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

I used SMA with my first and Aptamil with my 2nd (marketing works!). I did end up switching to cow and gate as it was cheaper, with no issues

@dementedpixie I'm just passing on what has been said to me, it works for me with both my children😊 health professionals obviously favour it for a reason though.

HV probably get marketed to very heavily. I remember being told it was 'closer to breastmilk' than others which is also bollocks

Formula milks all differ slightly as although they have the same baseline necessary ingredients, they all have added things on top.

Some formula mills suit some babies more than others; DS was poorly on SMA, but thrives on Aptamil

We found the pre-made bottles great for our and about, so although Aldi etc might be the cheapest, they don't sell the pre-made bottles and you can't guarantee that baby will drink powdered formula at home/a different pre made brand out and about

My best advice would be to go to your nearest shop that is open late and check what they sell; there will be a time you run out and have to grab an emergency supply, and you want to know you can get it

Then factor in how much you're happy to spend

We only ever bought the pre-made Aptamil, never powder and although it was more expensive it was bloody brilliant as I simply poured it straight into the bottle rather than scooping formula etc. I would massively suggest that if money isn't a factor

The cheapest.

[quote foreverhungry2409]@dementedpixie I'm just passing on what has been said to me, it works for me with both my children😊 health professionals obviously favour it for a reason though. [/quote]
That's so weird, my HV told me they weren't allowed to recommend any specific infant milk, they werent even allowed to tell us which formula they used with their own kids!

We just did ready mixed too - loads easier when you’re out.

It's like coke and pepsi - same basic ingredients but some people have strong feelings one way or the other

My personal take is that if you want to formula feed use whichever brand you can buy in the local shop within walking distance - this doesn't mean you have to buy it there if it's usually cheaper in the supermarket but if you end up with bad weather so you can't get further afield you can still get what your child is used to

@Sayitagainwhydontyou I'm guessing different cities/ regions will have different rules. My best friend lives in a different town to me and she was recommended a specific milk by hers

I've heard the Aldi one is really good. But I've just used cow and gate for both of mine as you can find it anywhere, and the premade bottles are handy for days out.

Cow and gate was the cheapest al I got that.

I don't believe there is much difference if any atall as they have to meet a certain standard.

I would avoid Nestle and Danone if possible. So Cow and Gate.

Cow and gate was the cheapest so I got that.

I don't believe there is much difference if any atall as they have to meet a certain standard.

None are 'closest to breast milk' breast milk is entirely different.

I'd just go for whatever you can get hold of easiest
/cheapest.

I found Aldi really good for mine and so much cheaper. Cow and Gate gave them terrible diarrhoea
SMA bottles so I had some pre-made worked really well and very similar to aldi apparently

I think I read somewhere that Kendamill is the only one without palm oil?

They are all basically the same so I would get a cheaper one

Kendamil Organic.

Fucking rocket fuel, it's awesome.

Kendamill have broken the marketing code several times. It's absolutely no better than any other formula, is harder to find, and is more expensive than Aldi or cow and gate.

If you Google, there is a document comparing the formulas and looking scientifically at the evidence for their claims.

Marketing is all bollocks. None are breast milk, all are fine. Get the cheapest and easiest.

I used kendamil for my daughter and she thrived on it! I liked the fact there was no palm oil in it.

My youngest was on Aptamil around the time they changed the ingredients (I think they changed the main ingredient from whey powder to lactose- sugar). The new version didnt agree with him at all, even after trying it for over a week. We swapped him to Hipp organic along with most of our NCT friends which still had the main ingredient as whey. He got on really well with it and I preferred the smell and consistency too. It also wasn't sticky like Aptamil probably because it had less lactose in it.

We use mostly Kendamil, then Aptamil (depending on what was in stock at the time), it doesn't seem to make any difference to DS as he happily drinks both.

I remember watching a programme about teen mums and one of them would only buy SMA as it was the only one that was ‘powdered breast milk’ 😂😂

Thanks everyone - looks like Cow and Gate is the winner and has the majority of the votes!
We don’t have an aldi near us but the local corner shop has all three I listed hence to asking which one knowing I could get all three in the same shop.
Very interesting about Aptamil and Cow and Gate - I didn’t know this and certainly duped too in believing the ‘more’ expensive one would be better! Thanks so much everyone x

We found Mamia to be more foamy than aptamil when it was made up and it made DD really sicky when she was tiny, so switched to aptamil but she had mamia when she was older and we ran out of aptamil one night and she was fine with it. I don’t think I’d want to be without pre made bottles as they are SO handy, I never did the whole taking out hot water and powder thing, just ready made mini bottles and the big bottles for camping/nights away.

Oh and switched to C&G for follow on as the aptamil new recipe gave her a horrendous runny bum. Took 10 days to realise what it was and she was so poorly, doctors had sent samples off and everything.