Formula to hand just in case?

[Amby1]

Is it sensible to have some formula to hand just in case you cannot/struggle to breastfeed or should I just buy it when and if we need it?

I’d get some - they do packs that come with pre-sterilised teats so you don’t need to faff around with bottles.

DD1 was quite sleepy when she was born so we needed to use a couple of bottles in hospital, and I went on to BF for 2.5 years.

I did as I couldn't bf with my 1st when I had 2nd I bought some just incase.

Completely agree with this - I also bf for 2.5y but started out combi feeding. Those mini sterilised teat bottles are fab esp when I was stuck in hospital for a few days post c section.

Remember formula/bf isn't all or nothing. You can start out mixed feeding but gradually switch to ebf.

I'm pg again now and I'm definitely going to plan to do the same- stock up on ready made formula and aim to start out 25-75 formula-bf. And I'm a huge bf fan! But it's easier to take the pressure off initially

Thanks ladies. I'll maybe buy a pack with the sterilised teets in case of an emergency. I hope breastfeeding will work out, but I know it doesn't come easily to lots of women.

I bought 2 packs of the ready made with teats and took a pack to hospital.

Always handy to have, even if you breastfeed. Just remember to get the ones with the longest date

Yes I wish we did! Had to send husband out at 4am on night 3 as baby was screaming and I didn't have my milk come in. Wish we had it in the cupboard to start with

Yes like a PP my poor DH had to get a taxi to the nearest Tesco at 2am when I had a 2 day old baby (post CS) who couldn't feed due to severe tongue tie, so while we totally saved it and managed to BF for over 3 years in total, I'd strongly recommend having a backup just in case.

Sorry to jump on but I've been thinking exactly the same, hoping to breastfeed but taking some as back up.

Could anyone recommend any with the sterilised teats, I'm looking online and it's so confusing! X

We didn't have any, and there were times I was glad as I think I'd have been tempted to sack off bf and switch if it had been there on some of the hard nights. A friend told me to never give up on a bad feed and that helped me push through.

That said, all the pps make total sense and if you/your baby needs some and you don't have it, that could be a nightmare trip!

You want these type (hopeful link)

https://groceries.asda.com/product/cow-gate-first-milk/cow-gate-1-first-baby-milk-formula-liquid-starter-pack-from-birth-6-x/910001386943

We've got 2 boxes of these to take with us just in case

www.boots.com/aptamil-1-first-milk-starter-pack-ready-to-feed-6x70ml-10175040

Yes we used a combination of cow and gate and aptamil - aptamil smells nicer (to me) and c+g is cheaper but both were well received by dd. Be careful because it pours out quite readily from those teats so make sure to hold it at a horizontal angle when feeding (apologies if this is obvious!). Also have a pen handy because you have to discard it after 2 hours I think (check the packet) and dd never took it all in one go, so it's handy to jot the time you opened it. I used to drink the dregs myself, I was so thirsty on the postnatal ward...!

I didn't buy any. I knew I was 100% committed to bf so didn't see the need. In hindsight, I was perhaps lucky to have a very smooth feeling journey and somewhat naive. However, if I was to have another child, I'd do the same. I highly recommend silverette nipple cups as I'm sure they helped with never having pain issues. I also stayed in hospital for 3 days and had my latch checked many, many times, only going home when I was confident I'd established feeding. Oh, and I joined my local Le Leche league for support 😊

15 years ago now for me, but I had bottles and formula just in case. We live 20 miles from the nearest supermarkets/big shops.

I tried breastfeeding but couldn't get on with it and the midwife was no help at all "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink " was her response to my plea for help.

One night when I was crying because DD was crying but wouldn't feed, I just made up the bottle and that was that. It was such a relief that we had it there just in case.

Nope I think it’s like having chocolate in the cupboard “just in case” when you plan a diet… it’s like preparing to fail.
Have support numbers for breastfeeding groups, have advice and peer support for those difficult nights when you feel like it is all too much… don’t have a bottle to hand to shove in baby’s mouth at the first hurdle…

Or do- but then don’t try to say “I wanted to BF but…”

I'm another who had some just incase BF didn't work as I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself. I found having that 'back up' actually helped me as I always knew there was an alternative option if I really wanted it which took the pressure off and helped me persevere as every day it got a bit easier. But I get for some that mentality wouldn't work for everyone.

We did end up doing a handful of small formula top ups in the first two weeks. I always cup fed though rather than using a bottle. It was a saviour when baby was screaming in the middle of the night because my milk hadn't fully come in. It helped settle her for a few hours. After those first few weeks it wasn't needed anymore and I went on to ebf for 18months with no issues.

I really don't agree with previous commenter who imply that a single bottle of formula is a failure. I think this all-or-nothing approach is what has led to such shockingly low breastfeeding rates in this country: not just low uptake at birth, but very very low rates of continuation beyond 6 months. Mums just give up under the pressure of the idea that any formula at all is a failure.

Did you know the word "formula" for baby's milk is very old, from the 18th or 19th century? Mums would share their homemade recipes (formulas) with new mums. Mixed feeding was the norm among working mums (which was most mums below a certain wealth level). Mums would work on farms or as servants and then only breastfeed in their breaks and in the evenings. But they breastfed for years.

In my opinion, mixed feeding for 2+ years is much better for the baby's gut and wellbeing and bonding, than EBF for around 3 months then giving up (which is the norm in this country nowadays)

SMA number 1 formula. They're a lifesaver

I think it's useful to have in, just make sure you're aware of what's normal newborn behaviour and what's more of a red flag for feeding problems so you don't use it unnecessarily. For us the red flag was too few wet nappies, so it's also good to have the contact details for your local infant feeding team if you do run into difficulties. We were given all these details when they discharged us from hospital.

Just to reassure you thanks to the unhelpful pp - combi or bottle feeding is not failing. Breastfeeding is hard and sometimes it doesn't work out despite your best efforts.

I would suggest getting nipple covers, I suspect I would have felt better about the whole thing if I hadn't been in agony with shredded nipples. Breastfeeding really fucking hurts at first, nipples are delicate.

If you pack it, you will probably use it. Midwives usually recommend not to bring it, unless you have complications you'll be home within 24hrs

This isn’t comparable to lapses in a diet. Formula is safe & nutritional stable and it’s a good back up. It’s not a failing to use formula .There is absolutely nothing wrong with having if using formula in event of BF not working

lets support new mums to feed how their baby whether that BF or formula

What a sensible post.

I had a thread about this before I had DD, and it was filled with comments like this. I really don’t think it’s true.

And so what if a new mum use formula?it’s not a catastrophe it’s a safe nutritional Choice
To clarify no midwife is going issue such a didactic warning , a good midwife wants to see a baby fed and mother managing. I regularly work with MW and I can assure you they dont make such scary stark statements . In fact the RCM issued a [[https://www.rcm.org.uk/news-views/news/rcm-publishes-new-position-statement-on-infant-feeding/ www.rcm.org.uk/news-views/news/rcm-publishes-new-position-statement-on-infant-feeding/ supporting choice and actively discussing formula feeding and teaching and demonstrating good formula feeding habits & support