Follow on milk - should I swap from first milk?

[hotmama]

DD is now 7 months and has Aptimil First. Should I swap to the follow on stuff? I asked my HV and she said it was fine to carry on with the first milk.

I asked if the follow on milk is just a way of companies being able to market formulas as they are aren't able to push formula prior to 6 months as this contravenes bf information - HV smirked and nodded!

So what is the difference then - and follow on formula is cheaper - should I swap to save money? Does follow on milk have additional good stuff in? Or should I just stay on the first milk as dd is fine as she is?

[cosi]

I phoned Aptimil to ask what the difference is a couple of months ago. They said that Follow on milk has more iron and that the mixture of curds and whey is different so that it fills the baby up for longer. They also said that you dont have to use it and can keep on with the Aptimil First if you want. I did change to it with no problems, DS didnt seem to notice the difference. Also if you ring them they send you a free card which shows how much iron is in certain foods and how much you should be giving your baby which is quite useful (and some money off vouchers).

[ButtonMoon]

my HV said it was just a marketing ploy too...to get people to buy the formula until their children are 2!! How much money??????? I weaned bf baby onto first milk at 8 months. My HV said as long as they are getting a varied diet with iron sources in then that's fine. I suppose if you had a really fussy eater then you may consider it.

[bobbybob]

Apparently scoop size is different, so the price comparison is not right, ie scoop is bigger so you use it quicker.

[Chandra]

I used follow on Aptamil formula until DS was 2, but it was just because his allergies came alive with anything out of Aptamil.

[hunkermunker]

The extra iron can constipate some babies too. They don't actually need any more iron than is in the first milk.

[Twiglett]

its not cheaper its more expensive the scoops are different sizes

it is a total marketing con - it allows formula companies to do limited adverstising

[snafu]

Total con. Just done to get around the advertising restrictions. If your dd is quite happy on the first milk then there's no reason to change.

[Chandra]

mmm... the scoops are the sameinAptamil though. And follow onmilk formula can be foundin offer whilefirst milk can't.

[Chandra]

As youmay realise my space bar is notworking properly today

[hotmama]

Thanks for all your advice. I think I'll stick with the First milk as dd is happy - just won't build up additional advantage points at Boots!

I don't particularly want dd full up on milk as she isn't a particular hungry baby - if she is full up on milk she may well reduce solids which will mean she won't be getting all the mix of minerals etc from her food.

Actually, if anything dd is a bit of a chunkster - got her weighed on Tuesday she was 20lb 6ozs at 30 weeks - so I don't think she needs any additional calories from follow on milk!

[mears]

Absolutely no need for follow-on milk. The only reason it is available is that milk companies can advertise it on telly and everywhere else because it is not a breast milk substitute. By advertising it they are advertising their logo.

There is no need for the extra iron that is in it and it does not actually work out cheaper that sticking with first milk.

Don't be conned.

[Seona1973]

I used sma progress as it was on special offer at the time and the tins were cheaper than sma gold in the first place as well. It may be a con so they can advertise their milks but tbh I didnt care and it wasnt exactly going to do my dd any harm. It has extra iron/vitamins in but your lo should get that from their food anyway. I never noticed a difference in scoop size, so they cant be very much bigger. It's totally up to you really.

[Seona1973]

Also all the milks (first milk, hungry baby, follow on) have the same calories per 100mls (sma ones anyway) and the follow on is marketed as giving the same nutrition in a smaller amount of milk so that your lo does have the room for solids. Saying that though, you can stick to first milk if you and your lo are happy with it.