For all the formula feeding mums.
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30486
Printed Date: 30 August 2025 at 2:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: For all the formula feeding mums.
Posted By: RuthyH
Subject: For all the formula feeding mums.
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 1:08pm
|
I want to put out a post for those of us Mums who, for whatever reason, have decided to formula feed their babies.
I have just come away from the Doctor's where yet another health professional has let me know through offhand comments just how bad a mum I am for formula feeding my baby. Why do health professionals have to make it so hard? Isn't being a Mum hard enough already? I know and believe that breast feeding is great for babies. I did it for 8 weeks and then circumstances meant I gave it up. It was sad, and I get guilty days about it but I also know why I did it and how much happier both me and my baby are now. Occasionally me and the other formula-feeding mums from my ante-natal class admit to each other what a godsend it has been. It seems ridiculous that we have to have this conversation secretly. One of us got bad mastitis, one had a very colicky baby who wouldn't breastfeed and I got postnatal depression that stopped me sleeping for days and diminished my milk supply. In hospital my ravenous 10.2lb newborn son was crying all night because my milk hadn't come in. The midwife evidently was not allowed to offer me formula but told me that if i insisted on it, and signed a form she could give him a little. 5 mils later we were all happy and sleeping. Although I was made to feel as though I'd just given my baby illegal drugs. Where do they teach health professionals to be so good at making mums feel guilty? I know new Mums who had a desperately hard time establishing breastfeeding, whose agony was made 10 times worse by midwives who made them feel that they didn't love their babies if they gave them formula. As you can tell this all makes me furious. Maybe the belief is that in another time and place formula feeding would not have been an option, so we should all be able to breastfeed our babies now. But that's a stupid argument because in another time and place lots more babies would have died - some wouldn't have made it in to the world at all. We are lucky to have the choices we have these days to make life better for our babies and ourselves. I agree that we should be informed and helped with breastfeeding, just as we are about vaccinating - another tough decision for mums. But once we've made our decisions can't we all just be nice to each other and respect each other's choices? |
Replies:
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 2:00pm
|
I COMPLETELY agree. I am with you 100% here here
Also- in the 'old days' your sister or mother or cousin or next door neighbour wouldve done it instead- been a wet nurse. Not being able to BF for whatever reason is no new concept. I call them Lactivists... very insensitive bunch they can be (understatment). Not like we dont want to do whats best for everyone.... esp baby. ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 2:04pm
|
the only person who can make you feel guilty for your parenting choices is YOU! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
|
Posted By: Bexee
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 2:19pm
|
Hugs.
I recently switched to FF my 4 month old and can't get over how frowned upon it is etc. The funny thing is, since we made the switch we have both been so much happier. I never imagined doing anything but breastfeeding, but circumstances change, and I don't think people should be judged. |
Posted By: RuthyH
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 3:45pm
|
Lactivists... I like it! The weird thing is when my stepmother had her kids by cesarian that told her that she absolutely could not breast feed and made her use formula! Amazing how trends change. One extreme to the other, hopefully the next trend will be a happy medium.
------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 4:24pm
|
I totally agree. I went through terrible grief went BFing didn't go well for us. We all want to do the best thing for our bubbas.
Laughs as my almost 5 month old DD (weighing 8.3kg) rolls happily around on the floor! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Lulu
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 5:54pm
|
My BFF had to put her formula in a separate fridge to expressed breast milk when she recently gave birth at Auckland Hospital. The fridge for the formula was in a padlocked area, not easily accessable. She was made to feel that her formula could not possibly go along side the breast milk. How ridiculous! ------------- Lou http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
|
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 6:24pm
well thats cause it cant! imagine if they got mixed up. makes sense to me to lock it up - some people will steal anything! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Lulu wrote:Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 6:29pm
|
It's silly how people act over FF. My mum couldn't BF me (I'm 19) as she didn't have enough milk and she ran out by 12weeks, so she had to FF me, even then she was made to feel bad although she sorta couldn't help it!! Part of the problem she thinks is because she had to see La Leche and they made her breastfeed even though she got mastitis which she said was horribly painful!
The lady who took my antenatal said because NZ is part of the world health org. they're not allowed to promote formula feeding or even talk about it! Which she thought was silly as sometimes you simply can't BF. You shouldn't be made to feel bad about FF. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 7:20pm
hmmm- I guess you havent had the same experience. I agree about it being a grieving process- I still get teary about it, as you feel like youve failed as a mother- well I did. and no matter how you try and rationalise it- its an irrational reaction.... your instinct say- BF BF BF and you want to be able to.... but its not always possible. And there should be support for those people, just as there is support for those who can BF. A LOT of support for those who can. And its a ridiculous argument to say "Everyone can BF" because its actually completely untrue. Sorry- not to sound agressive at all... I get quite passionate about this topic. I nearly had post traumatic stress over this. -------------
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 7:30pm
|
My mum couldn't breastfeeed and we turned out alright. Lots of kids who are breastfeed turn out to be little sh*ts. So really, there is more to how a child turns out than just milk.
People should def be more sensitive about it and it should be discussed and information made available, I think it is ridiculous and unfair. Also think that Bizzys comment about noone can make you feel guilty...I don't know that is fair...if people are gonna make negative comments and make you feel bad then I would imagine it would be very hard not to feel bad about yourself. And the truth is that some people out there do actually enjoy saying things to make others feel bad....sad but true. ------------- 
 Oct 11
|
Posted By: BerryBliss
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:14pm
|
I really feel for you ladies that have had negative reactions to FF, i have ended up FF all of my kids for different reasons, going back to full time work was one, my milk never came in and weight gain issues with my last baby, but i have never had anything bad said nor do i get the looks, or maybe i did and i just really didn't care.
All my kids are happy and very healthy, even more so than some fully BF kids, and breast is defanately not best if its going to do your head in and lead to PND or the like (which very nearly happened to me) I'm quite passionate about this as well and don't think others should judge if we FF or BF. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD 1999 DS 2003 DS 2006 DD 2009 |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:26pm
Fully agree. I FF both my boys from birth. Never once have I felt guilty/ashamed etc about my choice. Maybe that because I am 100% confident in my choice so am oblivious to comments and looks. It works for me and my baby anad we are all happy about that. My MW supported me and hospital was fine about it. Both times I have never signed anything. Weird that the formula was made up and in another fridge. I just pressed the bell and mine was brought to me....would love it if I could still get that  -------------  
|
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:55pm
|
Hehe me too Peanut - I loved that part of it all (so much better than pushing a bell for someone to latch a screaming baby onto your boob for it not to work over and over again!)
I think what Bizzy's saying (correct me if I'm wrong Bizzy, I'm sure you will if you see fit  ) is that people can't MAKE you feel bad, even if you do feel bad from the comments they make.
I used to be a lot more sensitive about this topic because I couldn't (and wouldn't, due to breast issues) BF my first born. Because I'd never thought of the possibility of FF it was quite a shock to me that I had to and I had no idea how to do anything (even express first of all until we chose formula). I have had quite a few hurtful comments by older people but I also think if you're already sensitive to it, you pick up on it more (works for people that are so pro BF too - they seem to find all the negative comments easily IYKWIM). This time, I made the choice (well it was made for me, I'd had breast surgery) not to BF and while its been awkward sometimes telling people (you know the people that want to know all the gritty details about how feeding's going, if your nipples hurt etc) that I can't BF, its mostly been fine. I think the big part was my family and mw were 100% behind me and all thought it was the best decision for both me and baby in our circumstances. So I definitely think its how you personally go into it all, its taken me a while to deal with not being able to BF but now I'm quite happy with our decision and stand by it regardless of what people say. |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:56pm
Was posting at the same time Jess, so wrote pretty much what you said 
|
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:07pm
|
I formula fed Caden from 4 weeks old and no one made me feel guilty about it, my Dr never did, and my MW was with me on the decision as it was the right one for me and Caden.
I didnt feel guilty about it, as I could see how much happier he was and cos he was happy I was happy! I wasnt going to let anyone make me feel bad for FF my son, I did what was right for him and i have no regrets. ETA- I am like Peanut, 100% confident with my decision to FF Caden, and was oblivious to any looks/comments ------------- |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:12pm
Toally agreed. I do work in this field and I know without a doubt that any health care professional telling you you are a bad mother for your choice re formula would be severly discplined or sacked, so if thats what they said, you should complain. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 8:36am
|
Kat, I called then breastfeeding nazis!
I don't think anyone actually says "you are a bad mother for formula feeding", least of all health professionals, but it comes through. I think that those of us who really wanted to BF and couldn't for whatever reason, and had to FF are the ones who are most sensitive to looks, comments etc from people. I really wanted to BF and had a whole lot of problems, H had to have formula top ups from day 2 on paed's advice as his blood sugars were dropping rapidly. I felt horrible and guilty, and spent the first 6 weeks in tears and in pain (I had thrush on my nipples and didn't know, I thought I just had cracked nipples and had to persevere). Complete strangers would look me up and down at the supermarket as I was choosing formula, and tell me that I "mustn't give him the bottle". Nurses and drs would ask if H was exclusively BF, and when I said no, there'd be a pause, a look and then "oh. why?" So yeah, I felt incredibly guilty and like people thought I wasn't doing what was best for my baby. The thing that gets me is that people think they have a right to pass judgement without even knowing the person or their particular situation. Every mother only wants what is best for her baby, and people, esp health professionals, friends and family could be less judgemental and more supportive. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 10:23am
surely these type of comments contribute to the alienation and division that so many find... and is a contradiction of this comment:
------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 10:51am
I totally and grudgingly agree.....but wouldnt it be nice if we could blame other people!!!!!
|
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 3:12pm
|
I am so frustrated by this topic.
Everyone obviously has different personal experiences. I understand why people say its all your own fault you feel guilty- because we all have 'control' of our feelings right?? And arent at all affected by what other people say and do right?? (?) Do you really understand how other people can make you feel..... youre at an extremely vunerable time of your life (some of us) Hormones are raging, your feeling low, nothing is working, your boobs are more painful than giving birth, youre sleep deprived and feel like #*^$ and the beautiful concept of BF your child has just dissapeared in a cloud of failure.... Its when you need support the most. Is it really the time to say- "Its your own fault for feeling guilty" Plus its not always parenting choice at all. Sux to have feelings I guess. Stoked some people have had positive FF experiences. I dont care so much now what people think - 6 months down the track- but I remember vividly how it used to make me feel, and I wouldnt wish it on anyone. I could never have imagined myself in this situation, or feeling this strongly... I think you need to have experienced it to understand. (cliche but true) -------------
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: MissAngel
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 4:15pm
|
TBH, I didnt give a monkies uncle wether I could BF or not. If my milk had come in, then I would have fed Thomas that way, but it didnt, so I couldnt. I was another that was 'forced' to keep trying in the hospital. Its funny how they think they know best out of experience. Are you in my body? no you're not so sod off! I remember one MW saying to me after Thomas had latched on properly after hours and hours and hours 'there you go, can you feel the letdown?' I said no, cuz there was nothing there and she got really irate with me.
This time round this baby will be FF only. I'm not going thru all the other BS really. No-one has the right to make you do what you're not comfortable with. Oh oh and they need to have education on what to do in case you have to FF. Yes, breast is best etc etc, but there needs to be that option in antenatal classes to learn about FF! ------------- Alex, Thomas and Lily http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: wellygirl
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 8:34pm
|
I bf for the first few months, and it was never easy - pain, pulling off, expressing issues etc. Since we switched to ff at 4 months things have been much better and I feel more 'bonded' with my DD than ever. She's a healthy baby and happier now than when we bf. I've also had a lot more energy since I stopped.
I can't believe all the guilt and propaganda that I've seen in bf/ff debates. The best bit of parenting advice I've had is: Do what works best for you and your family. |
Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 27 December 2009 at 8:13pm
|
My Mum asked me the other day if I was worried about anything about bubs arriving - the first thing I said was breastfeeding. I think this is because of the pressure that I feel has already been put on me and he isn't even here yet!
The amount of times that I have been asked if I am going to BF is crazy - I am not sure why people are so interested! The comment that got to me the most, was by a supplier at work who I have met once. She said breast was best, which I agreed, but she then went on to say 'it is nature - it HAS to work. Anyone who can't isn't trying hard enough'. Comments like these definitely adds unnecessary pressure and I wish I had told her to butt out! (I was too speechless at the time!). I agree with wellygirl - you just need to do what is right for your family whichever way that works out to be. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: ellabellame
Date Posted: 27 December 2009 at 8:26pm
|
both my babies have been fully breastfed but for me that was just the right choice. i fully believe that there is a place for both BF and FF. it is everyone's personal choice and just like BF mothers want to be able to feel that they can BF whenever, wherever without judgment, FF mothers should be able to feel the exact same. no-one should be judged on how they feed their baby as long as bubs is happy, healthy and loved, THAT is what is important. ------------- |
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 28 December 2009 at 8:08pm
I agree. I co-sleep and am anti vaccination. Of course I come across others who disagree with this style of parenting, but since I don't doubt myself, why should I care if others do? Maybe if I wasn't 100% satisfied with the choices I had made others opinions might affect me. ------------- 
|
Posted By: RoSee
Date Posted: 28 December 2009 at 8:18pm
Hahaha MissAngel lol @ 'are you in my body?' !! That's awesome 
I'm another with VERY strong feelings on this topic... agree with everything KitKat has said. No one should be made to feel bad about choosing to FF... there's really no info out there about it you just get "breast is best" drummed into your head while your pregnant. In many cases I have encountered breast is in no way best, so if it doesn't work for you, just FF! No big deal right?... If only. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
September '11
|
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 28 December 2009 at 8:32pm
I think that is the crux of it though - a lot of mothers who FF don't do it by choice, and therefore they don't feel 100% "satisfied" with their choice, because in essence, they didn't have one. Personally, I'm happy with my choice to FF. I alternated between expressed BM and FF for the first 10 weeks of my girls life so they got the best of both worlds for a wee while, and they've been fully FF since - I just didn't have enough milk for both of them. I didn't really have a choice, but I personally have decided to look at it that they are fed and happy, so who really cares how they are fed. When well-meaning people like my aunt make comments however, about how she is disappointed that the nurses didn't let me keep trying to BF for longer because I surely would have been able to do it, THEN I get mad...like she thinks I didn't try before I make my decision. Lucky for her who had enough milk to feed 3 babies, however I didn't, and that's that. It's comments like that, that make me angry. |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 28 December 2009 at 8:57pm
|
I am intrigued when people say that there is no info out there as I manged to find plenty of info but maybe the difference is that I made the decision before my child arrived so could easily prepare myself but every health professional I have encounter has supported my decision and helped me with info (e.g my MW, antenatal lady, plunket etc).
-------------
|
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 28 December 2009 at 9:00pm
That is a good point minik8e -------------
|
Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 7:25am
|
I agree that there is no info in the hospitals, I read through everything because I was bored and there was nothing on FF whatsoever!
I have to do top ups of formula after each feed - not something I wanted to do but for my son's health I had to. I still beat myself up about it, I hate the looks I 'feel' I get when out and about doing it but I know its probably in my head more than anything. But in saying that, Cam is such a different baby with the top ups, really happy and now putting on weight. So it really can't be that bad. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Jaxnz1
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 9:18am
|
Ahhh such a hot topic this one.
I agree, no info or support for FF babies at all in hospital, but as was said earlier, it's the whole world heath org. standard that 'breast is best', which I agree it is, but when you have a starving baby, surely making sure they are putting on weight is more important! When you're a first time parent and have no idea what you're doing in those first few days you really rely on others advice. It really astounds me the fact that hospital staff would rather you persist in BF'ing than worry about the health and wellbeing of your baby. Mine lost 12% body weight in hospital. My milk didn't come in for 5-6 days, so she was starving and screaming the place down for a couple of days, along with tongue tie, not latching properly etc etc. Took them 3 days to suggest formula top ups. I also felt no 'let down' and have never experienced it. DD was FF 100% from 4 weeks. For me, the support of family and DH has been the most important thing. Yes, I've had a few 'frowning' looks, but from people who have never had problems with Bf'ing. I look back on the first 3 weeks and yes I felt really bad and guilty, but wouldn't change anything now. You really have to do what's best and bugger what anyone else says or thinks. With no.2 I will definitely give BF'ing another go and will probably persist longer, but if it's not working then I won't feel bad about going to the bottle. ------------- 
|
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 9:27am
|
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. -------------
|
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 9:32am
I had an opposite experience with formula. The pead at waikato hospitial gave DS a bottle at 2days old when I was asleep! Hubby was there and he told me that they didn't so much as ask him if it was okay, but told him. They said he was dehydrated cause my milk hadn't come in (He had plenty of colostrum) In actual fact he was just slightly overdressed. -------------
|
Posted By: ButterflyMum
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 9:35am
|
See I really don't get it I have done both a never felt bad about any of it at the end of the day when your baby is 5 no one give a snot how he /she was feed I agree with Bizzy often it is our own feelings' not nessarily he comment's of other that upset us. I have never had a neg commnet about ff ever. I BF my first for 4 weeks hated every min so bought powder that was that. My second was 8 weeks got post natal so switched to ff no big deal he was better I was better. my 3rd I never thought I would feed for as long as I did in fact I bought the formula intending on using it and feed her till 5 month's. So this time round what ever happen's is fine. I guess I would have thought as far as making up formula most of the tin's etc tell you exactly what to do so I don't get the problem with lack of info. -------------  
 
|
Posted By: ButterflyMum
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 9:42am
Oh and calling people names like this is awful I mean really how dare you compare people who do their job to people who killed thousands of people its not teh same and so totally insenstive to the people who were affected by waht the Nazi's did. I think those kid of comments are jsut totally uncalled for. -------------
|
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 11:05am
|
Golly - I'm glad I didn't come across any of those midwives when struggling (ultimately unsuccessfully) to establish breastfeeding with DS I was never made to feel that I didn't love my baby because I fed him formula, but I did suffer from feelings of guilt and failure for months following his birth. I think it is different when you have your heart set of BFing and, for whatever reason, it doesn't work out. Being unable to succeed at something that seems to come so naturally for so many other mothers is a bitter pill to swallow - for me it was heartbreaking. It feels like I've missed out on an experience that can never be recreated (although I'm determined to try BFing this baby when she arrives). I was sometimes jealous of the special bond I observed between other BFing Mums and their babies - these emotions often triggered again my feelings of personal failure, just when I thought I'd finally dealt with them. And yes Bizzy, I really only have myself to blame for the feelings of guilt I suffered - if only I'd tried harder, been better prepared, organised to have more support people around me when I first got home from hospital etc etc. But I also felt guilty for letting down the people who tried to help me the most - my DH, LMC and backup midwife, lactation consultant, the various hospital midwives and nurses, and the wonderful woman who donated EBM for 11 weeks while I continued to try to establish BFing at home. They gave me so much of their time, energy and love .... it made the decision to switch to 100% formula even more awful - as if I was finally admitting to being a complete and utter failure. So I guess in a way those people did contribute to my feelings of guilt, but I've always known that this was never their intention. I won't hesitate to ask these same people for their help and support with baby number 2, but hopefully this time around I'll be better emotional state of mind if things turn out pear-shaped again. |
. In the 6 days I was in hospital I received nothing but support from all the midwives and nurses who helped me try to latch DS, learn how to express and feed him both EBM & formula via tube/cup etc to keep him alive. On the last day, when we'd made the decision to bottle feed him both EBM and formula and continue trying to latch him on our own, I asked if there was any info on safe bottle feeding and a nurse gave me a leaflet about it. The trick is, you have to be the one to ask - they can't just offer it to you.Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 11:46am
Just what did you fail at? Feeding your child? Giving him the love he deserved? Protecting him? As for the whole "breastfeeding nazi" thing....I agree that it is NOT a nice term, however I think it is meant in the terms that nazis believed that only one race was "right" and "breastfeeding nazis" believe that only breastfeeding is "right" and that if you don't, you're either a) not trying hard enough or b) you're setting your child up for a life of abuse. So the term fits, even though it isn't nice (and I can't say I have ever used it). |
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 1:37pm
|
Nope, none of those things - just being able to BF naturally (I'd wanted that soooooooo much) |
Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 2:19pm
Was this when she was firstborn? I think most people have NO idea how small a newborns stomach is so they see a formula tin recommending say 20ml and that is WAY bigger than their stomach actually is when they are born. At a day old a baby's tummy is 5ml MAX, at 1 week it can hold between 45-60ml and at one month between 80-150ml. I have read some of the amounts on formula tins for a one week old baby and some of them have you offering as much as 120ml, with about an average of 80ml. So for a day old baby a midwife would be accurate in saying that a baby probably only needs 5ml every couple of hours cause that is all their stomach is actually capable of holding. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 3:43pm
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. -------------
|
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 3:52pm
|
i haven tread everything but when i had to give E formula in the hospital i was made to feel like i was poisoning him...even Dh felt that way and he never stresses over anything really..we have to sign a bright form that was then left with him..it was awful./...having said that the mw was brilliant about it.. we were allowed info at AN but only if we asked after class.. but i found some anyway when i needed it (he ended up on neocate at 10 weeks)
I felt like a failure...well no that's not true..other people made me feel that way last time but this time it won't happen if i FF then that's what happens and noone will make me feel bad..esp at the hospital where i will be standing up for us this time:) it was the hospital mw's who made it seem like formula was he worst thing i could do(CWH) and my mw (backup) stepped in and got us some formula) ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 4:04pm
| 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. |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 30 December 2009 at 11:11am
Very true Jess. We just stuck with Karicare in the end because it's what they were on, and they were fine with it. It took us 4 different types of teats to find one that the girls could work with though, and now we have to go through it again with the next flow 
|
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 30 December 2009 at 5:16pm
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 -------------
|
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 31 December 2009 at 1:12pm
|
Jess, obviously NSh let you down and I am sorry for that but there is def info out there and most people are supportive of bottle feeders. I am sorry you had the experience you did with the people involved but there is honestly info out there and Kellie has made some really valid points. -------------
|
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 31 December 2009 at 7:39pm
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 
-------------
|
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 31 December 2009 at 8:46pm
|
Info, and support are 2 very different things.
Jezsika- I have heard of this happening to others too. I cant believe it happens. You poor thing... and bubs too. On a totally side note- My mum was a mw YONKS ago and she said they used to give babies glucose for the first 12 hrs to 'flush' them out. It was the way it was done back in the 70s. Along with aenemas and a complimentary shave on arrival- -------------
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: oscarboo
Date Posted: 01 January 2010 at 8:22pm
|
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. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  
|