Formula?

[Livingonhope]

Hi all! 31 weeks pregnant and due to previous surgery I am expecting the need to formula feed along side BF due to supply issues. NHS obviously don't give advice on formula and I want to be slightly prepared? Has anyone any advice on what to use or where to start!! TIA

I would say don't buy in bulk until you know what formula suits little one best. For some it's a bit of trial and error to get one that agrees with baby. We used kendamil and it went well so we kept at that. I like that it's British made and palm oil free. It also doesn't contain fish oils like some others so is a bit less of an allergen risk. It's also apparently very similar to the taste of breastmilk so good for babies that are taking both.

You can get ready to feed bottles with most formulas that come with the teat etc all sterilised, these are perfect for those first few days in hospital and at home.

Best of Luck with your last weeks of pregnancy and birth ❤️

Second Kendamil and just buying a few small ready made initially. Organic is meant to be best where possible which they do. They also do goat milk which is meant to be more like our breast milk, people will have varied opinions on how they feel about giving goat milk I'm sure though!

I just went with the one they sell in my local corner shop
Get plenty of bottles and think about how you're going to sterilise them

I've had breast cancer and had a double mastectomy so had zero chance of being able to breastfeed! But I got no support, in fact the midwives and health visitors would automatically launch into 'breast is best' speeches, berating me for not giving breastfeeding a proper go. One went so far in listing all the ways I was harming my baby. (FYI he is perfectly fine, rarely ill, no learning disabilities and slept through the night from a few weeks old).

Anyway! I agree with the above, it might be a bit of trial and error of which one they prefer, especially if they get reflux etc. Mine was fine, and just had the normal aptimal from the start all the way through.

One bonus is your partner or family can help with the feeds!

Oh, the bottle tears vary too. Mine liked the MAM ones.

We found 0-6m Mamia worked well for DS. He had reflux, or at least he always brought milk back up regardless of what it was- breast milk, mamia, c&g, kendamil, aptimil.

For DS Mamia at least didn’t cause constipation which we found the rest did. Then 6-12m we used hipp which was fine too. I think every baby is different though.

@Tailfeather I'm so sorry what a bizarre and awful experience for you, madness!

I bf both of mine (they refused bottles and we had allergies) but I've heard lots of people rave about kendamill

Is it also worth considering if the brand you chose is available in those pre made bottles which I imagine would be v handy?

We had a plug in steriliser first time but a microwave one second time which was lovely and space saving in our kitchen, mam bottles you can also sterilise the actual bottle straight in the microwave (sorry you might already know all this just ignore me if so)

Oh that’s a point I forgot, that the pp mentioned. We also used cow&gate readymade bottles when we were out and about and they went a bit better than the powder version.

I'd just get one tub of whatever is in your nearest shop. We've used cow and gate with both babies but ended up changing with my first to anti reflux and a different brand

I'm 35 weeks and decided to go with SMA
Been around since 1919 and DM used for all 4 of her kids and was all fine on it

Midwife said baby's on aptamil seems to get really smelly sick🤔

Kendamil seems great for some but too rich for others and there's always shortages where I live , don't want to be running to multiple shops and stressing😂

I'm planning on expressing breast milk and feeding that from a bottle and also giving formula.

For the hospital I'm hoping to bring some colostrum in syringes and I've bought the ready made sma milk bottles with sterilised teets

I've bought Tommee tippee bottles personally again just because DM used with all 4 and they worked fine but also I've seen loads of people say the Mam bottles have so many parts for them so a nightmare to clean and sterilise. The Tommee tippee bottles can be washed then you put water in them put the bottle back together and microwave for 3 mins and it's sterile so that's handy if we're over families etc. for home I've bought a cold water Milton steriliser. Just take bottles apart, wash them then put in cold water in the sterilising bucket with a Milton tablet for 15 mins and there ready to go :)

Oh and btw not all babies get on with the same milk so don't buy loads of formula just incase your little one doesn't do well with it..I've just bought 2 pots. If after first pot it's not working I'll get rid of the other - there's plenty of food banks and community centres here who would be real greatful🥰

Agree with PP that ready-made with teat is the way to go for the first few days. I combi fed from the off and it was fine.

its doesn’t need to be warmed up either, if baby accepts it cold, its great because you don’t have to worry about taking hot water with you every where you go. You can just take the ready made stuff, put the teat in/transfer to bottle, and off you go.

OP how do you know if you are going to have supply issues? Perfectly fine if it’s personal and you don’t want to say but just curious…..

They are so nutritionally equivalent so nothing in it really in terms of what it is "best".

The best place to get information about formula is First Steps Nutrition. It is all evidence based and unbiased.

I would just add a couple of things. This is very general information as don't know your circumstances and would not provide specific advice over the internet.

1. Make sure that whatever it is that you will need to combination feed for that you have had a chat with the infant feeding lead for your trust. She may have more information for you.

1. That if you are combination feeding from birth then it is recommended to maximise the breast in the first few weeks to ensure strong foundations for your long term supply. Again the infant feeding lead should be able to discuss this with you depending on your circumstances and the train for combination feeding. Typically it might be suggested to express whenever baby has a bottle in those early weeks if you are not able to put them to the breast or express after breastfeeds to boost supply. This is not to undermine your need or decision to combination feed but to ensure that you can breastfeed for as long as you want to.

Thank you everyone!!

sorry I never came back to this I had a reduction some years ago and because nipple was detached they know I won't be able to get fulls supply...the silly mistakes you make when young and unaware!

There are lots more available newborn bottles with teats available online than in tour local supermarket. I used Hipp.
Definitely have the newborn ones to begin with as you don’t need to faff about sterilising with a hysterical baby at 2am if they are needed.

Tell your midwife about the anticipated problems on delivery suite so that you can be flagged to the feeding team early (and people can be sensitive). - just tell them you have had breast surgery.

Ah okay. Well reduction can also be a health benefit at times so don’t beat yourself up. All fingers crossed your supply is better than you anticipate. Good luck.