Planning on breastfeeding, but if I cannot - what do I need as a back up?

MamaK · Mar 4th, 2009, 04:57 AM

Hi,

Im crashing here for 3rd tri, but had a question.

I am planning on breastfeeding, but in the worst case that I cannot I was thinking that I better have some 'back up' of formula / bottles etc in the house just in case.

Can any of you help me with what I need as a kind of 'back up/starters kit'?

For example:
What kind of formula is best for newborns?
How many bottles do I need?
What teats?
What about cleaning /sterilising equipment?

Thanks alot!!!!

LoraLoo · Mar 4th, 2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaK

Hi,

Im crashing here for 3rd tri, but had a question.

I am planning on breastfeeding, but in the worst case that I cannot I was thinking that I better have some 'back up' of formula / bottles etc in the house just in case.

Can any of you help me with what I need as a kind of 'back up/starters kit'?

For example:
What kind of formula is best for newborns?
How many bottles do I need?
What teats?
What about cleaning /sterilising equipment?

Thanks alot!!!!

Most formula's are very similar, but alot of ppl are now going for Aptimil as its apparantly closest to breast milk- this is what i will be having for back up!
I would have at least 6 bottles as they will go through that in a day, slow flow teats are probably best to start off with and see how you go from there- baby will soon let you know if he/she needs a different one! It really is trial and error. As for sterilising, Ive always used a steam steriliser but there are lots of different ones available- have a good look round. I never used a bottle warmer with mine either- took ages to warm up and it was quicker to boil the kettle and heat it in a jug of water! HTH xxxxx

kirstyloo82 · Mar 4th, 2009, 05:12 AM

i knew i wanted to bf but wanted to be prepared incase it didnt happen to, and it saves oh doing a trolley dash in the middle of the nigth while you deal with a hungry screaming baby.

i already had a sterilser from last baby, but bought some new bottles, and just 3 cartons of the ready made formula (sma gold).

if you want to bf though, try to remember that you and baby are both learning something new, and it wont necessarily come easily and when youve got a hungry baby it may be easy to give a bottle feed when you know it is there ready, rather that persevering and getting to grips with bf. before you know it you will be giving more formula and this can affect your milk supply and it can be difficult to get back to completely bf.

its all personal choice so do whatever is right for you and baby, but personally for me bf is so much easier and when it all falls into place (my baby is 6 weeks and its still difficult/confusing, but getting better) you feel such a sense of achievement, i love it!

MamaK · Mar 4th, 2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirstyloo82

i knew i wanted to bf but wanted to be prepared incase it didnt happen to, and it saves oh doing a trolley dash in the middle of the nigth while you deal with a hungry screaming baby.

i already had a sterilser from last baby, but bought some new bottles, and just 3 cartons of the ready made formula (sma gold).

if you want to bf though, try to remember that you and baby are both learning something new, and it wont necessarily come easily and when youve got a hungry baby it may be easy to give a bottle feed when you know it is there ready, rather that persevering and getting to grips with bf. before you know it you will be giving more formula and this can affect your milk supply and it can be difficult to get back to completely bf.

its all personal choice so do whatever is right for you and baby, but personally for me bf is so much easier and when it all falls into place (my baby is 6 weeks and its still difficult/confusing, but getting better) you feel such a sense of achievement, i love it!

Thanks alot for your feedback, really appreciate it!

Yes, you are right bf is something that may take a bit of time and I will give myself time and try whatever needs done to give it the best shot I can, as I really want to bf.

I just was thinking that I may need a back up in case we come home with a hungry baby and the shops are shut.

Thanks again! xxx

angie0235 · Mar 5th, 2009, 11:21 AM

I bought a pack of SMA gold that was a starter pack. It has 12 mini bottles complete with teats - the same ones you get in the hospital. I planned to breastfeed but had these just in case. There are enough of them to tide you over for a day or two until you can get to a shop. I did manage to breastfeed. It was painful at first but we got the hang of it. Good luck.

adzuki · Mar 16th, 2009, 01:28 AM

I may not be able to breastfeed due to past surgery, so I got a "supplemental feeder" - it's a bottle that attaches around your neck, then you tape a tube to your breast and the baby latches on to your breast as usual, but takes in both the nipple and the end of the tube. The flow is such that she gets only a bit from the tube, but she'll still be sucking and encouraging milk flow. It was only $20 canadian, so I figure it will be worth it for the peace of mind. Good luck!

A

Whisper · Mar 16th, 2009, 04:19 AM

I would advise buying the bottles as someone suggested above and maybe get a few cartons of those ready made formula, Apatamil do them i have a few in my cupboard just in case, it just means that if you can b/f you won't waste a whole big tin of formula, by trying out formula...IYKWIM.

I bought a big tin and only used it once then we had to throw the whole lot away!

Blob · Mar 16th, 2009, 04:31 AM

I did the exact same thing as you

I got 4 bottles, tommie tipee (figured not to buy many incase she didnt like them)
2 cartons of Aptimil
Some seterilising tablets that you just put in water

I got the least possible that would tie me over so i could send OH out to buy more if she didnt BF, though now she wont drink from a bottle at all

Hevz · Mar 16th, 2009, 09:35 AM

If you're serious about breastfeeding then I wouldn't bother getting anything else in. If things are difficult or you're medically unable to breastfeed then hospital will provide formula and bottles anyway. With 24hour supermarkets etc there is always somewhere to buy stuff if you need it honey.

Good luck sweetie

Mar 4th, 2009, 04:57 AM	#1
MamaK Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Netherlands (Born and bred in Scotland) Posts: 1,675	Planning on breastfeeding, but if I cannot - what do I need as a back up? Hi, Im crashing here for 3rd tri, but had a question. I am planning on breastfeeding, but in the worst case that I cannot I was thinking that I better have some 'back up' of formula / bottles etc in the house just in case. Can any of you help me with what I need as a kind of 'back up/starters kit'? For example: What kind of formula is best for newborns? How many bottles do I need? What teats? What about cleaning /sterilising equipment? Thanks alot!!!!

Status: Offline

Mar 4th, 2009, 05:12 AM	#3
kirstyloo82 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: ellesmere port, cheshire Posts: 219	i knew i wanted to bf but wanted to be prepared incase it didnt happen to, and it saves oh doing a trolley dash in the middle of the nigth while you deal with a hungry screaming baby. i already had a sterilser from last baby, but bought some new bottles, and just 3 cartons of the ready made formula (sma gold). if you want to bf though, try to remember that you and baby are both learning something new, and it wont necessarily come easily and when youve got a hungry baby it may be easy to give a bottle feed when you know it is there ready, rather that persevering and getting to grips with bf. before you know it you will be giving more formula and this can affect your milk supply and it can be difficult to get back to completely bf. its all personal choice so do whatever is right for you and baby, but personally for me bf is so much easier and when it all falls into place (my baby is 6 weeks and its still difficult/confusing, but getting better) you feel such a sense of achievement, i love it!

Status: Offline

Mar 5th, 2009, 11:21 AM	#5
angie0235 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North West England Posts: 450	I bought a pack of SMA gold that was a starter pack. It has 12 mini bottles complete with teats - the same ones you get in the hospital. I planned to breastfeed but had these just in case. There are enough of them to tide you over for a day or two until you can get to a shop. I did manage to breastfeed. It was painful at first but we got the hang of it. Good luck.

Status: Offline

Mar 16th, 2009, 01:28 AM	#6
adzuki Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver. BC Posts: 4,772	I may not be able to breastfeed due to past surgery, so I got a "supplemental feeder" - it's a bottle that attaches around your neck, then you tape a tube to your breast and the baby latches on to your breast as usual, but takes in both the nipple and the end of the tube. The flow is such that she gets only a bit from the tube, but she'll still be sucking and encouraging milk flow. It was only $20 canadian, so I figure it will be worth it for the peace of mind. Good luck! A

Status: Offline

Mar 16th, 2009, 04:19 AM	#7
Whisper Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Sussex Posts: 3,047	I would advise buying the bottles as someone suggested above and maybe get a few cartons of those ready made formula, Apatamil do them i have a few in my cupboard just in case, it just means that if you can b/f you won't waste a whole big tin of formula, by trying out formula...IYKWIM. I bought a big tin and only used it once then we had to throw the whole lot away!

Status: Offline

Mar 16th, 2009, 04:31 AM	#8
Blob Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 12,735	I did the exact same thing as you I got 4 bottles, tommie tipee (figured not to buy many incase she didnt like them) 2 cartons of Aptimil Some seterilising tablets that you just put in water I got the least possible that would tie me over so i could send OH out to buy more if she didnt BF, though now she wont drink from a bottle at all

Status: Offline

Mar 16th, 2009, 09:35 AM	#9
Hevz Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Swinton, Manchester, England Posts: 4,581	If you're serious about breastfeeding then I wouldn't bother getting anything else in. If things are difficult or you're medically unable to breastfeed then hospital will provide formula and bottles anyway. With 24hour supermarkets etc there is always somewhere to buy stuff if you need it honey. Good luck sweetie

Status: Offline

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