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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

what formula? are they all the same?

61 replies

stylostar · 07/02/2013 19:47

I'm due with first dc in two weeks and still keeping an open mind on how ill choose to feed. I know breast is best but I have never liked the thought of breastfeeding which is one of the reasons why I've always had doubts about having children. Anyway, I am now and although I've decided to at least try and see how I get on,, I'm also worried about FF. If I do decide toFF , what formula do you use? Are they all fundamentally the same?

Please no pro breastfeeding advice- I know its thebest thing for my baby and believe me this has worried.me since before even TTC!!! I already feel so guilty for feeling this way.

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 07/02/2013 19:55

They are all same. Choose one stocked in your local corner shop

nextphase · 07/02/2013 20:18

From what I understand, they are all the same, but different.
So people tend to stick with one brand, and some find one brand suits more than others. The only way I can think to compare it is dairy milk and galaxy - both got the same stuff in, but people often have a preference.

Enjoy your Baby

Phineyj · 07/02/2013 20:21

I think they are all similar but some seem to agree with particular babies more than others. Ours is very happy on SMA Gold but Aptamil upset her tummy. Our midwife advised avoiding hungry baby milk (that's not a brand -- I think several of the companies do it but it has something in that's not very digestible).

I find it convenient that the SMA readymade bottles divide into two decent size feeds -- the Aptamil ones are a less useful size and the tetrapak can't be properly re-closed unlike the SMA bottles.

WorriedMary · 07/02/2013 20:36

I've heard that Aptamil is best and that healthcare professionals used to recommend this as being closet to breast milk, but obviously can't now.

Aptamil tends to be more expensive. We used SMA as I used to buy it in litre cartons - because I just didn't feel upto making bottles and couldn't BF.

PickledInAPearTree · 07/02/2013 20:39

No they are pretty similar. It's not true that any are closer to breast milk I think that's from past advertising that's since been banned..

I don't think you will find a great deal of difference at all op if you need it.

Bubbless · 07/02/2013 20:41

When I was in hospital early January a me (very subtly) advised me that aptimil was closest to breast milk, but I'm not entirely sure what good that is, as often with technology advances we can make things better than nature :s just use whatever is stocked at both you usual supermarket and your local corner shop :)

LST · 07/02/2013 20:44

I had no complaints using cow and gate.

Elkieb · 07/02/2013 20:47

Cow and gate is the cheapest! Same stuff I think.

OrchidFlakes · 08/02/2013 12:21

A friend recommended tasting it- if you like it, your baby probably will! Sounds nuts but I discovered some taste awful!

Em2010 · 08/02/2013 13:00

C&G and Aptamil are very similar products- made by the same company. Fwiw ds got on best with C&G and Hipp and not so much with SMA but I think it's a coke/Pepsi thing!

PickledInAPearTree · 08/02/2013 13:00

They all taste pretty bad!

I ran out of milk once and had a formula cup of tea. It was Viiiile.

Floralnomad · 08/02/2013 13:05

I had to FF , albeit many years ago and we went for SMA as it was at that time the only one that came ready mixed and we are basically idle . That said I did on occasion make my own up from powder but it was just that , an occasion. Also don't let anyone make you feel guilty for your decision , whatever it is .

tiktok · 08/02/2013 13:06

Good explanation of different formula types, why brands have to be more or less the same, and why scientific-sounding claims that attempt to differentiate different brands are questionable, if you google caroline walker trust review of formula milks in the UK

PickledInAPearTree · 08/02/2013 13:15

Tiktok is that the one that compares them all ingredients wise?

I can never remember but used a site that did that which was really useful.

tiktok · 08/02/2013 13:21

Not sure if it does precisely that, pickled - it assesses claims and gives a scientific account of what the ingredients might or might not do.

PickledInAPearTree · 08/02/2013 13:23

Maybe that's the one I used then.

It was helpful in any case..

I lined the boxes up in tesco to compare a lot of things but its these made up words that confuse.

tiktok · 08/02/2013 13:28

Yep, you're right, Pickled - who on earth knows if 'Immunofortis' is 'better' than 'advanced gold system' ????

PickledInAPearTree · 08/02/2013 13:30

I think the consensus is they are pretty homogenous - this thing about aptimil being closest to breastmilk does linger though - presumably there isn't any truth to this?

As they charge a premium as well.

MotheringShites · 08/02/2013 13:31

I have used Aptamil for mine. DTs were born at a fancy London hospital which provided Aptamil. I took this as a good sign.

FWIW I have been through FF guilt. Please don't feel bad about YOUR decision and prepare a bit of a thick skin.

Floralnomad · 08/02/2013 13:32

When I had my first one the hospital had all different types and you just picked which one you fancied . Do they not do that anymore?

PickledInAPearTree · 08/02/2013 13:34

Your lucky if they provide it at all now. Most places if you decide to formula feed from the off you need to take your own in..

PickledInAPearTree · 08/02/2013 13:35

I've been through the guilt too btw.

Horrible horrible business.

sleepyhead · 08/02/2013 13:35

They're all basically the same.

Aptamil is not closest to breastmilk but they use a lot of subtle techniques to make you think that, and the premium price is deliberate to make it seem "best". Health Professionals do still sometimes promote it - but that is based on their personal beliefs (probably based on historical marketing to HCPs) and on no scientific evidence whatsoever.

Also, you can chop and change as much as you like. If one milk doesn't agree with your baby then you can switch to another. The formula companies won't recommend this, but that's based on building up brand loyalty rather than anything else.

"Hungry baby" milks are casein based and are less digestible (basically they're the old formula recipe, which was switched to whey based to make it gentler on the baby's stomach and "closer to breastmilk"). They might make the baby sleep longer (or have them up all night screaming with constipation if you're unlucky), but if your baby is actually hungry is it really a good idea to give them less to eat?

Last time about when I gave formula I used Aptamil, because I'm a mug. This time round if I use formula I'll be buying the cheapest and most readily available.

galwaygirl · 08/02/2013 13:35

DD didn't get on well with Aptamil - we used Hipp Organic which also claims to be the closest to breast milk

tiktok · 08/02/2013 13:49

No formula can claim 'closest to breastmilk' any more, as the ad authorities have prevented it (as all advertising claims have to be truthful). They are not allowed to say 'now closer to breastmilk' either (though they have tried this, too) as that is not supportable.

The market is differentiated, with differences in packaging and in the way the product is branded generally - that's why different milks are promoted in different ways (Cow&Gate with jolly bright colours and fun type ads is aiming at younger mothers; Aptamil with its sophisticated cool pastels and gentle soft focus ads is aiming at older mothers (with more dosh)).

Choose what suits your baby and your pocket and which is on sale locally :)

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