anybody go straight to FF when lo was born?

[Little G]

Hey ladies,

so im planning on FF right from the start, just a personal choice, just wondering how it works in the hospitals when you need to feed for the first time and also did you get a burnt ear from the midwife for not wanting to try BF?
XXX

 

[aimee-lou]

First thing to remember - it's your choice. You will get some questions about why you're choosing not to BF, but if you're clear then they will respect your wishes.

You need to check with your hospital as to whether or not they provide milk, or facilities to sterilise. Both times (last time and this time) we've packed our own supplies (pre-sterilised/self sterilising bottles and cartons) but when Earl was born they gave us the freebie glass bottles.

Word of warning, I found they didn't really give you any guidance as to how/what/when to feed, so just go by instinct and you'll be fine.

 

[embojet]

Nobody questioned me about why I wasnt BF at all. I felt no pressure what so ever to do so. Just sk your midwife whether you need to take bottles, milk etc. We had to take these, and sterilised a few before leaving to go to hospital.

 

[Little G]

Nobody questioned me about why I wasnt BF at all. I felt no pressure what so ever to do so. Just sk your midwife whether you need to take bottles, milk etc. We had to take these, and sterilised a few before leaving to go to hospital.

Thanks, that makes me feel a bit better, was dreading approaching the subject encase got a lecture...
xxx

 

[embojet]

No probs. Just say confidently that you want to FF and they probably wont question you at all, it's your decision. x

 

[SabrinaKat]

I had no issues, either (LO was early due to my pre-eclampsia and I probably couldn't have expressed the first few days as I was in high dependency/ICU ), but double check about bottles/formula -- our hospital did provide and LO is a NUK baby only (which made the Tommy Tippee set useless as LO was not interested in anything but NUK (even now!). I had absolutely no problem with any midwives or nurses (or ob/gyn), just stated my preference and nobody gave me any comments -- if anybody does, ignore them or better, ask for their name and threaten to report them for being unprofessional, but hopefully, if YOU are secure in your decision, they should be fine!

best wishes

 

[Ems77]

Hey ladies,

so im planning on FF right from the start, just a personal choice, just wondering how it works in the hospitals when you need to feed for the first time and also did you get a burnt ear from the midwife for not wanting to try BF?
XXX

I did twice. They have bottles that they can give you. Also, don't let anyone guilt you, it's your choice, they can butt out! LOL

 

[sg2011]

I will be due to medical reasons! My hospital is really supportive of either choice and does provide formula while in the hospital so I don't anticipate any problems. My husband will be staying with me (having a c-section) and he isn't one to take any crap so I feel safe with him there for support in the event I do run into any issues. I hope not though as it will be the last thing I need at the time!

 

[chobette]

I did (originally was going to BF though). They asked what I wanted. They should respect it as it is your choice. Just stand your ground

 

[skunkpixie]

I didnt really discuss feeding with my midwife during my pregnancy, it was never briught up. I guess coz I BF my first they just assumed I would BF DD2 aswell. Very soon after DD2 was born the midwife that delivered her aksed if I was BF or FF, when we said FF, she asked which formula we wanted and went and got us a little bottle of it. No questions, no pressure. On the post-natal ward whenever you wanted formula you just asked a midwife and she got it for you. When it came to night time they gave all the FF ladies a few bottles to last through the night so we didnt have to get up from pour beds which I thought was nice. Our hospital post-natal ward has a bad reputation (not for pushing BF, but for not having great care/bedside manner for patients etc) but my experience was the total opposite. xxx

 

[solop92]

I found it was the older midwives who had a problem with me formula feeding, especially one snotty one who brought me a load of leaflets just after i'd given birth and put dumped them on my table telling me there was some 'bed time reading' before walking off. I think I made the right decision after hearing the baby and mother next to me crying all night long as she struggled to breast feed. Do what's right for you!

 

[Aurora79]

I will be formula feeding my next child from the beginning and asking for the medicine to dry up my milk. I found the midwives extremely judgemental regarding breastfeeding and formula feeding and found the whole thing incredibly stressful. Next time I don't care what anyone says and will be very firm about it!

 

[rocknrolla]

we got several awkward 'looks' from the midwives and recovery nurses when we told them we were FF, but just ignored them as it's personal choice and none of their business.

but they have to help you out with what you choose anyway...our hospital didn't provide milk but did take our ready-made cartons and measured them out into their sterilised bottles. we took our own bottles too just in case, but i guess they only use theirs as they know for sure they're sterilised.

 

[GracieGoo]

Just check that if your hospital provides milk and if not you can take the ready made strile bottles in with you (I think cow and gate and sma do them).

My community midwife did not once discuss feeding options during my pre-natal care (she was rubbish), I was pretty adament of ff but scared I would be 'told off' or frowned upon. Just before I delivered lo, my midwife asked what I was doing... I gave all my reasons/probs securities etc and she just replied ' Darling I am not here to judge you, it is completely your choice'. I felt for the first time since being pregnant it was ok to ff - she was fantastic

xx

 

[Little G]

hoping to get the same kind of response, really dont want to start going into the reasons as to why.
xxx

 

[babycrazy1706]

I plan to FF from the start. I have a list as long as my arm of the reasons as to why. My MW hasnt approached the subject.....yet..... But she has ticked all the boxes on my pregnancy notes to say she has discussed it with me and although she's a bit crap for ticking the boxes when she hasnt discussed it, im glad! Im firm in my decision, ive done ALOT of research and reading up and i know its best for us to FF! Ive got a cow&gate starter set to take to the H because they dont provide it there. Xx

 

[canadadiva]

I will be formula feeding my next child from the beginning and asking for the medicine to dry up my milk. I found the midwives extremely judgemental regarding breastfeeding and formula feeding and found the whole thing incredibly stressful. Next time I don't care what anyone says and will be very firm about it!

I plan on formula feeding too, just curious what medicine is used to dry up milk?

 

[mammy2oaklen]

the midwifes didnt pressure me after he was born she said are you going to breast feed and i said no she said you sure yes i was so she just gave me a bottle and then throughout the stay in hospital i just asked for a bottle when my son was hungry.

 

[notmommyyet]

i planned on FF from the beginning and thank god cause I haven't got my milk yet if I ever do. Shes 3 days old now.

 

[holidaysan]

I FF LO from birth. The midwives just asked if i was FF or BF and then gave me a bottle. Non of them commented on it.

They did provide the ready made bottles of milk but alot of hospitals are not going to provide them for much longer so check. If not then you'll have to take your own.

When i had my son the had all of the different branded milk and different teats aswell.

xx