Planning to EBF... Should I have formula on hand just in case?

saffie2011

I've heard/read different things about having formula on hand (e.g. if you have it, you may be more likely to "cave" and use it when you should just focus on BFing), but I am a total planner and I'm wondering if we should have some on hand just in case something happens and I can't BF.

Should I buy some or will I get some from the hospital?  I am sure this has been asked before, so sorry for a repeat question. 

scarlettoctober

I know you can sign up for samples from the different companies and the hospitals usually provide them as well, but I'd call your pedi/GP (if you've picked one) and ask what kind they recommend.  I'd get a small can of that to keep on hand, instead of trying different samples.  The switching around isn't good for the baby.

Sammy-Mae

I had some of the liquid stuff on hand just in case I couldn't feed her for some reason.  It came in handy when she decided to have a growth spurt while I was away at a wedding and blew through all the pumped stuff I left for her.   It was way easier on my mom than having to deal with screaming starving baby for the two hours it would take for me to get home.

jonnygurl76

they sent me home with some even though i was BFing, everyone is different--you don't know what is going to happen or how you will feel.  i don't see anything wrong with having it just in case, it is that or you have to send your DH/SO out to get some if you do need it.  do what you feel comfortable with.

coacoa8506

I absolutely think you should, just for the fact that the baby will need to eat and worst case scenario happens! I just think you should get the "breast-feeding friendly" bottles and nipples in-case he does have to transition back and forth at first... i pumped only for my first child for this reason. and btw the hospital will provide you with about 1 or 2 days worth of pre-made and proportioned formula. congrats!

aliciaroset

maybe I'm crazy but it seems like you or dad could easily get to the store if need be, and the hospital will send you home with some.  I don't plan to buy any.

PitaBread

If you do plan on having some, make sure your hospital does in fact give it out.  My birth center does not, they encourage EBF and don't accept formula samples from manufacturers. 

 That said, for some reason both DH and I keep getting packages with formula cans. We have Similar, Enfamil, and Good Start and are running out of room to store them.  Not sure why we are getting them, but maybe sign up with each of those companies since it appears that they love to send out cans of this stuff along with formula checks.  I will be donating all of ours to a local women's shelter. 

wait4oct1980

You might get some from the hospital.  I would recommend buying the single-serve packages of formula.  Don't buy a can, you will probably never use it before it goes bad.  But those are convenient to throw in your diaper bag in case of an emergency.  I got a horrible stomach flu when my daughter was very young and could not breastfeed her.  I had not pumped prior to that so I did not have a stash yet.  Gave her formula for just a day to get her through, then things were fine. 

sap05e

Went to a BF class last night -the instructor recommended getting all formula out of the house so you can resist the temptation. Go into with the mindset that you are going to BF, not that you just hope you can! Doubt that's what you wanted to hear lol. I'm sure someone can run out and get you some if it comes to the point where you need it. I wouldn't buy any before you need it - so expensive!

Ceridwen21

I wouldn't spend any of my own money on formula.  Unless you live super far away from a store, you can always have someone go out an buy some for you if you need it.

We have a can in the house but only because it was given as a free sample.  I plan to donate it once BF is well established between LO and I.

LCass

I figure it's worth having some on hand, but I'm thinking more for an emergency situation than just if breastfeeding doesn't go well.  If there's a problem with breastfeeding, you have time to go get formula.  If there's an emergency, you (or whoever is watching LO) might not have the time/presence of mind to run to the store.  But as others have said, there's no need to buy.  I don't know about hospitals giving some (since there's been such a push for BF lately), yours might or it might not.  But you can easily get free samples from companies.  We've got a sample from Enfamil and another from Nestle (which also came with a free backpack, portable diaper pad, etc.).  They also came with coupons, which I would use if we do end up having to FF for whatever reason.  And if (as I hope) there are no issues with breastfeeding and I don't have to use the formula, we'll donate it.

lwogsland

we just have a couple of freebie cans put away in a closet in case of an emergency..otherwise, we are not buying any..would make it too easy to use.. and this stash is strictly for an emergency if im away from baby and there isnt enough for the baby or whatever

ai&Jas

First time around my milk didnt come in until day 4 post partum, but I did still try to nurse. I ended up using the 1 oz ready made formula the hospital sent home with us. Once my milk came in I exclusively breastfeed and after 2 wks started pumping to have some on hand when I knew I had to be away from DD (I was interviewing at the time for a new job!).

I nursed DD until she was 18 months and did supplement with formula when I needed it ie those first few days, then when my supply hit low points.

You will figure it out when you get there I know some mom's refuse formula all together, while others go staright to formula. I was taking it one day at a time and always had some pre-made liquid vials on hand if I ever needed it. I don't think we ever bought a can of it though. Like pp-- someone can always run out to the store if you need it

cookiemonster82

We took some home from the hospital and I never used it.  EBF for a year.  It's good to have just in case, but I don't think buying it is necessary. 

mabst196

I would have a can on hand just in case. Even if you plan on EBF, emergencies come up. Come on people, its formula, not drugs. LOL. It almost sounds like people are anticipating sneaking using formula or something because its in their house. Use it if you need it/want to or don't.

mellymel12

I would have some on hand if I were you. I know my situation is a bit different, but my milk never really came in. 6 weeks later I was still getting less than an ounce TOTAL every pumping session. You just dont know what kind of supply you will have until you start. Id rather be safe than sorry...even if it is only 1 can of Enfamil stored in your kitchen...at least you know its there just in case!

sjBear123

I've always kept a couple of sample cans on hand.  But just the ones that the formula companies sent me, or that the doctor's office or hospital gave me.  I have only opened 1 can ever, and even that I only used once.  

ludicrous

My hospital did not give it out but I did have some samples on hand from signing up on their websites. I disagree about not keeping it around. I had a major postpartum hemorrhage after having DD and it took my milk 5 days to come in. DD was starving, I was home alone with her and I couldn't drive due to severe anemia. I had to supplement for about a day and a half until my milk came in. I would still nurse her and let her suck (not getting anything) to stimulate milk production and then I would "for real" feed her when she was done. The last thing you want to worry about when you are recovering, sleep deprived, in pain and have a hungry screaming dehydrating baby is how you are going to feed them. You don't need a huge stock because someone should be able to run to the store at some point and they don't eat but an ounce or two at a time at first but I would recommend having some.

spedi

i was dead set on EBF with #1.  Then my milk NEVER came in. Worked with a couple of LCs in the hospital and out.  And it never came in.  I was just one of the unlucky ones.

They sent several ready to feed bottles home in the hospital.  Then we bought it after that.  

Soon2BMrsN

I don't plan to buy any.  I had luck EBFing DS and even if we need formula this time, Target and several grocery stores are just minutes away.  I'm not really interested in having any in the house "just in case."

babes12

Everytime i go to my OB they have free samples of formula that you can take.  So i take a box everytime i'm there just to have something in the house.  It's not alot at all but i'm glad i have alittle something.

so maybe check your OB office to see if they supply any.

Hollygirl7

somebodysmama21:

My personal opinion if you are really dead set that you want to EBF do not keep any around. If you are okay no matter what winds up happening have it on hand why not.  But if you do decide you want it, it wont be much more than either running out really quick to the store or sending your husband out.

This exactly. There were times in the first few weeks when it was really rough...growth spurts, cluster feedings, feeling like he wasn't getting enough (when he totally was) and I know that if I had it on hand, I'd have used it just to get relief. Reality is, when LO is demanding to nurse what feels like all the time they are helping your body to increase its supply. I feel like, if I had have supplemented in that first month with formula, then my body might NOT have produced what it needed to to support him. As it was, BF'ing got a lot easier once the first few weeks were past, and he ended up nursing happily until 1 year.

This time, I do plan on supplementing with the occasional bottle (say, 1 a week) once this LO is a month, just to keep up her ability to take a bottle, because when I tried once DS was 4 months, he didn't know how to take it, so I could never go out without him until I weaned at a year.

forensicmama

I EBF. I did not have formula on hand. However, I was in the hospital at 6 days pp and the hospital provided formula for my MIL to give my DD while the doctors helped me out.

IMO, not having formula and bottles around provides a no-fail environment that says, "Stick through the rough spots, you can't give in because you have no choice!" haha I nursed for 2 1/2 years.