Princess Royal & Formula Feeding

[FairyFantastic]

Totally forgot to ask the midwife at my last appointment and not sure who I would contact, but I am planning on formula-feeding my baby. Baby to be born at Princess Royal Maternity. I was just wondering if they provided formula and bottles or not? Different hospitals seem to have different policies.

I don't think they provide anything. Best ask at your next appointment.

Okie dokie. I'm pretty far ahead and am worried I won't make it until the next appointment haha Will get bottles and formula prepped just in case!

They should have stock as all maternity hospitals need basics like formula for emergencies and if children come into kids unit and need fed.

I'm giving birth in RAH again in August and they defo have stock.

I thought that you always had to take your own formula in if you were planning on formula feeding from the start. I was told that hospitals have it in stock for emergencies but don't generally give it out just because you ask for it.

You could always buy the little pre made bottles and take a pack of those in?

they provided me with formula bottles when I was in 2 years ago, unless something's changed I think they still do, if your not going to make your next appointment call and ask you midwife or phone hospital/ ward directly

When I was last there in 2013 they provided formula (to be kept in cupboard and not on display), nappies and cotton wool. There were also maternity pads in the toilet. May have changed but I rather doubt it given the ethos of the department and the fact they cover areas with some of the worst deprivation in the uk.

Take a pack or two of pre made in.

@gryffen- many hospitals no longer provide formula as a choice, but if Mum or baby is sick they will. They don’t want to advocate choosing to FF over BF’ing, so will not provide bottles or formula, but expect you to take in your own stock to use.

The Southern provide formula in these wee ready mixed bottles and disposable teats so I imagine the QM do too.

We were told at anti-natal classes that it would be supplied but they would only supply one nappy.

They can’t provide it if they want their breastfeeding accreditation.

Obviously they have a small stock for emergencies but if you know you’re planning to FF you should take your own.

They supply it for women who haven't been able to breastfeed, ie medical necessity. If you've made your mind up already (unless there's pre-existing medical condition which is behind that decision) then you don't qualify and should bring your own milk. Of course they won't let your baby starve* and will provide it anyway if you forget.

*newborns who are born healthy don't actually need milk immediately.

My local hospital provided bottles of formula, my youngest DD wouldn't latch on at all to begin with and I wasn't expressing too much, and they topped up for me with formula. It's kept under lock and key though, compared to being able to help myself when I had my first. There was a cupboard stocked with all brands of formula, cotton wool, nappies etc, some folk really took advantage of it though.

Supermarkets sell boxes of the ready made stuff in individual bottles. I think the bottles are 50ml or something.

Our hospital didn't give them out unless there was a reason you couldn't breastfeed.