https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:28:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go/page/2#post-2394759 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 19:01:34 +0000 littlejoy 2394759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: I'm glad you got clarity from your OB. I had a traumatic nursing experience, and I feel for you. I'm happy your partner &amp; OB support you. You might get a rogue nurse who tries to push an agenda, but having everyone else on the same page ahead of time should mean they'll be your advocates. Best wishes!!!!</p> <p>I'd also be sure you have everything in order to help make it easier for yourself to dry up your milk &amp; avoid mastitis. I know you can wear a tight bra, take herbs, and use Ibuprofen for pain. Maybe ensure they have a pump if you need to for relief? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go/page/2#post-2394717 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 17:08:36 +0000 Finfan 2394717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found this thread really helpful when pregnant and planning to exclusively FF. Now that baby is 6 weeks old, I just wanted to say that no one batted an eye at my hospital when I said we were bottle fed. No one asked why or tried to talk me out of it. They just asked what brand of formula we wanted them to bring us. They provided tons of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go/page/2#post-2233394 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 20:01:51 +0000 Ms.Badger 2233394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't go through this situation, but I have a little advice. Always ask for more formula when you are down to 2 or so feeds, last thing you want is a hungry screaming baby when your nurse is busy. You may want to bring a bottle brush to wash out the nipples. They'll give you wrapped ones and will give you enough to use but it felt wasteful to me to throw them all away. Most importantly, if you have any problems with your nurse get the charge nurse. No one should have to deal with being disrespected for making a personal choice. Good luck </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go/page/2#post-2233339 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 18:36:23 +0000 Madison43 2233339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave birth at a baby friendly hospital in NYC and while all the nurses were experienced lactation coaches and there were lactation consultants everywhere, there was no pressure at all to breastfeed. The support was there if you needed/wanted it and breastfeeding was definitely encouraged, but formula was readily available and no one acted judgey if you asked for it. It makes me sad that people have bad experiences at baby friendly hospitals. </p> <p>Also, I'd actually call and ask the Mother Baby/L&amp;D part of the hospital instead of my OB to ask about formula. Maybe it's just here because doctors deliver at multiple hospitals, but in my experience, the hospital staff knows the policies way better than the doctors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go/page/2#post-2233308 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:56:18 +0000 sapphire 2233308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the non HelloBee world, formula feeding is a lot more common. Every hospital has formula. There are many reasons that a baby might not get breast milk and it's important that there is an alternative, so they'll have it unless you are going for an uncommon brand. I doubt you'll have any trouble at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go/page/2#post-2233260 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:16:54 +0000 Finfan 2233260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for asking this! I have been wondering what it is like at all. I had a rough time attempting to breastfeed DD1 and have no desire to try again with DD2. Hospital's website has no information on formula/BF so I will add it to my list of things to talk about with my OB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2233057 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:28:41 +0000 OhCaptain 2233057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a facet of our modern world that i just don't understand! How is it ok, ever, for doctors or nurses to push something on you, when you clearly have already stated "no." It's not like formula feeding is against medical advice or something.<br /> also, don't get me wrong, I'm a BFer, so I get it, but I don't think parents should be made to feel shitty about choices that aren't necessarily related to medical issues. (I feel this same way about pediatricians who give baby sleep advice) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2233048 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:19:38 +0000 Raindrop 2233048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: Good news! I'm glad your appointment went well!</p> <p>Our hospital had formula (nurselettes? - 2 oz disposable bottles) to feed LO with and they even send us home with a bunch! </p> <p>I worried about "bad/well meaning" nurses too. I would say 80% of our nurses were totally cool with formula supplementing and 20% were pushy and wanted us to try harder to completely breastfeed. Hopefully you only get understanding nurses! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2233047 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:18:14 +0000 fancyfunction 2233047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had no problems. The first nurse that came in said, I'm supposed to try and convince you to breastfeed but you're an adult and can make your own decisions. The hospital was stocked with the brand of formula we were already planning to use and we had no issues. They also set us up with a mail order pack of 50 small bottles of formula - it was a big help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2233043 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:13:36 +0000 daniellemybelle 2233043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: I'm so glad you had a good visit! That's so reassuring.</p> <p>If we have another I really hope to EBF, or at least combo feed again but with less drama than last time. But I still am going to bring nursettes of formula as well as a SNS. Like @yoursilverlining: my baby was starving for 3 days in the hospital and no one ever suggested that I, um, feed her. I don't understand how that is "baby friendly." Not going to let that happen again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2233008 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:49:49 +0000 gingerbebe 2233008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: @charlotte: Yes to having a pushy husband! My husband in retrospect was so annoyed by how miserable they made us about breastfeeding. He said the next time we have a baby, he's smuggling in formula himself and will personally ask that there be a deep supply of it in our room. We very successfully and happily combo fed my son pumped breastmilk and formula until 9 months when I weaned completely to formula. We will be just as interested in trying nursing and breastfeeding again with our next baby, but we refuse to go through basically starving our baby like we did the last time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232992 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:38:57 +0000 charlotte 2232992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like this! "DH is adamant about not letting them be pushy about it".</p> <p>I think there are a lot of good suggestions to handle it here and beyond that just let him take over the discussion if they try to push the dialogue (hopefully they won't but I unfortunately experienced some "baby-friendly" crazies at my hospital and know exactly what you're talking about). </p> <p>Even though I was able to BF #1 in the hospital without too much stress and am planning to try again w/ #2, I am really looking forward to having the experience and confidence this time to stand up for myself and say "back off" and don't send the LC in unless I ask for help. I don't want some lady with crazy eyes bringing me my baby in recovery again and hovering over me watching his every latch.</p> <p>edited to add: that's great to hear from your OB! I hope it won't even be an issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232976 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:32:55 +0000 kjpugs 2232976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Had a great talk with my OB. She said they are a baby friend AND mom friendly hospital and will ask us BF or bottle, and they will provide formula without issue. She was really supportive. I know it might still be weird or we may deal with bad nurses, etc, but I'm glad that it's not an issue up front. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232952 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:26:24 +0000 gingerbebe 2232952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We delivered at a baby friendly hospital and I had a breakdown twice while I was there (for lots of reasons, but breastfeeding was included) and basically after my first breakdown, we had the head charge nurse come in and told her what our needs were. </p> <p>After that conversation, she put a sign on our door that said absolutely no one was to enter my room unless it was pre-cleared with my shift nurse (we got 1 nurse every 8 hours) with the nurse's pager number. I would ask for a similar consult once you get into your room and instruct them to put a "formula feeding only" sign or something on there and make it explicit to your nurse so that she will let the next nurse know when shift changes happen. </p> <p>Our baby friendly hospital definitely had formula (our son needed it in NICU for jaundice) and they sent us home with a TON of nursettes and binkies. They had just about every kind of formula under the sun, actually. If you are concerned, just buy a box of nursettes before you get to the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232782 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:16:05 +0000 farawayyama 2232782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to suppliment for the first few weeks, and honestly my biggest advocate was the hospital lactation consultant. She ensured that I had enough formula that I didn't need to buy any, and made it clear that her role was to make sure that our baby was being fed in the way that best met our family's needs; if I wanted to continue with breastfeeding, great, she'd support me. If not, she had bottles and formula prepared to support me in the transition and would ensure I was comfortable feeding however was best for our family. She went out of her way to let me know that it was more important that we were doing what worked for us, not whether we were breastfeeding.</p> <p>I can't say that this is the same everywhere, but you might get lucky! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232780 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:15:05 +0000 blackbird 2232780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our hospital had signs for the door and tags for the baby's bassinet so that the nurses were informed up front and didn't ask you a million questions. I hope they respect your wishes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232774 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:06:31 +0000 jetsa 2232774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: this may not be an option but can you switch to a hospital that isn't baby-friendly? My first birth was at one and everyone asked if I was BF or FF and they stocked the rooms differently depending on it. At the baby friendly hospital I was not asked at all and baby was encouraged to latch during skin to skin. I BF so no problem but it's not what you'd prefer. Also my body has been totally different this time and I leaked for weeks after fighting supply last time, the nurses told me this is normal and that you have more milk with each additional baby so I'd make sure you have a plan for you as well. Mrs. Rabbit wrote a blog post on how different her body was the second time as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232749 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:45:32 +0000 Charm54 2232749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, this is the only thing that scares me about giving birth again. My first experience was HORRENDOUS in terms of pushy nurses/Drs/LCs at our "baby friendly" hospital and i am so scared to go through it again.</p> <p>I've written a "Feeding Plan" that I am having my OB put in my chart. I want my intentions and wishes to be made very clear to everyone who enters my room. Dh thinks I'm a little nuts and that we will just verbally tell them, but I'm such a people pleaser that I can be easily swayed into doing what they want (EBF). I also hated having to explain my wishes to everyone who came in my room so hopefully this will stop me from repeating myself 99 times. Here's what I'm planning to give to my OB: sorry it's so long!</p> <p>Nurses, Doctors, and Staff, </p> <p>The purpose of this plan is to clearly convey my feeding wishes for my newborn.</p> <p>My baby will be fed with a combination of formula and breast milk via bottles. </p> <p>I will do skin to skin as early and as often as possible. Please do not misinterpret this as a desire to exclusively breastfeed. </p> <p>I will be pumping from Day 1. The use of the hospital pump and refrigeration area would be very much appreciated. </p> <p>If I or my husband ask for formula, please bring it in a bottle with a traditional nipple, without judgement or lecture.</p> <p>I do not need any research or rhetoric on breast feeding. </p> <p>My baby can have a pacifier.</p> <p>Please respect my decision and understand that it has come from a place of extensive research and first-hand experience.</p> <p>Visits from the Lactation Consultants are welcome; however, I do not wish to be persuaded to attempt exclusively breastfeeding.<br />  <br /> Please share this plan with anyone who will be working with me and my baby during our stay. </p> <p>Thank you for your understanding and support. My goal is to have a happy and healthy baby; I am confident that this will be best achieved for us through the combination feeding approach. <br /> Sincerely,<br /> Charm54 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232736 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:35:32 +0000 ShootingStar 2232736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another thought I had - maybe put a sign up on the door that says "We are Formula-Feeding Only :)" or something. I can just see nurses that don't read the chart, or LC's coming in and pushing the issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232721 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:19:24 +0000 yoursilverlining 2232721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even though they likely have formula on hand, I’d bring your own and your own bottles, especially if you have a preference on brand/type of to give your next LO. </p> <p>I was planning on BF, but had NO MILK in the hospital (and my milk never came in, either). I *requested* that they give LO a bottle of formula (and they asked me, and I confirmed, AGAIN, that yes, give her food – WTF is so hard to understand about that!!) and they wouldn’t. They simply kept bringing her back to me to “try” BF again or brining the LC around. LO was super upset and wouldn’t stop crying because she was starving and I had no milk and they wouldn’t give her formula. As a FTM recovering from a c-section, let’s just say I’m still a little bitter about it. That’s to say, just be prepared to stand up for yourself, or have someone on hand who will. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232712 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:14:19 +0000 pinkb 2232712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told they don't give the meds anymore to dry up your milk. The reason given was the side effects were too great. I was told to wear a tight sports bra, don't let the warm water in the shower hit them, and ice packs to help discomfort. The DD 1 I did the sports bra and no warm water and I tried cabbage leaves. With DS I did the sports bra, no warm water and a decongestant for a couple days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232707 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:08:55 +0000 kjpugs 2232707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: my milk pretty much never came in last time, period. The only time I had any discomfort was when my pump broke and it was like 18 hours without pumping. And it was totally minimal, moreso my breasts just had kind of lumps in them waiting to be pumped. But that was after a month of solid pumping. When I quit pumping I had no issues. I figure I can just call them if it becomes an issue?</p> <p>I'll bring this up to the OB as well too, since like @daniellemybelle: said, it might not hurt to work on it proactively. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232697 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:59:27 +0000 daniellemybelle 2232697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Jinx. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232695 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:59:13 +0000 daniellemybelle 2232695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: With your first experience, I doubt you'll have engorgement, especially if you never latch LO2 on, but you may want to get some No More Milk Tea too? The baby may root to nurse when you do skin-to-skin, especially if she smells milk, so proactively drying up might help you if in your sea of postpartum hormones you feel conflicted at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232693 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:58:30 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2232693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: Have you talked to your OB about what to do about your body? I'm not sure if you have a plan for what to do when your milk does come in but I think there are meds they can give you. Id be more worried about that then finding formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232689 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:56:26 +0000 Ginabean3 2232689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you should put it in your birthplan! The important thing is that you feel good and your baby gets fed (and lots of cuddles!) and I think if you state it upfront they should respect that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232673 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:45:40 +0000 kjpugs 2232673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkb: I am looking forward to hopefully having a more relaxing (ha? maybe that's not the word exactly) experience with LO2 than the constant stress and tears with LO1! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232671 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:44:10 +0000 pinkb 2232671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>for both deliveries it went well. Our hospital is very pro BF, they require all the nurses for L&amp; D to be LC. But they ask while you are getting settled what your plan is for feeding. They did ask if they could ask why I choose to not BF. I gave them a short answer and it was done. They provided 2 types of formula. My time in the hospital was very relaxed, not stressed and just cuddled :) I hope you have a good experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232664 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:39:08 +0000 runnerd 2232664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The extent of the conversation was "formula or breastfeeding?" for clarification purposes. I literally was given zero side eye by nurses, nor did anyone suggest a see the lactation consultant.</p> <p>ETA: my OB put in my charts that I was FF </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-knew-you-would-not-breastfeed-how-did-hospital-go#post-2232658 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:33:29 +0000 dc yoga bee 2232658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: I told them all thoroughout the pregnancy, in the hospital I didn't want to breastfeed, and honestly they put her on my breast when she was born! She immediately latched, and I mean I didn't want to fling the baby off so I rolled with it lol. It ended up working out, but in the future for lo 2, if I decide to bottle feed from the start I'll bring my own stuff for sure! Good luck! </p>