How much formula do you bring?

[wjg65ka]

Hi,

I'm having an ELCS in early august. I'm just sorting my bags out. This is my second ELCS but thanks to baby brain I can barely focus and remember what I need to pack!

I BF DS1 exclusively so I didn't bring formula. However, at 4 months he was hospitalised due to poor weight gain and failure to thrive and I'm forever haunted by that.

I've decided this time to try BFing again, this time I'll be harvesting some colostrum and I'll eventually move to exclusively pumping so that I can monitor baby's intake and DH can feed baby. I will also be giving formula to ensure that he gains adequate weight.

I've got this fear of breastfeeding and poor weight gain after what happened with DS1 and it really traumatised me, I'm worried at the time DS2 comes I won't be able to feed him or I'll go into panic mode so I wanted to bring some pre-made formula incase that happens again. How many cartons should I bring? Also do they allow you to sterilise bottles on the ward? Do I need to bring sterilising equipment?

Ideally baby will latch and everything will go smooth but I want to be extra prepared

Thanks for any help/suggestions

Pls no judgements. I've had enough guilt about struggling to feed my DS1 I don't need any more negativity. I want to do what's best for my baby

Would you consider some counselling and/or linking in with a lactation consultant now to give you a bit of support and help with the previous trauma? The hospital usually gives formula bottles out if needed, I don't know about sterilising sorry.

You can buy boxes of pre made formula and disposable teats to take on the ward. Sterilising things won't be possible. I think there's 10 in a box?
One should be enough, but it really depends how long you're in.

Sorry, by boxes I mean a cardboard box with little bottles in. Whack a teat on and feed!

Don't the hospital give you pre made bottles any more? It's not like you can do bottles etc on the ward.

Haven't used them myself but the pre made stuff is available in single use bottles with pre-sterilised teats

Hospitals haven't given out formula for well over a decade where my family live.

My local trust has this information OP:

Our maternity units do not provide formula milk unless your baby requires it for medical reasons. In all other cases you will be expected to provide formula yourself. As there are no facilities to make up feeds in the maternity units, you’ll need to pack premixed liquid formula. You can buy starter packs containing single use bottles and disposable teats.

Please ensure you that you bring sufficient supplies. Your baby will feed every 2- 3 hours so a pack of 12 bottles should last you 24 hours. These starter packs are available from most supermarkets, so if you require a longer stay you should ask your partner, a friend or relative to bring more.

The team will make sure you are confident with making up formula feeds and sterilising equipment to protect your baby from infection. You’ll also be shown how to practice responsive feeding and paced feeding, allowing you to recognise when your baby is hungry and prevent them from over-feeding.

Hope that helps, maybe DH can have spares in the car.
If they turn out not to be needed great but at least you'll feel prepared.

I second the suggestion to speak to a breastfeeding counsellor beforehand, if only to allay some of your fears and have more confidence.

Each trust is different. I planned on EBF but struggled due to baby having tongue tie. The hospital gave me some ready to drink formula and I cup fed (although teats were available). I asked my midwife in advance if I need to take any and she said if I plan on EBF then no. Otherwise a pack of ready to drink formula with disposable teats should be enough. You can always get someone to bring you more if needs be, you won’t be able to sterilise bottles whilst on the ward.

I get the little 70ml premade bottles with sterile teats inc in the box, much easier in hospital. I took 2 boxes in for our twins, only stayed in 1 night after my elcs with them. Only packed 1 box for this baby but have a 2nd at home, I hope to not be in more than 1 night.

Another option to consider is adding formula to an sns during some of your breastfeeding sessions. This way you don’t get nipple confusion, but you can get that reassurance you are seeking.

I don’t know what brand you’re using but I’ve gone with hipp organic and have bought the little pre-made pre-sterilised bottles with teats from boots. Also having a section early August 😊 Apparently my hospital provides these bottles and has loads of choices of brand but I think I’m going to take two boxes in with me. I have another box at home. They have 6 bottles per box. Also going to try and harvest colostrum - ideally enough for day 1 even but I’m not planning to breastfeed after that. I’m just going to take more syringes with me and if I get anymore colostrum after he arrives I’ll collect and use that. I know most people would rather just feed directly but this is the compromise I’ve come to in my head 🙈

Most of the big formula brands have a newborn starter set with small bottles and single use teats

@dementedpixie

Most of the big formula brands have a newborn starter set with small bottles and single use teats

And I mean bottles of formula not empty bottles

@Micemakingclothes that's such a good tip thank you

Thanks so much everyone I'd never heard of the newborn starter packs before! They seem great, thanks so much