Which formula?

[Thyeternalsummer]

Made up my mind today that I want to FF rather than BF.

Whole host of reasons including: anticipating PND post birth and would like to be free to take whatever drugs are available, lack of support network here, wanting my body back, definitely not wanting to express etc. etc. Lots of factors have contributed to my feeling this will be the right decision for me. And as I'm not advocating feeding baby rat poison, that's good enough.

Anyway - lengthy preamble over, which one? Want to get a few of the instant ready made bottles for my hospital bag.

Is there any difference? A thread search returned some which mentioned Hipp is organic....does that make any difference?

[JoinTheDots]

No difference at all. Personal choice really.

Most people say to check your local shop/shops, because if you run out at 3am and the baby is hungry, you don't want to find the only thing he or she will drink is not sold at your local corner shop and you have to drive somewhere to get it.

[Thyeternalsummer]

Good point about local shops - hadn't thought of that ASDA, Sainsbury's and Waitrose all close at stupid o'clock here which leaves the Tesco express and local garages. Will be sending DP on research mission.

Thank you

[iheartshoes]

I use cow and gate for DD never had any problems at all

[crazykat]

I've used cow&gate and SMA with no problems, I've had to switch once or twice due to shops running out and DCs were fine. My MW told me you can switch brands (as long as its not a different one each time) so long as its the same stage eg first milk/hungry baby.

One thing, don't buy too much before baby is here as they may not like a certain brand or need comfort/stay down milk. Both cow&gate and SMA do ready made milk in bottles with sterilised teats which are good for taking to hospital as you don't need to worry about sterilising bottles and saves space.

[Fairy130389]

We are using aptimil and like it. My friend with a similar ages newborn is using cow and gate and likes it. It's also cheaper I think. Personal choice I think x

[MNPin2013]

The ready made bottles tho expensive are a god send in the early days.

Do practise the whole routine tho of making a bottle in a safe manner, by this I mean that the powder must come into contact with very recently boiled (very hot) water to sterilise it then add cold water to complete the feed.

Requirements for almost instant ready to feed bottle.

A kettle
Clean bottles
Milk powder
A lidded jug of water that has been boiled once previously

So a little fresh tap water in the kettle and boil, measure the scoops of levelled powder into a clean bottle (in this case 3), in a clean bottle measure out 1oz or 30mls of the hot water and add to the powder, swirl to dissolve powder, (you can screw teat unit on and shake but be careful as it will hiss a bit of steam when undone), now in the same water bottle measure out 2ozs or 60mls of the jugged water, add to the mixture, screw on the teat unit, shake and feed baby.

As you move up in scoops, at 5 scoops move to 2ozs hot and 3ozs of jugged water, at 6,7,8 increase the jugged water volume.

Practise will make it less daunting one baby wants to eat NOW :)

I like Hipp but that is personal choice and doesn't come as bottles but cartons that need pouring into a bottle tho 1 carton is 7ozs so 2 feeds each, the remainder must be kept in the fridge and a few minutes in standing in very hot water will have it ready to go.

[mikkii]

I also used Aptamil ( I breast fed until 8 months, 6 months and 4 months) but initially DC2&3 needed topping up, and DD2 was on mixed feeding from 3 months. I used formula if not enough expressed.

I chose Aptamil as I was told its formulation was the closest to breast milk.

Subsequently had o move DD2 onto a comfort emulation and this was stocked nearby.

[NachoAddict]

I used Aptamil for ds1 and dd2 after a midwife recommended it for hungry ds.

I brestfed ds3 but got through q tub of aptamil in the early days and he switched between the two with no problems.

[Thyeternalsummer]

Decided on SMA as it's the most likely to be available locally. Bought some ready made for the hospital bag today, along with a powdered tin and some more bottles.

Thanks for the instructions MNP. I'd been looking on the SMA website after getting a lot of conflicting advice. Main message seems to be that it's not safe to pre make bottles and that you can only leave water to cool up to 20 mins post boiling.

Wasn't happy though that I had to accept several BF disclaimers before I could access any product information on the SMA website. I'd gone looking for the information, I hardly needed more 'breast is best' platitudes.

[MNPin2013]

I literally use the water once the boiling bubbles have gone and DC has thrived.

[MNPin2013]

Also in the early days I made up batches of milk feeds as I detailed and put in the back of the fridge and warmed in the microwave and she is a sturdy thing :)

[lurcherlover]

Thyeternalsummer they put the BF disclaimers there because their websites are illegal (because any form of advertising formula or contacting mothers are forbidden by the WHO Code). It's to make it look like they're obeying the Code when they're not.

You're right to get whichever formula is easiest to get hold of. They're basically all the same (eg Aptamil is no "closer to breastmilk" than any of the others - it's just marketing). It's also a myth that you can't switch brands whenever you want to (again, manufacturers encourage this belief so that you stick with their brand) and actually doing so may be beneficial to your baby as it will get slight variations in taste that way.

Are you getting good antenatal support as you're at risk of PND? Please don't think I am trying to "pressure" you - I'm really not - but as someone who has had PND myself and therefore knows a fair bit about it, evidence shows that not breastfeeding actually seems to increase the risk of PND. There are also safe antidepressants you can take too. Personally I think bf definitely helped my PND. Obviously make the right decision for you and if other factors mean you want to ff, then fine - but PND alone doesn't necessarily mean ff would be better.

[Thyeternalsummer]

Think I might be tempted to ready make some once I've got him into a good feeding routine. Planning on the gina ford though, so at least I'll know exactly when his next feed is due and can start boiling kettle etc in advance.

[Thyeternalsummer]

Thanks lurchlover ??

Planning on pre emptively resuming fluoxetine prescription as soon as I can post birth to minimise any potential PND. That and resuming the pill as soon as I'm allowed. Know that not BF is def the right decision for me - really need my androgynous, super healthy pre pregnancy body back to myself post baby.

[MNPin2013]

Have a look at the baby whisperer easy routine as less rigid but still baby will want to have small feeds every 2-3 hours, and then sleep until the next feed.

This routine has been my mantra for 24yrs and not steered me wrong.

[MNPin2013]

Also your only boiling a few ounces so kettle will be done by the time you have washed your hands and got the 2 bottles open and powder in one.

[mrsmartin1984]

All the formulas are the same. They have to be made to a specific mixture. So all the difference between brands is just marketing and is not based on any true scientific research.

Follow on milks and hungry milks are nonscience products which the companies made up to get around marketing laws (money is far more important then baby's health)

I was at high rish of PND but there was no way I considered FF. My baby's health and well being was far too important and I wanted to give the best start for her. There are drug that can be taken BFing. And it doesn't mean that you give your life up doing so. I love it

[wigglesrock]

I used SMA for my 3 from birth and had no problems with it, although I know some people feel it made their babies constipated.

I literally picked the formula shop stocked, I didn't drive when I had my first and Tescos was a bit of a walk.

Make sure you get the NHS Guide to Bottlefeeding leaflet from midwives before you're discharged or you could download it.

Double check with where you're giving birth re formula. My hospital still supplies formula (the little glass bottles) for newborns and I also found them great for the first few days at home. I got them in Asda/Boots.


Good luck.