Formula for breastfed baby

[GipsyDanger]

Ds (3 months) is ebf. I'm thinking of adding a bottle of formula here and there. I know nothing about the brands of formula. I will want ready made stuff, does it matter what brand I use or are they all the same?

[EsmesBees]

We used Aptimel just because it's the one sold in the corner shop. Formula is heavily regulated so I think the recipes are largely similar. Mine was mix fed and not bothered about switching between the two.

[Minimalteserbunny]

they are all the same

FYI formula is not heavily regulated its a food so very much not regulated - advertising formula is however

[welshweasel]

They're all much of a muchness. We use cow and gate because that's what I was given in hospital when I had to do formula top ups (hadn't planned on using formula so hadn't thought about brands). C&G and SMA are slightly cheaper than aptamil. Check what the supermarket you shop in stocks. We shop in Aldi and they only stock SMA. If I'd known I'd have used that, it's annoying having to go to another shop just to get milk.

[FuzzyOwl]

You just need a first formula (which you can keep using throughout and never need to change to follow on etc) and the ingredients in the formula is regulated. However, they all all pretty much the same thing.

[Minimalteserbunny]

why do people think formula ingredients are regulated? in what way? by who? (genuine question)

[FuzzyOwl]

Mimi formula is regulated as you can see here

[PolaroidsFromTheBeyond]

why do people think formula ingredients are regulated? in what way? by who? (genuine question)

Seriously? You can't think who might regulate somethings that is manufactured and marketed as a food source for babies?

[Minimalteserbunny]

I actually do know of course I do otherwise I wouldn't be asking

I'm musing on all the genuine misgivings regarding formula it's heavily regulated like medication

That guidance is actually about labelling etc not about ingredients and sources and specifics
Yes formula contains fats proteins carbodydrates etc but if one company wishes to add probiotics it's not regulated
If one company adds iron from China for example it's not regulated it's called the open market and that's what I mean when I say it's not heavily regulated

I didn't want the OP to be misinformed

They are all the same

[Minimalteserbunny]

Should say not heavily regulated like medication

[EsmesBees]

But there the ingredients and composition are limited by legislation www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/3521/pdfs/uksi_20073521_en.pdf

There is presumably substantial testing for compliance too.

[EsmesBees]

Oh yes I'd agree not regulated in exactly the same way that medications are regulated.

[BikeRunSki]

They are all very similar and bin is "bad". If you want to spend hours scrutinising the ingredients and nutritional values, you'll see that Aptamil and C&G differ only in price and marketing - everything else is the same ( I have a colleague who use to work for Milupa who told me that, but I did then spend ages scrutinising the labels). DS was quite happy to change between Farley's (no longer made) and HiPP organic.

[BikeRunSki]

"None" not "bin"!

[GipsyDanger]

Thanks! I went to the baby classes before ds was born, they don't cover anything about formula. Didn't help I had the fear of God put into me by some BF mums hence asking if they were all the same or one better than the other. I know he's probably just going through a growth spurt but everyone is telling me to give him rusk but he's only 3 months, isn't that a bit young?

[adagio]

I'm on baby no 2, and avoided weaning till 6 months on the first - research indicates it's probably better for their digestive system to wait. I'll be doing the same with this one.

Apologies if I am stating stuff you already know but breast milk is all about supply and demand - so during a spurt baby will demand more which will turn up eg tomorrow, then your supply should settle at the new level after a few days, or when ill they might take less and have to suckle more then to get supply back up once feeling better. If you give formula then your body won't make the extra - which is fine if that's your intention!

Personally I'll be adding formula when we start childcare later this year just cos it's easier - but I intend to still offer boob in the mornings and evenings, but baby will be over 6 months by then so I'm relaxed on whether its 'the end' of breastfeeding (or not!). I have also read that all formulas are the same pretty much - but have a look as I think some come in ready made bottle (just stick a disposable teat on) some in cartons. If you get a carton you'll have to get separate bottles and sterilise etc.

[bittapitta]

3 mo is far too young for rusk OP, you're right. He is going through a growth spurt most likely so feed in demand even if it's more often. By all means add a bottle of formula if it gives you a break. We just went for the cheapest which was Cow and gate