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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Breastfeeding question

28 replies

Chocolateforlunch · 05/10/2020 09:14

Hey

39 weeks here and planning to try breastfeeding for at least the first 6-8 weeks then potentially express/introduce formula. Totally open minded and not putting any pressure on myself just going to give it a go and appreciate it’s not for everyone!

I wasn’t able planning on take any formula to the hospital with me in my bag or having any in at home at first. Is that daft or should I have some as a back up in case I can’t breast feed? If I can’t feed the baby for any reason, do the hospital provide formula or should I take the pre-made bottles you can buy?

Don’t want to get caught short and a last minute panic to buy formula and steriliser etc, maybe I should get some just in case!

OP posts:

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MichelleOR84 · 05/10/2020 09:17

It depends on your hospital. Mine offers formula but not if you are planning to formula feed , more as a backup incase ( like you said) you struggle !

ThinkIveFoundYourMarbles · 05/10/2020 09:20

Hi and congratulations on your impending arrival!

Yes, I would strongly recommend having some formula as back-up. I didn't as I intended to breastfeed but wasn't able to in the end. The hospital gave us formula but I'm not sure that's the case universally. My husband then had to dash out to Tesco when we got home from hospital to get more.

Definitely get some and if you don't need it you can pass it on to a food bank.

FH27 · 05/10/2020 09:21

Hello, I had my baby 8 weeks ago and I didn't buy a single thing for bottle feeding and I didn't take any formula into the hospital with me. If needed these things can easily be picked up from a big supermarket. I don't know whether hospitals provide formula but I would be pretty confident that you'll be able to breastfeed. Even if your baby struggles to latch on at first the midwives can help you to express some colostrum to give to them. I had my wee girl by emergency section and we managed to breast feed. Good luck with everything!

TiptopJ · 05/10/2020 09:22

My trust were happy to provide me with small top ups of formula when I was trying to establis breastfeeding. I had to stay in for a week both times and they gave me support with thr latch, let me use a breast pump, storage bottles and i could buzz for a bottle of aptimel when I felt it was needed. I'd speak to your midwife and see if she knows what the hospital is like

AnnaBegins · 05/10/2020 09:31

You won't need any - baby's tummy is tiny at first and will only need colostrum. Once you're home, if you decide to switch that's what 24h supermarkets are for! Instead I'd take the number of a local breastfeeding support service in your hospital bag or somewhere obvious at home, as hospital services are often stretched.

YorkshireIndie · 05/10/2020 09:41

I didn't take any formula with me to the hospital. You could always ring and ask your midwife what the ward would do if you struggled to breastfeed

TiptopJ · 05/10/2020 14:02

You won't need any - baby's tummy is tiny at first and will only need colostrum

Sorry but I disagree with this. Whilst it might be true for many babies there are reasons why some babies struggle to feed correctly in their first few days and weeks- poor latch, tongue tie, flat/inverted nipples, birth trauma, exhausted mother, previous breast surgery and genuine medical reasons for low supply. Sometimes (but not always) its far better for both the mother and baby to top up with formula whilst seeking support and overcoming any issues which is then more likely to result in successful breastfeeding.

Hatscats · 05/10/2020 14:16

I’m not taking or buying anything bottle related.
Ask for help if you need it at the hospital, you can express colostrum and feed via cup or syringe. Someone should help you with this if the baby won’t latch.

Hatscats · 05/10/2020 14:20

Also I’ve got a colostrum harvesting kit from my midwife, I’m going to try and hand express some to freeze and take to the hospital.

1990shopefulftm · 05/10/2020 14:22

You could speak to your hospital and check, covid restrictions might mean they don't have the usual facilities to get milk or the usual visiting hours if you needed some brought in.

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 05/10/2020 14:29

Back up formula has its place. My DS dropped 13% body weight by Day 3 and we were sent to A&E and very nearly readmitted to hospital over it. And that was with hand expressing and cup feeding colostrum. It was only that I agreed to give some formula top ups that I was allowed to take him home to carry on working out breastfeeding as he was getting dehydrated too.

TomNookTheHustler · 05/10/2020 14:30

Can I suggest you read this book before trying breastfeeding? I would urge every new mother to read it, it's full of useful tips and also explains the biological processes:

www.amazon.co.uk/Food-Love-Formula-Successful-Breastfeeding/dp/0954930959/ref=nodl_

FourPlasticRings · 05/10/2020 14:37

Expressing and cup feeding can work if there's a medical reason for latch issues and genuine low supply is actually very rare. However, formula top ups in the early days can cause poor supply because they interrupt the supply-demand feedback mechanism between mum and baby.

I wouldn't buy any for the hospital unless you are intending to use it (or you live out in the sticks/would be unable to get someone to attend a 24 hour supermarket for you to pick some up), personally.

ForTheLoveOfDoughnuts · 05/10/2020 14:37

My hospital had formula for those that are breastfeeding but having difficulty. Not for those who are formula feeding.

AegonT · 05/10/2020 18:20

I didn't buy any. I had trouble with latching but got a midwife to help each time till we'd worked it out. My milk didn't come in till day 4 despite feeding half the hours of the day and night but colostrum sustained her till then and she gained weight well after the first week.

mumtotc · 05/10/2020 18:28

I intended to breastfeed and didn't bother packing formula at all. My labour ended in an emcs where I almost died and could not move, let alone bf. Hospital did provide formula but it was silly of me not to bring it.

ChampooPapi · 05/10/2020 19:37

Absolutely all hospitals will provide formula if your in for long enough and can't establish breast feeding. It's as others have said, they won't provide formula if you go in intending just to formula feed

peachypetite · 05/10/2020 20:02

Hasn’t your midwife discussed this or given you info about it? My hospital said if you intend to breastfeed no need to bring in formhla with you.

Curlsandpearls · 05/10/2020 20:13

You can get a 6 pack of ready to use 2oz bottles of formula with sterile single use tests in the box-you just screw the teat onto the little bottle and it’s ready to go. I had a pack of these in just Incase BF didn’t work out. It’s all well and good saying you can just nip to the supermarket but the reality when just having had a baby is different so no harm in having a pack in as a back up.

Darkstar4855 · 05/10/2020 20:19

I didn’t take anything. I couldn’t breastfeed for the first couple of days as my son and I were both too poorly so he was cup fed formula by SCBU. Got feeding established on day three and never needed any formula after that.

Original poster

Chocolateforlunch · 05/10/2020 20:27

Hi all, thanks so much for your advice and sharing your experiences, much appreciated 😊. I’ll check with the midwife and see what’s available at the hospital, she hasn’t mentioned anything just asked me how I planned to feed and that was that.

Ready to use bottles sound like a good plan also just incase.

OP posts:

ChampooPapi · 05/10/2020 20:46

@Chocolateforlunch if you take liquid formula (you won't be able to take powdered as they can't make that in hospital for you) then take bottles, or the hospital are happy to provide you with bottles. They sterilise them anyway. You don't need to get those disposal ones with teets, they are just a gimic, you can just take liquid formula and either no bottles as the hospital will provide or bottles that you particularly want to use 😊

ChampooPapi · 05/10/2020 20:49

Plus the teated throw away ones are twice as expensive and one they are open they have to be used within a few hours. Where as liquid formula they will store in the fridge for you and top up as needed

espressoontap · 05/10/2020 20:53

I packed formula for my first child, I hadn't decided how I was going to feed him. As it turns out he refused a bottle and would only breastfeed. I ended up loving BF.

I had no2 10 days ago and didn't pack any formula, she was a monkey on day 2 but we persevered and she's feeding like a champ.

Our hospital will only give the odd formula if you plan on BF but if you AF then you have to provide your own.

ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing · 05/10/2020 20:57

The hospitals ask you to bring formula if that’s what you are planning to use. But they will have some in the event you change your mind about bf or are advised to top up.

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