follow-on / growing up milk - is it necessary?

[fells]

My 12 month old was exclusively breast-fed for just over 8 months. I then spent about 6 weeks very gradually phasing out bf until we got down to one morning feed a day which she is still having. I have replaced the breast feeds with Aptamil 'first' and have never used their hungrier baby milk or follow-on milk. Have I made a mistake here? I realise I can now introduce cow's milk but have a box of Aptamil to finish first. Should I introduce the follow-on milk for a month or two before starting on the cow's milk? What about the growing-up milk which I have only just noticed exists? Is that preferable to cow's milk? Obviously I want to give my dd the best option available.

[PiccadillyCircus]

IMO, follow on and growing up milks are not necessary.

I would stick with first milk and then go to cow's milk (as I currently am with DD and will when she is 1)

[oliveoil]

I would finish the Aptamil seeing as though you have it, then go straight onto cows milk.

I mixed the formula and cows milk, 90/10 80/20 50/50 etc etc over a few days so they got used to the taste. Or your dd may go straight onto it (mine spat it out).

Follow on and grown up milk are a load of cobblers and are only manufactured so they can advertise them (are banned from advertising formula for babies). I think!

[hairymclary]

no, there is absolutely no need for follow on or growing up milk.
it does have added iron, which could be useful if your little one is anaemic or anything, but tbh I think it isn't absorbed that well from them because dairy inhibits the absorption of iron anyway.

If your dd is having a good varied diet then there is no need for any special milk

[MrsBadger]

I'd use up what you've got and then switch to cow's milk - I don't think there's any benefit in follow-on / growing-up milk over cow's milk or indeed Aptamil for just one feed a day, assuming he's eating a balanced diet otherwise.

Bear in mind that the taste of cow's milk may take some getting used to if he's never had it straight before - mixing it half-and-half with the formula may make it more palatable if he's not impressed initially, although if you're currently doing the morning feed from a bottle this might be an opportunity to switch to a cup, in which case the taste of the milk will be much less of a shock if it's not presented the same way as the formula.

[rant]
A legal loophole means that manufacturers may not advertise 'infant formula' but may advertise foods/beverages for older children. So if they stick a 'follow-on' label on the same product it's no longer infant formula and they can advertise it how they like. It's a marketing gimmick, pure and simple.
[rant over]

[oliveoil]

hey mrs badger, we said the same thing but you were more elequont!

[oliveoil]

elequent? elequant?

elephant?

[MrsBadger]

[flaps ears, waves trunk]