Moms Planning to Breastfeed

AnnieRoo13 · October 2014

The question is formula- to have some on hand or no? I have read several times that it's good to have on hand in an emergency, but I have also read that if you have it in the house you're more likely give up when breastfeeding gets tough. DH thinks we should have some in case of the apocalypse (I guess he's thinking I might not be tough enough to survive a zombie attack?), but I don't see the need.

What are you ladies planning on doing?

mslynn2012 · October 2014

Didn't have any on hand last time,
Don't plan on having it on hand this time.

In an er, I'm sure we can run to CVS or something at anytime of day/night. Plus that stuff is $$$ and expires - and I'm cheap!

Dimples0101 · October 2014

I didn't feel more inclined to give formula by having it in the house. That being said, we needed to supplement in the beginning because DD wasn't gaining like her pedi wanted her to, so on the way home from that appt, we just stopped by the store and grabbed some. We only needed to use it for about a week, if that. Point being, although I don't see the connection between having it on hand and stopping breast-feeding, I also don't see a reason to buy it/have it in the house unless you need to use it.

terberell · October 2014

I had the same thought process - I am planning to breastfeed but I picked up a small case of the Enfamil ready to feed formula just in case. I don't plan to use it but at the thought of some unforeseen circumstance preventing me from breastfeeding, it gives me piece of mind to have on hand - just in case! I'm a FTM though so I have no idea if this is what other moms do...

AnnieRoo13 · October 2014

BUT WHAT ABOUT AN APOCALYPSE!??

In all seriousness, I got a full sized sample from Nestle along with a package of newborn size Huggies and some coupons and I want to give the formula to my friend who uses that brand, but I'm not sure whether to hang onto it or not.

lovingaddi · October 2014

No, I feel like having it will only make me more likely to use it (ie if we have any issues) vs fighting to continue to EBF. Plus it would be a few minute trip down the road to the store if it HAD to come to that.

Side note: I tried to bf my first & only lasted 6 weeks, however, I didn't have any on hand with her either. This time I'm just nervous about failing so keeping it out of the house will be better for my personal situation.

abbyful · October 2014

I vote "no". It would have made it too easy to give up for me (the first couple weeks sucked). Instead, I made myself take the mindset "this (breastfeeding) is how baby eats, period!". I pretended that formula didn't even exist.

I breastfed DS for over a year, he never got formula.

JFH2010 · October 2014

I was glad I had it last time. I wasn't planning to, but we had a free sample that I just stuck in a cupboard. Without going into details, the night came when I was really glad we had it without having to make a late-night trip to the store. But I was committed to bf-ing, and having formula around didn't affect my commitment at all. I didn't have trouble bf-ing and I didn't want to quit, I just needed a sanity break. But since I so rarely used it, this time I'll get the single-serving ones rather than a canister.

AnnieRoo13 · October 2014

abbyful said:

I vote "no". It would have made it too easy to give up for me (the first couple weeks sucked). Instead, I made myself take the mindset "this (breastfeeding) is how baby eats, period!". I pretended that formula didn't even exist. I breastfed DS for over a year, he never got formula.

This is what I'm thinking. I don't want it to be an option unless it really is the last resort. I feel like having it in the house will be too easy at 2 am when my nipples hurt and LO won't stop crying and I feel like nothing is working.

absolutelymaybe · October 2014

I would say if you live in the middle of nowhere with no 24-hour grocers, maybe have a can on hand just in case?

Otherwise I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to send someone to pick up in case of an emergency.

mb314 · October 2014

mslynn2012 said:

Didn't have any on hand last time, Don't plan on having it on hand this time. In an er, I'm sure we can run to CVS or something at anytime of day/night. Plus that stuff is $$$ and expires - and I'm cheap!

This. Before trying formula, I would consult with my pediatrician and/ or lactation consultant to see if it can be avoided. It is unlikely that you will need emergency formula unless you live really far from a grocery or drug store. Don't waste your money until you know you need it.

howin23 · October 2014

I got a big box free so am keeping that on hand. I don't plan to use it, but if a circumstance arises that precludes me from breastfeeding, chances are it will be a bad enough circumstance that hubby won't want to have to run to the store.

Then again, if it's really, really bad, hubby will likely be visiting me in the hospital and I'm sure they'll have formula there.

AnnieRoo13 · October 2014

WildFlower810 said:

@AnnieRoo13 - In the case of an apocalypse there will probably be a shortage of clean drinking water and so bfing will be a safer and more reliable way to feed your kid than mixing up formula. True story.

I agree! Maybe DH is worried I might die? That's really the only scenario that I can see where he would need formula- if I'm not around.

mamatohne · October 2014

I'm a not strong willed enough to have it and not use it in those "middle of the night dh better do his part or I'm going to kill him" moments. I won't have any on hand.

CPM13 · October 2014

We supplemented with DD during her 2nd week of life (she wasn't gaining weight fast enough- turned out my milk just took forever to come in) I'm assuming there might be a similar issue this time but I didn't buy any. I did, however, send away for some free samples just in case.

HappyToBeHere · October 2014

Good thread - I'm interested in this as well, since I haven't planned on having any on hand at all. I am just sort of assuming that the nurses/LCs will be able to tell me if I should be supplementing, and then we'll go from there!

sweetbabyrahe · October 2014

We got a few free samples that I kept with DS just in case. I was pretty firm about bf so I never felt tempted to use them or give up. I just liked having all my bases covered

jac409 · October 2014

Last time I had some free samples that I kept on hand. I needed it for the first week or so last time, so I was glad I had it. It didn't affect my willpower to keep breastfeeding at all. I was determined to use as little of it as possible, and most of what I had ended up in the garbage because it expired. I have some free samples this time too, so I won't buy any. I will keep what I have around though.

wildflower75 · October 2014

Don't plan on getting any.
I didn't have any when DD was born.

hellosweety18 · October 2014

I had gotten a few free sample last time and so we had some formula in the house and it really didn't ever tempt me; I guess I didn't even think about it! But that being said we also didn't go and buy any...

Stephaniegiboney · October 2014

The hospital sent me home with a couple of cans last week.They are shoved back in a cabinet, and though breastfeeding gets tough at times, I haven't considered using it!

KMW08 · October 2014

I have an enfamil sign up thing that will send a free sample & coupons. I figure I'll sign up, hold onto the sample for a while JIC. I plan on giving whatever enfamil sends to my BIL since they formula feed only.

brooklyngirl18 · October 2014

i actually just came across a sample can i was given at some point and contemplated what to do with it. i figured since i already have it, i'll keep it for a while just in case and then donate it but no sense in giving it away in case breastfeeding doesn't go as planned. i don't really see having formula stashed away somewhere inhibiting my dedication to breastfeeding.

ccam · October 2014

The hospital sent me home with a few premixed bottles just in case but I was also supplementing because DS lost so much weight.

maebee87 · October 2014

I really hope to breast feed. As for formula, my MIL took it upon herself over the last 3 months to get samples and buy formula when on sale. She recently dropped off an entire storage bin of formula. It is at least 40 pounds. All Enfamil, powders, instant the whole sha-bang. So I guess it will be in the house if I need it. Hopefully the baby likes it if I need it.

turtles7 · October 2014

I wasn't planning to. Enfamil mailed a variety sample pack so I'll have that on hand in case breastfeeding doesn't work out.

PennyLane26 · October 2014

I didn't have any on hand with my first, but definitely will for this LO. I had complications and DD needed to supplement. Luckily, when I was re-admitted (DD was 5 days old), the hospital gave us some free samples. I breastfed until 7 months, but occasionally used formula since day 5.

I will purchase the ready to drink Enfamil nursettes just in case!

tamarnina · October 2014

I keep getting samples in the mail and from my doctor, so I will keep those around. I am not planning on buying any unless I need it.

Carebella · October 2014

I'd read the same thing about having some on hand in case of emergency and asked about it at the midwifery center. They figure that with us going in for the 2-day follow up, if we are having trouble, then at that time they would give us a prescription for donor milk, which is what I'd prefer to do over formula anyway. I figure we can handle two days and like PP have said, 24 hour stores that sell formula are pretty easy to find these days if we really have an emergency.

alysonmh · October 2014

No formula in the house for us. I don't want me or my husband to be tempted to touch the stuff in a moment of weakness. Though I highly doubt having it in a cabinet somewhere would make me waiver in my decision to breastfeed even for one feeding, exhaustion can make you do crazy things.

Curlyfries851 · October 2014

I think it depends on how much resolve you have. I have stocked up on samples just in case; but I am stubborn and am confident that I won't crack and use it unless my doctor recommends and I have supply issues. Like @kyliedaniellexx‌ I plan on donating said samples at Christmas so long as everything is working out alright with my BFing

tinkerbell1658 · October 2014

Its just me and ds so nobody to make a late night run unless i feel itd be fun with a 4.5 yr old and a newborn. Lol i have samples on hand like i did with ds. I did top him off with some around 2 months and he had one bottle a day at daycare. I breastfed him past 2yrs so i think ill be fine. Id rather have if jic and i like the idea of donating around christmas.

wallygirl · October 2014

We actually got some samples in the mail over the weekend. I will hold on to them for the time being, but I have no plans to use them. I will make sure everything goes as planned and then donate them.

jessa1228 · October 2014

Add me to the "holding on to samples just in case" camp.

@Econosaurus, I'm dying at "hardcore lactivist".

)

lizzielu82 · October 2014

Great thread @AnnieRoo13! Interesting to read everyone's opinions on this as I was wondering myself, too.

Also, to elaborate on @WildFlower810's point, if we're basing this on a zombie apocalypse, clean water should be available. Evidence is Judith, the baby featured on The Walking Dead who is formula fed and looks to be doing pretty well (all things considered).

justjinny · October 2014

Even though I plan on breastfeeding, I'm going to be realistic and expect to still give some formula or pumped milk in bottles. We'll have formula in the house since DS is still taking some each day. We were given a pack of liquid formula when we left the hospital with him and also our pediatrician gave us a ton of samples at his 2-day check up (like easily 2 weeks worth of powdered formula). It doesn't hurt to ask if you can to take some samples home with you. It's also good to have a few types since some babies don't do well on certain brands.

Alid86 · October 2014

With dd I had a couple free samples that were shipped to me because I must have signed up somewhere (don't remember) and never did end up needing them. I'm probably not going to worry about having any on hand as like PP's said it's easy to grab if need be

kayd8 · October 2014

Is having formula but not washing bottles the same as not having formula?

I have samples from OB and newborn care class, but I put them in the high shelf of the closet and haven't told my husband where they are.

Our friend had issues with her second child, and the LC she worked with then encouraged them to have formula on hand in case of screaming, inconsolable hungry child. We live close to 24 drug stores, but don't think a 20 minute roundtrip by someone possibly on sleeping pills is a good idea. I'll keep my secret stash.

JFH2010 · October 2014

bloomraiser said:

Sending DH out to a 24hr CVS is not a good back up plan.

Yeah, I agree with this, about so many things. Before having DS I always thought, oh, he can just run out to the store to get what we need, or if it's not an emergency, that's what Amazon Prime is for!

This time I'm preparing as if the apocalypse if coming. If I'm overprepared I'll probably have a super easy baby, right??

hiketheworld · October 2014

Like others, I have a few free samples that I'm keeping on hand in case of an emergency.

aa98 · October 2014

I have quite a few samples for some reason and I plan to hold on to them though not in the house, down in the storage unit so it's not super easy to access. I plan on donating all of it once I've established BF. PPs, donating during the holidays is a great idea! I have to double check all the expiration dates before I pack it all away.

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