What reasons do hospitals suggest formula?

jennyelf · August 2013

A number of my friends have given birth at what is supposed to be a "breast-feeding friendly hospital" but many of them also have had their babies given formula while in the hospital. I haven't asked for details with all of them, but I'm curious. If they're in the hospital for only 48 hours post partum, what could happen in those 48 hours that would cause a doctor or nurse to suggest formula supplements to a mom that is determined to breastfeed? Does anyone have any experience with during their hospital stay that could help me?

I gave birth at a different hospital than all of my friends. Formula was never even mentioned to me once I stated I intended to breastfeed. I feel bad for my friends because I know they really wanted to breastfeed and avoid formula but their babies are given formula in the hospital for one reason or another and most of my friends have also had trouble breastfeeding as well and are either doing half and half or stopped before their original goal.

musicalmama5 · August 2013

I have no idea, but that's sad and I would be pissed!

garzal · August 2013

Our little one was born in a "breastfeeding friendly" hospital. However, he was given formula as per the doctor's orders because he wasn't able to sustain a normal blood sugar level and my milk hadn't come in. I was disappointed this had to happen but in the end, my son's health was more important.

megandscott07 · August 2013

garzal said:
Our little one was born in a "breastfeeding friendly" hospital. However, he was given formula as per the doctor's orders because he wasn't able to sustain a normal blood sugar level and my milk hadn't come in. I was disappointed this had to happen but in the end, my son's health was more important.

This.

kjsmith9 · August 2013

cinciem said:

Add me to the list of those who had to supplement due to high bilirubin levels. In hindsight, I think they were extremely cautious on this and I will fight it this time around if the suggestion is made. My milk wasn't in yet so, they had me feed her, pump for 20 min, feed her what we pumped and they supplement with an oz. it was a nightmare. Every feeding took over an hour and we did it every 3hrs.

By the time we got to the pediatrician (the day after we were released) my milk was fully in and our ped told me to stop supplementing and pumping after every feed. He commented that they were extremely conservative in their treatment and told us to relax and enjoy our healthy baby.

I've read so many comments about people giving formula at the physician's request due to jaundice, and have often wondered what the threshold is for that recommendation.

DD had a bili level of 17.5 on day 3 or 4 (normal is below 12 at that point). She was full term (born at 38 weeks, 5 days), but my milk didn't come in until day 5. The pedi wanted me to keep her in a diaper in front of a sunny window as much as possible, and she had to have another heel prick on day 5 or 6 (at which point her level was in the 15's), but no one ever so much as mentioned formula to supplement. It's just interesting how some practices seem conservative, and some seem liberal... I would think there has to be some research on this topic - and I can't quite understand why they aren't going by that (as long as there aren't other extenuating circumstances, like poor weight gain, etc). There just seems to be SO much variability.

cgregory81 · August 2013

I had complications during my emergency c-section which ended up being 3 hours long. I had GD during pregnancy and so my DS needed to eat to stabilize his blood sugar levels. This seemed acceptable to me.

However my milk didn't come in for 5 days and he'd lost 10% of his weight our nurse our last 2 days started to lose her mind and was all in a panic. She kept talking formula, but thankfully the pedi on staff said she wasn't worried and told the nurse to relax. I was at a hospital that touts being BF-friendly, but I think it can go downhill quickly if you get a caregiver who doesn't trust it.

PipSqueak0313 · August 2013

When ds2 was born they asked me if I wanted to try nursing or have half an ounce of formula given to ds due to his blood sugar levels being low. I chose formula for that feeding and let dh give it to him because I knew I was in no condition to provide him with what he needed at that point. I dont think that small amount of formula had any impact on nursing. All of our feeding issues were related to him having problems sucking on ANY type of nipple in the beginning. When he was readmitted to the hospital at 4 days for high bilirubin levels, dehydration, and low body temp, they inserted a ng tube and fed him whatever bm I could pump and formula. But that was due to the need to get fluids in him since he had not had a wet diaper in a while. I had at least 3 dr ordered lc visits to help with pumping and nursing in ds first 2 weeks. Once ds started gaining weight and we could back off feedings the amount of my supply started being adequate for his appetite so we were able to cut out the formula feedings. I know if I had tried to rely 100 percent on bm during those first two months I would not be nursing today.

rissa06 · August 2013

Mine had trouble breathing and would not latch on.

jennyelf · August 2013

Thank you everyone who responded! This is very informative and helps me a lot to understand what and why it happens.

opheliainwaders · August 2013

theresat858 said:
Well, if a hospital is giving babies formula without also giving mom a hospital grade pump and instructions on how and when to pump and a consult with an LC, it is def. not a BF-friendly hospital.

Formula was given to my LO in the hospital because of her billi levels (jaundice). They can rise rapidly in the first 24 hours after a baby is born under certain circumstances (in our case, it was due to blood type incompatibility between me and my LO).

This was us as well (though a different reason for the jaundice). The hospital stated that they treat formula like medicine in certain cases, but that, like any prescription, the goal is to stop taking it. That made a lot of sense to me, and since without the formula (she needed to increase her food intake to increase pooping and excrete the bilirubin) there was a high likelihood DD would have needed a much more complicated intervention, it was the right choice for us. That said, we worked with an LC who brought a hospital grade pump into the PICU for us, and we only gave formula to make up the difference between what I pumped and 40-50ml. We were totally formula free after about 5 days.

SweetPeaK26 · August 2013

It was never offered to me at mine. I know that they are really supportive of moms who want to bf and just need a little formula till milk comes in. I know everyone says that the colostrum you make is enough, but like so many BFing 'truths', its not the same for everyone and doesn't actually hold true for many. So, I know that when my cousin had a baby, after her baby screamed for 3 hours, the nurse offered formula. 1 oz later baby finally calmed down. A few days later she had enough colostrum and milk that she bfed just fine.

When I had dd2, and I could NOT get her off of me or she'd scream, the LC brought me a manual pump. I used it to help bring in my milk and then things worked fine. No formula was needed.

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