OT: Formula Packaging

[DISNEYFOS]

Thanks so much ladies for all the support and experiences. I am definately taking the package back and Ill be sure to ask for some at the hospital. We have already met with our pediatrician and talked with him about breastfeeding and formula feeding options because I am a nurse and I work 12 hour shifts at a very busy urgent care center. I am taking 10 weeks maternity leave and plan to breastfeed soley for the first 8 weeks. It has been suggested by the pediatrician that at 8 weeks we alternate formula and breastfeeding sessions so that her belly gets used to the formula without going cold turkey from breastmilk. Then after she gets used to it we will be doing all formula. Orginially I wanted to pump at work but there is no way I can stop to pump in the environment I work in. Anyone else ever eased into formula feeding like it has been suggested to me? How did it go?

I wean'd my 2nd DD off breastfeeding at about that time. I started replacing one feeding with a bottle. We even pumped and mix half and half with formula to it doesn't taste so different, eventually moving over to full formula. It went fine. She loved the stuff. She sometimes got confused latching on after the bottle feeding because the bottle is so much easier to do for them...but pretty soon she was handling both with ease...and we just moved to full formula after a week or so.

You might want to wait to purchase the formula like others have said..the Hospital can give you a bunch...and she might not digest the milk one well. We ended up on a Hypoallergenic one for a while. Its kind of a play it by ear thing.

I exclusively pumped for my 1st DD for about 6 months. I got to a point where I could pump two- 8 oz bottles during one pumping session (15 mins or so). I just say that in case you were interested..You can really manipulate the whole supply and demand thing to fit a schedule.

I'm all about what works for each situation. Good luck! and Congrats!

 

[Bugsmom73]

I just wanted to write in about your worries regarding breastfeeding. I know this is not what you asked and I hope it is OK.

It is normal to worry, but just like your body is directing resources to the baby without your having to micromanage while you are pregnant, the same thing will happen with breastfeeding. Just nurse the baby early and often. That is what tells your body to produce milk. Make sure the baby's mouth is open wide like a yawn to get a good latch. Keep track of your milk supply by whether your baby is producing wet and poopy diapers and gaining weight. That is the key, not things like whether you are able to pump milk or how full you feel or how long the baby spends feeding or if the baby will take a bottle if you offer it.

Congratulations and best wishes!

I agree with this and yes the formula should have a seal on it and be nearly full.

 

[Bugsmom73]

FWIW, I was nurse working 8-12 hours shifts in PACU when DD was an infant, and she refused a bottle, and formula. I was able to pump. Furthermore, your hospital should have a place for you, and also you should have the right to pump.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

No experience bf'ing so I can't comment there.

However!!! I'd first call Enfamil. The retailer needs to be followed up on in this case. It sounds as if someone returned the can to the store and it was re-shelved.

 

[TravelingwithKids]

Definitely take the formula back, but hold off on purchasing more yourself. As PPs have written, you should get a decent supply from the hospital to take home. Also, when I went for a mtg with the pediatrician before DD was born, he gave a bag with a decent sized sample. I also got coupons/checks from the formula companies for several months after both of my children were born.

DD had problems gaining weight from BFing when she was first born. When we went for our two week appt. she hadn't regained her birthweight. I didn't have a lot of support and went along with the peds. instructions that every time I BF, give her an ounce of formula afterward, and then pump after BFing to try and increase supply. I met with a lactation specialist, rented a scale so that I could weigh her before and after feeding to see how much she was taking in, and read through any literature I could find. In the end, I almost lost my mind and was stuck in the house, feeding, making formula, weighing and pumping in a neverending cycle. After about a week of this, I decided I'd had enough, and that the only way to get us back on track would be to put all of the the stuff away. I tried my best to stay on a consistent nursing schedule, stopped the supplementation and extra pumping, and at our next appointment she her weight was fine. As it turned out, DD just wasn't a big eater (at 3, food is still the lowest of her priorities) and she BF for a year.

Anyway, just don't get too caught up in things, and surround yourself with lots of support. Don't let family/friends get to you when they try to suggest (thinking that they're being helpful) that 'maybe he/she is crying because they're still hungry' or 'maybe you should try a bottle.' People don't realize that saying things like this are not at all helpful and make you start doubting yourself, so just be prepared to block the comments out if necessary.

On the other hand, DS nursed like a champ, and weight gain was never an issue. Each baby is definitely different, and you have to just do the best you can to keep your sanity and meet the needs of your baby. Best of luck, and lots of happiness!!

 

[SarahKate]

The original poster was asking about formula, not about whether or not she should breastfeed.

I think we ALL know that breastfeeding is the best nutrition for baby.

Original poster - please, please, please don't let yourself feel guilty if things don't work out or maybe YOU make the decision to stop. I was one who did NOT have an adequate supply and I went through many a sleepless nite and so much frustration. People were making me feel GUILTY for not pushing it harder and it took me a while to get over that. There ARE situations where it just doesn't work out.

My daughter is now 5.5 years old. She is healthy as a horse, very intelligent, rarely gets sick, and has had a very occasional ear infection.

 

[PebblesMom]

I just had my DS 9 weeks ago, and for the first 4 weeks we struggled with breastfeeding. I wanted to breastfeed more than anything, and I had met with a lactation consultant, bought all of the books I could find on BFeeding, turned down the formula samples at our labor/delivery classes, and was offended when I got bottles at my baby shower. The first few days went well, then I started to bleed. The doctor did not want it to develop into an infection so she told me to go ahead and pump and supplement with formula. My DS also had issues with latching on, and my milk supply was never great. The doctor recommended that we try medication to increase my milk supply, I believe the name of it is reglan (sp)?, but with all of the other issues we decided to go with formula, and our doctor said that the most important things he can get from breastfeeding he got in the first month. I felt like a failure not being able to BF, and on top of that I felt awful because I did not know what kind of formula was best to feed him, how much or how often he should eat, because I was so focused on breastfeeding, that I had only paid attention to the info. for a breast fed baby, so even if you are going breast feed I think it is a great idea to have a back up plan (having some formula on hand).