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AIBU?

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Original poster

Who on earth is spending so much on formula?!

26 replies

Cakedoesntjudge · 15/10/2016 21:16

So I was putting out new stock at work today when this appeared. We were all busy discussing how we weren't a big fan of the packaging and had never heard of a goat milk based baby formula when a colleague pointed out the price!!!!!

I said I would consult the wise ones of mumsnet to find out if there is a special reason as to why this is so bloody extortionate - a quick Google just found that it was possibly good for babies intolerant to cows milk. I am a bit Hmmat the whole thing.

Who on earth is spending so much on formula?!
OP posts:
Original poster
Cakedoesntjudge · 15/10/2016 21:17

Forgot to add the AIBU part - AIBU to think this will never sell based on the fact that there is lactose free baby formulas available that aren't that much more expensive than normal baby milk?

OP posts:
bloodymaria · 15/10/2016 21:18

How much is formula normally? How long would that tub last? I guess it's like anything, if people have the money to spare they will spend it.

Whosthemummy16 · 15/10/2016 21:22

If a baby has a proven lactose intolerance LF milk is free on a prescription in the U.K. too!

splendide · 15/10/2016 21:24

I thought they weren't allowed to call it infant milk I'm obviously out of date!

As to the price I did entirely ready mixed so probably spent as much I guess.

deathandtaxes123 · 15/10/2016 21:28

You have goat to be kidding!

FayKorgasm · 15/10/2016 21:28

Years ago in Ireland that nanny goat formula was available. I only knew of one person to use it, her baby had some allergies.

PixieMiss · 15/10/2016 21:29

The anti-reflux formula I use for my DS is £12 and a tub lasts us for 6 days ish.

£26 is a lot of money! And the goat on the packaging doesn't appeal either Grin

GwendolynMary · 15/10/2016 21:29

Lactose intolerance is different to cow's milk protein allergy/intolerance. Although goat and cow proteins are quite similar too, so many kids can't have it either. Can't comment on price, as I'm from Oz, but I paid $37aud for DC's special formula when Aldi sells some for $15 a tin, roughly. When your kid is miserable, itchy and crapping traces of blood, you find the money for the fancy formula... Hmm

frikadela01 · 15/10/2016 21:32

I use cow and gate which is £8.50 and lasts about 6ish days.
I chose it because everyone I know uses it and it's the cheapest.
I can't believe people would spend that much but I guess some people must.

StrawberryLeaf · 15/10/2016 21:33

My daughter has cows milk protein intolerance and I breastfed on an exclusion diet but I got hypoallergenic formula prescribed as back up but my god it was disgusting! The stuff stunk!

My daughter from about 18 months old was able to tolerate goats milk and it was lovely for her. I might have considered this formula if I wasn't breastfeeding after seeing the horrible prescribed stuff!

Caper86 · 15/10/2016 21:33

It's the only formula that didn't leave my baby writhing in agony! It's not lactose free - doesn't have much less lactose than cows milk formula. But goats milk is easier for babies to digest and nearer the consistency of human milk than cows milk.

It's also the only formula that is vegetarian (others contain fish oil)

BUT agree its ridiculously expensive - we do a batch order on Amazon but only works out about £2 cheaper!

M0nstersinthecl0set · 15/10/2016 21:33

It will sell. A woman I met once was explai ing to me the formula she had managed to find following a very upsetting end to bf for her. She was compelled to find what she felt was the best alternative. She was waiting for it to arrive and thus in need of expressed breastmilk.
She'd paid a shocking amount.

Griphook · 15/10/2016 21:37

If your child was in pain from cows milk. I know Drs can l
Prescribe, but sometimes they won't.
You'd go without to help your baby, most people would.

Discopanda · 15/10/2016 21:39

My nephew had goat's milk formula when he was being weaned off breast milk and for people to be able to give him a bottle occassionally because it was easier for him to digest than cow's milk formula. Apparently goat milk is closer to human than milk because it has smaller fat molecules. It was about twice the price of SMA.

5minutestobed · 15/10/2016 21:41

My DS is on neocate which is £30 a tin, luckily the NHS pays for it though but if I could have bought it in the shop I would have as it took a while for the Dr to be persuaded to let him have it.
A tin that size lasts us 3 days btw so I am very grateful we don't have to pay!

LooseSeal · 15/10/2016 21:41

When DD was tiny I met a woman who was using goat milk formula which was imported from New Zealand, she also only used glass bottles. She was definitely a bit of a woo loving amber teathing beads type rather than her DC having any kind of allergy.

AuntieStella · 15/10/2016 21:50

I thought it had been withdrawn from sale in UK?

It used to be around in late 90s and early 00s, and was a popular enough choice for those who wanted to avoid cow-based dairy.

But it was pulled from sale, I think because it didn't meet some nutritional standards. Has it been reformulated? Or have the nutrition requirements changed?

YuckYuckEwwww · 15/10/2016 21:50

We mix fed so bought expensive formula as it would usually last right up until the time you were meant to use an opened pack.

Or we'ld use ready mixed, or a bit of both

Because it was mix feeding we didn't need as much so went for convenience of ready mixed for when we did use it or sometimes the fancy stuff

momofgirls · 15/10/2016 21:53

Lots of information research based on infant formulas available in the UK.

www.firststepsnutrition.org/pdfs/Infant_formula-an_overview_Sep2016.pdf

See page 42 gives the composition details of this milk.
Brilliant website for mother,infant and child nutrition if you look at the home page for information.

wheresthel1ght · 15/10/2016 21:58

Doctors are very reluctant to diagnose lactose intolerance in babies and will always go for cows milk protein allergy. I had a massive battle in proving it to them for dd. And until there is a confirmed diagnosis you cannot get it on prescription so you have no choice but to buy it and yes it is eye watering my expensive!

NotAPuffin · 15/10/2016 22:11

DS was on a high calorie formula. It was only available ready made and cost €5 per feed, so over €30 per day for his first year.

swimmerforlife · 15/10/2016 22:20

AuntieStella I just did a quick google search where it said goats milk was banned in early 2007 after research in 2005 which stated that goats milk was not suitable for infants because of the protein. Although since 2013 it has been back on the market since newly improved European research.

MistressPage · 15/10/2016 22:22

We used Nannycare formula for a while as our sons eczema flared less than on regular formula.GP prescribed lactose free formula but it tasted fucking horrible whereas the goat formula tasted much nicer and like normal milk

SalemSaberhagen · 15/10/2016 22:29

What is the mark up like on formula? I can't believe that it is costs so much

LetsJunglyJumpToIt · 15/10/2016 22:31

My DS was on Neocate due to a cows milk protein allergy. It's £30 a tin and they're smaller than normal tins. We got it on prescription.

I've seen the goat milk for sale in Wholefoods.

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