Questions about pre made formula

[bleachblondemom]

I’m planning on formula feeding so thinking about taking pre made formula to the hospital with me when I give birth. I was going to start off with a pack of 6 x 70ml bottles with teats. But I’ve just seen a really good offer for 12 x 200ml cartons.
Which would be better for a newborn? The smaller bottles are good because they have teats, but then would I have problems getting the baby to switch over to normal bottles with different teats after they’ve had their first few feeds on these teats?
If I go for the bigger cartons and pour what I need for each feed into normal baby bottles, does that mean I’ll have to take loads of bottles with me to the hospital? And what if I run out of clean bottles? I didn’t really want to take loads of bottles plus a steriliser to the hospital with me, seems a bit much!

Take the small bottles.

Postnatal wards are hot and uncomfortable. Once a carton of formula has been opened it is likely to be disposed of as the hospital may not be able to store the opened cartons safely for you.

Even the individual bottles are too big for a newborn tummy - you'll probably be throwing half drunk bottles away too.

Once home from the hospital powder or resealable bottles of ready made will be more economical but individual sealed bottles are safer in hospital.

Agree with PP. Take the little ones. The 200ml ones are good for when you're home though as you can store in the fridge for 24 hours I think so reduces waste.

Take the smaller starter packs, otherwise you’ll be wasting loads. There’s no room in hospitals for sterilisers or to store opened milk.

Where are you seeing the ones with teats?! I had these for DS 3 years ago but have struggled this time round. Looked in supermarkets and Boots but couldnt find any..

Take the small ones with teats - these were provided for me in hospital as I was having to top up my breast milk because Little one has jaundice. 70ml is just the right amount really and if some wastes it’ll only be 20ml ish.
Now I’m home I’m still having to top up and have the larger 200ml bottles you’re talking about - they need to be kept in a fridge - for 24 hours max - once opened so this would be difficult in hospital unless your ward as a good accessible milk kitchen and probably just hassle to be honest.

@FilthyforFirth there’s some in Sainsbury’s - it is a massive superstore though the one I go to

Thanks for your replies. But regarding the small 70ml bottles with teats, after having a few of these won’t the baby then have problems switching over to normal baby bottles once we get home? Or are they not normally that bothered about the change? I e attached a picture of the ones I’m referring to.

DS was breastfed and bottle fed with those little bottles and then switched to MAM when we came home with no issues at all. Everyone I was in at the same time as who was bottle feeding used them.

Definitely take the small starter packs for the hospital. Much easier, safer and less waste. They are expensive but absolutely worth it whilst you are in hospital.

@FilthyforFirth Our local Tesco stocks these for the main brand formulas- Aptamil, Cow&Gate etc. We are in a small town so it’s not a really big store. Might be worth rechecking supermarkets before looking elsewhere.

I started with those bottles and baby had normal bottles when we went home with no problem. My hospital actually gave the formula in those packs so I didn’t have to use mine but I understand from on here that not all do

The thing is that once you open the bigger carton/bottle it needs to be put in the fridge. Will you have access to one?

The alternative is to take sterilised bottles and pour the small premade milk bottles into it

Will you be giving any breastfeeds at all? I breastfed in the hospital so they got the colostrum and then switched to formula at home

Thanks guys. I will check Sainsburys, our local Tesco and Asda plus two quite large Boots havent had them. I thought they hsd been phased out! Tried to do a click and collect at Tesco but it said it was unavailable...

Re the teats: they're not really the same as a baby bottle if that makes sense and it's only for a short time. My DD was fed by those bottles, normal baby bottle, syringe and cup in the first few days, I don't think she noticed any difference!

@FilthyforFirth I got mine in a big Sainsbury's a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks all appreciate the comments :) sounds like the smaller bottles are the way to go for in the hospital, and glad to hear the teats on the bottles will be ok so don’t have to take a load of other baby bottles with me.

Sorry @FilthyforFirth yes it’s Sainsburys where I’ve found these, theres cow & gate and Aptamil. Sorry I just assumed they were the same everywhere, I’ve only looked at just sainsburys cos it’s down the road from me lol

@FilthyforFirth just checked on boots online and they have them to order if that helps at all.

Thank you @mylittlesandwich, off to Boots online now! Not sure why I am struggling so much when everyone else is finding them with ease

If you are planning on formula feeding do you know about the tommy tipee perfect prep machine? It was one of the best bits of kit we bought...everyone I know who had one swore by it. It might affect which bottles you chose for once you are home-as I don't think all bottles fit it

@FilthyforFirth you're still doing better than me. I didn't even know they existed! The midwives gave me them to top up DS when breastfeeding didn't work out for us and they were brilliant.

@slummymummy82 yep got one and the tommee tippee bottles :) good to hear another recommendation

There was a fridge for milk only in my hospital, and I had microwave steriliser bags that I used in the hospital microwave. I'd bring lots of small bottles. I was hoping to be in hospital for one night but stayed for 5. Hopefully that doesn't happen to you but I'd rather you were prepared for all scenarios.

Can you ask about facilities at your hospital?

By the way. The mini bottle teats are the same as NUK.

I see you've already got the TT bottles, but I ended up buying a couple of types to try and both my DSs got on ok with NUK and it was a straight swop from the newborn kits.