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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Comfort milk - when to stop using it?

18 replies

coolpink101 · 18/07/2013 15:19

I saw the hv this morning - she asked what formula I was giving to DC1 and I said we were using C&G Comfort (due to colic and wind issues). She said that I need to wean DC1 off the comfort milk as it's only to be used for a short time.

DC1 is nearly 11 weeks old and so will be hitting that pivotal 12 week mark for colic soon, but I'm nervous about changing back to regular milk in case she still struggles with her wind and colic. I've noticed that if we're out somewhere, and I have to use a carton of regular C&G, that she struggles after it. So I'm feeling dubious about having to switch back to regular milk permanently - I just can't see things miraculously getting better when she's 12 weeks...

Is it true that I need to wean her from this as soon as possible? Is it really that bad if I keep her on it for longer?

Also, the hv said that Aptamil would be better to use than C&G as it is better for digestion - is this true?

OP posts:
Bringbring · 18/07/2013 16:06

Maybe ring the manufacturer but I thought comfort was just a different type of milk and fine to stay on indefinitely for the first stage?

Your hv advice is setting off my bullshit detector (and maybe yours too if you've come on here to check it out?)

Formula is formula, they all follow a basic format, but the main difference is marketing. Aptamil have done some pretty clever marketing to health professionals and middle classes and it is reassuringly expensive ;)

ilovepowerhoop · 18/07/2013 17:33

aptamil and cow and gate are made by the same company except aptamil is more expensive so I am dubious about the hv's motives!

ilovepowerhoop · 18/07/2013 17:35

the cow and gate website says this:

Cow & Gate Comfort is a food for special medical purposes. It is suitable for bottlefed babies from birth to 1 year for the dietary management of colic or constipation.

valiumredhead · 18/07/2013 21:46

Aptamil is what they use in scbu or pre aptamil.

When we tried cow and gate for ds it really today him and the consultant told us to go back to using aptamil so I disagree it's the same formula even if it's made by the same people.

I also thought comfort was just a name of formulaConfused

Ringing them sounds like a good idea.

valiumredhead · 18/07/2013 21:48

Upset not todayGrin

Woopdedo · 18/07/2013 21:53

We rang aptimal about this and they said they can be on it the whole time, so we are not going to change. If its not broke.....

ilovepowerhoop · 18/07/2013 21:55

comfort milk has lower levels of lactose, partially digested whey proteins and added starch to make it a bit thicker. Even more reason to stick to Cow and Gate if it suits her rather than change to a more expensive milk that may make things worse.

ilovepowerhoop · 18/07/2013 21:57

aptamil also make a comfort milk btw. The aptamil comfort milk is £1.50 more expensive per tub than the C&G comfort milk in Boots!

MrsApplepants · 18/07/2013 21:58

Stick to the formula that is agreeing with her. Why brook hassle unnecessarily? HVs aren't always right.

gruffalobore · 19/07/2013 10:55

My ds had colic for a lot longer than 12 weeks, it's not a set time when the colic just suddenly disappears so I don't think you should listen to the HV. We tried to stop the comfort formula once when ds was 12 weeks old but within a day he had reverted back to the crying all day and all night like his very early days. So we put him back on it, waited until he was about 5-6 months and then weaned him off it gradually with no problems. If you have noticed a change even after one feed of non comfort formula I would say she doesn't seem ready.

Original poster
coolpink101 · 19/07/2013 14:27

Great, thanks guys. The hv that I saw wasn't my usual hv - my usual hv hasn't told me to wean dc1 off the comfort milk, so I had presumed it was ok - until yesterday with the new hv. We will stick with C&G comfort as that is what is working for us.

When it does come to the right time to wean her off the comfort milk though - how should we do that? Should we do one feed regular milk, the next comfort, then back to regular, and so on?

OP posts:
ilovepowerhoop · 19/07/2013 14:33

I would probably do it gradually as you have said above

RobotBananas · 19/07/2013 14:37

Def stick with it for now, and if you need to go out then make a bottle in advance, flash cool and keep in the fridge til you go out, then use a cool pack and it'll stay cool for an hour or so (maybe not in this heat though!)

I'd go to normal formula once weaning is fairly well established - 7mo+ really. Its fine to keep using it longer, but it is a pain when you're out that you can't just use cartons.

gruffalobore · 24/07/2013 21:43

coolpink101 - When I weaned ds onto normal formula - we did 1 scoop normal the rest comfort in one bottle, the next day 2 scoops per bottle, the next day 3 and so on until eventually it was all normal formula.
Hope it works out when you decide to change over.

Niamh39 · 25/07/2013 10:18

Hi Ladies, wondering if you can advise me please? DS is on Aptamil comfort due to colic, he is 10 weeks old; very happy & alert. Only thing is last 2 weeks or so he is only taking about 650/700 mls per day. Apparently he should be consuming 900mls+ by now. He just doesn't seem to be as hungry anymore?? He is still gaining weight but at a slower rate noe (about 6 ozs per week). I was thinking of giving him comfort milk for his night feeds but changing him to normal aptamil during the day to see if he takes more.
Good idea or not??? Any advice greatly appreciated !

tiktok · 25/07/2013 10:43

Niamh, better to discuss with your HV, I think, yes?

Niamh39 · 25/07/2013 14:42

Thanks tiktok, spoke with HV. She said not to worry about it as he is putting on weight, only would be concerned if he was losing & to stay on Comfort formula only

tiktok · 25/07/2013 15:10

Glad you got it sorted :)

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