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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask someone to tell me how to switch formula?

16 replies

Merryoldgoat · 03/07/2018 13:28

My FF baby is 4.5 months and currently on Aptamil first milk.

It’s got some supply problem and it’s doing my head in as I can only get ready made stuff and it’s too expensive long term.

I want to switch over to another one but obviously don’t want to affect him negatively - can someone please advise?

I called the helpline. They were useless.

OP posts:

divadee · 03/07/2018 13:29

You can use the powdered aptimal first milk without any issues at all. Just move on to that.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 03/07/2018 13:31

Sorry if it wasn’t clear - that’s what I can’t get hold of - I’m using ready made because powdered isn’t available.

OP posts:

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 03/07/2018 13:32

Have you tried another brand and your baby didn't like it? I don't ff (baby won't take anything out of a bottle) but if your baby doesn't like another brand I'd suggest making up bottles with current brand with a splash of new brand then 90pc current 10pc new then 80:20 etc gradually increasing the new brand until it's 10pc new brand? He may be fine with the swap though without? I'm sure I'll be corrected by others who've swapped!

MrsCharlesBrandon · 03/07/2018 13:33

Start by replacing one scoop of aptamil in each bottle with your new milk.

Do this for a day or so, then go on to 2, then 3 until you've completely changed over.

If you can only get ready made then I think doing the same but adding an oz of water and a scoop of the new milk should be fine. You want to do as gentle a transition as possible to avoid tummy upsets.

NothingButBored · 03/07/2018 13:34

I would try a couple of feeds a day spaced out on the new milk, however double check but I’m pretty sure cow and gate is exactly the same as aptamil so shouldn’t be difficult if so :)

amicissimma · 03/07/2018 13:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

daffodillament · 03/07/2018 13:35

Can you mix a little with some other equivalent first milk powder i.e. SMA and gradually move on to that? My youngest is now 10 so forgotten what's what. How about ringing your health visitor or even your local pharmacy might have advice ?

pastabest · 03/07/2018 13:37

I just swapped between brands depending on what was available and DD didn't seem to mind too much.

I'm surprised you are having supply issues with aptamil though. If it helps I've been told that both cow and gate and the Aldi own brand formula (Mamia - it's also only about £7 a tub!) are essentially identical to aptamil.

SaturdaySauv · 03/07/2018 13:38

I switched from aptamil to cow and gate without a titration period for my DD a couple of years ago. No ill effects at all and as far as I can remember the composition was identical according to the packet.

fraggle84 · 03/07/2018 13:38

Another one saying to switch to cow & gate or Aldi formula they are the same

divadee · 03/07/2018 13:39

I have heard cow and gate and aptimal are basically the same. Maybe try that and as others have said move it over slowly.

londonloves · 03/07/2018 13:41

We just did a straight switch to Aldi own brand when we couldn't get aptimel, had no issues. Still use aptimel ready made when out and about.
People will tell you that switching brands is a big drama but I don't think it's anywhere near as important as ensuring bottles made up correctly and sterilising done. There's no way to assess causality of ff babies with gastro issues.
If you have a helpful, non judgey HV you could check with them what the official advice is.

Bullieseverywhere · 03/07/2018 13:43

Aptamil and Cow and Gate are actually identical and made by the same company. They just brand them differently to increase revenue. Aptamil ran out a few times when my LO was small and we switched between C&G and Aptamil with no problems at all.

Lonecatwithkitten · 03/07/2018 13:53

DD drank Aptamil at home and Hipp Organic at nursery. When I spoke to HV about she said that first milks are all very similar and there is no science between not switching or gradually changing over. It is just no company has done any studies on change overs.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 03/07/2018 14:01

Thanks everyone! I’m actually thinking about trying Aldi as a new one has just opened near me.

I’ve got a few scoops left so I’ll try to get to Aldi tomorrow.

OP posts:

MissDollyMix · 03/07/2018 14:06

I used to chop and change my babies milk all the time depending on availability, price etc. I think I recall that Aptamil and C&G are made in the same factory and are very, very similar. The only one we didn't get on with was SMA but that could have just been a coincidence. DS was sick after using it so I never used it again but it was probably just a bug. Shame though because I always thought those tins looked like they could be quite handy . Disclaimer: this was all a few years ago now so baby milk has probably developed since my time.

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