Considering formula for breastfed baby, which one?

[DarlingClem]

DS is 6.5 months and exclusively breastfed. We've been trying to introduce solids but he's not really interested but super hungry--so seems physically ready in that he wants more food but not developmentally. I've increased daily breastfeeds to help with his nighttime wakings and it seems to have helped but I'm a bit exhausted! I'm considering introducing a bottle of formula during the day to just have a break but unsure what 'number' I need.

I'd like to use Hipp or a Holle but leaning more towards Hipp since it seems more widely available. Do I need 1, 2 or 3? 1 says for breastfed babies and 0-onwards (but they all seem to say something about being for breastfed babies...), 2 says for hungrier babies, and 3 says for weaning babies 6 months +. I'm confused which to get because he seems to be all three! Do I stick with 1 since he's breastfed or do I jump to 3 because he's six months and weaning?

Any advice?

Stage 1 is recommended by the NHS for babies up to 12 months.

Stage 2 (hungry baby) is an older formula that is harder to digest so supposedly "keeps them fuller for longer".

Stage 3 (follow on) is a gimmick invented by formula companies to get round the ban on advertising infant formula.

Choose any brand you want though, they are all basically the same. I think Hipp used to be the only vegetarian one but not sure it is anymore.

Number 1.

Number one milk until 12 months then onto cows milk. Number 2 (hungry baby) is designed to delay weaning, and number 3 is unnecessary as it's just a marketing opportunity for formula milk companies (they're allowed to advertise milk aimed at 6 months plus in the UK. Other countries don't allow advertising until 12 months and follow on milk doesn't exist in these countries.

As for brand, just pick one and give it a go. Anecdotally breastfed babies take well to Hipp, but formula milk is so tightly regulated that they're all very similar. Aptimil and Cow and Gate are the same, just different branding so don't bother paying extra for Aptimil!

What bottles have you got? And what size teat? Consider using a size three teat - your milk will be flowing faster than the size one teat that's always recommended for breastfed babies, and your baby may well get frustrated if it's really hard to get the milk out of the bottle.

Thanks girls!!

I think I read Hipp is no longer vegetarian because it has fish oil now, which I'm fine with. Although I read that can make it smell funny so some babies end up preferring Holle because it doesn't have that.

I have 1 and 2 teats for Avent Natural. I've stopped using 1 because he wouldn't take them, he'll take 2 sometimes but he'll always only take a bottle if he's hungry, top ups (of ebm) are impossible with him because if he's not hungry he's not interested in a bottle but maybe if the teat was easier....hmmmmmm.... I hadn't increased numbers because I'd read that it's harder to breastfeed so you need a lower number on a teat so they have to 'work' for it so it doesn't affect breastfeeding. Maybe that was just the early days?

We're FF from the start and I've chosen Hipp, my thoughts being i want to give baby the best milk I can and as hipp is the only readily available organic one it's got my vote. I am veggie and having done some research have found that there are no formulas that are actually veggie suitable as they all contain fish oil (something to do with regulation in the ingredients required), found the info on vegetarian society website if anyone interested :)