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Infant feeding

Is it essential to move on to 'follow on' formula?

7 replies

Mupski · 03/07/2011 20:14

Hi

My DD was EBF for her first 6 months. Once we began weaning I also gradually introduced formula and chose to go with Aptamil stage 1 with no issues at all. DD is now 9 months old and solids are now well established so we have moved to Amptamil 3 follow on milk (I have to admit this was mainly because all the other Mums seemed to be doing so?).

Unfortunately the new milk seems to be upsetting her little tummy. She has very loose stools which are completely filling her nappy, at least 5 times a day (sorry if that's TMI).

I understand the follow on milk has added iron but could DD remain on stage 1 formula until we move to cow's milk at 12 months if I ensure she has an iron rich diet?

Thanks!

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trixie123 · 03/07/2011 20:20

as I understand it (and having looked at the packets) there is virtally no difference between them anyway. if what little difference there is is upsetting her, stay with the stage 1. We kept with SMA gold until `DS was 1 then went onto cows milk.

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JarethTheGoblinKing · 03/07/2011 20:22

No, there is no need.

IMO the follow-on milks are purely there so that formula companies have something to advertise (given that they cannot advertise stage 1 formula)

DS stayed on stage 1 until he was 13mo, as I understand it the iron is the only issue.

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Muser · 03/07/2011 20:24

I was under the impression that follow on milk was invented to get round the ban on advertising formula for babies under 6 months.

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RitaMorgan · 03/07/2011 20:24

The NHS recommends you don't use follow-on and just stick with first stage milk til 12 months, then switch to cow's milk.

Milk isn't a good source of iron anyway, it's a marketing ploy. Most of the "extra" iron in follow-on isn't easily digested.

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CrystalQueen · 03/07/2011 20:25

All leaflets we ever got from the HV said that there was no need for follow-on milk. We stayed with Stage 1 until DD was 1, when we moved to cow's milk.

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Mupski · 03/07/2011 20:35

Thanks so much for you speedy replies. Gosh, I feel a little guilty that I've give DD an upset tum for no reason! Right, I shall go back to stage 1 tomorrow and hopefully we'll then have a little less poo to deal with :)

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Secondtimelucky · 03/07/2011 21:04

Don't feel bad. I have a special kind of anger reserved for formula companies who panic parents with tales of iron levels and the need for follow on/toddler milk. They really are an unnecessary con designed to get round marketing bans.

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