Can't get hold of formula. Help!

[Dandy0911]

My DD is on SMA 1 and has been since she was 8 weeks.

We normally get it from our Tesco. I have no idea why or how but we cannot get it anywhere! we've tried the local Tesco, Morrison's and co op. There's nowhere else around us to try. We have a little bit left but she will run out by tomorrow lunchtime. She's now 9 months. Would it be okay to get a tub of aptamil or cow and gate? Now she's a bit older will her tummy be less sensitive to change?

Or does anyone know which brand is the most similar? I know they are all much of the same!

No idea why the shelves are so bare!

I think we've used aptamil as one off when we couldn't get cow and gate and baby was fine.

Are you able to get premade for now? I did change formula brands once when DS1 was small and it gave him a funny tummy for a couple of days but nothing major.

All first stage milks are broadly similar, the recommended advice is to buy a different brand of first stage milk if you cannot get your usual brand.

Thank you everyone. :)

I'll grab the first stage Cow & Gate.

She had pre made cartons but they always make her have really runny poos! I used to give them to her when she was constipated and it would cause lots of explosive nappies.

If she gets on with cow and gate, do I keep her on this, or just use as an interim until I can get some SMA?

Sorry for al the questions. She's only had 1 milk for such a long time I don't remember what it's like to mix formulas!

Do you have Amazon, they stock it.

Have you tried small corner shops? More expensive but more likely to have it. Check the date though. Also in small shops like coop ask as sometimes it's kept in the back or behind till as it's often thieved.

Did they have any stage 2 SMA? Now she’s 9 months she can have stage 2. I’ve kept my DD on stage 1 but have used stage 2 occasionally if I couldn’t get any stage 1.. at least it’s still the same brand.

Have you got a chemist locally? They are likely to stock it

We moved to the US when DD was 9 months and we cold turkey switched her and the American formula was really different, even the colour was strange but no issues whatsoever. It’s not like when they’re younger and only consuming milk; presuming weaning is going well by now her tummy will be used to digesting all sorts of different things. Either stay with the C&G or go back to SMA depending on what the shops have when you start to run low, I can’t see it making much of a difference at her age and also given how similar all Stage 1 milks are. You could also consider switching to Stage 2 if it’s generally available where you are.

Any other first stage formula will be fine and won't upset her system at all.

All formulas have different ingredients but are made to provide the same nutrients so one isn't better than another.

Hope you're sorted now

Formula is strictly regulated so there won't be any major differences between them. Just get whatever you can get your hands on, I wouldn't expect more than perhaps a funny tummy for a short while but probably not even that.

Thank you everyone!

I picked up some cow and gate and she's been fine! Normal poos. No fussing.

At least I know I can switch between the 2 if needed.

Thanks guys :)

That's good news Dandy

I used to swap and change my son’s formula depending on whatever I could get hold of. He was always fine…

Formula is so strictly regulated that they are all pretty much exactly the same thing. Switching to a different brand won’t harm your baby.