Different formula brands and effect on mostly bf baby?

[QueenofNW2]

Have now started giving my 4 month old daughter one bottle of formula a day. I'm using Aptamil this time round, but used SMA Gold with my son (now 4). I recall that the SMA used to really knock out my son into a deep sleep. Assumed this was down to 'heavyness' of formula against breastmilk which he was used to.
Interesting to me to see that Aptamil has no such effect on my daughter - it doesn't knock her out, behaviour much the same as after bf. Maybe just an issue of different baby, but I'm interested to know if anyone's had a similar experience.
Chatted to one mum who said Aptamil closer to breastmilk - but isn't that the bollocks that all manufacturers claim?
I guess I'm also trying to feel a bit better about giving the odd bottle of formula now that I'm back to work, which reduces pressure on me to pump huge amounts every day.

Gave up bfing at 11mths with dd2 and gave her Aptamil, no problems with that. Then had trouble getting hold of Aptamil and switched to SMA, dd2 developed HUGE excema patches on one arm and all down one side. Not claiming a direct link between SMA and excema obviously but, interestingly, since returning to Aptamil the excema has disappeared completely.

started J with SMA he was a nightmare, up every hour on the hour at one poitn absolute nightmare totally unsettled, stopped hte SMA he settled right down again - now I use farleys. works for him, has lovely skin rarely has nappy rash etc. didn't really try the others, I did try cow and gate ready made stuff but he didn't seem to like that one.

You are right about it being likely be bollocks. No-one knows the exact contents to compare on formula to another so I dont know how they can make these claims.

TBH, I find it unlikely that SMA made your DS sleep as such. I think it was just his 'character'. Your DD just has a different personality, I would think.

With formula - the best way to go is to find one that suits, but that is easily accessible, ie it is stocked in most of your local supermarkets (in case you run out/have a last minute emergency)

Who knows about the science - but I'll confess to you that the choice of Aptamil purely down to impulse shopping. Went to cash and carry to stock up on nappies and wipes, and they had those ready-made formula cartons on sale. Couldn't face the measuring of powder etc, so chose selfishly convenient option. Lucky for me that it's worked out so far!

just for general info - cow and gate is the same as aptimel - as C&G bought the company and now use the formula too, but keep the branding separate - I know this as a mate works for them.

Glad you've found something that works for you.

You're right though, it's bollocks.