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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Least evil formula company

77 replies

jonnywasnochemist · 06/08/2017 19:37

Does anyone have an opinions on the least worst/least evil/fewest code violations formula milk to use? Obviously not SMA. And I know C&G and Aptimil are the same company. But is Hipp Organic actually any better for being organic? I think it's the only one claiming it has sustainable palm oil. I know they're all the same, as so tightly controlled, so would like to go for the company that is the least worst option. I don't want any expensive goat/soy/unicorn milk.

I have to formula feed my baby, for reasons I don't wish to discuss. Breastfeeding is not possible.

TIA!

OP posts:
minifingerz · 06/08/2017 21:50

I've just seen info saying the Mamia formula is made in Ireland.

That's where C&G and Aptimil are made. Bet it's Aptimil...

DoubleCarrick · 06/08/2017 21:52

Slightly on a tangent but hipp organic also contains probiotic which is good

SecretFreebirther · 06/08/2017 21:54

Well done OP, I wish more people would do their research. I also have had to reluctantly rely on formula and hated handing money to some of these companies (Aptimil on advice from the midwife switching promptly to Hipp briefly and then to NannyCare which I can highly recommend but not cheap) Also can recommend HumanMilk4HumanBabies on Facebook, as even one donation of breastmilk is better than none. We got an entire freezer full from a lady nearby!

CockneyRhymer · 06/08/2017 21:55

I have similar concerns as you (I also work with communities who are affected by aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes in developing countries), and this time round have had to do a bottle a day for a few months now I'm back at work as I don't seem to be able to express at all now and I'm travelling a bit. We went for HIPP- although I am very 🤔about the supposed magical properties of the prebiotics and I'm not sure if that might be a code violation in itself. But palm oil all good too.

It's absolutely a valid question to ask and an important one. We didn't look at aldi as it's not very close to us, but that might be another good option as I doubt they are marketing in the same way. I'm a longtime baby milk action supporter and nestle would get my money over my dead body.

Okite · 06/08/2017 21:55

I agree with your stance completely jonny, I've also boycotted nestle products for at least 25 years and having a baby certainly wouldn't make me abandon something so ingrained. Mine had formula a bit older, but all were absolutely fine on Hipp.

CockneyRhymer · 06/08/2017 21:56

Ah I bet that's right for aldi, I suppose there's no way they make it themselves.

Original poster
jonnywasnochemist · 06/08/2017 22:09

Nah, likely they added a third line on production- C&G box, Aptimil box, Aldi box!

Palm oil is also an issue, and points in Kendamill and Hipp's favour. Baby Orangutans don't need to die for my baby, either.

Nanny Care doesn't appear to have roused Baby Milk Action's ire, but is really expensive! I'll try others first, but keep that in mind, as the website is carefully worded to avoid any health claims etc, which I like.

This: www.firststepsnutrition.org/pdfs/Infant_formula-an-overview_February2017.pdf is a really useful document.

OP posts:
Greebz · 06/08/2017 22:11

I can't believe i did not know SMA = Nestle Sad

Ragusa · 06/08/2017 22:20

I am shocked at those saying things like 'get a grip'. How rude, politically naive and small-minded. I salute you OP. Nowt wrong with being an ethical consumer.

Original poster
jonnywasnochemist · 06/08/2017 22:24

Doing more research- Bebivita is non-organic food made by Hipp, which sounds like a reasonable option, as Hipp aren't known for bad marketing, and Bebivita milk is dirt cheap. I'll try the organic first, because I can afford it, but if anyone reading wants cheap, less evil milk, so far, Lidl looks good.

I can't find out who makes Mamia. Similac is also made in Ireland, so it could be that, or it could be Aptamil.

OP posts:
Original poster
jonnywasnochemist · 06/08/2017 22:26

Thanks for all the supportive posts, BTW. I am often accused of overthinking, or being 'too ethical'.

I just give people a look- better than underthinking, or being unethical!

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 07/08/2017 00:11

SMA was only bought by Nestlé a couple of years ago I think, and they kept it pretty quiet since Nestlé baby milks have never been popular in the UK market particularly when Baby Milk Action was bigger in the 80s (?)

I don't know if Mamia is the same but the German branches of Aldi have Mamia branded nappies etc but their milk is Milasan which is also Nestlé.

BertieBotts · 07/08/2017 00:12

That's Aldi Süd which is the arm that operates the UK branches.

sycamore54321 · 07/08/2017 00:19

I wouldn't be at all convinced that organic equals a lesser carbon footprint. Different, perhaps, but ingredients that are organically farmed often take more land, more water and more resources for the same yield. So organic does not equal ecological. If all farming was organic, millions more would starve. It's not as simplistic as organic is automatically the most ecological.

Escargot82 · 07/08/2017 00:20

Every dollar you spend is a vote for the type of world you want to live in - thanks for thinking of this OP when you make your decision.

You obviously have your baby's interests at heart but you also care about which companies you are supporting. I wish more people did this with every item they spend money on.

OhWifey · 07/08/2017 07:49

Fantastic post OP. Well done for opening this discussion. The marketing of formula gets me so furious, on top of my pre-existing Nestle boycott.

Starlighter · 07/08/2017 07:58

I'm no tree hugger but I'm really surprised at some of the reactions you're getting! I didn't know all of this?! I think we should all be more aware of where our food's coming from and the impact it has on the rest of the world. Thanks for bringing this up OP.

I think I might boycott Nestle too, they sound awful!

Only thing I'd say though, is that it's ultimately up to your baby. Both of mine wouldn't even touch Hipp. Hated it. My first had constipation and reflux on Aptamil but fine on cow & gate. My second had diarrhoea on Cow & Gate but fine on Aptamil. They're all different. Hope u find something that works for all of u.

Shadowboy · 07/08/2017 11:40

Regarding carbon footprints- organic doesn't always but usually does lower the footprint as they can't use synthetic products so the fossils fuels that are used to make pesticides and fertilisers are not used. The animal welfare for organic milk is higher as their regulations are tighter- there is usually lower number of animals per area in order to help with animal health and reduce the need for antibiotics. It's not a failsafe but it's certainly better for the environment. (Unless you buy your organic products from the other side of the earth then fly them over.....)

minifingerz · 07/08/2017 11:57

There is some discussion at present about the impact of BREXIT on the quality of baby milks and welfare standards of producers: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/us-trade-deal-brexit-cancer-milk-aflatoxins-peanuts-a7877541.html

FartnissEverbeans · 07/08/2017 22:48

I'm with you OP, I avoided SMA like the plague.

We're a bit limited in choice as we live abroad. Although there are dozens of brands available here that I'd never even heard of, I wanted a brand I recognized from the U.K. as I trust our standards more. We ended up on Aptamil and the comfort milk was brilliant for DS.

Of course it turned out that U.K. Aptamil is different from the Middle Eastern Aptamil I've been using, which I was quite annoyed about. But I can't complain about the product itself.

I think Aptamil is owned by Danone? Part of me thinks it's almost impossible to avoid these huge umbrella corporations as they quietly own such a massive proportion of the food market and each one operates behind so many brand names. Worth trying to be ethical though.

Gonegonegone · 12/08/2017 16:38

Op regarding donated breast milk- it's a while since I donated so you might want to check but hospitals only took milk from mums with 6mth and under babies and had strict rules about it. I only donated once in the end as I needed medication which was fine for nursing an infant on but they wouldn't take it (which is fine). I guess the likes of human milk for human babies works for mums with infants post 6 months or who have to take perfectly safe medication or similar so they donate it to other mums as hospitals won't take it. So it's not a case of taking it away from prem babies it's from mums who can't donate to prem babies but who still have extra. Which is obviously the most ethical option and will benefit your baby also.

Good luck with sorting out formulas.

putdownyourphone · 12/08/2017 17:01

Why should OP use SMA if she has boycott nestle (for being responsible for the deaths of babies no less). Many people don't buy nestle, why support such a scummy company when there are so many other milks available these days

RunningHurts · 12/08/2017 17:21

I can't believe the irony of some posters on here - caring that the op must use whatever milk is "best" for op's baby, regardless of how many baby deaths have resulted from the actions of the company she would be paying money to for the privilege of having that "best" milk

Well done op

alwaysbsharp · 12/08/2017 17:33

I use similac follow on for my 11 month old which is palm oil free. Boots sell it and I have had no problems at all with it.

HensAndRabbits · 12/08/2017 17:42

Unfortunately as Hipp is using palm oil then orangutans will have died. The sustainable tag is misleading as it only indicates virgin jungle that has been cleared at least 5 years ago, legally or not. I just don't understand why companies still insist on using it. It's so unsustainable, people are aware it is and there are so many other similarly priced alternatives.