OK, so I've finally got round to packing my hospital bag, but I'm confused about bottles etc. I'm hoping to breastfeed but should I take in bottles etc just in case I can't? And I should obviously wash them first but should I sterilise them too? Surely if it's a long labour they wouldn't be sterile after all that time? And do I have to take my own milk as well? And are they really going to let me have a baby if i can't even pack my flipping hospital bag right??

Aww bless you! In hospital they give you ready made mini glass btls of formula. They are sterile and come with wee teat and all that you can give LO at room temp.

Word of warning but, in my experience, once you BF one or 2 feeds they are very reluctant to give you a btl and push BF harder on you. x

They look like this

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/SMA-First-Infant-Milk-Starter-Pack-12-x-100ml-Milk-Bottles--12-x-NUK-Teats/38418011

and you can buy more in supermarket for night feeds when you get home. Very expensive but!

Yeah my hospital provided the bottles that snoops posted above, I breastfed Alyssa her first feed but just told them after that, that breastfeeding wasn't for me and that I wanted a bottle, which they were fine with xx

Hmm now I'm really confused, as I read that and thought, yay don't have to worry about bottles, but on the hospital bag checklist the hospital gave me it definitely says to bring bottles, teats and powder milk but no explanation of how much to prepare them.. Think I'll have to give the hospital a call..or just hope my boobs work ok!

i think if you reckon it's likely you will bottlefeed then buy one of those packs from boots or wherever and take a few with you, then when you get home you will have a bit of breathing space before sterilising and stuff...they would be handy anyway if you try combination feeding.

otherwise just hope your boobs do work i didn't take anything for elijah to eat/drink when i went into hospital...i think most hospitals have emergency backups if you plan on bf but can't (although you probably wouldnt know it wasnt working til later anyway) - i think maybe if you are planning on bottle feeding they expect you to take stuff though.

Gotcha I'll get a few to be on the safe side then. Can always drink them myself if baby doesn't need them!