Which formula is best for babies?

[MotherofKitties]

Hi all,

I'm interested to find out whether anyone has any recommendations or advice as to which brand of formula is best for babies? I don't want to start a debate about breast feeding v formula feeding, I just want genuine responses please!

I combo feed my DD, and I'm using SMA, purely because it's what was used as an example in my antenatal class, but I can't find any research or advice regarding whether one brand is better/superior to the others.

DD doesn't have colic (fingers crossed it continues...!), doesn't sleep well and is a right little milk monster who I can't fill by myself alone, but fortunately takes both boob and bottle.

For those who use formula, has anyone noticed one brand is better/fills their baby up more or makes them sleep better?

Thanks in advance!

As far as I'm aware, all formulas are more or lesa identical. Though, all babies suit different formulas. My friends baby refused to touch C&G but it happy on Aptimal.

We use Hipp organic. Had no problems with it so far. Only choose it as we use organic dairy as standard so was the best choice for us.

How old is your baby? When they're very young they have tiny stomachs. Feeding little and often is perfectly normal. You don't need to be filling them up. Don't worry. They don't sleep. That's just how it goes. If she did you'd have to be waking her to feed her anyway.

I don't think there are any that are considered more or less superior to the others - Formula is prohibited from marketing (pre 6months) ploys so there isn't a whole heap of translatable evidence that suggests the differences between the two.

We used HiPP when my breastfeeding didn't work out - we still use it, and my DS is 1 (we will wean him off slowly). We tried Aptimil Anti-Reflux when he had a bout of silent reflux, but he hated it, it was very lumpy and a different consistency to what he was used to.

It's really trial and error - it may be a formula issue, or a bottle issue - some babies hate certain bottles and some babies don't like certain milk. I would suggest keeping to whatever is working right now - depending on how old your baby is, milk won't really have a huge effect on how well she does or does not sleep - my son was a hungry monster and slept really well fairly early, and my friends baby drank and drank and drank and slept (still sleeps) awfully. It will really depend on your baby, rather than the milk she gets, as to how she sleeps I'm afraid

If you do decide to switch formulas, be aware that baby may take a while to get used to different taste/consistency and that their poo/stomach may be upset/different for a few days. We also found that using ready made cartons/bottles made my DS more likely to bring milk up because the milk is heat treated before sealing, and can be thinner than milk made up from powder, so that's worth considering.

We used Aptamil as that's what was used in SCBU.

There is a topic for infant feeding. Why start this in aibu unless you're looking for a barney?

If you want a really in depth guide this is the thing to read:

http://www.firststepsnutrition.org/pdfs/InfantMilkss_August2017.pdf

Doesn't matter really, I'm gonna get aptimal little bottles for the hospital this time and probably then change over to aldi's own. (Made in same factory apparently)

There is a topic for infant feeding. Why start this in aibu unless you're looking for a barney?

This is what I was thinking!

Thanks all for your responses!

DD is 8 weeks old and I combo fed from the start as we initially had issues with her latching on which we've now resolved.

People have mentioned a few brands I haven't heard of before so I'll have a look into those; DD takes SMA fine but just curious if one brand is better than the others as I didn't look into it before she was born and can't find anything online about it now!

PP, sorry I didn't realise there is an infant feeding section on here, I went on to the 'Being a Parent' section and didn't see a feeding section; obviously having a blind moment! But I genuinely don't want 'a barney', no judgement or aggro from me, just wanting people's experiences!

A lot of people have an issue with SMA for ethical reasons. (Not to do with breastfeeding v bottle feeding?) If this is something that you are concerned about then you may want to look into this.

We used cow and gate as that's what he was given in SCBU

I used Aptamil with my two. But, to be honest, if your DC is happy on SMA, then stick with it. You can buy it in most corner shops so you'll never be caught out. Like the time, DD1 once dropped an entire, open box on the floor at bedtime!

There isn't much of a difference between brands of formula, however some babies take well to SMA while cow & gate causes them tummy problems. If SMA is working for you then stay with it, some mums spend months finding a suitable milk so you've very lucky!

We stuck with the one he was given in hospital (didn't plan to ff) because it didn't appear to cause any problems. He was still feeding every 2 - 3 hours at 8 weeks but being prem may have influenced that.

Used cow and gate with my first and hipp with second. Definitely rate hipp. We've found it great. No constipation or wind or tummy troubles. Apparently hipp is best for sensitive tummies.

Glad someone's posted the first steps link.

First milks are much of a muchness. They are so tightly regulated that they are all very very similar. Some of the ingredients might be minutely different and that might be the difference between a baby liking one more than another but nutritionally they are all sound, as sound as a replacement milk can be over breast milk.

Formula manufacturers however are not daft. Aptamil and C&G are made by the same people; I'd doubt that there's much difference between them, but Aptamil caters for the 'higher end' of the market ("it costs more so it must be better") and C&G the lower end ("good value and a brand we know and trust") so they get the breadth of the market.

Why do you think Nurofen costs more than Ibuprofen generic? It's the brand name.

Basically - feed your baby how you like and what you like, midwives shouldn't in any way be recommending one brand over another because that's basically free advertising, but I'd agree, find one your baby likes and stick to it (and hope they don't change the formula of it till your baby is on solids!)

why start this in Aibu unless you're looking for a barney

Because we're adults and we should be able to give advice.

For future reference the infant feeding topic is in feed the world.

They're all the same. Just gonfor what's readily available in shops near you.

I thought they were all the same but I used aptamil when I was mixed feeding.

They're all pretty much the same. But it's probably true that some babies digest a particular formula better than others. But one isn't "best".

If you want info about the ethics of the various companies look at the baby milk action website.

Brilliant, thank you all so much for your responses and advice, I'll have a look into that website and the brands you've suggested!

And thank you PP for directing me to the correct forum; I'll know where to post similar queries in future!

Xx

Aptamil and Cow&Gate are both produce by Danone in the same factory. The difference between them, if any, is minuscule.