Can you mix formula brands?

[Northernbeachbum]

DS1 is due in a few months and I'm planning to formula feed after the first week for various reasons

We were really pleased to hear aldi have launched formula at a much lower cost, so hopefully he will get on ok with that. But at the moment they don't do ready made. Could we use aldi as much as possible but have pre made bottles when needed or would that upset his little stomach?

Unless you're switching from comfort to reflux to hungry i think you will be fine and 1st formula are tightly regulated as to what goes in it.

Ah brilliant thank you

I was advised not to.

Were you given a reason @heratnumber7?

No. You can't. It can be really really bad for a baby.
This is why newborn or first stage formula isn't legally allowed to be on promotion or advertised. Because it would encourage mums to switch around formula which is so bad for babies.

I'll find you some research but please look into it. There's far more to feeding than what's easiest for you.

That's fine, if it's a no go it's a no go we don't mind. I just wanted to know if it was an option

We used aptimel ready made for the first two months (mix fed til 5 weeks), then started to use aldi powder at home and still use Aptimel ready made when we go out. I think I'm the early weeks it's probably better to stick with one brand, but I know lots of people who switched to a mixture later and had no problems.
Maybe ask your health visitor - but official advice about formula feeding is hard to find.

Anecdotally I mixed brands with both of mine and they had/have no issues at all. As others mentioned mixing with soya based or if colic is a problem then you need to research the ingredients. Some mothers I know had to try different brands as certain ones didn't agree with their baby's tummy so it could be a case of wait and see.

Formula does not go on special or add to points systems because certain breastfeeding groups campaign heavily to counter the marketing and advertising that formula brands can afford to do thus they have government support.

Be wary getting advice on formula feeding, some people have a bee in their bonnet so will throw scare tactics/non existent medical advice to put you off.

Just to clarify:
Breast milk substitute does not go on special because it is illegal. This is not down to breastfeeding groups it is down to the World Health Organisation.

If breast milk substitute is promoted it can encourage switching of product which can be fatal to a baby.

Oh and here is my " non existent medical evidence"

www.who.int/nutrition/publications/infantfeeding/breastmilk-substitutes-FAQ2017/en/

Oh blimey I didn't mean to start a row just wanted to know if it was an option

We won't be stocking up on loads in case certain brands don't suit him and we have to try a few l

The lack of advice available isn't ideal I get the reasons in a way but I don't think it actually impacts breast feeding rates

Hi Amazing Grace I had a read of the document you linked to but couldn’t find a mention of anything about risks of changing brands of formula. Would you mind sharing where you had read about it? I’d like to understand more about any potential issues

First steps nutrition provide impartial evidence bases information on what's in different brands of formula. I'm not aware of any evidence about whether you can mix milks but they'd be a good organisation to ask. It strikes me that's it's not a question it's in the interest of formula manufacturers to answer.
www.firststepsnutrition.org/newpages/Infants/infant_feeding_infant_milks_UK.html

Sorry I cannot find the bit from the decade old link you've posted to say switching formula brands is fatal, would you be so kind to point it out as you are clearly familiar. Also as you have stated the WHO take no consultation with breastfeeding campaigners can you also post a link that explains if their medical advice ever changes or is ever challenged? But hey if it gets Mugabes support who am I to question such an upstanding organisation.

Thank you @glorious

I can't see that changing brands would be an issue. The danger with promotions is that families don't budget effectively for formula and end up stretching it out or overdiluting or substituting with inferior products e.g. condensed milk - hopefully, none of those would happen but it's a risk if the family is very poor.

How could switching between several highly regulated, highly similar brands be fatal?? Switching to a non-formula product could be, I can see that. But I think these posts are scaremongering.

Will go and read links posted now.

Baby Milk Action would also be a good company to ask about this as they have no allegiance to any brand and promote safe, informed formula marketing and openness of data sharing.

It seems to me it's in the brands' interests to discourage parents from switching, because they need brand loyalty.

No argument here. I'm just presenting facts. It's up to individuals to decide what is best for them.

The simplified who booklet I linked can answer some questions on why artificial feeding is not promoted.
The full policy states

inappropriate feeding practices lead to infant malnutrition, morbidity and mortality
in all countries, and that improper practices in the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and related products
can contribute to these major public health problems;

The First Steps article does say Despite marketing claims, milks that comply to regulations are similar in composition.

Sounds like they are pretty standard. We have often switched brands because of what was available in the shop with no ill effects

@amazinggrace
I suspect that is related to the marketing of formula in places without a reliable clean water supply where breastmilk is the far safer choice.

Fear of transmitting HIV to your baby has also been used in the past to encourage women, particularly in parts of Africa to switch to formula to the detriment of their baby's health.

1st formula isn't advertised, in an effort to not encourage its use in replacement of bf. These companies get around this by advertising follow on/toddler milks to promote their brands which i wouldnt bother switching to as 1st will do even post weaning.

... As well as pp comments it certainly isn't fatal in switching

@amazinggrace16 but I'm not asking about breast v bottle

Thank you @situp and all the others who have switched around, good to know.

@Bertiebotts I will ask, Thank you for the suggestion

I do think as it's incredibly regulated it should be ok but will ask the relevant unbiased organisations

I'm not disputing that they have to go through vigorous testing to meet certain standards however if a child has an unknown allergy to a component in a different breast milk substitute then switching around obviously is going to be bad for the baby.

I'm not saying the OP is going to kill her child if she mixes it up but it is certainly ill advised.

Look at all the info on baby milk action. They too support what I've said.

Artificial feeding is not as simple as shoving some formula in a bottle and hoping for the best and there's such little advice out there on the risks. I think it'd be hugely beneficial for midwives etc to cover all of this in an impartial way so that there is a greater understanding out there and so that formula can be fed in the safest way possible.

Yes First Steps Nutrition Trust is a great website.