Formula Advice

[Hectic]

Hi, I'm new and wanted some advice. My 4th child (ds3)is 18 weeks and completely bf. I'm not ready to start solids yet don't want to rely solely on bfing for too much longer. I sometimes run a bit short of bm towards the end of the afternoon (school run, and generally busy with other children, etc). I know this is a common problem. I feel a bit mixed up about what to do next. I bfed my older 3 for anything between 8 and 18 months each and really enjoyed it, and certainly don't want to stop yet. However, I think ds3 is getting hungry, so I am considering an occasional bottle/cup of top up formula in the late afternoon. I have no problems expressing, but it does take time (currently at a premium),and I just feel I sometimes want to give my body a bit of a rest!Has anyone any advice on which brand to use? Which would be closest to bm? Of those which do claim to be close to bm, which come in ready made up form; I hope not to be using it too often, so would ideally like to avoid the hassles of mixing up scoops of powder, etc.Sorry this is a bit of a ramble. Looking forward to hearing from you, ladies.

Hectic, they are all virtually the same you will find. None any closer to bm than another.

Hectic, there is stuff about mixed feeding here both pros and cons. I'm very for, but that's cause it's working for me! I think the main thing is, if you are going to replace a feed with formula, make it the same one consistently. That way your breasts will know to keep producing for the other feeds. hth

I'm using Aptamil ready mixed. It seems to smell better than the rest, and ds likes it. some have got DHA in them, some have probiotics...it's swings and roundabouts, but I can't find an organic ready mixed one (anyone know of one?)...

We used SMA which does ready mixed cartons. It suited DD.

Hectic-I've used Nanny formula with both my children, started with a bedtime feed and bf rest of day. This formula is based on goats milk which is much closer to human milk than cows milk. Most people who use it find baby has less wind/colic/eczema and less likely to have dairy allergy when older. As far as I know its only available in health stores.

Thanks for the replies. Interesting about Aptamil, sophable. Some just smell so vile don't they? Gloworm, funnily enough I had Nanny formula recommended to me recently. Right, I'm off to the shops to see what I can find for my little man.

Hectic - having exclusively B/F for 18 weeks I wouldn't run to the formula yet. Feed your DS more often if you think he is hungry. I can totally empathise with you because I have 4 children and remember trying to fit feeds inbetween school runs etc. At least with B/F you can do it easily on the run - I often would give a bit of a feed, run to the school and have to waken DD for more when we got back home. You are not running short of BM towards the end of the afternoon - your breasts are never empty. Bank some EBM in the freezer to use if you need a break but please do not lose faith in your ability to feed a hungry baby.
There isn't a formula closer to breast milk than any other. Why give milk from a goat when you have plenty of your own. 18 weeks is absolutely fantastic - no production problems there

I agree will everything you have to say about breastfeeding Mears, its great to see someone so pro-active about bf
However I just wanted to set the record straight for all those who do eventually introduce formula (and many of us do, for many and varied reasons!).
I have a degree in Nutrition and can say for definate that goats milk IS more like breast milk than cows milk. OK it is never more suitable for human babies than human milk, but I think if you are using formula then one based on goats milk is much better than all the mainstream cows formula(which I do agree are all pretty much the same).

Thank you all for your advice. Ds has settled down a bit again and my confidence has come back. I feel a bit more in control again (and not so guilty about doing quick feeds "on the hoof"!