If you choose to bottle feed your baby, please find the links on the support page which include the Department of Health Leaflet and the How to sterilise your equipment leaflet. It is also important to remember that this Trust no longer supplies formula milk for bottle-fed babies.
We encourage you to hold your baby in skin to skin contact as soon as possible. This should ideally last for an hour or more and can help with maintaining baby’s temperature and bonding. You may want to bottle feed your baby whilst having some skin to skin contact. Please ask the midwife who is caring for you to help you with this.
What do I need to bring with me if I wish to feed my baby formula milk?
In line with other local Trusts, UHCW does not provide infant formula to new mothers who have made an informed choice not to breastfeed.
How much formula feed will my baby need?
Your baby will take small feeds to begin with - around 15-30mls at each feed, but every baby is different.
You will need to bring with you:
Starter packs of ready to feed formula (RTF) - these packs come with the teats. We would suggest you bring two starter packs with you.
Please do not bring with you:
Powdered formula - we do not have the facilities for the safe preparation or strorage of powdered formula. We cannot store the larger cartons of ready to feed formula once open, so please do not bring these to the hospital
Will there be much wastage of formula?
The manufacturers advise that once a bottle has been opened and used, the contents need to be discarded after an hour.
There are so many brands of infant formula – which one do I choose?
There are several brands of infant formula with different company names. There is evidence that one company’s formula is better for your baby than any other. The formula you should bring in needs to be first milk ‘Stage 1’, unless your doctor or health visitor tells you otherwise. This is best type of infant formula for your baby for the first twelve months.
What if I forget to bring formula with me?
A member of your family will be able to purchase formula on your behalf from local supermarkets / shops, many of which are open for 24 hours. Some mothers may choose to breastfeed until the formula can be purchased. Our policy is to provide formula milk only when clinically indicated by a paediatrician.
Changing your mind
If you decide not to breastfeed or to stop breastfeeding, it is possible to restart. If you are breastfeeding, it is worth bearing in mind that giving infant formula to a breastfed baby may reduce your milk supply. Remember we have a dedicated UNICEF Baby friendly award winning team to support you.
What happens if I try my hardest to breastfeed but it just won’t work?
Most ladies if fit and well will go home on the first day. If you have not established breastfeeding we will actively encourage you to stay so we can offer you professional support. If you make the decision to stop breastfeeding you will be fully supported with your decision, and a family member will need to bring formula in for your baby.
How can I find out more about feeding my baby?
Please speak to your community midwife for more information about your thoughts and feelings surrounding how to feed your baby.
On-going breastfeeding support
Find details of your nearest breastfeeding support and social group by asking your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding support worker.
If you are experiencing any difficulties with any aspects of feeding your baby, it is important to remember that our staff are available to support you.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
Shielding Patients in very high risk for COVID Group
All people who have been identified as very high risk (requiring shielding) for COVID are in the process of being contacted by their clinician regarding their ongoing care. If you require a blood test whilst shielding as part of your care, appointment details including when and where your blood test will be carried out will be sent to you via a text message from SwiftQueue who manage our blood test bookings.
If you have regular blood tests and have been asked to have these, please ensure you have blood forms at home available; if you haven’t please contact your specialty to have some sent to you in advance of your blood tests.
Older People and Vulnerable Adults
People who are in the groups identified by the government as higher risk e.g are over 70 or receive a yearly flu jab, but are not in the very high risk (requiring shielding) group, can attend our normal blood test clinics. The blood test clinics and waiting areas have been adapted so that social distancing can be maintained.
Please check the locations on the map below.
Click on the map for information about phlebotomy clinics in Coventry. You can book an appointment online at the locations in red.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Booking an appointment helps patients, their carers and family members to plan their hospital visit better, helping to reduce clinic waiting times and enabling patients to be seen much more quickly.
Location: Outpatients Department, on the ground floor. Opening hours: 8am-4.45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Children under 16 years old will need to book online here.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test, click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Patients from Rugby and the surrounding areas are able to access the Friends Blood Taking Unit at the Hospital of St Cross.
Referrals for blood tests can be from GP's, practice nurses or from hospital consultants. Patients are also able to leave other samples, such as urine, which have been collected at home, at the hospital's Pathology Reception.
Location: Near Brookfield House, just off North Road - map here. Opening hours: The blood taking clinic sessions for adults and children are listed below:
Monday -Friday 7am-4:45pm Appointment only
Wednesday Evening 5pm-7pm Suspended due to COVID
Saturday Morning 7am-10pm Suspended due to COVID
April 2020 NEW - This Clinic is now by appointment. Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above.
Address: Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry CV1 4FS Location: Access is via the main doors, the Phlebotomy team are in Area A. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). 8am–4.45pm
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Specialist Tests - There are a small number of specialist tests where blood needs to be taken on a hospital site as the sample must be transferred to the laboratory rapidly for the test to be undertaken. Click here for a list of these specialist tests and to find out more.