Formula follow on milk - is it a must?!

[Chump123]

I was just wondering if what people's experiences are with going into the follow up formula milk after six months?

Is it absolutely necessary we go onto the next milk, or should we stay on the first milk?

We are currently using aptamil. I've been reading that the follow on milk is much sweeter so is not good for the teeth. Also that there isn't anything additional in the follow up milk compared to first stage.

Any advice greatly received!

Thank you!

You can stick to first milk up to 1 year. Follow on milk has extra iron but not really necessary once they are on solids. I did switch around 9 months but only because it was cheaper

As above 'follow on milk' is absolutely not necessary. It is basically a marketing ploy by the formula companies as they are not allowed to advertise first stage milk but they ARE allowed to advertise follow on milk. But in reality your baby doesn't need to change from stage 1 milk and that should be the majority of their diet until they are 12 months by which point you can switch to cows milk alongside their solid food. Hope this helps!

Exactly what the above poster said. It's a marketing scam and actually the first stage milk is much better for babies.

Big ol' marketing scam to enable manufacturers to publicise their brand, since advertising of first milk contravenes the WHO Code and is illegal.

Hell, kids don't even need to drink cow's milk from age 1 if you don't want. Plenty of other ways to get calcium.

We never bothered with "follow on" milk with DC1, just gave first milk and switched to cows milk at 12 months.

The follow on milk is the only way the formula companies can advertise- they can't do it for first milk

I wouldn't bother with follow on milk personally

I used it because it was cheaper and could be stored.in those little bottles for longer.