Aptamil help?

[louiseplusditi]

I'd like to use aptamil formula for my baby as this seems to be a substitute for breastfeeding - I don't think I could breast feed because of various issues/reasons and so I am looking for a good substitute & have decided I'd like to try aptamil when my baby arrives...I've seen one called
"Aptamil profutra" which says it's good for a substitute and for mums who wish to breast feed and use formula - it seems to have more things in the milk that may benefit a baby ...
Has anyone else used this?

[SpeakNoWords]

All formulas are substitutes for breastmilk, and their ingredients are tightly controlled. If any of the extra ingredients in this "profutra" brand were proven to benefit babies then they would be required to be in all brands of formulas.

I think that the manufacturers of Aptamil do a really good job of marketing it as a premium brand. But in reality the supposed difference is not worth the price differential. Cow and Gate is made by the same manufacturer and is cheaper. There's nothing that makes Aptamil better than any other formula for combining with breastfeeding.

[Heirhelp]

I use aptimil. If you look on the aptimil website there is hardly any difference between the two products. All brands of formula are breast milk substitutes and due to tight regulation they are very similar.

Do you want to breastfeed? If yes can I ask why you don't think you will be able to. Have you sought professional advice to check you can't breastfeed.

[louiseplusditi]

Thanks for your advice on the milk :-)
This is my first baby and have no idea! I'm 24 weeks and feel like I better get a bit more clued up!
For some reason I don't particularly want to use cow and gate and would prefer aptamil,
Heirhelp I did notice there was hardly any difference in the profutra and normal aptamil too, I know the boxes of the formula with the profutra are nearly half the size!

I have small breasts haha! I don't think there's any milk or will be much, plus I am a very shy person and as much as I have come out of my shell more I can't help but still have some shyness...that aside I have medical problems and don't think it's really a option for me xx

[SpeakNoWords]

Breast size doesn't actually make any difference to whether or not you can breastfeed. Also, if you think you might like to try and breastfeed, you could discuss the medical issues with your midwife and see if they have any thoughts about ways around any issues. There are also ways of feeding that mean you really don't expose anything at all, if you're worried about that.

[Heirhelp]

It is easier to feed with smaller boobs than bigger boobs. It is entirely you decision but I know people who have breast fed to 6 months and beyond without doing it in public. It might be worth going to a local breast feeding group, the welcome pregnant women, so you can discuss your concerns about breast feeding.

[louiseplusditi]

Even more good advice again haha!
I would love to give the best for my child - like any mother, I guess sometimes the thought it worse than the action! I have a midwife appointment next week so will defiantly bring this up with her.
I see a specialist at the maternity hospital every 2 weeks and sometimes they are quite negative and feel like I get put down a little bit by them so i get nervous about discussing things with medical professionals now, thanks for the tips again xxx

[dementedpixie]

Aptamil is no more closer to breastmilk than any of the other formulas. They have done their marketing well though!! Not every formula suits every child so I wouldn't go stockpiling any one brand as it may not be the one your baby gets on with.

[Heirhelp]

I only breast feed for 6 weeks as it was not right for us but I do think you may regret it if you don't explore all the options. You could contact LLL and they will be able to point you in the direction of find out info about bf and medication. Remember you can always do just one breast feed or bf for a few weeks if you decided that was right for you.

[pinkpanther6]

As the proud owner of 34a boobs that exclusively breast fed twins for the 1st 6 months of their lives I can confirm 100% size doesn't affect breast feeding.
With regards to formula they are all similar but I know friends whose babies prefer certain brands, one friend bought aptimal but baby much happier on sma so it might be a bit trial and error. X

[louiseplusditi]

Hi dementedpixie I've heard this is common with a lot of products (wipes, nappies, milk etc) so was gonna buy one to start with and see how he/she gets on with it.

heirhelp what is LLL? I think I may speak with the midwife and then research myself and maybe try it.m, even while I am at the hospital and see how it goes, does it hurt?

pinkpanther6 how do you know if you have enough? I am a b cup and was thinking the other day how do I know if I'd have enough haha. When do you start producing milk?

[SpeakNoWords]

LLL = La Leche League, a charity to support breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding can hurt to begin with, although not always. Hurting all the time is a sign of problems like a bad latch, baby having tongue tie, or other issues. These issues can usually be sorted out with the right help.

[Heirhelp]

Your body will produce colostrum (thick milk high in calories and antibodies) in late pregnancy and your milk comes in between 3 to 5 days post birth. You know you are producing a enough milk because your baby gets bigger. All babies lose weight in the first week.

[Heirhelp]

I found breast feeding sore but my DD gas tongue tie and then I got an major infection c section wound and then I got thrush in my nipple. I was very lucky in my health problems but throughout my DD put on lots of weight.

[louiseplusditi]

Ohhhh wow! I thought your body put produced milk during pregnancy, I didn't know it wasn't until the end. Thank you for all your help 😊

[GlitterandSparkle88]

I've just had to switch my lo from
SMA to aptamil after advice from hv and I went for the profutura over the original aptamil and I don't see the difference between them. I've contacted aptamil and they say the profutura has LCP's and a new fat blend and they said they still sell original aptamil to give prints the choice. They did say the basis of all formula is the same so really feel like I've been had by the marketing and paid more for the same product just in a different box! I've only been using aptamil for a few days so too early to tell the difference yet apart from cheesy smelling spit up! but he was just fine on Sma for the first few weeks so like others have said don't go stocking up on one brand as now we have a cupboard full of SMA .

[louiseplusditi]

What is LCP? Sorry I am new to all of this, I feel like an idiot asking so many questions lol.
I hope my babies sick doesn't smell of cheese cos it will make me be sick haha!
I'll get one box of aptamil and then try that just incase.
Do babies just not like the taste or is it the formula not agreeing with them? How would I know if the milk I choose (if not breastfeeding) is not suitable for my baby?

[SpeakNoWords]

LCP - long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

These are found naturally in breastmilk, so formula companies hope that by adding them to formula it will be better for babies, although there is no evidence that they are effective. If it was proven better for babies then it would have to be in all formulas by law.

Sometimes parents feel their babies are more windy, vomity or uncomfortable on one formula compared to another, so you might change to see if it makes a difference. It might not make any difference though.

[GlitterandSparkle88]

I thought the Sma was working well but he was having trouble with his poo and when the health visitor saw she said I needed to swap formula she thinks the formula not agreeing with him so time will tell if there is any difference with aptamil. It's all very confusing So many different brands of formula and then each brand has multiple formulas