Just be vocal about being okay with formula in addition to wanting to breastfeed, and say that you want to keep the baby in the nursery so they talk to you about how long of a stretch you want, etc.

Sibley 2019 birth, they took him to the nursery but brought him to me every three hours to nurse. Sibley 2021 birth, I told them to keep him as long as they would, and it ended up being about 10 pm to 5 am ish. I was able to rest and recover, but also practiced breastfeeding all day other than that, so it didn't negatively impact breastfeeding.

OP I did exactly what you intend to do with my second kiddo and it worked beautifully for us. My rest and recovery are important too! Formula is safe and available. It was nice to not be a zombie.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to ask the hospital about their policy beforehand. It is not typical for them to take babies and give formula. If you need a break in the night, they may be able to take baby and bring them to you to nurse. Giving formula that early without medical reason is not recommended.

This. It's also likely that even if they do take the baby they can and will send babies back if census is to high. Or if staff is needed for more critical care. So I wouldn't totally depend on you being able to keep the baby in the nursery for hours.

If it's in the budget hire someone to come with you to give you a break.

I’m the combo feeding pp (but with oversupply; no issues breastfeeding I just like the convenience for husband). There is NO valid medical reason it’s not recommended. This unscientific advice makes me so mad. Visit fedisbest.org and read the heartbreaking stories of real moms who literally starved their babies because they were told formula would ruin breastfeeding and they ended up hanging supply issues. I believe it should be mandatory hospital policy everywhere to give formula until mother’s milk comes in. The massive increase in hospital readmissions for jaundice would go down, too.

WTF are you talking about? As much as you and op may want to put your baby in the nursery they may not be able to stay there depending on the number of infants and the number of nurses.

As for the last bit it's not medically necessary to do that so no..

And I'm sorry but you're a freaking idiot if you ignore a starving and dehydrated failing to thrive infant to breastfeed. They weren't getting that info from their child's doctor infact they were actively ignoring medical advice to get to that point.

+1. I really don't get the hate for baby friendly practices on this forum. As someone who was forced to be separated from her newborn for days while she was in the NICU, I can't imagine willingly sending her out of the room so I don't have to bother feeding her.

You should start with imagining a 48 hour labor that ends in a c-section that leaves you physically unable to lift your baby up and so tired you fall asleep holding them and drop them. Not every one had your birth experience. Labor can be so tiring you can’t safely care for your child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to ask the hospital about their policy beforehand. It is not typical for them to take babies and give formula. If you need a break in the night, they may be able to take baby and bring them to you to nurse. Giving formula that early without medical reason is not recommended.

This. It's also likely that even if they do take the baby they can and will send babies back if census is to high. Or if staff is needed for more critical care. So I wouldn't totally depend on you being able to keep the baby in the nursery for hours.

If it's in the budget hire someone to come with you to give you a break.

I’m the combo feeding pp (but with oversupply; no issues breastfeeding I just like the convenience for husband). There is NO valid medical reason it’s not recommended. This unscientific advice makes me so mad. Visit fedisbest.org and read the heartbreaking stories of real moms who literally starved their babies because they were told formula would ruin breastfeeding and they ended up hanging supply issues. I believe it should be mandatory hospital policy everywhere to give formula until mother’s milk comes in. The massive increase in hospital readmissions for jaundice would go down, too.

WTF are you talking about? As much as you and op may want to put your baby in the nursery they may not be able to stay there depending on the number of infants and the number of nurses.

As for the last bit it's not medically necessary to do that so no..

And I'm sorry but you're a freaking idiot if you ignore a starving and dehydrated failing to thrive infant to breastfeed. They weren't getting that info from their child's doctor infact they were actively ignoring medical advice to get to that point.

I’m the pp. I really recommend you go read the stories on fedisbest.org before you pronounce them all idiots. One of the main women behind the site is a doctor, and yet even she failed to recognize the symptoms of dehydration in a newborn. It is not easy to know whether a 2 day old baby is just tired or literally starving especially when all the medical professionals around you are telling you the baby is fine and not to give formula. I think you are ignorant.

I delivered at Sibley a month ago. I was hesitant to send my baby to the nursery, but did on night 2 because I had barely slept. The nurse actually told me I was the only one without my baby in the nursery and encouraged me to let him go so I could sleep. I didn't ask about formula, so they brought him back to breast feed. I'm sure if I had asked they would have done fornula.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to ask the hospital about their policy beforehand. It is not typical for them to take babies and give formula. If you need a break in the night, they may be able to take baby and bring them to you to nurse. Giving formula that early without medical reason is not recommended.

This. It's also likely that even if they do take the baby they can and will send babies back if census is to high. Or if staff is needed for more critical care. So I wouldn't totally depend on you being able to keep the baby in the nursery for hours.

If it's in the budget hire someone to come with you to give you a break.

I’m the combo feeding pp (but with oversupply; no issues breastfeeding I just like the convenience for husband). There is NO valid medical reason it’s not recommended. This unscientific advice makes me so mad. Visit fedisbest.org and read the heartbreaking stories of real moms who literally starved their babies because they were told formula would ruin breastfeeding and they ended up hanging supply issues. I believe it should be mandatory hospital policy everywhere to give formula until mother’s milk comes in. The massive increase in hospital readmissions for jaundice would go down, too.

WTF are you talking about? As much as you and op may want to put your baby in the nursery they may not be able to stay there depending on the number of infants and the number of nurses.

As for the last bit it's not medically necessary to do that so no..

And I'm sorry but you're a freaking idiot if you ignore a starving and dehydrated failing to thrive infant to breastfeed. They weren't getting that info from their child's doctor infact they were actively ignoring medical advice to get to that point.

+1. I really don't get the hate for baby friendly practices on this forum. As someone who was forced to be separated from her newborn for days while she was in the NICU, I can't imagine willingly sending her out of the room so I don't have to bother feeding her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to ask the hospital about their policy beforehand. It is not typical for them to take babies and give formula. If you need a break in the night, they may be able to take baby and bring them to you to nurse. Giving formula that early without medical reason is not recommended.

This. It's also likely that even if they do take the baby they can and will send babies back if census is to high. Or if staff is needed for more critical care. So I wouldn't totally depend on you being able to keep the baby in the nursery for hours.

If it's in the budget hire someone to come with you to give you a break.

I’m the combo feeding pp (but with oversupply; no issues breastfeeding I just like the convenience for husband). There is NO valid medical reason it’s not recommended. This unscientific advice makes me so mad. Visit fedisbest.org and read the heartbreaking stories of real moms who literally starved their babies because they were told formula would ruin breastfeeding and they ended up hanging supply issues. I believe it should be mandatory hospital policy everywhere to give formula until mother’s milk comes in. The massive increase in hospital readmissions for jaundice would go down, too.

WTF are you talking about? As much as you and op may want to put your baby in the nursery they may not be able to stay there depending on the number of infants and the number of nurses.

As for the last bit it's not medically necessary to do that so no..

And I'm sorry but you're a freaking idiot if you ignore a starving and dehydrated failing to thrive infant to breastfeed. They weren't getting that info from their child's doctor infact they were actively ignoring medical advice to get to that point.

Years ago I had my first at Sibley. I’d lost a lot of blood and had a lot of stitches. The experience generally wasn’t well handled but especially the night I asked for her so I could try nursing. After forcing myself to stay awake in the middle of the night for an hour I woke my husband. He went looking for our baby who had been left outside our door with a note to bring her in when I next got my meds. I’d gotten upset that they were checking my blood, checking her, giving me my meds, etc in about 20 min intervals and asked them to coordinate but was shocked when I asked for my baby that they got her out of the nursery but then just left her in the hallway outside my door. My second I had no nursery option but it was a much easier delivery. The nurses would come to the room to change diapers and offered to give her formula so I could sleep.

I haven’t read through the entire thread.

To answer your question succinctly, OP: I had my third earlier this year. I sent my baby to the nursery for one night and they gave him formula. I am successfully breastfeeding 3 months later.

Which hospital are you delivering at? I was at Sibley late last year and specifically told the nurses that I wanted to send baby to the nursery. They were supportive- didn’t make any comments implying that this was unusual or whatever. I think it opened around 11 each night. They would bring him to me in the middle of the night for a feeding and then typically would take him back. So I’d get a few uninterrupted hours of sleep. My husband was also with me. I did not have any issues with supply during or after my hospital stay.

I’d highly recommend taking advantage of the nursery. Was very helpful for my recovery.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to ask the hospital about their policy beforehand. It is not typical for them to take babies and give formula. If you need a break in the night, they may be able to take baby and bring them to you to nurse. Giving formula that early without medical reason is not recommended.

This. It's also likely that even if they do take the baby they can and will send babies back if census is to high. Or if staff is needed for more critical care. So I wouldn't totally depend on you being able to keep the baby in the nursery for hours.

If it's in the budget hire someone to come with you to give you a break.

I’m the combo feeding pp (but with oversupply; no issues breastfeeding I just like the convenience for husband). There is NO valid medical reason it’s not recommended. This unscientific advice makes me so mad. Visit fedisbest.org and read the heartbreaking stories of real moms who literally starved their babies because they were told formula would ruin breastfeeding and they ended up hanging supply issues. I believe it should be mandatory hospital policy everywhere to give formula until mother’s milk comes in. The massive increase in hospital readmissions for jaundice would go down, too.

I am exactly the person you are looking for. I sent my baby to the nursery because I had a loooong labor after an induction and was exhausted. They kept her for 7 hours and gave formula with my permission. In fact, I was so worried about hypoglycemia we brought formula to the hospital and supplemented immediately from birth until my milk came in on day 3. By 2 months postpartum I was exclusively breastfeeding. We never had any issues whatsoever with latch, milk coming in, supply, etc.

I feel very strongly that the “baby Friendly” hospital initiative is entirely profit driven as is abusive and dangerous to mothers (and thus babies). I also feel that most lactation consultants are really ignorant about formula and combo feeding and push lies like “nipple confusion,” which doesn’t really exist and which discourages mothers from giving newborns sometimes life-saving formula.

I now combo feed by choice for convenience. Do not let anyone convince you there’s only one right way to feed your baby.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had two of my babies pre covid and both times I sent them to the nursery for 9 hours a night and they got formula there. I had two C sections and it was the best decision ever. I breastfed all day for those 4 days, and they breastfed fine after we got home including at night. I am really glad this push for no newborn nurseries - even for women who had major surgery and are doped up on morphine, or women who dont have a partner who can stay overnight- happened after my kids were born.

Amen to this. Two c-sections, at the hospital solo, and I would have given anything to have a few straight hours of sleep. I even skipped the morphine so I could function.

When I had my third the magic words were “I’m having trouble staying awake while holding him.” Off he went.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had two of my babies pre covid and both times I sent them to the nursery for 9 hours a night and they got formula there. I had two C sections and it was the best decision ever. I breastfed all day for those 4 days, and they breastfed fine after we got home including at night. I am really glad this push for no newborn nurseries - even for women who had major surgery and are doped up on morphine, or women who dont have a partner who can stay overnight- happened after my kids were born.

Thank you this is exactly the type of information (even if anecdotal) I was hoping to hear other’s experiences with.

To the PPs above who didn’t even seem to read my post, I know the hospital policies - there is a nursery and they will take the baby there and they will offer formula if I request/ok it (I know this because I already had one baby there 2 years ago and needed formula for a medical reason during our stay, even though we weren’t allowed to use the nursery due to COVID). I have absolutely no issue with formula so that isn’t my question. Just was wondering about people’s experiences successfully breastfeeding even if they opted to sleep through a typical 2-3hr feed window the first or second night.

I supplemented with formula for the first few days and it was fan-effing-tastic (no nursery at my hospital but the nice nurses took my baby away for a while and hung out with her at the nurses desk). No issues breastfeeding later.

Read about Early Limited Formula (ELF). Some early studies show it's actually associated with *longer* breastfeeding. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3666109/

Super interesting, thank you for sharing.