Any other Non-Breastfeeding Moms?

deanna5776 · March 2014

Hey Everyone,

(FIRST PLEASE DONT JUDGE ME I HAVE HAD ENOUGH WITH THAT)

Just wondering if anyone else is planning on formula feeding. I went to my class at the hospital this past weekend and we made to feel horrible for asking what kind of formula the hospital provided. I finally got Similac out of her but it was like pulling teeth. They also do not supply pacifers which annoys me as well.

Just wondering what everyone else who is formula feeds plan of attack is. Are you buying formula before arriving home or waiting to see how it goes????

any info from formula feeders would be great

deanna

runningyogimama · March 2014

I plan to attempt BFing again with this LO, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it not working or feel guilty for supplementing if need be. I just have the samples from my OB's office right now (similac and Gerber), but if we stick with formula at all, I'll probably use Target brand again, as long as it agrees with LO. I wouldn't stock up on any one brand or type of brand, though, since you'll never know what will or won't work for baby. I would sign up with similac and enfamil online so they'll send you samples and coupons.

That's annoying your hospital won't even provide pacifiers! If it wasn't for my hospital providing a MAM pacifier, I have no idea how long it would have taken us to figure out that that's the ont brand DD would ever even take!

Mittens14 · March 2014

We're formula feeders With DS the hospital offered Similac. He did fine on Similac for the first couple of weeks but it takes a while for the little ones digestive systems to really work themselves out, so when he was about 5 weeks old he started having some issues with Similac so we switched to Enfamil, gave that a week or so with no improvement and then the pedi recommended Enfamil Gentlease and he did great with that one. He stayed on that straight up until his first birthday when we began introducing regular milk.

I would suggest not stocking up on anything, just have some formula at home and see how it goes. You could end up like us and have to try a few different types of formula before you find the right one. If you do decide to buy a lot ahead of time make sure you can return it if you can't use it. It's very expensive and you don't want to waste the $$. Also, it's not recommended (at least by our pediatrician) to switch frequently, and you need to give each formula a period of 5-7 days to see if it works for your little one, so I wouldn't bounce around from formula to formula either. If the similac from the hospital works for you just stick with that

awc1986 · March 2014

I'm going to attempt to BF, but I'll be armed with formula just incase. My mama couldn't BF me and I have the feeling I may have similar difficulties, as I had an operation on my chest as a newborn, which sliced right across my left nipple.
I plan to take a few small cartons of pre-made formula to the hospital, along with a couple of bottles. If it looks like that's the way to go then DH can pick up some powder.
As long as baby is fed and well, then I don't think anyone has the right to judge how its done.

LLolaBean · March 2014

If BF doesn't work out we will use Target brand. They have several kinds based on baby's needs and are SO much less expensive than name brand. All formula is FDA regulated, name brand or not.

Divine0chaos · March 2014

Like some pp I plan on breastfeeding however if I have the same issue I had with my son ill make the switch to formula. I fought tooth and nail to breastfeed including taking a very dangerous medication. Looking back I realize that because of all the stress to breastfeed I didn't enjoy my baby as much. I have a target coupon for some enfamil buy one get one. I plan on having that one hand but I won't stok up. Even if I was strictly formula feeding I wouldn't stock up because you can run into issue with lo not likening one formula over another.

cnbean · March 2014

I plan to BF while in the hospital so that at least baby gets the colostrum. After that I'll play it by ear. If we end up FF I'll be using the costco formula from the get go this time. With my DS I switched between several types because I had samples and it caused him some tummy upset. Once we settled into one formula that kinda worked itself out.

rainydayluck · March 2014

DD was formula fed from day one and so will this baby. I made the mistake of buying formula before she was born and due to complications she was born at 36 weeks and had to be put on preemie/high calorie formula. Similar complications are arising with this baby and I put in a call to my pediatrician. She said I could get some Enfamil newborn and the baby would use it at some point, but unless the baby is preterm again or very low birth weight, we won't do the high calorie formula.

I know my situation is not the norm, but I would still avoid buying a bunch or any. At my hospital they gave us a bunch of ready to drink formula when we went home. The pedi also gave us a bunch.

DD later had to be put on Enfamil AR, so the formula thing can change at any time depending on the baby.

One thing that I experienced, which I don't know if this is typical, the nurse gave DD her first meal/bottle. At the time I didn't really think about it, but now I am annoyed that simply because I chose to FF, DH or myself were not allowed or able to feed our child's first meal. I will definitely be making sure that doesn't happen this time.

keeumm · March 2014

FTM. Am planning on trying out BF, but have seen too many close friends/family beat themselves up for not being successful at it, so I'm hoping to be friendlier on myself. I appreciate the suggestions from PP about trying out different formulas rather than stocking up.

jsaffer01 · March 2014

I'm a FTM and I plan on formula feeding from day one. My docs office is going to give me samples so I'll see what brand are those, and also try others just to find out what baby likes best.

The hospital I'll be delivering at prefer breastfeeding, but as long as I stick to my guns and keep telling them I strictly want to formula feed they will stop pushing the subject.

I've been getting a lot of talk about breastfeeding from a lot of people, and I listen to them, but again just tell them it's not for me.

artichoken · March 2014

Finding the right formula that works with your baby is like finding a needle in a hay stack..don't stock up on one kind right away.

princesscays · March 2014

I tried it w my daughter but due to very low milk supply I couldn't carry on.
Either way, i am so happy to not have the pressure to try this time. My daughter is 3 and is extremely healthy and advanced for her class and had to be moved up to the next age group. I know there are benefits but I was happy w formula and I love the flexibility. There was 0 flexibility when I tried nursing. ESP because I wasn't making much milk.

Good luck and don't fret. And yes they will still continue hound you about it. Do what u want! Its your baby and he/she will be perfect w or wo breast milk.

danabsd · March 2014

One thing that I experienced, which I don't know if this is typical, the nurse gave DD her first meal/bottle. At the time I didn't really think about it, but now I am annoyed that simply because I chose to FF, DH or myself were not allowed or able to feed our child's first meal. I will definitely be making sure that doesn't happen this time.

They did the same thing with my second nephew. I don't think SIL knew to ask about it because she tried BFing her first.

nickinbrandon · March 2014

With my first I knew I only wanted to use formula, the thought of breastfeeding terrified me

we used the pre made bottles of enfamil newborn, they worked great especially for nighttime feelings since we just had to screw a nipple cap on them. With this baby I'm more open to breastfeeding but will have some formula on hand to supplement if needed or as a backup

MrsT2008 · March 2014

You can go to the different formula brand websites and sign up for free samples. I had a couple small cans of Enfamil and Similac that I got that way when I was pregnant with DD.

amroke · March 2014

We went through a bunch of different formulas with my son before we found the one that worked for him.

deanna5776 · March 2014

Thanks everyone so glad to see I am not alone in this!!!!!!! Great advice and I am signing up for samples right now!!!!! Deanna

PrincessJess19 · March 2014

Due to my own medical issues, I can't BF. My son struggled with lactose intolerance, which we didn't know until his blood sugar dropped and he almost ended up in NICU.
Point is, we'll be waiting this time until we know tolerance for sure. Also, don't be afraid of generics that are the same version as name-brand( or to switch from the hospital's brand). They can be much cheaper. To switch, I just mixed a little old formula with a little new formula until it was just the new stuff. Good luck!

jenb_99 · March 2014

I plan on FF. Probably not exclusively at first, since I do want to give BF a second chance, but I will certainly supplement. I keep expecting samples to start rolling in at any minute like they did last time since I re-enrolled in the Similac and Enfamil clubs, but I haven't seen any yet. I'll probably grab a big can of generic formula from Walmart or Costco before the baby gets here, even though I know our hospital will provide us with Similac if we ask for it.

I'm a huge fan of generic formula. All store-brand formula is made by the same company (Perrigo), and every version uses the same recipe. So the gentle formula at Sam's Club is the same as the gentle formula at Walgreen's, etc., and advantage/premium formula stands in for both Enfamil and Similac across all stores.

ho11yday · March 2014

I plan to BF but if things don't go right, I'm open (moreso now than with DS1) to FFing.

We've received coupons from enfamil, which will expire at the end of April. We'll be using those and thus stocking up a couple of cans.

oscarwao · March 2014

jenb_99 said:

I plan on FF. Probably not exclusively at first, since I do want to give BF a second chance, but I will certainly supplement. I keep expecting samples to start rolling in at any minute like they did last time since I re-enrolled in the Similac and Enfamil clubs, but I haven't seen any yet. I'll probably grab a big can of generic formula from Walmart or Costco before the baby gets here, even though I know our hospital will provide us with Similac if we ask for it.

I'm a huge fan of generic formula. All store-brand formula is made by the same company (Perrigo), and every version uses the same recipe. So the gentle formula at Sam's Club is the same as the gentle formula at Walgreen's, etc., and advantage/premium formula stands in for both Enfamil and Similac across all stores.

This! I enrolled quite a while ago and have received nothing in the mail. WHERE ARE MY COUPONS?! NESTING MOMMY WANTS TO FINISHING BUYING STUFF!

ABColeslaw · March 2014

I haven't decided yet. I'm sure I will end up formula feeding and I'm telling people that is my plan, but I will prob try to see if we can nurse in the hosp...if it works it works, if not...oh well. I beat myself to hell over my nursing failure with my son and then his allergies. I don't want to go there again.

I've purchased 8 cans of hypoallergenic formula just in case. We'll see how it goes.

Empireceo · March 2014

I'm on the fence. I hated breastfeeding and want to start dieting asap, but feel like I will try again because....? I don't know. As far as formula, I only tried Similac and never switched. Guess I got lucky on the first try.

oscarwao · March 2014

I'll try to BF, but if it is too stressful or difficult I don't have any problem throwing in the towel.

Mimaloo · March 2014

We signed up on the Similac and Enfamil websites for the free samples and so far haven't gotten jack from them other than advertisements and coupons.

However, I did receive a flier in the packet from my new OB's office that has a promo code good for a free case of Enfamil formula. Either the Gentlease, Newborn, or infant. I called for a case to have as an emergency stash (my goal is to EBF) and it came within days. It's a legit, full case of formula.

I'd ask your doctor if they have these. If you can get more than one, awesome! Give it out and have some friends/relatives call for cases as well.

rainydayluck · March 2014

They usually start sending the coupons after baby is born. They start off with huge ones like $15 off and after a few months, they will taper off to like $10, then $5 then like $2.

stephierd81 · March 2014

I'm a FTM and will not be breast feeding for several personal reasons. I don't have much advice but you aren't alone in this. And thanks for asking the question. I've found reading some of the answers helpful.

momthatlifts · March 2014

I'm going to do my be stand if it works out I will try to make it to 6 months. I didn't know this, but I was talking to my mom and apparently me and my oldest sister did not breast feed well. If this baby is anything like that then I may be switching to formula much sooner than I anticipated. Not going to beat myself up

you shouldn't either

deanna5776 · March 2014

I had my. 2 week appt Friday and the midwife calmed my nerves a lot about the hospital and formula.....she told me they will ask once what I plan on doing and shouldn't bother me again and if they do to call her immediately and she will step in.......they do use similac but do not supply pacifiers but I can certainly bring one if I want...... So I am going to get some similar to have at home and hope for the best he isn't to picky lol Thanks again for all your input and help and glad this may have helped others Deanna

ehouston101 · March 2014

I was able to BF with my son. He wouldn't latch and then I dried up after two weeks. I used Enfamil A+ Until we introduced him to whole milk at 8 months. I will try to BF again but I wot beat myself up if my second ends up on Formula as well.

BellaBlues777 · March 2014

stephierd81 said:
I'm a FTM and will not be breast feeding for several personal reasons. I don't have much advice but you aren't alone in this. And thanks for asking the question. I've found reading some of the answers helpful.

This is me as well.

artichoken · March 2014

ehouston101 said:
I was able to BF with my son. He wouldn't latch and then I dried up after two weeks. I used Enfamil A+ Until we introduced him to whole milk at 8 months. I will try to BF again but I wot beat myself up if my second ends up on Formula as well.

Whole milk at 8 months?

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