Follow on?

[NotAClue101]

I'm a FTM so there is stuff I need to ask from more experienced mums 😊

My baby has been formula fed from word go. He has HIPP formula.
Do babies need to go over to follow on milk or can they stay on the infant formula?

The box says can stay on until 12 months, and the only difference I could find in the two was that follow on has more iron.

What did you all do? And why?

Follow on milk is a way for companies to advertise. First stage milk legally can’t be advertised, but follow on can, so it was formulated for advertising purposes only, as you say there’s minimal to no difference and the NHS recommendation is to transition from formula to full fat cows milk when age appropriate, but follow on milk is unnecessary

The BHS recommend staying on stage one milk until they are one

I did switch around 9 months as it was cheaper and you could get offers on it

My HV told me today that they can stay on stage one milk until they are a year old and then go onto good old cows milk. She said follow on milk is a con and just a way for these companies to make more money.

Follow on helped me save money as it was cheaper. It's not required as such but it was good to get offers on it. Still switched to cows milk at 1 year

Thanks for all your replies. The brand I use is the same cost for follow on, so will just stick with stage one

Op, you can choose to do what you like but the NHS guidelines are clear: first stage formula up to 12 months; cows milk in cooking from 6 months; then cows milk instead of formula after 12 months.

Your baby doesn't need first stage milk formula after 12 months, and NO baby needs the "follow on" marketing machine milk.

You asked: What did you all do? And why?

... I follow the relevant NHS guidelines! Obviously. They're based on evidence and best practices.. barring anything specific to a particular child (health conditions, prematurity, its preferences, medical advice, etc etc) that's pretty much what most parents should be doing.. not making decisions based on randoms from the internet, or "well my mum did this and I'm alive"

Here is what you need:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/solid-foods-weaning/