For all the formula feeding mums.

Jezsika wrote: Kellie wrote: One reason there isn't much info available(apart from the fact that advertising for formula for babies under 6months is illegal), is that formula is a product created by many different companies. There is differing recommended serving sizes, how many scoops to use etc. If say leaflets were going to be distributed, which brand would be favoured? The companies have helpline numbers and informative websites available, and really who else better to help with any questions you have then the manufacturer. Your missing the point... when we talk about "lack of information" We arent asking companies to provide information on formula we are merely asking the NZFS to put out a standard brochure that can be silently handed to a mother with no option left but to FF or even ones that have made the decision themselves to read. Even with information merely stating where they can find the information on the tin, how to sterilise bottles, how many you need, what you need to bottle feed etc and a 0800 number for pple to call if they stress or are concerned about something.

There is a leaflet available that has all that info on it and I was given it both times. With #1 my MW gave it to me when I first said I wasn't BF, then the antenatal leader gave it to me when I explained why I left a session half way thru (she rang me as she thought she had upset me so explained that the second half was on BF and I wasn't doing that), then I had 2 hospital MW's ensure that I had it on Day 1 when they brought me bottles for my son.

The hardest thing I found was I wanted a cahrt to compare formulas and really struggled to find one. I wanted to make an informed decision on what formula but didn't want to spend 2 hours in the supermarket comparing tins

DS #2 was only on about 10mls every 2 hours for the first couple of days.

My MW also gave me the maths formula for working out amounts bubs should be on so I didn't under or over feed.

I guess each hospital is different and I can't speak highly enough about the level of support I have had in ChCh.

I found it very hard choosing what formula, and I asked the nurses in NNU but they couldn't tell me anything. I ended up comparing all the tins, and then just going with Karicare because that's what the girls had in NNU (we weren't even supposed to see the bottles in NNU because they weren't supposed to consistently use 1 brand - they varied between S26 and Karicare). The nurses in NNU were my best thing ever - they aren't so staunch about the breast is best message because they are dealing with babies who do have problems feeding on a regular basis, and they just want them to be healthy and at home instead of in there! They also gave me the calculation for working out how much formula, showed us how to make it up, how to sterilise etc.

Jezsika wrote: Kellie wrote: One reason there isn't much info available(apart from the fact that advertising for formula for babies under 6months is illegal), is that formula is a product created by many different companies. There is differing recommended serving sizes, how many scoops to use etc. If say leaflets were going to be distributed, which brand would be favoured? The companies have helpline numbers and informative websites available, and really who else better to help with any questions you have then the manufacturer. Your missing the point... when we talk about "lack of information" We arent asking companies to provide information on formula we are merely asking the NZFS to put out a standard brochure that can be silently handed to a mother with no option left but to FF or even ones that have made the decision themselves to read. Even with information merely stating where they can find the information on the tin, how to sterilise bottles, how many you need, what you need to bottle feed etc and a 0800 number for pple to call if they stress or are concerned about something. If they needed a brand what about karicare which seems to be in every hospital. And in regards to each brand has different sized scoops yes this is true but how on earth could a midwife get it so very wrong by thinking that 5mls every 2 hours was enough for my daughter?

I didn't miss the point........
If they provided info on Karicare, then they are effectively marketing the product. All the other formula companies would surely fight this positive publicity that a competing brand was getting. From hospitals no less.
And there are brochures available on bottle sterilizing guidelines etc, if you ask.
Nobody is going to let a baby starve.
And no, I am not some anti formula person, I combined from birth. And this is how clueless I was...I didn't even know formula was an option for newborn babies lol

Edited by Kellie

Jeszika, I am really sorry that you had such a horrible experience. It seems like the midwifes/nurses you had were very unaccommodating, and that is not on at all


Edited by Kellie

I was not given a lot of help or support with FF. My milk took a while to come in and it was suggested to top her up which got her use to the fast flow from the teat and after that she refused to feed from me. It was suggested that I constantly express and feed her that but that didn't work either. BF is drummed in everywhere and I felt terrible that I couldn't do it and it was part of what caused my PD. Even at work the other day (I am a kindergarten teacher) we got a brochure to put up about BF and how good it is. A friend of mine also recently had a baby and he was being FF in the hospital cos her milk was taking time to come in and then for 24 hrs they refused to give her formula cos they wanted her to BF him and he was so hungry and wouldn't sleep! She has since gone completely FF and he is a happy contended baby.