital just in case anything goes wrong.

I plan to express so DH can feed anyway, so the bottles, steriliser etc will come in handy regardless.

Jesskir89 · 19/01/2020 09:12

Op I've been advised to buy a first feed formula kit they're 7 pound in asda just incase

snowybean · 19/01/2020 10:14

I bought "emergency" formula in case I couldn't feed my baby (tip: a big box of formula needs to be used in about four weeks, so buy smaller formula packs if you're not sure how it's going to go). Other than that, I had two bottles and microwaveable steriliser bags.

I was hoping to EBF/bottle-feed with breast milk, but the first couple of weeks was a real rollercoaster of low milk supply, breast engorgement and latching issues (and it was incredibly stressful). That's why I had formula as back-up. My baby is now three weeks and I haven't used formula for three days and I'm immensely happy and proud. That said, if I have to use formula it's not a failure on my behalf 👌

I also had a session with a IBCLC lactation consultant once we got home, and she provided me with the most amazing advice and practical how-to-breastfeed tips. It wasn't cheap, but totally worth it. Otherwise you can research local breastfeeding drop-ins for free help.

Roozy123 · 19/01/2020 10:25

Yes.
I wish I had with my 1st.
Not everything went to plan and luckily I was with my sister in law who ran out and got everything I needed whole my son screamed the house down hungry.
I had an awful and very upsetting experience regarding breast feeding him.
Now pregnant with my 3rd and set to breast feed ... but, I also have some bottles and a sterilizer in the cuboard I picked up on sale and will purchase some formula just before baby is born.

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