36 weeks pregnant, decided NOT to breastfeed, what things should I take to the hospital? NO LECTURES PLEASE!!

Question

If your intention is to talk me INTO breastfeeding, then move on to another answer. I have put a lot of thought into this decision, and am not going to sway the other way just because someone gives me a holier-than-thou lecture about the so-called benefits of breastfeeding.
I breastfed my oldest until she was a year old...those so-called benefits are for argument purposes only & have no true weight.
Boost immune system?...yeah right! My 3 year old has had 2 surgeries and countless rounds of antibiotics thanks to strep throat & chronic ear infections. (So that part about reduced ear infections....again, yeah right!)

I don't want to hear the lectures, I don't want to hear any statistics, and I won't read anything you have to say regarding pro-breastfeeding.

I simply would like my question answered....What extra things should I take to the hospital? I am already smart enough to know I need bottles and formula. What about other comfort measures??

It was my husbands idea to post this question here. Last time we went to the hospital we were more than prepared, toting our breast pump/supplies along with us...we weren't sure if we needed anything extra like that this time. Many of these answers are helpful and genuine, and I truly appreciate your kindness.

However many answers are quite cruel and melodramatic...My oldest daughter might have died had she not gotten my breast milk??!!! Good Lord, what country do you live in?

I have always been appalled at the way women - particularly women who have never met - can be so judgemental, unforgiving, and so #### quick to cast stones.

I didn't post this question to spark a debate - some are obviously looking for one though....if you are one of "those" please take your opinions elsewhere.

And lastly, who are the idiots giving a 'thumbs down' to answers like "the hospital will provide you with everything you need for baby"??? Again, what country do you live in anyway?

Answer 1

They will have bottles and formula at the Hospital, so you won't need to pack those. They will give you a 'welcome bag' with all sorts of formula and coupons. What you have to do is ASAP after giving birth, put your bra on. Leave it on night and day. Only take it off to shower. When you do shower- DO NOT let hot or warm water run down your chest. It's best to only let it hit your back. This will help with all the discomfort you will have when your milk comes in. I would keep that routine for about a week. Your milk will come in about the 3rd day. After about a day and a half, it should go away.

It's your choice if you want to breastfeed. I chose not to and not one nurse gave me a hard time about it. If any nurse tries to make you feel guilty, don't take it for one second. You know what's best for you and your baby! Good Luck!

Answer 2

I did formula with my youngest, he's a year old now. I'll tell you, it was much easier making a bottle in a restaurant or the mall instead of whipping out the breast in the ladies room!
The hospital will provide formula while you are there as you know, make sure you know what brand you will use before you go so the baby will be started on the same brand.

For your comfort I suggest a tight fitting sports bra or another type that is cotton and tight fitting, i mean tight! Once the milk comes, the pressure from the bra eases the pain somewhat. Wear a bra 24/7 for awhile, especially at night.
You will also want the breast pads to fit inside your bra, (on the baby isle in most stores, you can find washable ones too) once enough milk builds up your body will release some to relieve the pressure so wear the pads even if you are not leaking.
After your milk comes RESIST the urge to pump or squeeze to relieve the pain and pressure, if you pump, even a little, your body will just make more.
I used hot compresses on my breast when the pain was bad, and this helped me.
I also found that every time the baby cried I leaked a river and through the pads, so if you are going out, take and extra top, or wear dark colors, the leakage doesn't show as much. Eventually the milk will dry up, and you will go back to "normal".
Congratulations and god bless!

Answer 3

okay, wow! If you're asking just regarding feeding supplies, I'd take my own sterilized bottles and formula. Take bottled water, burp cloths and extra nipples (maybe different shaped and hole sizes-some newborns are particular!)As for a bottle warmer, it's been my experience that the baby could care less if it's room temperature. Other than that, I think that would do it. As for the breastfeeding, I only breastfed the first month. I suffered from post partum deppression and just needed a break. When I began to bottle feed, and other people could actually take a feeding or two, I began doing so much better!! It was worth my sanity!! What good was I to my child if I was a mess?! Don't let anyone make you feel bad. Just listen to their advice and then do what you want.

Answer 4

The hospital had the bottles for my son.I had bottles at home to use after I got there. You need a thing to sterilize them in, the tongs to get them out of the water with etc. I didn't know anything about breast-feeding. I wish I had though. I think I would have made a different choice. Congratulations with your baby and good luck. By the way, when my nephew said "no smokeing" for anyone in his house, his baby quit haveing ear infections. Doctor told him to do this and it worked. Strep is just highly contagious so you just do the best you can.That anti-biotic cream stuff helps to wipe your hands with along with the soap and water of course. Oh yeah, the little tops that come with the bottles, make sure you hang on to those. They help to keep any germs off the nipples.

Answer 5

Most hospitals will supply you with everything you need while in the hospital. There is no since stalking up on formula as you may find that they baby is intollerant to a certian brand. I would suggest you buy one can and see how it goes. Most hospitals start babies off on Similac, but don't think that means it's any better than Carnation which is much cheeper. It's just that similac provides it free as a way to get babies and mom's hooked on it! So, you really don't need any feeding supplies while at the hospital. But if you have a bottle or brand of formula you will prefer, take it and a bottle of water to mix with. Burp rags, and thinks like that are avlb for you at most hospitals. Bring as little as possible as you will have enough to bring home with baby, car seats, over night bags and all the free crap they give you at the hospital.
Congrats on your pregnancy!!!

Answer 6

everything will usually be provided at the hospital all you will need is stuff at home. maybe pads to put in your bra if you are staying more than a day or so. I suggest powdered formula and those gallons of baby water you can buy for the first few months (you dont have to refrigerate the water or boil it so it is always room temp.) that way you wont have to warm the bottle up. I also suggest dropins cuz that takes away from dishes and makes things quicker. another thing i suggest is when you are feeding your baby keep the skin on skin contact cuz that will help the baby with the bond they need. just cuz your not breast feeding doesnt mean you cant still have that bond :) good luck.

Answer 7

I live in TX, and the hospital provided me with everything except soap in the shower. They brought disposable formula, diapers, etc. And sent us home with a good supply, too.

If your hospital is not going to do that, you need bottles and formula (either the already prepared kind or powder). If you open a big can of formula, you won't have a place to refrigerate it.

I always needed extra pillows. And I brought my own nighties. I dressed my baby in clothes from home right from the start. You could tell which baby was ours! You'll need a blanket and burping rags.

I'm with you on the breastfeeding issue. I tried really hard with both kids and it was mostly a pain. My second was a super-sucker and I stopped when I took him to the dr. for blood in his stool and the dr. told me it was mine. He kept my breasts in a constant state of cracked, scabbed pain.

Babies can be very healthy when raised on formula. And it's a plus for Mom, who doesn't have to do all the feeding.

You have formed a definite opinion, you know all the facts, and you're ready to stand by your decision. You go girl!

Answer 8

You would want to take some bottles, and the hospital will supply you with your first canister of formula, usually Isomil with Lipil, which is what WIC will give you vouchers too (If you qualify for WIC), a bottle brush, and a mild uncented dish detergent to clean the bottles if needed. LAstly, you might want to get a breast pump to help with leaking and pressure. I will STRONGLY RECCOMMEND to feed the first couple of days worth of pumped milk to your baby-- the breasts first milk contains colostrum which is a yellowish color. This is what gives yoru cild it's initial immune system. IT don't matter HOW the child gets this, straight from the breast, or through a bottle, but if you deny your child this, you are asking for a higher risk of allergies, more frequent and intensive sicknesses, and even asthma. Formula has excellent viatamins and nutrients, but it can not give your baby the immune defense that colostrum does.

Answer 9

Be sure and get a tight sports bra to help compress your breasts and keep them from becoming do engorged with milk. Also be sure and have ice packs ready for when you come home from the hospital. I won't lecture you on breastfeeding but don't fill your question information with information that misleads about breasfeeding and it's medically study documented benefits.

I hope your next little one doesn't have the same health problems your older child did but don't be suprised if even more ear infections and chronic illness. I had to stop breastfeeding our youngest due to the heart medication I needed to take couldn't be used while breastfeeding. While our oldest had tubes surgery and ear infections with breastfeeding but the child I had to stop breastfeeding earlier had twice as many. Hopefully that won't be the case.

Answer 10

I breastfeed my daughter .....I personally don't think it matters whether you breastfeed or not...........Some things I took to the hospital that you probably already know about but may need reminding were.....chapstick, obviously the car seat, clothes for the baby, maybe bring an extra back pack or something for gifts that you get at the hospital, like you said bottles and formula, comfortable clothes for you after you have the baby to go home in, diapers and wipes,,,,,,,the hospital will supply everything you need but if you want your baby to use a certain type of bottle I would bring your own.............I hope this helps....good luck and congrats!

Answer 11

Bring everything you brought last time (sans the pump), and some extra breast pads to help with leaking. They make all kinds of things to relieve engorgement pain, but I thought the best thing was a hot shower (besides, how long has it been since you had one of those?)! If you had a Boppy with your first, bring it with you, as it helps with bottle-feeding, too. I choose to breastfeed, but I TOTALLY support your decision. It is a HUGE commitment, and can be very inconvenient at times! A lot of my friends that formula feed always carry bottled water and one of those divided formula containers. Don't stock up on formula until you know what your baby will tolerate.