To ask which formula brand you would recommend for a newborn?

[MissMattyJenkins]

I'm posting in AIBU for traffic as I'm running out of time before the baby arrives and I want to buy some for the house. I couldn't find any recent threads on this when I searched.

A couple of pharmacist friends have suggested Aptamil (with the proviso that they think the brands should all be much the same). I've noticed since then that aptamil is more expensive than SMA or cow and gate!

Anecdotally I've heard a few people saying aptamil is easier on the baby's digestive system when browsing older threads on mumsnet but not consistently.

What do people think?

[MissMattyJenkins]

Thanks wench :)

[MissMattyJenkins]

Thank chocolat and kali.

minifingers thanks for that link. I've read it and it's interesting. That publication is really up to date too (earlier this year).

[AdjustableWench]

I breastfed my first (health visitor was desperate to get her onto formula though - I hope things are different these days). And I also breastfed my second. So obviously I thought I'd be breastfeeding my third, but I came down with a horrible infection when he was a few weeks old, and it destroyed my breastfeeding. Had to FF after that - couldn't ever get him back to breastfeeding, despite support, and I have to say I found it SO MUCH HARDER than breastfeeding. But I guess everyone's different.

Anyway, I fed him Sma and he was fine, although more prone to diarrhoea and other illnesses than my two breastfed babies. I didn't have any particular reason for choosing Sma - they had it in the shop across the road, so it was easily available. I think whatever you choose will be fine: as far as I'm aware they're all good quality and completely safe.

[minifingerz]

here

Info on the perfect prep machine by First Steps nutrition.

Lots of good info about formula here.

[kali110]

mini atleast someonelse has heard of it. I was wondering where i'd read it!

[kali110]

I can't remember now, ( fibro brain fog!) only read about it as my friend had just purchased one and people had been saying their kids had been sick after using it.

[minifingerz]

Kali - The temperature of the 'hot shot' used by the perfect prep machine must cool very rapidly as it comes into contact with the powder, far more rapidly than when the full complement of water is added to a powdered feed. This has raised questions about whether it consistently kills off all the bacteria in the powder that Tommee Tippee has been a bit slow in answering. I've got a research paper on this somewhere. I wonder if I can find it.

[TheChocolateDidIt]

DD was breastfed but took a bottle when required (I had to do a driving course when she was 3 months old so my mum gave her formula as I was pants at expressing) and I used Cow and Gate. I never bothered with the powder as its a right faff for occasional use and used the ready made stuff in cartons. I thought it tasted foul but DD did not seem to mind. Of course, if you are planning more frequent use, then powder is cheaper. I think Co and Gate is very widely available and often the one they have in one stop shops etc if you are ever caught short.

[MissMattyJenkins]

kalli110 do you know why the babies got sick with perfect prep? I wonder what amount of cleaning it needs and how often. . .

[Woobeedoo]

Ah, yes, it was Hipp Organic that made him vomit - just seen the name mentioned up thread.

[Woobeedoo]

We had to top-up feed (son was a baby who hadn't read the How to Breastfeed Properly book) and we initially bought an organic milk which he promptly threw up, all curdled, about 10minutes after each feed (we tried on three separate days in case it was a one-off but it wasn't). Switched to Cow & Gate and had no issues.

[kali110]

If i ever get pregnant, i always hear how good Hipp is, however i would simply use whatever was local to me.

Too everyone using the perfectprep, my friend has just purchased one of these.
I have read a few reports that a few babies had got sick from this.
Has anyonelse?

To the few ignorant posters having ago at the op regarding formula feeding, fuck off.
You wouldn't get away with it if it was about breastfeeding, so you shouldn't get away with it just because it is about formula feeding!!
( not too the posters at the begining of the thread as you were not rude about it).

[bodenbiscuit]

I always used Aptamil after not being able to breastfeed my third dd. I remember SMA Gold made my her sick. But as far I know there is very little to choose between them.

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

I think the only reason they still produce rusks is in case there's ever a shortage of breeze blocks Matty :o

[MissMattyJenkins]

ladyrosy

They still do the rusks procrastinator (although now with a lower sugar variety obviously!)

[ShamelessBreadAddict]

Aw thanks MissMatty, yes things got much better after we got out of hospital and I even managed to bf (topping up with formula) till DC was just over 2 months.

[LauraMipsum]

Vote here for Hipp Organic - Aptamil gave mine the runs. We started on formula at 5.5 months.

I get mine from Tesco but you can't get it in the little Tesco Express stores.

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

I was about to recommend Farleys, but it seems it isn't available any more!

Much luck with your decision :)

[ladyrosy]

Normally I have plenty in just in case, but we'd moved him onto the stage 2 milk for 6 month plus. It became apparent that he was having tummy pain and trouble passing poo, so there was no way I was coming home empty handed.

[ladyrosy]

Re Hipp availability, it depends on what you have locally for stores. My local tiddly boots doesn't stock it, but if you order some on their website before 8pm you can pick it up the next day from midday. My local superdrug doesn't stock it and only had the stage 3 ready made milk on their website.

I have a coop supermarket (it's proper supermarket size - unusual for coop!) and pharmacy nearby, neither stocks it. The pokey local waitrose has it, as do the tesco and sainsbury's in the next town. I can't remember about morrisons. Amazon have it but it is overpriced. The Hipp site sell it.

My local 24hr tesco sometimes runs out, like it did yesterday. This resulted in a mad dash to sainsbury's where I was the last customer let in before closing. The store is placed badly for access, and to make it in time I had to park in a local mini car park with only disabled spots in (the regular spots were sectioned off for something and I didn't know in advance). I still feel guilty, even though there were 7 more convenient spots left for less able folk.

So in conclusion, Hipp may turn you into an antisocial scumbag.

No no, I take full responsibility!

[Enkopkaffetak]

Op go to your local shop that is open into late hours and buy one of the brand they stock. That way you won't have to do mad dash across town if you run out.

[MissMattyJenkins]

Thanks mrsnec

[mrsnec]

I thought I'd mention it in case any other gps or hcps have done the same. I know they are not supposed to recommend formula though which is probably why the info was handwritten in the back of the appointment book! Definitely handy because it is hard to choose. Over here it's all the same price everywhere, you don't get loyalty points on it anywhere and it's never on offer.

Her info didn't cover everything though only what she considered appropriate so for example it doesn't mention vitamin d because that isn't a concern here but I'd look at that if I was still in the UK.

[Jeffreythegiraffe]

I used Aptamil with dc1 and C&G with dc2. Although they are made by the same company. Then changed to Hipp a few weeks in I think.

[MissMattyJenkins]

mrsnec I would LOVE to see a comparison chart like that with all the brands on it.