Changing brand of formula

[Giddyup]

My 8 week DD is mainly breastfed, but has a bottle a few times a week. It is impracticable to keep using cartons but don't use nearly enough to warrant buying full tins of the brand I have been using.

Can I change to one of the brands that does a small tin?

All formulas meet the legal nutritional requirements. There is no need to feel wedded to one brand, although the manufacturers like to promote the view that it's necessary as it maximises their sales . Actually even individual brands change their exact 'formula' from time to time and although they contain set amounts of certain ingredients, eg fats, in different batches it may come from different sources. The same brand of powdered and liquid formulas may be quite different too. Some parents report that not all babies seem to react in the same way to all formulas. Would small cartons of liquid ready-to-feed formula be more practical for you? They have the added benefit of actually containing sterile formula (unlike the powder which needs water above 70C to kill the bugs that may be in it), though it is generally more expensive.

I am thinking of changing my DD to Cow and Gate from Aptamil, as she is being sick after feeds a lot, she is almost 4 weeks old and this has just started in the last few days. My cousin thinks that Aptamil might be too rich for her, does anyone have any experience with Cow and Gate powdered formula and its effects on sickiness?

Thats interesting I would be changing from Aptamil to cow and gate too, and DD can be a sick monster!

We have been using the cartons but she mainly only has a small top up so I will only use an oz or two, then some days none. Once DP offered to give her a bottle in the night and spilt one, made one and she has gone back to sleep while he was downstairs doing it, then finally given her one and she has guzzled it so quick she threw it all back up! I am just too mean to keep wasting the cartons like that.

Try changing and if she is ok with a couple of ready to feed cartons buy the tub.

anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that switching formula brands can cause stomach upset in some infants. I am not aware of any studies on the subject though.

Cow and Gate and Aptimil are made by the same people though i believe. Aptimil is the "premium" brand and is marketted accordingly and Cow & Gate is the middle market brand.

The formulas for liquid cartons and powder are different even if they are the same brand because they are made in very different ways, so one is no guide to the other.

cow and gate and SMA were too rich for my baby, so we stick to Aptamil which is fine.

I mainly BF too but give the odd bottle at night to give myself a break. Have been using HIPP organic because the boxes contain two smaller pouches so not worried if she goes a couple days without a bottle top up. Can be hard to find though and often sold out. I've bought direct from the website before and delivery was really fast.

Thanks everyone, I used Hipp organic with DS when I stopped BF. I didn't realise it was still available.