Formula in the Hospital

I had trouble in Plano because the BF groups would not leave me alone. My hubby brought formula in to me after the staff kept delaying giving me formula because I was not going to BF. I suppose they thought if they held off long enough, I'd give in. The La Leche league would not leave me alone.

Overall.... my delivery, hospital stay went smoothly.. The only glitch was the BF groups.

I had notified my Dr and he was aware I was not going o BF. He stepped in for me. Just let them know ahead of time.

I'm sure they wont care. I'd just give them a heads up when you first arrive so that their wont be any confusion later on. Make sure they mark it in your chart so that the next shift of nurses know.
** Sorry after reading other people's posts I have to add this. NOT ALL WOMEN CAN BREAST FEED!!!!!!!!!! Some people can't make enough at all! Period! Or even have to be on medication (like my friend who is majorly depressed) I know you guys want everyone to BF, but please stop mentioning it every chance you get. I can't even supplement my son. I make so little and most of it's water any way, so the bit he does get immediatly have to feed him formula. It makes some of us who can't BF feel super bad that we can't. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. The end.

I didn't have any experience with this so I am just kind of guessing, but I can't imagine the hospital will have an issue with you bringing your own stuff. They know full well the dangers of nipple confusion, so if you bring you own bottles just tell them that you already have all these bottles and don't want to chance baby not liking them after getting another one.

Same for formula- nurses will tell you that you shouldn't be switching babies' formula around indiscriminately, so to avoid tummy issues, you want to go ahead and start her on the formula you intend to stick with. I imagine they will want the formula to be in sealed cans, so bring new ones with you. My sister's baby had jaundice so they had to give a little formula in the hospital right away, and they asked them if they had a preference about which kind to give so that they wouldn't be switching in two days when they got home. Some WIC programs only allow one kind of formula from what I have heard, so this should be a common request too.

As for sterilizing, you only need to sterilize them when you first take them out of the package. After that, they will be fine. I personally would sterilize everything out of the package because you don't know how clean the manufacturing process is, but after that, I didn't sterilize for the most part. So just bring them sterilized. And like the others said, call ahead to ask and definitely make sure they make a note in your chart about the formula and bottles. They might not want to clean your bottles for you, but other than that I can't see them arguing about it. Hopefully that is how it will all work out for you.

I know you're specifically asking about formula but I wonder if you would instead consider breast feeding? If you do that, you won't have to worry about 'bringing" any bottles as your breasts are already attached to you. You then won't have to worry about sterilizing anything or mixing anything. You have the most nutritious sustenance available for your child on demand made by your body.
Breast is best! If you're scared or unsure or nervous or anything contact your local La Leche League to answer all your questions.
You WILL have time to yourself and if you're concerned about your partner being able to feed the child you have 2 choices: 1 pump and give him the bottle or 2-remind him that he has the rest of his life to feed food to your child and that this is a great way for you to bond and give all the proper nutrients to your child.
You can also very easily pump if you have to go back to work or if you are ill and a multitude of other obstacles.
Really consider breastfeeding instead of giving artificial breast milk. Even if you have implants or breast reduction surgery, breast feeing IS possible. I've even known women who adopt that have been able to nurse! Organic doesn't always mean something is healthy it just means supposedly without certain fertilizers, etc I'm not saying you shouldn't consume organic products, I'm just saying that no matter which way you look at it, what nature gave you is always best.
Unless perhaps you have no nipples?

I sterilized my bottles before taking them to the hospital. Just put all the bottle parts in boiling water and let them sit for a few minutes. The bottles we bought had sterilization instructions on them. You only sterilize them the first time you use them, and then just wash them by hand or in the dishwasher (with a special dishwasher bottle rack) after that.

I tried to breastfeed with both of my kids, and couldn't. Don't worry about the people who want to beat you over the head with the breastfeeding message. It is YOUR choice. Just be prepared to deal with them, because they will come out of the woodwork. Both our kids were formula-fed and are just fine.

With our first child, I tried to breastfeed for 6 weeks, mostly pumping and bottle feeding, so I didn't take bottles to the hospital. With our second child, we took the sterilized bottles and our Good Start formula, but the hospital would not let us use them. They insisted we had to use their little 2 oz. bottles. It didn't hurt our daughter, and we put her on the formula of our choice when we got home.

I would suggest contacting your hospital now and finding out what their policy is so you will be prepared ahead of time. I was not happy that I couldn't use the bottles and formula we brought for her because I didn't want to start her out on one formula only to potentially upset her stomach with a formula change, but it turned out fine in the end. Find out now and that will be one less hassle for you to deal with post-partem.

Good luck and enjoy that baby!

I agree that the best thing to do is steralize them at home. If your husband is planning on going home at night or any time, make sure there are plenty there for him to bring replacements while the ones you used are being washed. If not, just bring a ton. :-)

And dont let the BF Nazis get you down. They will come out of the woodwork at the oddest places. (I had to complain to a manager after getting a lecture at the store by the checkout girl for buying formula! Sheesh)

Technically, I don't have the experience you are seeking, however I have looked into this for our delivery in June.

The bottles I recommend are Tommee Tippee from Babies'rUs, they are the "safest" bottles on the market. As for formula Babies Own is the best organic formula out there, they are the only company who extracts DHA without the use of harmful chemicals. I've seen it available at Whole Foods and Target for about $9.99.

Sterilizing bottles at the hospitals would be a snap with a microwavable sterilizer. Most hospital rooms offer microwaves, just call yours and ask.

I hope this helps,
H.

I did breastfeed, but we did have to supplement with some formula in the hospital. I was given 2 oz glass bottles of formula with a fairly generic latex nipple. They were totally disposable-- no washing or sterilizing. I have to say that it was terribly convenient, and while I applaud your desire to feed organic formula, I'd cut myself a break those first couple of days. Baring that, I'd just take a ton of bottles to the hospital and send them home each day with your husband to be washed/brought back. That way you'd know they were done properly.

I too, tried to feed organic formula in glass (there was no bpa-free plastic then) bottles. I fed the Similac Organic for his formula bottles (he got some formula every day). Problem was, he had a very difficult time digesting it until he was about 4 months old (lots of reflux, gas, and pain). We switched to the Carnation Good Start with the probiotics in the beginning and it made a huge difference. So, if your lo has trouble with the organic, don't give up on it, just give his belly a couple of months to catch up. We switched back to the organic at about 4 months and he stayed on it until he moved to milk.

Sorry about the Lactivists-- I think people speak (type) before they think. It's hard when you can't do what it is that "everyone" is telling you too-- but, I think that a good formula with probiotic supplements can come awfully close to breastmilk. As my mom says, "You never had a drop of breastmilk, and you turned out ok!" :-)

There should be no problem but Id let the hospital staff know when you get there. When I had my boys they had 2 kinds of formula to choose from, similac and good start. Wash the bottles at home and you won't need to worry about it after you have the baby.

Just talk to the hospital staff. You won't need the whole sterilization routine, I don't think.
You will likely get a lot of responses telling you to breast feed your baby, but some women choose not to do that. Many women don't nurse and their kids turn out just fine.
I had a friend who had 7 kids and never nursed a single one of them. The kids are all healthy.
Like I said, talk to the hospital staff. Organic formula. Organic bottles. That's new to me but they will talk to you about it. I think they'll be nice to you.
They might also want to make sure you don't bring anything unsterilized into the hospital for all you know. I doubt you can expect special sterilization methods just for your baby while you're there.
Their goal is healthy mommy and healthy baby and sending you home.
Don't be a germ nut.
It's proven that kids who aren't exposed to any germs have a higher risk of getting sick.

Don't worry so much and find out the extent to which the hospital can accomodate you or allleviate some of your concerns.

Best wishes.

No need to sterilize - especially if you have a dishwasher. The only things I sterilized for my son were the things I got 2nd hand.

I don't know the answer to your other questions as I breastfed, but I don't see why it would be a problem. The only confusion may be if you choose to put the baby in the nursery. I kept my son with me (didn't want him out of my sight after the 9 mos of misery I went through to get him there! LOL).

They gave us disposable nipples that went right on the individual servings (2oz). of formula. We were asked what formula we wanted to use and they gave it to us.

There's no need to sterilize bottles anymore- our water sources are generally free from harmful bacteria. if you have a well at home you may want to consider it when you get home but no need to sterilize in the hospital.

Simply inform the staff that you are feeding your own choice of formula. If they object stand your ground and ask to speak to the manager. I work in this area and there is no reason for them to take issue with this.

Not your question, but I am assuming someone who is concerned about using organic, BPA bottles has already considered their options with breastfeeding. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about it or check out www.kellymom.com for great info. It is truly the best way to give your baby a healthy start. My own kids were breastfed with formula supplmentation because I am unable to produce enough milk but I did breastfeed for four months with each so I would be happy to provide any assistance I could.

*Wanted to update my answer and apologize for making you feel pressured. I work in the field and many women get bad information from other health care providers, families, and friends. I hate to see someone not have the opportunity to make the informed choice, which is why I offered. As someone who did not produce enough milk to breastfeed exclusively I have been on the receiving end of disparaging remarks more times than most people can imagine. Again- I didn't intend to make you feel bad or pressure you, just to offer any assistance if you wanted it. Clearly you have made an informed decision.

Inform the staff and have them note it in the child's chart so the nursery staff knows what to use if they do a feeding. Most of the time the child should be in your room so it will not be an issue. Bottles do not need sterilized except when you first get them. Boil them once, and then after that a good hot water wash with gentle soap is all you need.

The only reason the nurses may balk at the special formula may be because they have to feed them in the nursery. And they have "easy-feed" bottles that are quick to use (I took as much as I could when I had to go home, oh how I loved them) because they have a bunch of babies to feed. BUT if you want to use your own stuff just assure them that the baby can room in with you or you'll feed the bunchkin every time.

I wouldnt worry too much about sterilizing, dishwasher work for that. Have your husband take them back and forth.