Those planning on breastfeeding (or already have)..

BamBam510 · February 2010

I am planning on breastfeeding for at least 6 months if I'm able. My DH brought up the fact last night that what if I'm not able to...what if my supply never comes in, or I have problems...he thinks we should register for formula as a just in case. What do you think? Do you plan on doing the same thing? I don't know how common it is for women to have issues with their supply, but I do know formula is expensive and would like to not be hit with that expense unexpectedly, but I'd also hate to have people buy it for us at our shower and then not need it. I don't have any friends who have LO's that are on formula so its not like I could give it to anyone.

Opinions?

Thanks!

Qmommy · February 2010

My mom wasn't able to breast feed because her milk never came in. I plan to try (I started leaking so that's a good sign). I wouldn't register for formula though. You never know what will work with your baby.

MorissaW · February 2010

I would not register for formula. I would save some of my gift cards for it.

NewzieMom · February 2010

I wouldn't register for formula.

Raffes484 · February 2010

I didn't bf, but I would not register for formula. You never know if your baby will need a certain type of formula. DD needed gentle formula and most places you can't return formula.

If you want, sign up at enfamil's website or similac's website and they'll send you sample cans. Once you're sure you won't need it you can donate it to a shelter or something.

fatima5968 · February 2010

MorissaW:
I would not register for formula. I would save some of my gift cards for it.

this- gift cards are a good idea!

katesmom73 · February 2010

I don't think it hurts to have one or two cans on hand just in case but I wouldn't stock up. You never know how your LO will react - maybe they'll have reflux or other issues that require a special kind of formula and you might be stuck with cans of formula. I'm not sure if stores take returns on that so it could work but why take the chance?

jessielegendre · February 2010

I wouldn't register for any but I would buy like one pack or whatever to have in an emergency.

kcox123 · February 2010

Just sign up with Enfamil and Similac and you'll have nearly a months worth of formula before the baby arrives.

I usually BF for 5-6 months and then switch to FF. I always have a ton of free samples of formula when I'm ready to make the switch.

CoastieWife08 · February 2010

No matter what the situation, I think registering for formula is weird.

I have never, ever seen formula on a registry.

Not to mention, you don't know what type of formula will work best for baby. Some babies are lucky in that they can just use whatever the hospital uses, but others can't.

And, if you do buy formula ahead of time and don't use it, you can donate it to a women's shelter.

FWIW, having formula in the house was a big no-no for me. I knew I'd grab it at 3am in despiration and that wasn't something I wanted to do. We did bring home some from the hospital, but DH hid it from me at my request.

mysticporter · February 2010

Don't buy or register for formula. For one thing, as PP said, there are different kinds, and you don't want to stock up on something only to find LO has a milk allergy and needs a specialty kind, or BF worked out. Plus, you will probably get samples and coupons, anyway, whether you want to or not, and certainly if you are having problems BF'ing the pedi will be able to give you a sample or two to get you started to make sure you have a type that is good for LO before you buy.

Temp200154562509288 · February 2010

Maybe you could collect some gift cards and set them aside, every baby has different tastes so it would be hard to pick a formula without knowing what one your baby would like.

We never kept formula in the house in the beginning, (maybe a few samples from the hospital) but if we ever had a problem I would have just sent DH out to get some. It can be really hard in the beginning and I didn't want to have any formula around. FWIW, the hospital will give you samples and you will start getting samples in the mail and coupons from the formula companies so even though we never bought any we had quite a stash of freebies.

buffalo_buckeye · February 2010

Well registering for formula is kinda like registering for diapers. You'll never get enough, and if you get the wrong kind your stuck with it. You might be able to resell but for a fraction of the cost. I would just start setting aside maybe 40$ a month and then you'll have it when and if it becomes necessary. Is there a reason you think you will stop at 6 months? I only ask bc that's when it's easy. If your worried about the money part and you made it that far, I would just stick it out. But, a lot of people like the freedom of supplementing, so you always have that option. I just wouldn't choose a brand if formula yet until you know what your lo likes.

BamBam510 · February 2010

Raffes484:

I didn't bf, but I would not register for formula. You never know if your baby will need a certain type of formula. DD needed gentle formula and most places you can't return formula.

If you want, sign up at enfamil's website or similac's website and they'll send you sample cans. Once you're sure you won't need it you can donate it to a shelter or something.

I never thought to do this, thank you! I forget too about how their are so many different types of formula for different needs/issues etc. So much to learn! Also good idea to hang on to gift cards to use for it if needed.

Thank you everyone for the tips

Buckets of Moonbeams · February 2010

If you BF CORRECTLY, supply issues are extremely rare. But that means listening to what the LCs tell you- no bottles, no pacifiers, nurse everytime baby wants to, even if it's just for comfort, and for as long as he/she wants to. The milk supply you establish in the first 12 weeks is what your supply will be the entire time you nurse.

ETA: And the hospital and probably your OB will offer you formula samples or Similac and Enfamil. I refused them all, because I didn't want them in the house in case I got desperate.

KittahMama · February 2010

I plan on breastfeeding but with that said:

My best friend has a 6 month old and PCOS and she never had enough supply for his needs. She had to supplement and pump and after two months it was too much. Turns out PCOS women typically don't make as much milk, or at least it is a common issue. As badly as she wanted to she was unable to supply. She started her son out on an expensive formula and now she is stuck with it. She warned me if I have to go to formula to go to one of the ones that is cheaper (her peds told her that isn't really a difference in nutrition but once a baby is on a formula it is difficult to change them). She said she spends $30 a week on formula.

My 2nd best friend has wanted to be a mother since she was born and after three weeks found it too difficult and formula fed.

My 3rd best friend was able to successfully breast feed both of her sons and they were both born at 35 weeks and only weighed 4lbs something. Her 2nd son was in the NICU for 10 days and she pumped delivered to the hospital daily. She is my hero and I really hope to be like her and stick with it.

I am not going to register for formula, but I am buying a pump as all three of my close friends told me it is essential to have... if we need to formula feed I will just go buy some I suppose!

JillTrojek · February 2010

If you think you may have problems or you do end up having problems BF, contact LLL, they have montly meetings that you can go to before you have the baby and after. They are a great source of info and they can help out a lot. My mom was a La Leche League leader and she can get anyone to BF, it's amazng what you can do.

jdmiller28 · February 2010

My SIL had problems bf'ing - she couldn't at all with her first boy and then the 2nd she just wasn't producing enough milk. I don't think you should register for formula. Like a PP said, you never know what will work for your baby. I knew someone that stocked up ahead of time because she had 2 kids prior and knew what they both used and she stuck with that. But for a first baby you'd need to wait and see if you're able to bf, and then start getting formula's.

reya_5 · February 2010

I planned on breastfeeding but due to antibiotics I was not able to feed after one month and later milk dried up Sad with my DS. The hospital where I delivered gave us sample cans of Enfamil, Similac and Good Start. And my pedi recommended GS for my son. It worked. So my suggestion is once the baby is out you or pedi anyways have to figure out about the right formula for the baby so in any case you can just plan ahead but should not be buying it. Sign up on each website and you will get coupons...it helps!!

Just my two cents...

juietbride · February 2010

I didn't register for it last time and I did have supply issues the first week. I was sent home frm the hospital with premixed bottles and used them for a couple days, then my supply came in full force and I never used formula again. I breast fed DS for 20 months. Personally I am not planning on buying any formula this time unless I need it which I won't know until I have this baby. I'm all for being prepared but since children can be very sensitive to different kinds of formula I would hold off until I knew that would be an issue. HTH

Dutchlish918 · February 2010

Raffes484:
I didn't bf, but I would not register for formula. You never know if your baby will need a certain type of formula. DD needed gentle formula and most places you can't return formula.

If you want, sign up at enfamil's website or similac's website and they'll send you sample cans. Once you're sure you won't need it you can donate it to a shelter or something.

This exactly. We tried about four different kinds of formula once I quit BF before we found one that DS liked.

Good luck!!

eek0221 · February 2010

I plan on breastfeeding - that said, I wouldn't register for formula because, like many things, you baby may have or preference (or unfortunately) an allergy that my prevent you from using certain kinds of formula. My sister-in-law's son had an allergy to dairy, so she either could not eat dairy or had to put him on special dairy free formula.

canamama · February 2010

Your milk will come in if you stimulate production (breastfeeding). I think there are very few cases where a woman honestly cannot produce milk.

As far as supply issues go...I don't believe them. Breastfeeding is difficult and demanding but if you nurse enough your supply will catch up. Both of my kids cried a lot at times and nursed non-stop but a couple days later my supply would catch up and all would be fine.

mommyrenee · February 2010

i wouldnt bother. i think its a weird registry item anyway & would never to buy it off of someones. yea its not cheap, but if you never need it, there goes $20+/can.

it may seem like a lot of people have problems but it really isnt that common to have a real problem where BF'ing cant occur. just worry about it later.

iris427 · February 2010

Look, the first few weeks of BFing are hard. If you have formula in the house, you'll be a lot more likely to grab it at 3 am instead of working through your BFing issues. So if you really want to BF, I don't think you should have formula lying around "just in case." JMO.

BlueRidgeMama · February 2010

NO!!!! Falling back on supplementing is the surest way to have trouble with supply. If you have a goal of 6 months, you will not want to have any formula around. In case of emergency, I am sure that your local grocery store will be well stocked. Plus they have plenty for you to take home from the hospital. Do not register for it.

BlueRidgeMama · February 2010

Buckets of Moonbeams:
If you BF CORRECTLY, supply issues are extremely rare. But that means listening to what the LCs tell you- no bottles, no pacifiers, nurse everytime baby wants to, even if it's just for comfort, and for as long as he/she wants to. The milk supply you establish in the first 12 weeks is what your supply will be the entire time you nurse.
ETA: And the hospital and probably your OB will offer you formula samples or Similac and Enfamil. I refused them all, because I didn't want them in the house in case I got desperate.

This.

KeepingItLowKey · February 2010

I have never seen formula on a registry.

We didn't have a can of formula in this house, ever. If BFing didn't work, I'd have just run to the store.?

Erika6504 · February 2010

I think it's weird to register for formula.

With DD, it took 5 days for my milk to come in. She was starving during that time (probably b/c she was over 9lb at birth) and lost a lot of weight. I had to supplement. But, the hospital sent me home with some samples and her pedi gave me a bunch of samples to get me through those first few days. Once my milk came in, I didn't have any problems at all.

Register with Similac and Enfamil and they will send you samples. If you can't BF, you'll at least have those in the house to get you through for a little while.

chirpie06 · February 2010

i wouldn't register for formula...like all PP said, you never know.

that being said....i hope that you are able to successfully breastfeed if that is what you want to do. we had major latching issues...ending up pumping for 6 weeks and quit after i got mastitis for the 2nd time and my supply tanked. so we switched to similac which she did very well on. emotionally, it was very hard for me because i felt like i was a failure, etc, but i got over it. so don't beat yourself up over it if it isnt meant to be, fyi.

here's a tip for ladies thinking about formula feeding....check out your local wholesale clubs (bj's, costco, sam's, etc) to see what brand of formula they carry. if your LO doesn't have reflux/allergy issues, you have the choice to start them on whatever kind, and the savings really adds up if you can get the formula at a wholesale club. BJ's carries similac, and we saved SO MUCH $$ by getting it there versus the grocery store, combined with coupons. the same goes for diapers...not all wholesale stores carry pampers, huggies, etc.

good luck!

rorygirl218 · February 2010

we did both bf and ff and i did not buy and formula ahead of time. the hospital gave us enough for about 2 weeks.

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