" I Feel Dumb Asking This Question"

I don't know the correct answer, however, 15 yrs ago when I delivered, my husband went out and bought formula because they wouldn't give me formula. My Dr. was aware of my choice and he had to step in to get the BF league to leave me alone.

I already had my plan and I was extremely angry at the BF league stopping me from getting food for my baby. My choice but they created red tape issues.

I suggest taking some with you just in case.

Nurseries just have the normal Enfamil, Similac, soy versions, and the lactose free versions. I would talk to your dr and your pediatrician and go from there.

I would check with the hospital to see if they carry the formula that you want. I don't think they take special orders or request. But you never know that maybe one that they have on hand. Once the baby is born, you won't be there that long prayerfully. So you may want to bring the milk just in case they say they don't carry it. I would bring it anyway if you are this firm on the issue. They will probably try to convince you to breast feed. (smile) Prayerfully, your baby won't be allergic to the milk of your choice or lactose intolerant. Hope this helps.

Beata, it's really none of your business why she is not breastfeeding. That is not what this post is about. I was unable to breastfeed through no fault of my own and I got so tired of having to defend myself to people like you.

A., go ahead and call the hospital. And don't feel dumb about it. If the hospital has a contract with Enfamil, they may be able to arrange to have the specific brand that you want.

Good luck and best wishes for a safe and healthy delivery!

**My apologies, Beata. I appreciate what you were trying to do, but this is a very sensitive topic for me. I'll get over it and watch my tone in the future. Thanks for keeping it real.

Dear A.,

You could request a tour where you will give birth and talk to the nursery supervisor and nursing supervisor. If you are able to pre-register your choice of formula could be placed on your chart. If it is not something the hopsital supplies take some with you when you deliver and make sure to re-state your formula choice.

Blessings.....

Most hospitals allow an opportunity to pre-register and perhaps tour the facilities. I highly recommend doing so for your own convienence, but it also seems the perfect time to ask the people that work there about how to make sure your newborn gets the formula you desire. Best wishes.

A., no question is dumb with the exception of the question you do not ask.... No, the hospitals do not have to provide a certain type of formula for your baby, but they do have to provide your baby with formula if it is one that they carry as stock formula. It is impossible to carry each type of formula, especially the speciality formulas. The hospitals stock a combination of Similiac, Enfamil & Good Start. Some only carry two, some all three. With the exception being carrying a lesser amount of the soy product of the primary types they are providing. If the hospitals were to carry them all, they would soon outdate and therefore be a waste of formula. So, hince the reason they do not carry them all. Also it is harder for the Reps to stock multiple types.
So if you want to use Gentlease as your formula of choice, bring it with you. Bring the powder form and the hospital will provide your water. When you are admitted to the hospital and your labor nurse is doing your intake (not the registration girl who takes your insurance info if you have not preregistered) but the nurse who does your initial assessment; tell her your desire to use Gentlease as your formula and tell her you broght it with you. She will note this on your chart and it will be granted. Not a big deal at all, with the exception you will have to pay for it and bring it with you.
Now are you aware that Gentlease is just Lipil with the milk protien broken down more? The babies get so little amount of formula in the hospital, for the baby to drink the Enfamil Lipil in the hospital will not mess up the gut. The baby is really just getting rid of the meconium those first days anyway. Just a little FYI. Also, feel free to call the Enfamil Company and tell them you have read about and are "considering" (hint hint) using Gentlease formula with your "espected" baby. Ask them to send you a sample and they will. That way you will not pay for it... Good Luck & Congratulations!

I was next to a mom that only wanted her baby in cloth diapers, she brought her own and the nurses went with it. Call and ask, it cant hurt. Congrats! =)

They wont be upset. It's your baby and you get to chose what does into him/her. Just keep in mind that your baby might not like it or could be intolerant to that kind. I know you wouldn't force it on him/her, just want to keep awareness out allergys. This past weekend we discovered that my son was lactose intolerant.

The nursery at the hospital I work at stocks quite a few different kinds just because of the variety of issues a baby can have. Just call Labor and Delivery at the hospital you will be delivering and ask if they have that on hand or if you can bring your own. Also, touch base with your pediatrician so that they are aware of your request.

Call the delivery dept and ask! Don't feel dumb--you know what they say, the only dumb question is an unasked question!
Also you can discuss it with your OB/GYN your next visit.

I believe they have a variety of formulas available at the hospital. And it certainly couldn't hurt to bring some along as well. Congrats and good luck!

I agree with T.F - I'd take some with me just in case. In my experience, our hospital supplied Similac...

And go ahead and prepare yourself now for a bit of backlash from the hospitals lactation consultants. Some of them are very sweet, and don't bother you unless you ask for help if you're breast feeding... but it has been my experience that they are extremely pushy and aggressive... wanting to know all about my breasts, my newborn, my reasoning for using formula.... I gotta tell ya, it was really *weird*.

Stick to your plan. And take some with you just in case.

I was set on Enfamil soy, which my hospital didn't use, but my daughter's pediatrician, wrote a RX for that, bc we had milk allergies in our family, good luck!

I haven't heard of this and i really can't offer any advice. But i will say this, my grandmother always told me "the dumbest question is the one you don't ask"! So I am glad you asked your question. how will you get answers if you don't ask. so NEVER feel embarrased to ask anything, especially on here that's what we are here for. good luck!

Don't feel dumb! Take your own and ask that they use it, but be prepared that it may not always happen. Many things happen in the nursery that new parents aren't always aware of! Tell each shift nurse what you want. The baby will most likely be in the room with you the entire time anyway, so you may be preparing it yourself. If your experience is anything like most, and you have a vaginal delivery, you'll be in and out of there so fast you won't have much time to think about it!

One note -I used Enfamil Gentlease with my first child, and we loved it, but then a friend told me her sister works for WIC, and told her the FDA mandates that ALL formulas contain the exact same amount of nutrients because it's not right for poor people to have to buy discounted formula that isn't as good as name brand. Well, I researched this -and it's TRUE! With my second we saved an enormous amount of money by using the Kroger Comforts Soy-based formula and the Target Up and Up Soy. We tried Costco Kirkland formula, but my 2nd didn't tolerate dairy at the time. Certain formulas made for preemies and some for digestive issues like Gentlease do have some added or subtracted ingredients, but the nutritive value is exactly the same as the store-brand formulas that are literally HALF PRICE! It kills me to think of all that money we wasted with our first on formula and name brand diapers! So-just a thought -you may want to give it a try and if your new baby can't tolerate anything but Gentlease -go with it -but you can save about $13 a can with store brands.

There are no dumb questions when it comes to our babies!!! You need to call directly to your hospital nursery and ask what type of formula they stock for the baby. In ours, if you want anything else, you can bring it. They don't usually stock more than one or two kinds because you aren't there long enough. Let them tell you their rules. Don't take the info. 2nd hand.

Once born your child won't be in the hospital that long and there really is no telling that no matter what formula you or the hospital provide will be accepted by your new bundle of joy. It took one week and no less than ten varieties of fomula to come up with the right one for my son. The hospital sent him home with one kind which he just couldn't take.

Try not to be so rigid. Your baby may not even be able to take the formula you have selected. Wait and see.

Your baby doesn't need to start on Gentlease; that formula is especially designed for babies who have problems with the regular formulas. Whatever the hospital has, know it is right for your baby. They know what they are doing. Good luck!

I see this as no different than working with nurses when you want your baby exclusively to breastfeed. I would just supply them with the brand you want. Even better, just have your baby room in with you so it isn't an issue. I did that with both of my babies I even requested that "first bath" was not done in nursery, but in our room. They were very accomodating. If you do plan on using the nursery share with all nurses at every shift to put on your baby's chart (even if you already did in a tour) 1. not feed baby for you 2. if baby is hungry, bring to you or 3. if they do feed use formula provided.
One little tip. When I worked in a hospital, I only saw nurses give the premixed formula because it saves time and fits these littl newborn nipples they have, so if you do bring to the hosptial try to find those little premixed versions of your formula.
Best of luck with your baby on the way!

I would bring some with you and just make sure your labor and delivery nurse and the person who is there to support you through labor are aware what you would like to do (just in case of an emergency and you aren't available to feed her yourself). And, I'd probably bring ready to feed in those same 4oz bottles that they give you in the hospital - I don't think the hospitals carry bottles, water, etc.

At my most recent birth (about a year ago), the hospital was providing Enfamil and I really would have preferred Similac - selfishly because Enfamil had sent me about $3 in coupons and Similac had given me $100 in coupons - so I asked if they had it. They did have some, but not the "give away bag." Apparently the formula companies just take turns providing the freebies - so if you give birth in April, the "standard" might be Enfamil, but if you give birth in October, it might be Similac.

I started him on Similac and he did just fine, so we stuck with it. Of course, if there had been issues, I would have switched him. You never know with formula.

i would bring my own and make sure your family knows and that way everyone can make sure the nurses know as well. most hospitals gve u enfamil similac. my little one got sick on that and after going to her doc we went on enfamil gentlease. also if you are going to be gettin any state help for formula u will have to get a doc note so u can get that formula they wont just give it to u. hope all goes well for you.

Why are you wanting to start baby on Gentlease? How do you know baby will need it? I believe it's for babies who have a hard time digesting their milk for whatever reason. It seems unnecessary to start baby on it, when he/she may digest plain formula just fine. If you insist on starting your baby on it, just call the hospital and talk to them about it.