Do I need to change to weaning formula?

[dodi1978]

Hi!

I have started to wean my 24 week old. I discovered today that his usual formula (Aptamil) is also available as special weaning formula (we are currently still on the Stage 1 from birth). Do I really need to change over to the weaning formula? I remember somebody saying that this is only a marketing ploy, but am not sure now... At any rate, I will definitely use up my current stocks of the other formula.

Thanks!

Hi , yes you're right absolutely no need to change your little one onto stage 2 milk, stage 1 is fine until 1 year then can be transferred onto full fat cows milk. Hope the weaning goes well!

No such thing as 'weaning formula' as far as I know, dodi, unless this is a very new product. I think you prob mean 'follow on milk' which is indeed a marketing ploy (search mumsnet forums for plenty of discussion on this, or ask your HV). Babies are fine on infant milks.

www.nhs.uk/start4life/Pages/babies-food-variety.aspx

Ginger stage 2 is not follow on, but casein-based infant formula otherwise known as 'hungry baby' milk.

Thanks all!

That's the one I meant - 'to complement a weaning diet'.

www.aptaclub.co.uk/products/weaning-6-12-months/article/aptamil-follow-on-milk

I'll have a look at previous discussions!

A HV - a sensible HV - told me that the stage 2 milk was pretty much invented to make a bit more money. I left mine on normal baby formula until they moved to cow's milk at 1.

Yes stage two milk was only invented so formula could be legally advertised. There is no reason to use it.

It's not stage 2!! Stage 2 is something else.

Most (I think all) manufacturers have an infant formula which is predominantly whey based (and so 'more like breastmilk' and supposedly easier on young baby's digestion. They usually market it with something like stage one.

They also have a casein-based formula, which is (in fact) what all formulas used to be like until they found a way of modifying them further to change the casein/whey proportions. This is usually marketed as stage 2, but it can be legally sold as suitable from birth, too.

Then there is follow on (sometimes labelled with a big '3'). This is also casein-dominant, but it also has added iron.

Once it became illegal to advertise formula direct to mothers - in the UK formula is defined as intended for babies under 6 mths of age - they came out with follow on.

It does not exist in the USA, where advertising of formula for babies under 6 mths is unrestricted.