I am going to breastfeed my baby but I am buying formula?

Question

just incase I need it. Can anyone give me their opinion on the different bradns and types of baby formula and what you like/dislike about them? Also-what is your opinion on giving them formula with lots of iron-it has to make their tummy hurt considering the iron prenatal pill hurts mine.

Answer 1

Hold off on buying any formula for now. You will get some at the hospital. Formula companies provide free samples in addition to the hospital providing small bottles of pre-made sealed formula. Everything that is in your baby's bassinet at the hospital, you can take home with you. Once you have signed up for various things such as Lamaze classes, hospital tours, newborn classes, breast-feeding classes, etc., you get put on a lot of lists and will also receive samples of formula in the mail. Plus, you'll get tons of coupons, too. My grandson is 7 weeks old. My daughter is breast-feeding as well. Due to some difficult latching on problems, she used a small amount of formula to drip into his mouth while he was trying to latch on. It worked amazingly well and they learned the technique from the lactation consultant at the hospital. We called it "priming the pump" since he had a hard time getting the idea of what he was supposed to be doing at the breast. A little sucking on the formula got mom's milk flowing. It took about 3 weeks of working at it, but he is a pretty good nurser most of the time now. A few glitches now and again, but nothing they can't work through. Once my daughter's milk was coming in pretty good, she would pump a little after his feedings to put in a bottle to use as the primer instead of the formula. Now she keeps at least 8 ounces pumped and ready in case she wants to go out and leave him with his daddy or she is at a place she knows it will be difficult to nurse. You will find that it will take a good 6-8 weeks to get your milk supply built up pretty good. It is also helpful to know that breast fed babies will commonly go through "cluster feedings" (frequent nursing). This is normal and is designed to adjust your milk supply to your baby's needs. Many moms think the baby being hungry every hour is a sign she isn't making enough milk, however, it is just your baby's way of signaling your body to make more milk. It only lasts a couple days and supplementing with formula actually decreases your milk supply since it will make your baby nurse less. Breast milk is strictly supply and demand. When your baby demands more, you body will supply more. My youngest 2 children were breast fed until they self-weaned at 11 months and 14 months. Yes, iron-supplemented formula is recommended for most babies. You can get low-iron or iron-free formula but it is best used under the recommendation of your pediatrician.

Answer 2

I did the same thing, I bought formula just in case I needed it because I had my mind set up in breastfeeding. I bought Similac advanced with iron and I did use it and my baby did just fine alternating milks, I gave him a bottle with formula twice a day the rest of the feedings were by breastfeeding. When I left the hospital the doctor prescribed me more prenatal vitamins and an iron supplement because i was going to breastfeed. Bottlefed babies get the vitamins and iron from the formula already made but when you breastfeed YOU have to make the milk so you have to make sure you are taking the vitamins you will need to produce a rich milk. Iron in breastmilk does not bother your baby and it will not constipate him either and it will not give your baby a tummy ache. Iron in formula will. your choice. my baby is 4 months old, strictly breastfed since he was 3 weeks and he has never been constipated, brestmilk is also a natural laxative.

Iron will constipate us though that's true but if you drink plenty of fluids you will be just fine, i am still taking prenatal vitamins and an iron supplement and I am doing well i am very regular with my vowel movements, but you are pregnant right now and when the baby weight and pressure it makes it harder for you to have regular vowel movements, once you have your baby it will get better.

Good luck!

Answer 3

My best advise is to only buy a couple of cans. You don't know yet if your baby will be able to handle the kinds you buy. Some babies need soy based formula and some need lactose free formula while many are just fine with the milk base. You wouldn't want to invest in alot of expensive formula only to find out that baby can't handle it. The iron fortified formula is just fine. It won't really hurt babys tummy like your prenates do you.
You'll find that with breastfeeding, it's so much easier because you don't have all that worry about what baby might be algergic to.
You should go check out some websites for Enfamil, Similac, and Carnation Good Start. Sign up with them and you'll end up getting free stuff including formula. That will save you a load of moolah right there.
Honestly, the one formula that i've found to be best for babys tummy is Good Start.

Answer 4

Seriously?

Just don't.

Don't buy any.

Having it there will be tempting in those first few weeks. You think "just one bottle" and that turns into more and more and your babe may refuse to nurse...

Its just not a good idea to have formula in the house if you want to be successful at breastfeeding.

That is why formula companies send samples home with moms from the hospital. They know how stressfull haveing a newborn is and how difficult breastfeeding can be and they prey on new moms who may be having a hard time. They know that giving a baby a bottle early on can sabotage a nursing relationship and if they sucessfully do that, they have a customer for the next year.

Check out this site about nipple confusion:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022400.asp
And this site on how breastfeeding works:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/index.html

Bookmark both of these sites, they are full of great information.

ETA: If you have a good diet, you don't need to take anything extra. Maybe a whole-foods vitamin, or some cod liver oil... but your body will produce nutritious milk no matter what. I was anemic after i gave birth and i was able to fix my iron through diet. My son has never had an iron issue.

Answer 5

There are a variety of choices when it comes to formula. Breast milk is the best milk for your child. When I had my daughter I went from a B cup up to a DD cup while I was pregnant. Not that it has anything to do with formula. I could not latch on my daughter and we both became very frustrated. I had a C-section because my daughter was estimated to be 13 lbs. in which she was born at 10lbs 14oz. which is still a big baby. I was in the recovery room longer than the doctors thought so I was unable to breastfeed after having the C-section. They gave my daughter Enfamil which was not my choice. Enfamil to me is pricy. I had to switch from Enfamil to Similac. I was happy with Similac and they have a variety to choose from which will meet every babies needs. Keep in mind when you choose formula most stores will not accept it back and your baby may need a special formula such as the lactose formula. Do not invest in something that can be a lose/lose scanario. Formula is not cheap and does not go on sale. Be Careful, I know how excited you are! =) CONGRATz and Good Luck! Welcome to Parenthood, it's great!

Answer 6

I agree with ALL the posters who have said to NOT BUY ANY and DON'T BRING THE FREE SAMPLES HOME!!! Studies show that mother's who are trying to breastfeed who have formula in the house are more likely to quit breastfeeding. If you really want to be successful with breastfeeding, then set yourself up for it, by NOT having any in the house!

Nursing is rarely problem free. And when there's an easy out (formula in the house) a post-partum, hormones-out-of-whack new mom will give in to formula no matter how committed she is to breastfeeding b/c it solves the problem of a crying baby and seems easier. But what it does is start a cycle that undermines your attempt at nursing. So don't have it in the house.

Start with the attitude that says "if I make milk, there is NO OTHER OPTION but breastfeeding." And stick with it. Don't give up and try formula until you've spent 12 weeks trying to nurse. By 12 weeks almost all babies have the kinks worked out and nursing is easy.

Granted there are times when formula becomes necessary for LIFE-SAVING measures, however, wait and see if that becomes the issue (chances are it won't).

Good luck.

Answer 7

I used Enfamil with Lipil as a supplement to breastmilk for my two boys. Luckily, they didn't have colic or heartburn, and this formula was perfect for them. The Lipil has DHA and ARA, which are two nutrients found in breastmilk that help develop the baby's brain and eyes.

I would hold off on buying formula just yet, because you don't know if you will need a special kind. You should get formula from the hospital (little cans of it) that you can try, and if you see that they are good for baby, then go with that brand. You can also register at almost every formula brand's website and get free samples and coupons. The Enfamil formula is pretty expensive, but they will send you really valuable coupons that you can use. Their website is www.enfamil.com. Good luck!

Answer 8

You get free formula from the major formula companies when you retailers, magazines, etc that you are expecting. Frankly, I gave them all away. I had decided that I would be breastfeeding and I stuck with it. I told the nurses in the hospital that was the only option. I suggest reading some La Leche League materials, (I'm sure you can find plenty of info online.) It's great to be armed with knowledge. Then be proud that you made the best decision for your baby!
Much Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 9

I send an extra bottle of formula everyday to day care just incase she wants more than I was able to pump the day before. And quite frankly, I've tried several and the walmart seems just as good as any at a fraction of the cost. Not that she drinks it that often, but none the less it doesn't upset her tummy when she does. I'm using the parent's choice, soy with dha & lipids, etc, etc,.

Answer 10

It won't make there tummy hurt. I bottle/breastfeed my baby but just to let you by doing combo it could confuse the baby so your baby could reject from bottle or breast. I haven't had problem with my baby yet he don't care as long it's food he's happy. I use Good Start but all the formulas are all good just whatever you prefer and you want to use. But be careful your baby could have allergic reaction or could be lactose to the formulas