Formula milk

Karnam

scoobylou wrote:

Your baby will probably prefer the taste anyway.

this really does vary. mine wont take formula anymore.

Crispy_Ambulance

Give breastfeeding a go. If it doesn't work out, you can bottle feed, but you can't do it the other way round.

As everyone else has said, you won't need to buy formula - it is available everywhere. I breastfed because it was cheap and much less hassle - no sterilising, waiting for bottles to heat up etc. And, there is lots and lots of evidence that it is better for you and your baby. Formula isn't poison and developments in infant milk have come a long way, but it just cannot reproduce breastmilk.

What you need instead of emergency formula supplies is lots and lots and lots of support. Make sure you use all the help offered to you - your midwife, the feeding adviser at the hospital, any breastfeeding drop ins in your area and don't forget the NCT breastfeeding counsellors - the national helpline is 0870 444 8708

Remember that this is a new experience for both you and your baby and a skill that you both need to learn. However, once you have got the hang of it, you won't look back! And it is a complete myth that bottles help babies sleep through the night - I know plenty of completely bottlefed babies who didn't sleep through for months!

Good luck and enjoy your baby.

gravitytolls

Breast feeding is hard at first, unless you're very lucky, there's no doubt about it. I've had and fed 7 babies, and it hasn't been easier any time, except the last, because I was still feeding her brother, so my boobs were already feeling quite hardy.

Night time feeding is indeed important, it does encourage a plentiful supply if you're body is used regularly throughout the 24 hour period.

Have a few cartons in, and 1 bottle. It hurts, I would say around 2 weeks of toe curling agony every time you try to get your little one latched on, and they don't make it easy. It's reassuring to know that someone else can give baby a feed, and you can give your boobs a break, and take alittle bit of time to sleep, have a bath or just have a bloody good cry.

I'm not trying to put anyone off breast feeding, but we're all better prepared if we know what to expect. Once it's established it's fantastic. ALways available, the right temperature, no mucking about with sterilising, warming, cooling etc. And it keeps menstruation at bay. I still haven't had a period, and baby angel is 14 mths old now.

Well, whatever you decide, enjoy your beautiful baby, and take whatever help is offered to you, when you need it. Make sure visitors know where the kettle and the hoover/washing machine is.

Good luck, hope it's all wonderful.

Spendless

Our hospital never used to let new mums out until they were confident about breast-feeding. You could ask your mw about your local hospitals policy. For personal reasons which I don't wish to go into I didn't breast-feed for very long but found that only SMA suited my son.

carpool72

I agree about not getting any formula in - we had a terrible time when I first came home, and I remember wishing at 4am that I had some formula just so she could have something as I was worried she might starve. But when my midwife came in the morning she said she wouldn't be worried for a few days, which gives you plenty time to make a decision about whether or not to switch.

The most important thing you need is the right support and advice, and that may well mean contacting groups like La Leche or the NCT, as well as using your midwife. Also, if you're in a Sure Start area ask if they have a breastfeeding support programme - we have a lovely midwife who is happy to get a call any time and will come round to help as much as you need.

Good luck!

gravitytolls

We have lovely midwives too, and they're glad to help. However, they simply can't spend much time with everyone due to stafff shortages. The hospital won't keep women in to establish feeding, they don't have the space or the staff either.

My friend had her baby the day before mine. I was out after 4 hrs (ok it was my 7th), but she was out after 2 days following a c section!!! They really are up against it at the mo.

Ask about breast feeding counsellors and support in your area. Also, the health visitor was extremly supportive and gave helpful advice too. Other mum's know what it's like, so join groups and meet others with similar tales of birth and feeding woes and successes.

Bargain_Babe-a-Licious!

Good luck with the last 3 weeks... rest rest rest!

Oh yeah, make sure you go on a few dates too - it may be a while before you are willing to leave new darling bundle with anyone!

I breastfed for over 7 months & only had 2 days of discomfort (not agony) in the 1st week. An absolute essential for your hospital bag is Kamillosan. It's usually in Tesco etc. in the baby section in a yellow box. It is a GODSEND!
It's a totally mild Chamomile ointment to put on your "nibbles" before you feed/between feeds etc.
I used to also put a tiny blob of it on my son's top lip before he latched on & he never got one of those top lip milk blisters.
Even when it is difficult & baby has a growth spurt/Hungry Herberts, the oxytocin released into your bloodstream as you feed calms you down a lot & helps create the bond.

Best of luck to you both in learning to breastfeed.

hilstep2000

I breastfed my daughter for six weeks, then got mastitis, so put her on SMA Gold, but she was always "sickie" with it. I didn't feed my son, put him on Cow & Gate red, then switched to blue when he was two weeks old cos he was so hungry, but it seemed to suit him fine. If you do use formula, find one that works for your baby. Breastfeed if you can, but please don't feel guilty if you can't, and GOOD LUCK!

funky-footprints

i think a lot of it depends on where you are having your baby, both mine were meant to be born at a midwife led unit that is known locally for its excellent best feeding support, saying that it was a midwife that after 2 weeks of my suffering arrived at my home with a packet of formuale and told me to introduce one bottle a night. She was my life safer. dont buy the formule it takes no time at all to pop out and buy a packet.

pdoff

i breastfed ds1 for 4 months but ds2 did not want to know. midwife in hospital gave formula at night - they had ready made bottles & screw on sterile teats. he had cow&gate there so we stuck to it when home as he was losing too much weight trying to breastfeed. health visitor said cow&gate is the best in her opinion. maybe cos has prebiotics in it, not sure. if u do bottle feed i find it easier to put the water in the sterilised bottles then just add powder when ready - room temp so no need to warm. if make in advance it takes longer to warm the bottle back up. you can get plastic tubs from mothercare that hold 3 lots of powder ready to add to water when out to make it easier. whichever u decide to do good luck & don't let anyone make u feel guilty - u know what is best 4 your baby & a stressed out mum is definitely not!