@ktmaesim we used formula a little bit in the hospital because my DD had jaundice and had a poor latch. They gave us Similac and we used that and she seemed to tolerate it fine but my milk came in before we were discharged and I was pumping so we didn't give her too much, just enough to supplement to help with the jaundice (she wasn't pooping enough and that's how bilirubin is removed from the body so the thought was the more she ate the more she would poop). She was back to her birth weight by the time of her first pediatrician visit so we never used formula again. So sorry that was a long winded answer but there is no right formula every baby is different so I guess I would use the standard offered (Similac or Infamil) and then go from there if you need it.
@ktmaesim Each baby does have a preference. DS did best on Enfamil Gentlease, we gave it to him at birth. If your baby doesn’t do well on a formula you can switch and try out a new one, but make sure to give each formula a good amount of time to know if that is really the issue. Your pediatrician can advise how long but I think mine told me don’t switch until you’ve been giving it for a week, maybe two. Also your hospital usually will have a preferred formula and they’ll give you enough for your hospital stay so you can always check with them and then buy some of that formula.
@ktmaesim On a good note, from a STM, you will know before you leave the hospital if you’re having trouble producing milk- it won’t be a surprise, thank god. I felt with DD#1 that I would need all the what if’s covered by the time we got home, but I felt pretty comfortable with the breastfeeding situation already by the time we left the hospital.
Buying formula as a backup can’t hurt though. Just know if you plan to mostly nurse, you may never use it, or the baby may not want it having been used to your breast milk. First few days of nursing feels kind of weird- only feeding in short spurts with the colostrum and a very sleepy baby, and then it ramps up as the real milk comes in. Baby will take what they need though even though they sleep a LOT- no need to be too worried. Our daughter was always long and lean, but super healthy all through our nursing phase. She nursed up to about 3 years old (with solid foods as well after the first year). I plan to do the same this time!
@ktmaesim I would take what the hospital gives you and if that doesn’t sit well with baby your pediatrician should have some samples on hand to try as well. I’m not sure if you’re planning on doing formula exclusively or just wanting back up but either way you can totally survive on what the hospital provides for a few days at home so don’t panic!
We eventually supplemented with formula (I had supply issues once I went back to work). You will likely get a ton of samples (if you haven't already started). I started with those. Figured out what worked based on poops, DS's like or dislike of the flavor, and gastrointestinal comfort. Once we settled on a type I did try out a generic version of it (luckily that worked). I do suggest having some on hand as a back up no matter your plans (and like I said you will likely get lots of samples so you probably won't have to purchase at first). We did not use, or look for, special newborn formula. Infant worked just fine.
Okay this brings another question: we don't have a pediatrician picked out yet. I guess I need to get on that. How soon after your baby is born do you go to an appt? IT sounds like you all talked to or went to see your pediatrician really soon after birth? TYIA I am sorry if these questions are annoying.
@ktmaesim so all depends on how soon you get discharged from the hospital but usually your baby's first doctor visit will be between 3-5 days old (I took DD to the doctor when she was 5 days old). A pediatrician will follow the baby while they are in the hospital....I found our pediatrician before she was born and a lot of places will even let you go on a tour and meet some of the pediatricians beforehand which made me feel better about my choice.
@ktmaesim When you’re discharged they’ll already have your follow up appt set with a ped for a few days later. If you have a preference and they’re in network they can make the appt for you, if your chosen ped is elsewhere they’ll let you make the appt yourself within a certain time frame. They want to follow up on weight and bilirubin levels after baby goes home. This is what my experience has been but it may vary upon location.
@ktmaesim since we had our ped picked out they came and checked on DS each day in the hospital, then bc of his size and jaundice we had an apt the first day we were home and then the next day as well. After that second apt we ended back at the nicu for a few days and then once discharged we did an apt the next day and following day as well. There’s a lot of special circumstances here but if your baby has any jaundice you’ll prob go to the ped the day after discharge and possibly the next couple days depending on blood levels.
@ktmaesim - I really like your idea for an advice and most have thread. I would find that super helpful too.
On the pediatrician front, I've been told by friends to get one before you give birth. I'm going with the same guy a couple of my friends use. When you register for delivery give them your pediatricians name. He or she will help make decisions for the baby if anything is off. Interviewing a few candidates is a good way to feel comfortable with them.
Since you are planning on breastfeeding first, I wouldn't buy any formula ahead of time. You can sign up with enfamil and similac to get free samples delivered to your home. I would try those first if you need to supplement outside the hospital. Another reason not to stock up ahead of time is you don't know what your baby can take. I was lactose sensitive from birth and my mom could only buy one type of formula from one brand for me. All the others caused major colic.
@ktmaesim the ped we picked has you bring baby in within 48 hrs of discharge from the hospital, which among my friends seemed pretty typical. the ped we picked doesn't have rights at the hospital we're i'll deliver, so that in house ped will sign off on baby to release.
@ktmaesim we picked a pediatrician before (our OB had recommendations and I did some other polling of others I know with kids). Our hospital has a good relationship with our Ped's practice so there is a hospital pediatrician on call and an on call ped from the practice we use. So from the get go, our ped had access to us, did all the initial checks. We saw him within 48 hours of discharge in his office for a weight check and other things. I found it helpful to know ahead of time and not be pressured to pick someone in the fog of post-delivery hormones.
I’ve been lurking and noticed the BMBs before us have done a PG? From what I gathered it’s exclusive to regular posters and you need to be voted in but I couldn’t find why? Definitely not a suggestion to start one here but my curiosity is sparked and I want someone to explain to me wth this is. Apparently it ruffles people’s feathers lol
@k_mama91 i noticed that when i was looking for GTKY questions to copy. it seems like all the months before us have gone private. i think the thought is that at this point the women who have been active have been so for almost 6 months and it can feel weird when people just pop in out of the blue.
@anniemarie887 That makes sense and I can see why they want to weed out randoms once we get close to giving birth and having baby’s info out there. Someone was just saying how cohesive our group is and the past months seemed to be fairly tame until it came time for the voting. More or less I’m hoping that doesn’t happen to us bc we all seem to get along well and be supportive of each other. I’d hate for it fall apart this late in the game.
@k_mama91@blueskychicago12@anniemarie887 I get that, but I wonder how many people are participating by reading instead of posting? I'd hate to shut people out just because they don't post a ton. I definitely read way more than I post - sometimes because someone else asked and then answered my question, and sometimes because my updates are usually "everything's fine. I'm a little more uncomfortable than I used to be" and it feels weird to post that when others are having legitimate challenges that are upending their lives...I don't know. That's just a thought. I'm totally surprised at how into this board I am and I'd hate to lose it or have others lose access to it so far along!
@brrrrrrrrie Same, I don’t do social media but I definitely feel connected to our group here. I agree with @blueskychicago12 that voting is sort of ridiculous and IMO seems juvenile but it wouldn’t be the worst idea to make our group as a whole private.
@brrrrrrrrie I can definitely see your point, too. I'd be up for including anyone who posts even occasionally. I guess I just might feel more comfortable posting in a group where everyone is at least a little familiar, considering that anyone at all can read what we post here. There are lots of sites where people can go to just read info if they don't want to participate and get to know the others, but this feels like more of a community. But that said, I'm up for whatever the majority thinks is best. I certainly don't want to make anyone feel bad or left out.
The voting is dumb, it’s way too mean girls “you can’t sit with us”. I think the point is that someone who hasn’t interacted more than a couple times can’t just barge in?
In my BMB before I got left out of the original conversion to private because I mostly hung out with the high risk posts and not as many of the general posts. It kinda hurt. But I got invited to a different group that wasn’t as exclusive. It kinda sucked.
@Stac928 Yep, that's ridiculous. I'd be hurt, too. If it goes private I would advocate for including everyone who would like to be included. Perhaps we could start a thread for those that want to be in the private group to opt in and then leave it up for a couple of weeks. Give everyone a shot to stay involved. That would freeze the group where it is rather than excluding based on who we think participates the most.
I do too. I limit what I post here regarding pictures and some personal life stuff that might be identifiable because it's public. But I hate voting idea.
Lurking and chiming in. I’m so lost on this voting thing. And the private group. Is it a private Bump group on here still? Sorry for my lack of brain cells and power. Please don’t vote me out because of it 😂
Also against voting, we don’t seem to have many sporadic posters here anyway but it is a little creepy that outsiders can following along with us without us knowing.
@bookworm492 I’m weird about posting too many personal details or pictures here too. If we were private I might be more open to it.
Hey guys! Just now chiming in. So is the private group still on the bump? Just limited? I'm also confused about this.
I don't know where I qualify as far as frequent-to-infrequent posting...I definitely feel like I read more than post, but often it's because whole conversations have happened before I get a chance to chime in! (How do y'all post during the weekday so much?? I feel like I'm on an opposite schedule! I can't post or even look at all while I'm at work, and I must not have a life compared to the rest of you all because I have the most time on weekends, and that's when it seems slowest on here! )
Anyway, agreed with everyone who said voting feels like a weird clique-y thing to do.
I’ll chime in- I love our group, please invite me if we go private! I would seriously miss the support network we’ve formed here.
Like @bookworm492 and @k_mama91 said, I love to share on here, but try to leave off the too personal or too identifiable stuff. I think it’s one of the things I hate about the other board I only glance at periodically- tons of ranting about weird, non-baby related issues, plus too many boards/threads started about the same topics. It’s way too overwhelming, and I don’t know a single person on that board in the slightest. Not fun😛
I love the opt in idea. Personally I do feel a little uncomfortable knowing that everything I post here can be read by absolutely anyone, and I would feel better knowing that isn’t the case. But I will also go with what the group decides! We could have a poll on the opt in thread to make sure this is what people want?
Re: QUESTION Thread
Buying formula as a backup can’t hurt though. Just know if you plan to mostly nurse, you may never use it, or the baby may not want it having been used to your breast milk. First few days of nursing feels kind of weird- only feeding in short spurts with the colostrum and a very sleepy baby, and then it ramps up as the real milk comes in. Baby will take what they need though even though they sleep a LOT- no need to be too worried. Our daughter was always long and lean, but super healthy all through our nursing phase. She nursed up to about 3 years old (with solid foods as well after the first year). I plan to do the same this time!
Married 1/28/17
TW:
BFP #2 10/10/17, MC 11/4/17
BFP #3 12/17/17 Birth 8/13/18
BFP #4 4/21/19 Birth 12/5/2019
And thank you all @Stac928 @ale9687 @cpk3535 @k_mama91 @Spartanrd4 your information is so helpful.
On the pediatrician front, I've been told by friends to get one before you give birth. I'm going with the same guy a couple of my friends use. When you register for delivery give them your pediatricians name. He or she will help make decisions for the baby if anything is off. Interviewing a few candidates is a good way to feel comfortable with them.
Since you are planning on breastfeeding first, I wouldn't buy any formula ahead of time. You can sign up with enfamil and similac to get free samples delivered to your home. I would try those first if you need to supplement outside the hospital. Another reason not to stock up ahead of time is you don't know what your baby can take. I was lactose sensitive from birth and my mom could only buy one type of formula from one brand for me. All the others caused major colic.
Married 1/28/17
TW:
BFP #2 10/10/17, MC 11/4/17
BFP #3 12/17/17 Birth 8/13/18
BFP #4 4/21/19 Birth 12/5/2019
DS - 7.5
DD #1 - 6
~ mmc 7.11.2018 @ 9w ~
DD#2 - born 12.24.19
Married 1/28/17
TW:
BFP #2 10/10/17, MC 11/4/17
BFP #3 12/17/17 Birth 8/13/18
BFP #4 4/21/19 Birth 12/5/2019
The voting is dumb, it’s way too mean girls “you can’t sit with us”. I think the point is that someone who hasn’t interacted more than a couple times can’t just barge in?
Married 1/28/17
TW:
BFP #2 10/10/17, MC 11/4/17
BFP #3 12/17/17 Birth 8/13/18
BFP #4 4/21/19 Birth 12/5/2019
@bookworm492 I’m weird about posting too many personal details or pictures here too. If we were private I might be more open to it.
i am definitely a sporadic poster.
DH: 37
DD: 03/17/17
DS: 12/06/19
I like the opt in idea, happy to go with the group.
I think the pro of a private group here is that I know we have ppl who would want to participate who don’t use fb.
I don't know where I qualify as far as frequent-to-infrequent posting...I definitely feel like I read more than post, but often it's because whole conversations have happened before I get a chance to chime in! (How do y'all post during the weekday so much?? I feel like I'm on an opposite schedule! I can't post or even look at all while I'm at work, and I must not have a life compared to the rest of you all because I have the most time on weekends, and that's when it seems slowest on here!
Anyway, agreed with everyone who said voting feels like a weird clique-y thing to do.
Like @bookworm492 and @k_mama91 said, I love to share on here, but try to leave off the too personal or too identifiable stuff. I think it’s one of the things I hate about the other board I only glance at periodically- tons of ranting about weird, non-baby related issues, plus too many boards/threads started about the same topics. It’s way too overwhelming, and I don’t know a single person on that board in the slightest. Not fun😛
I love the opt in idea. Personally I do feel a little uncomfortable knowing that everything I post here can be read by absolutely anyone, and I would feel better knowing that isn’t the case. But I will also go with what the group decides! We could have a poll on the opt in thread to make sure this is what people want?