Which formula milk?

[Bubnbutton]

Is any better than the other?
What’s the difference between SMA, Cow and Gate or Aptamil? Stuck on which to buy... do you have a preference for a reason? Thanks

They all have the same minimum standard and there is very little different they can add. I would get a brand which also does small ready made bottles for out and about.

None is any better than the other. Aptamil tries to make itself look better by being more expensive but higher price doesn't equal better product. Infant formula is highly regulated so if the extra ingredients in aptamil were essential then they would need to add them to all the other brands of formula.
Aldi has its own milk, there is also Hipp Organic, Kendamil and probably others. Cow and Gate and Aptamil have the same manufacturer but differ in price.

Aldi Mamia is apparently very good at a low price. But theyre all basically the same just get one which is available at your nearest shop in case you need it!

Mamia is basically aptimil but a lot cheaper (that's what the doctors told me when my baby was hospitalised and they needed a premade version)

They are all pretty similar. We used cow and gate as it's readily available everywhere and cheap. She loved it.

Cow and Gate and Aptamil are exactly the same, same manufacturer and identical ingredients just different packaging and price.

I hate the smell of formula, I think it’s the minerals in it. If they are all much of a muchness go with the most readily available one I guess.

We used aldi mamia. Its half the price and apparently made in the same factory as aptamil!

Use whatever is easiest for you to get, ie in your normal shop. Don’t commit to something you can only buy in a specialist shop three bus rides away.

We used Aptilmal. No idea why.

Whichever one is available at your local corner shop/24 hour petrol station as inevitably the day you go close to the wire with only having a can in, you’ll knock that open can off the counter at midnight (bitter experience).

The basic ingredients are regulated, so they're all essentially the same. Buy whatever is easiest for you, ie you don't have to go out of your way/order it online to get it.

www.which.co.uk/reviews/formula-milk/article/choosing-the-right-formula-milk/are-some-formula-milk-brands-better-than-others

Personally, I wouldn't give my money to Nestle though.

We used Cow and Gate ,for both boys ,it was available every where .

We use Aldi, I had no issues getting a hold of it during lockdown, it's half the price for a slightly bigger tub. DS has had no problems with it at all, or doesn't foam too much and we use aptamil pre-made if we need some with no issues switching back and forth.

There's a dispatches episode online on channel 4 which discusses formula and how similar they are. Definitely worth a watch.

Definitely one that you can get your hands on quickly when you run out unexpectedly!!!!!

I used/use APtamil for both mine. Twice a Health visitor has mentioned that Aptamil has a higher fat content than the others and is therefore ideal as it keeps baby full for longer. Also if you need to switch to hungry baby milk like I did with both of mine, it's actually quite easy to find in your local supermarket - no faffing about

Maybe your Health Visitor should do some research herself as I've just looked at 5 infant formulae and Aptamil and Cow and Gate (same manufacturer) both had less fat per 100ml than the other 3 I looked at (3.4g compared to 3.6g)

@AlmostAlwyn

The basic ingredients are regulated, so they're all essentially the same. Buy whatever is easiest for you, ie you don't have to go out of your way/order it online to get it.

www.which.co.uk/reviews/formula-milk/article/choosing-the-right-formula-milk/are-some-formula-milk-brands-better-than-others

Personally, I wouldn't give my money to Nestle though.

Agree re Nestlé.

I don’t buy anything of theirs.

Sainsbury's apparently has its own brand formula too

is it SMA that's Nestlé?

Cow & Gate and Aptamil are literally the same product. Aptamil is marketed to middle class mums who wanted to breastfeed but switched to formula apparently, and it about 2 quid more expensive a tin.

I used Aptamil for my PFB and C&G for my second!

First infant formula is highly regulated in the the U.K. they are all pretty much the same.

SMA is made by Nestle. There is an ongoing Nestle boycott due to their aggressive marketing of infant formula especially in less developed countries.

Aldi. It contains everything that's needed, nothing that's not (and we don't know if additions are safe, really. If something is needed, it gets added to the basic recipe). It's cheap.

If you don't have an Aldi nearby, pick what your shop does sell that's cheapest.

Kendamill has dubious marketing.

Interesting that they are pretty much the same (I also assumed that Aptamil was better 🙈 duped!)

Although some parents do find that one milk suits a baby better than a different one?

My LO is about to turn 6 months. Is it ok to switch over to a cheaper brand now? Should it be done gradually?