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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

241 replies

MissMattyJenkins · 28/10/2015 06:36

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?

OP posts:
Bohemond · 28/10/2015 07:43

The majority of my NCT group use Aptimil when not BF.
Agree with poster above who says Aptimil ready made bottles are much easier than SMA or Hipp if you choose to use them when you go out.
After BF for 10 weeks we started on SMA but that made DS constipated, Aptimil gave him awful wind so we now use Hipp.

Amummyatlast · 28/10/2015 07:44

When I moved on from bf, we used cow and gate as it was the cheapest at the time.

Slugonthewindow · 28/10/2015 07:44

Thank you kinky.

Washediris · 28/10/2015 07:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dementedpixie · 28/10/2015 07:48

Shameless I don't think your HV is correct. The nhs website says there is no need to use follow on milk and it was only invented to get around the ban on advertising first milks.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/types-of-infant-formula.aspx

Crazypetlady · 28/10/2015 07:50

We used c&g after a couple of weeks as I couldn't breastfeed. We switched to aptamil as he had wind and reflux and it was a lot better.
A pp said she was recommended follow on milk after but I have recently been told its not recommended. I think its one of those things that divide opinion.
I wouldn't stockpile as some babies don't get on with certain milks

dementedpixie · 28/10/2015 07:51

It is also advised that all babies get a vitamin A,C and D supplement from 6 months to 5 years unless they are taking more than 600mls of formula as that is already supplemented.

gamerwidow · 28/10/2015 07:53

Like others have said they are all pretty much the same. Baby milk contents are very tightly regulated so there isn't really room for variation. Fwiw I mix fed and used cow and gate from birth to 12 months.

Pico2 · 28/10/2015 07:54

If you move on to powdered formula, it might be worth getting a Tommee Tippee perfect prep machine. I love ours and you can sell them on later, so they don't work out too expensive.

Frazzled2207 · 28/10/2015 07:55

Def don't stockpile, I would recommend getting in some small ready made bottles though.
dc1 - aptamil, no probs. It is expensive because it has fancy marketing (at least for the follow on milks as advertising first milks is not technically allowed)
Dc2- tried c&g first as cheapest but (baby) didn't get on with it, then aptamil and no better! Has settled for hipp organic, which is fine but the packaging of both the cartons and boxes is not as good as the other two.

Crazypetlady · 28/10/2015 07:57

Oh and congratulations Smile

Frazzled2207 · 28/10/2015 07:58

Btw for both i ebf initially and in both cases had a panic on about day 4 at 3am when they were starving and my milk hadn't come in. I have suggested to all mums since that they have some ready made in for such scenarios! The (expensive) starter packs with mini bottles are good for these.

Original poster
MissMattyJenkins · 28/10/2015 07:59

Went to get the existing DC ready and just back, I see there are lots more posts and advice. I'll read them and post back once I've given them breakfast.

Thanks!!

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 28/10/2015 08:01

The other issue with hipp, just remembered, is that it's the hardest to find. My local (v large) sainsbury's usually has it but not guaranteed, and few of the smaller places stock it.

StrictlyMumDancing · 28/10/2015 08:01

DD was started on cow and gate when we were forced to make a last minute decision by the hospital shortly before she was taken to NICU. I picked it because I recognised the brand most! Ultimately we had massive issues with her but the guidelines then were do not change formulas. In the end we switched her to Aptamil and the change in her was phenomenal.

DS was given Aptamil from the first bottle as DD had done so well on it. He has massive reflux problems and we tried all the formulas with him. Hipp Organic suited him best. Because I hadn't heard of them I didn't consider them for DD but I would have tried that above Aptamil had I known what I know now.

A DFs lo started with Cow and Gate but was best with SMA.

I'd say start with one of the convenience packs just in case and then let your baby guide which formula suits it. Don't be afraid to try a different one.

bettyberry · 28/10/2015 08:02

I think its a good Idea to have baby milk in the house regardless of if you breastfeed.

I was on meds post birth for a week I couldn't take if breastfeeding but needed to take because of an infection. Having a can of baby milk around for such possibilities saves on all kinds stresses.

FWIW I use hipp organic baby milk but that was 8yrs ago and at the time it was £5 a box (always on offer) compared to £10+ for aptimil at the time.

I loved those cartons of ready made baby formula. I had a few of those along with a can of powder.

My DC always threw up after cow & gate and SMA so as PPs said don't stock pile anything but do get one or two of the smaller tins if you can. Also be aware you could have a baby with lactose intolerance so again, don't stock pile until you know but obvs have some as a back up.

Thegreatunslept · 28/10/2015 08:02

Cow and gate mummy here from 1st feed I choose it because it was the cheapest and the one our local shop always had. Hope all goes well for u op.

ShamelessBreadAddict · 28/10/2015 08:17

Huh thanks demebted - I was originally told exactly what you say; that it's just a marketing gimmick etc (though it's mostly the same price or cheaper to buy follow on where I shop so it doesn't exactly bleed me of money I wouldn't otherwise be spending). Later I was told the advice has changed and newborn milk needs to be supplemented. Wonder where HV got that from.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 28/10/2015 08:17

They are all similar. They all have to pass a lot of tests!

Ds (now 12) had sma from the supermarket. And aptamil from the health visitor. (It was much cheaper from hv)
Sma as the tins were useful for storing stuff in!

Dd (now 2) had cow and gate. Simply because they were the only brand to do some ready made, sterile bottles.

Ds is probably the healthiest kid in his class. Apart from routine dental check ups, I think he had 4 days off in juniors!

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 28/10/2015 08:23

I think the follow ons have a higher iron content? As baby uses all their own iron stores by 6 months?

Dd (2 1/2) still has the occasional cow and gate at bedtime if we have run out of cows milk. The powder lasts a few weeks. THe little cartons are good too. You can pop a couple in the change bag for emergencies.

QuietTiger · 28/10/2015 08:24

I haven't read the full thread, but I use Aptamil First for DD, partly because I could source the 60g ready made bottles with teats easily for use in the hospital and for the first few days at home.

We're still using Aptamil First at 10 months rather than changing to the next stage formula because of the difference in the whey and casein contents between the 2.

I think it's horses for courses. I have friends who started on SMA and changed to Aptamil, others who changed from Aptamil to Cow and Gate.

GloriaSmellens · 28/10/2015 08:25

I read that aptamil and cow & gate are the exact same formula made in the same factory, so I compared the ingredients listing one day in tesco - they were almost exactly the same (I think the iron is called something different on the aptamil). Apparently aptamil is.directly marketed at more 'middle class' mothers Hmm who are mix feeding or really.wanted.to breastfeed but are not for whatever reason, hence the nearly 2 quid more price tag and the 'closest to breast milk' bollocks on Aptamil.

I used Aptamil for my first and c and g for my.second and they have both grown up without their heads falling off, so I would say go for Cow & Gate Smile

Original poster
MissMattyJenkins · 28/10/2015 08:30

I am only at the end of page 2 so far but I can see already I should
(a) not stockpile one particular brand before trying it
(b) check availability in the local shops

Thanks for the warning that my hospital might not provide formula!
And thanks for the congratulations :)

Its interesting to hear what some people think of the reasoning behind having the aptamil brand priced more highly.

OP posts:
GloriaSmellens · 28/10/2015 08:30

Oh and apparently all this follow on milk was created as a way of getting around the laws against advertising first milk formula - they are allowed to advertise the follow on milks, so they are just a way of getting the brand name out there without advertising the first milks. I know some who went onto the subsequent milks to the day their child turned 6 months, 1 year etc and sold the left over previous milk on FB, as if giving her 6 month 2 day old kid first milk would poison him or something? Confused

As long as your child has a balancdd diet, then normal formula is all they need up to a year, and then cows milk after that.

MigGril · 28/10/2015 08:34

Follow on has higher iron content as the formulation has to be different. This isn't actually a good thing a number of studies suggest it's too much and I wouldn't be surprised if in a number of years they are forced to withdraw it or change the formulation it doesn't even exist in some countries where there is a tighter bad on formula advertising. It's only hear in the UK as they can't advertise milk for babies under six months.
First milk already contains enough iron for a baby as it has to under the regulations.