Hospital bans free formula. What do you think?

[midori1999]

I'm having my baby at this hospital in November and have noticed from antenatal visits just how pro-bf they are. There is never any acknowledgement that some mums struggle and just can't do it. All the pro-bf propaganda they have is about how wonderful bf is and how its good for you and baby. Tell me something I don't know! Sure, mums should bf if they can but it shouldnt be made into such a big deal.
I went through pure hell trying to bf my son (he's now nearly 10), everything that could go wrong did, and I was given absolutely no help or support at all. When I had my daughter a year later I didnt want to try bf-ing out of fear, and hospital refused to discharge me as they thought I wouldnt bf if I went home. After failing both my babies, I went through 4 years of severe PND, self harming and antidepressants.
Whether things have changed, and St Mary's will give me the support I need, will have to wait to find out. I'm just concerned that despite them being so pro-bf, the support will be lacking if you have problems.
I was asked at St Mary's if I wanted to come to antenatal classes, and the midwife looked so shocked when I said I wouldnt be coming because all these classes are is misleading and nothing but propaganda.
I would love to be able to breastfeed this time around, I'm so desperate for it to work out, but given my past experience I know its possible that it wont happen and I'll have proved to be a bad mother to another child.

In all honesty, the support you need/want may well not be available in the hospital, although most hospitals do have a BF counsellor or infant feeding advisor on hand now.

However, if you really want to BF, you can get help yourself outside of the NHS by attending BF groups run by the NCT or LLL or similar prior to having your baby, by reading up as much as possible and by using the kind of free resources groups such as NCT, ABM, BFN and LL provide after you have had your baby.

However, not BF does not make you a bad mother, BF is only a part of being a mother.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

Medical necessity doesn't always require an NICU (or SCBU) stay though, so only providing formula in those and not in maternity wards would mean more babies being admitted to NICU etc which would raise costs to the NHS and mean babies were unecessarily separated from their mothers, not to mention taking up extremely valuable beds.

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say a baby who is not BFing well and therefore needs formula but might be a wee while delayed in getting it will end up in NNICU. Newborn babies can go quite some time without a full feed. There are also alternatives to give for dehydration.

I just don't consider formula as something that is ever given through "medical necessity" Unless it is a Neocate or something similar.

Maybe that is because your experience isn't broad enough then?

My baby was at risk of low blood sugar (something that can be extremely dangerous and life threatening in infants) and although it became borderline, had it been too low then one of the options would have been to give formula, but in my hospital she wouldn't have had to go to NICU for that, another option would have been to go to NICU and have a glucose drip put in. Now, obviously when trying to establish BF, it is helpful to have your baby next to you at all times, not in an NICU cot, and so maybe in my/her case, giving formula would have been less detrimental to BF than her going to NICU.

My daughter also needed IV antibitoics after her birth. She was admitted as an in patient, but stayed in maternity with me, thank goodness. So, by your theory, as an in patient she should have recieved formula anyway, had that been my choice.

I established BFing just fine with a baby in the NICU and myself on a ward. I was called down every time he was hungry and toddled down to the NICU

 

[Foogirl]

I established BFing just fine with a baby in the NICU and myself on a ward. I was called down every time he was hungry and toddled down to the NICU

Me too. And I was at home by the time she was ready to try it. We just always did a feed whenever I was there and they did bottles when I wasn't.

 

[Bexxx]

Okay, so haven't read the whole thread, so don't really know where it's headed too now (I know some threads go off course ) but my hospital doesn't provide free formula, only for emergencies. Kinda thought that was the case with most hospitals.

 

[tu123]

I guess if you have a crying baby at 4am and baby just wont latch on or if there is another problem, its not going to be practical to send OH out to get milk. Also you have to consider visiting hours and the fact that not everyone may have an OH

Or mum, or sister or friend or birthing partner or whoever. Every woman I met in hospital had someone with them.

The crying baby not latching at 4am and being given formula is exactly the reason it shouldn't be on tap. That is not a reason to immediately go to formula. That is the point you bring in the support the mother needs to get BFing established. So many I've spoken to have relented at that point and regretted it afterwards.

But if folk are that concerned, put a carton in your hospital bag. It amazes me when people list their hospital bag contents, apparently preparing for every eventuality (hair straighteners, MP3 player, packed lunch....) but no carton of formula

Whilst i ended up pumping for 4mths this is exactly what happened to me on our third night on the ward. SO BAD. It wasnt as if the nurses were busy. They were sat round the desk all night. My room was overlooking them.

When i joined Bounty i started getting all sorts of info leaflets and freebies from fod and milk companies. I NEVER registered with these companies.

Like everything in the NHS more staff with more education is what is needed. Many postnatal wards are staffed by "Bank" nurses. Especially on nights. It is hard to get full time contract nurses on a Post natal ward (Hardly suprising!). This can mean that you get different staff on different nights/days who dont know the system (i asked everyday fo a week to see a LC specialist and never saw one) and who may have less committment.

Also during MW training MORE time should be spent on BF so when they qualify they have slightly more education than MWs do at the moment when it comes to BF issues. BF is so important, it suprises me on how little is covered on their syllabus. We shouldnt need lactation specialists. MWs should be the specialists. Surely it is fundamental throughout the whole pregnancy to newborn journey?

My MW told me that they had banned Formula for mums on the ward, but it never happens. MWs just give them out. They dont have the time to run through a series of questions to determine whether you were always going to FF anyway.

Dont ban anything-just spend money and time on training new midwives and current midwives!

 

[cat lover]

I'm split on this one. I suppose its the hospitals prerogative, I guess if you plan to FF you can bring it with you, although I do sometimes think there is too much pressure to BF, some people can't or don't want to and should not be made to feel bad

 

[midori1999]

Just because some people can establish BF with a baby in NICU, that doesn't mean it's not more difficult, it's well established that rooming in is better for babies and mothers, both for establishing BF and other reasons.

I too have established BF ( well, exclusive expressing) despite having a baby in NICU, but it certainly wasn't easy, especially when I had to go home and leave her at the hospital. I know quite a few Mums who didn't establish BF because their baby was in NICU and with the traveling and other children it was just too hard.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

My god, I wish I could have had my LO in my room! What I would have given for him not to need to be in NICU! FYI, he is a great BFer. Latched himself on from day one!

 

[Foogirl]

I'm split on this one. I suppose its the hospitals prerogative, I guess if you plan to FF you can bring it with you, although I do sometimes think there is too much pressure to BF, some people can't or don't want to and should not be made to feel bad

I absolutely agree, a mum who chooses to FF or for whom it isn't working out (and By that I mean after a good prolonged attempt with trained and encouraging staff on hand) should never be made to feel bad. It should be entirely acceptable for a mother to produce a tin or formula and say "this is how I plan to do it". But it also shouldn't be the pushed, hurried, disinterested midwife who says "we've got a tin of formula, that would be easier and let you get some sleep" as tends to happen now

 

[special_kala]

I dont understand how this would be in any way forcing people to BF or putting pressure on them too? If you want to FF bring formula simple

 

[Carly2310]

I dont understand how this would be in any way forcing people to BF or putting pressure on them too? If you want to FF bring formula simple

My point exactly, it's the mothers choice but I would have no issues funding my own formula, NHS money is probably better spent elsewhere!

 

[lozzy21]

As some one else has said just because the baby is on maternity doesnt mean its not a patient too. I was ready to be discharged after 24 hours but Niamh needed IV antibiotics every 12 hours for 48 hours but ended up having them for 5 days, blood sugars tested for 24 hours and then developed jaundice so severe they were talking about a blood transfusion so started under the UV lights on the ward with me before being taken into special care at 2 days old. She was 5 weeks early and i planned on BF, i dident even have my bag packed when i went into labour. Niamh dident latch on at all for the first 6 weeks of her life. I pumped every 2 hours and even when my milk came in i couldent express more than an oz.

The shop's at the hospital are not allowed to stock formula as its seen as advertising it when they are trying to encourage BF and she was born late at night. OH does not drive. I spent hours with the BF specialist and she would just not latch and my hospital do not stock donor milk.

So those of you that say you dont think that milk shouldn't be provided at all on the maternity ward suppose should happen in my situation? Things are not as black and white as some people seam to think.

 

[summer rain]

As some one else has said just because the baby is on maternity doesnt mean its a patient too. I was ready to be discharged after 24 hours but Niamh needed IV antibiotics every 12 hours for 48 hours but ended up having them for 5 days, blood sugars tested for 24 hours and then developed jaundice so severe they were talking about a blood transfusion so started under the UV lights on the ward with me before being taken into special care at 2 days old. She was 5 weeks early and i planned on BF, i dident even have my bag packed when i went into labour. Niamh dident latch on at all for the first 6 weeks of her life. I pumped every 2 hours and even when my milk came in i couldent express more than an oz.

The shop's at the hospital are not allowed to stock formula as its seen as advertising it when they are trying to encourage BF and she was born late at night. OH does not drive. I spent hours with the BF specialist and she would just not latch and my hospital do not stock donor milk.

So those of you that say you dont think that milk should be provided at all on the maternity ward suppose should happen in my situation? Things are not as black and white as some people seam to think.

I think that is a silly policy , sometimes they really are barking up the wrong tree, working so hard to not promote or advertise formula when the real problem is lack of BF support in most places. If they had a six foot high poster promoting the formula then selling it in the shop would be advertising it but otherwise...? Hospital shops sell all kinds of stuff, I don't see it as promoting or endorsing any of thosr things; they are just providing them for the convenience and ease of the patient xx

 

[Pixles]

I dont understand how this would be in any way forcing people to BF or putting pressure on them too? If you want to FF bring formula simple

My point exactly, it's the mothers choice but I would have no issues funding my own formula, NHS money is probably better spent elsewhere!

Like supplying breastmilk for the premies who really need it and buying better matchines to save lives!! providing better care for our children . =)


(SPs!) but im getting angry at the selfishness of a very small selection of people...

 

[lozzy21]

As some one else has said just because the baby is on maternity doesnt mean its a patient too. I was ready to be discharged after 24 hours but Niamh needed IV antibiotics every 12 hours for 48 hours but ended up having them for 5 days, blood sugars tested for 24 hours and then developed jaundice so severe they were talking about a blood transfusion so started under the UV lights on the ward with me before being taken into special care at 2 days old. She was 5 weeks early and i planned on BF, i dident even have my bag packed when i went into labour. Niamh dident latch on at all for the first 6 weeks of her life. I pumped every 2 hours and even when my milk came in i couldent express more than an oz.

The shop's at the hospital are not allowed to stock formula as its seen as advertising it when they are trying to encourage BF and she was born late at night. OH does not drive. I spent hours with the BF specialist and she would just not latch and my hospital do not stock donor milk.

So those of you that say you dont think that milk should be provided at all on the maternity ward suppose should happen in my situation? Things are not as black and white as some people seam to think.

I think that is a silly policy , sometimes they really are barking up the wrong tree, working so hard to not promote or advertise formula when the real problem is lack of BF support in most places. If they had a six foot high poster promoting the formula then selling it in the shop would be advertising it but otherwise...? Hospital shops sell all kinds of stuff, I don't see it as promoting or endorsing any of thosr things; they are just providing them for the convenience and ease of the patient xx

Iv got to give the hospital there due, i couldn't have had more support, i spent hours with a BF consultant, i was provided a pump and the steralising equipment for the pump attachment, i wasn't too bothered about her having formula but dident want her having a it in a bottle (until it became obvious she wasn't going to latch any time soon) So a maternity assistant came and cup fed her for me and showed me how to do it but BF rates in my area are still really low. In my area BF is seen as something that middle aged middle class women do. Of the 7 women than came and went in my room in the 4 days i was in there only two of them tried to bf, the others wouldent even give it a go.

 

[Carly2310]

I dont understand how this would be in any way forcing people to BF or putting pressure on them too? If you want to FF bring formula simple

My point exactly, it's the mothers choice but I would have no issues funding my own formula, NHS money is probably better spent elsewhere!

Like supplying breastmilk for the premies who really need it and buying better matchines to save lives!! providing better care for our children . =)


(SPs!) but im getting angry at the selfishness of a very small selection of people...

Yes, caring for preemies in general, nothing more worthwhile than special care babies
I plan to FF my baby, I've done it this way twice before and will do again, I'm lucky in that my hospital do provide it (can't take our own in) but if they didn't I'd just bring my own, simple as.

 

[Foogirl]

So those of you that say you dont think that milk shouldn't be provided at all on the maternity ward suppose should happen in my situation? Things are not as black and white as some people seam to think.

In your situation, as your LO required medical treatment, they would need to be admitted as a patient and would be entitled to food, just as any other patient is.

But regarding the point that your OH doesn't drive , I would have thought that would have been a good reason to be prepared for all eventualities, and surely he got to and from the hospital somehow? Had your LO not been admitted as a patient, I still wouldn't see that as a barrier to providing your own formula. Again, it's not up to the NHS to make up for the personal circumstances of the individual. As someone had said, if they weren't handing out formula freely maybe your hospital would be able to afford to set up a milk bank.

I accept there may well be times when a medical need is there, unfortunately "medical need" has become when a mother so struggling to feed and support isn't there for BFing

 

[lozzy21]

So those of you that say you dont think that milk shouldn't be provided at all on the maternity ward suppose should happen in my situation? Things are not as black and white as some people seam to think.

In your situation, as your LO required medical treatment, they would need to be admitted as a patient and would be entitled to food, just as any other patient is.

But regarding the point that your OH doesn't drive , I would have thought that would have been a good reason to be prepared for all eventualities, and surely he got to and from the hospital somehow? Had your LO not been admitted as a patient, I still wouldn't see that as a barrier to providing your own formul. Again, it's not up to the NHS to make up for the personal circumstances of the individual. As someone had said, if they weren't handing out formula freely maybe your hospital would be able to afford to set up a milk bank.

But as some one who intended to BF i was advised not to get any formula in by my MW so i wasent tempted give LO a bottle in the middle of the night when i was exhausted As a first time mum all the information i was given when pregnant that yes BF was hard but there was no reason why i couldent do it and i maybe stupidly thought that every one could express. I wasent on any medication that would stop me from BF. Lo just came early and couldent latch onto the boob untill after her DD.

I fully agree that it shouldent be provided to people who plan on FF but think they should still stock some for cases like mine. When LO got taken into special care i took a pack of nappys in with me and got told to just use the ones they had and save the others for when we got home but i knew my baby would need nappys, i dident know she would need formula.

 

[Foogirl]

But as some one who intended to BF i was advised not to get any formula in by my MW so i wasent tempted give LO a bottle in the middle of the night when i was exhausted As a first time mum all the information i was given when pregnant that yes BF was hard but there was no reason why i couldent do it and i maybe stupidly thought that every one could express. I wasent on any medication that would stop me from BF. Lo just came early and couldent latch onto the boob untill after her DD.
.

But this is why I think it shouldn't be in hospitals. Good advice not to have it in the house, but if someone caves in, the first night in hospital under pressure from staff, that's the same thing. Falling at the very first hurdle. As I said, your LO was a patient and as such, should have some.

 

[pinklightbulb]

I don't know the laws here in Australia but I think personally, you choose to FF, you should bring your own formula.