The hospital will have some formula, but recommends that you bring your own formula along with your bottles and teats.
For Baby During Hospital Stay
If you plan to use formula, you will receive bedside instruction. Formula and bottles are provided for babies while they are in the hospital, if needed.
Similac Advance Newborn bottles are the same bottles used in hospitals- The Perfect Bottle® for your new baby.
Baby bottles and vials.
If you were feeding baby formula or expressed breast milk in the hospital, they'll have given you a few bottles or small syringe vials (newborns just need small amounts of colostrum at first, until your milk comes in). Take those home too!
The hospital will have appropriate gowns for your birth and for postpartum, newborn diapers, baby blankets for swaddling, hats for newborns, and even travel toothpaste and shampoo in case you forget your own. Most hospitals will have birth and peanut balls to support you in your labor as well.
If you intend to formula feed, you need to bring in your own milk. Please note there will be NO facilities for preparing formula milk or sterilising equipment.
Breast pumps are available for you while you are at the hospital. Ask your baby's nurse where to find them. How often should I use the breast pump? Many mothers find that setting exact times for pumping and staying on that schedule makes pumping easier.
Don't stock up before the birth.
If you're planning to use formula, ask your pediatrician for a recommendation, but don't buy much of it until after your baby is born. Many companies are generous with free samples, and the hospital may load you up with samples when you go home.
The hospital will likely provide essential items for your baby, such as swaddling blankets, pacifiers, wipes, and diapers.
If you run out of formula and can't find any, in a pinch you can give oral rehydration solution (such as Pedialyte, Enfalyte, or a store brand) for a couple of days. Babies older than 4 to 6 months can also get puréed (finely ground) foods.
If your baby is diagnosed as being allergic to cows' milk, a GP will prescribe an appropriate hypoallergenic infant formula with fully hydrolysed (broken down) proteins.
You will need to use approximately 8 bottles in 24 hours. Avoid taking in larger packs of ready-made milk as many NHS facilities are unable to store them safely. If you are still undecided, don't worry.
breastfeed in hospital if:
In these cases, you can express your breast milk (squeezing milk out of your breast by hand or with a pump so you can store it). Expressing allows you to provide your baby with breast milk even if they are not able to latch on to your breast.
In comparison to a year's supply of formula, which may cost between $760 and $2,280, breastfeeding for one year may cost women more than $10,500.
Do not bring diapers or wipes! The hospital has all the diapers and wipes you'll need. In fact, one Babylist parent suggested bringing an extra bag for all the freebies you'll bring home from hospital.
A lot of mothers want breast coverage while they deliver, which is completely understandable, and you can keep your bra on during labor if you want. However, we recommend wearing a simple bra that is comfortable and easy to remove.
Since you'll spend most of your recovery time sitting down or lying in bed, you'll want comfy clothes like loose pants with an elastic or drawstring waist. If you're breastfeeding, you'll need tops with stretchy necklines or easy nursing access.
comfortable day clothes which are loose-fitting (front-opening clothes are easy for breastfeeding) underwear, including large, close-fitting pants to hold maternity pads – you may find disposable pants useful for the first few days. a nursing bra. maternity pads or night-time sanitary pads.
If you have a delay in your milk coming in, don't feel discouraged. Continue to express milk. That means removing milk from your breasts with a breast pump or by hand. And continue to breastfeed often, even if you are supplementing with formula for a few days.
Once you've collected colostrum, it's ready for consumption. You can administer it via a syringe or small bottle (remember, quantities will be relatively low). You can also feed drops of it to your baby on a clean finger. Every bit is packed with nutrients to help your baby's development.
Enfamil Enspire is one of the most similar baby Formula to human milk, especially nutritionally. Although it often costs a little more than other options, it contains nutrients only found in mother's milk, making it perfect for breastfed infants. First and foremost, it includes lactoferrin which is found in colostrum.
If you have a full-term, healthy, breastfeeding baby, you can wait a few weeks to start pumping and storing breast milk. If your baby is preterm or ill and cannot breastfeed yet, or if you have chosen to exclusively pump, pump as soon as you can after birth, preferably within one to six hours of delivery.
Checklist for bringing your frozen colostrum into hospital
Please bring between 5 and 40 ml of expressed colostrum to hospital. If you have more than this, it can be brough from home at a later date if required.
You do not have to bring your breast pump to the hospital — one will be provided to you while in the hospital if needed. However, if you would like help learning the set-up and use of your breast pump, you can bring it and a lactation consultant can assist you.