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Infant feeding

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Original poster

HIPP Organic Shortage - any formula similar?

34 replies

lucywho123 · 08/02/2022 09:07

Hi
Really sorry if Ive missed a thread on this but there seems to be a shortage of Hipp Organic formula - they are blaming Brexit on the supply issue. There is currently none in store nor online - and our 11 month old has only ever had Hipp so starting to worry. We obviously can move to cows milk soon but in the meantime has anyone transitioned successfully from Hipp to another formula - I have no idea if any are similar? Thanks in advance

OP posts:
lee12345 · 08/02/2022 09:26

Hi,

Following as I'm having the same problem! I was able to buy on Amazon in packs of 4 boxes, but even this is now saying out of stock!
Interested to see if there's any similar formulas.

miltonj · 08/02/2022 09:28

I'd just use the opportunity to move on to cows milk. A month won't make a difference.

BunnyRuddington · 08/02/2022 09:29

I hadn't heard if this, sorry that you're struggling to find some.

It might be worth asking on your local FB group if anyone has some or knows where you can get it, if you haven't already.

Not sure which formula would be similar though. They're all made to the same nutritional standard but the ingredients will differ with each one.

Is your LO just 11 months or almost 12?

Original poster
lucywho123 · 08/02/2022 10:18

Thanks for replying all. She's literally just turning 11 months next week. Completely set on moving her to Cows Milk at 12 months but wanted to do it gradually as Ive heard it can give them a poorly tummy to do the straight transition? Problem is, I dont have enough left to even do a half and half for a few days let alone a few weeks.

I have messaged Hipp who have now sent out stock to the retailers but as with everything, they dont know how long it will take to actually reach stores. There are hundreds of people tweeting them so I know even when it does make it onto the shelves, the cram to buy will be insane. So frustrating

I was hoping there would be a really close match to Hipp that I could use just to tide us over but when you search online there's no information on this directly, just lots of people that have moved from one formula to Hipp, and not the other way around :/

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 08/02/2022 11:36

It doesn't always cause problems switching over to cows milk so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Between 10 and 12 months she only needs 400 ml of formula a day so if you've not reduced her milk to this level already, now might be a good time as it might make the formula you have last longer.

I'd be tempted to just buy a carton of any formula though abs swap her over, saving the Hipp for the bedtime bottle for a couple of days.

Hugasauras · 08/02/2022 11:43

I'd just try another formula if you don't want to do cows milk. DD had a mix when we were topping her up and none made any difference.

DoucheCanoe · 08/02/2022 11:49

This has been going on a fair while now with Hipp, surprised they haven't managed to sort it!

My friend has the same dilemma with her now 2 year old and switched to Aptimal without issue.

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 08/02/2022 11:51

All the formula milks are basically the same. Switching to another formula shouldn’t be an issue. My daughter always has hipp but randomly my husband brought apptimal once she was fine with it.

Qwill · 08/02/2022 11:54

Legally formula is so tightly controlled they are all so similar. I’ve used lots of different ones and had no issues at all.

BunnyRuddington · 08/02/2022 11:54

I've just googled and. kendamil are claiming to be the only fully British made formula so shouldn't have any supply problems linked to Brexit.

Im surprised by that to be honest.

Original poster
lucywho123 · 08/02/2022 13:30

Between 10 and 12 months she only needs 400 ml of formula a day so if you've not reduced her milk to this level already, now might be a good time as it might make the formula you have last longer.

We would probably be fine if she was only drinking that much - she really does love her morning and evening bottles though (and occasionally another in the night if she's poorly) so its a bit of a pain thats its just run dry. I think we'll begin the transition to cows milk earlier than planned though as seems to be the only option

Thanks to all those saying other formulas will be fine. Probs seems so trivial and a simple thing to just switch but we had some issues with her taking milk in the early days so its probably just an unfounded fear that she might get sick if we switch to another out of the blue :)

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 08/02/2022 14:50

We would probably be fine if she was only drinking that much - she really does love her morning and evening bottles though (and occasionally another in the night if she's poorly) so its a bit of a pain thats its just run dry. I think we'll begin the transition to cows milk earlier than planned though as seems to be the only option
It might be worth taking the opportunity to drop the morning bottle abs offer a cup of milk with breakfast instead?

Original poster
lucywho123 · 08/02/2022 15:07

Unfortunately she's in childcare already so the bottle has just been the norm for all of us in the mornings. She's fine drinking water out of a cup though so we'll just need to move her onto cows milk and hope for the best

Lucky for me she is this age though as it would've been way worse to be in this situation pre weaning and guzzling numerous bottles a day Grin

OP posts:
Fran919 · 08/02/2022 15:49

Hi @lucywho123Following - I’m in the same position but LO is 5.5 months. Noticed last week stocks were low in shops so picked up what I can, which was a number 2 so follow on milk. Not ideal but previously tried other brands including kendamil and aptimal and none agreed with her so need to find something which is similar.

I know all formula have the same ingredients but some froth more than others and worsen reflux and some smell different, the reflux is under control so I’m hesitant to change to anything. Like you said everything is moving to hipp not the other way round.

Can you try your LO on the number 3 milk if she’s not already, not ideal but its a stepping stone to cows milk?

FrangipanFlower · 08/02/2022 15:53

It’s a nightmare! Ocado have it or at least I’ve been able to order, we’ll see if it arrives tomorrow morning. I’ve had no issues finding the ready made bottles but at a £1 a pop they’re not very economical. I went into 5 shops today and none anywhere. It’s £15 a box on Amazon atm which is depressing! My lo is only 3 months and was previously on aptamil but it didn’t agree with her

FrangipanFlower · 08/02/2022 15:54

@Fran919 Morrisons had hipp comfort and anti reflux if that helps?

FrangipanFlower · 08/02/2022 15:55

Does anyone know the reason for supply issues - assume it’s related to brexit

Original poster
lucywho123 · 08/02/2022 15:56

@Fran919

Funnily enough I just managed to get the last box of number 2 in Sainsburys - so we are good to go again for a week or so. I do feel for you though as your LO is younger. When they are settled with one formula you don't want to unsettle their tummies with another (even though it might all be fine)

Hipp have replied to me again today to say they have sent deliveries to Boots, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Asda and Waitrose several days ago. Then more large deliveries to those retailers this week. Not sure if that helps you but obviously it means no point looking in Tesco/on Amazon for example. Also they should have delivery to their online Hipp store this Wednesday so if quick enough, once they're booked in, thats an option

Honestly don't understand that its not being spoken about more in the media as formula surely is a pretty important part of keeping a baby well fed, so the fact Brexit is causing delays at ports even for Baby food should be a much bigger talking point

OP posts:
Original poster
lucywho123 · 08/02/2022 15:58

@FrangipanFlower

Does anyone know the reason for supply issues - assume it’s related to brexit
Their exact wording to me last week was 'we have experienced some problems due to Brexit, specifically getting product through Customs. We had a significant amount of product at port waiting for duty related paper work sign off and this bureaucracy is frustratingly slow'

Appreciate their honesty but what a shit show honestly

OP posts:
FrangipanFlower · 08/02/2022 16:03

This is just the beginning isn’t it? The price and availability of most every items is going to suffer…

Tal12 · 08/02/2022 16:49

Just wanted to add, my baby is fed Kendamil and is thriving, never had any tummy issues. All made in UK (lake district) so hopefully no issues with imported ingredients. Just in case this may help anyone in future it may be a good one to try.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 08/02/2022 17:07

Ocado have it in stock

Original poster
lucywho123 · 08/02/2022 18:04

@Tal12

Just wanted to add, my baby is fed Kendamil and is thriving, never had any tummy issues. All made in UK (lake district) so hopefully no issues with imported ingredients. Just in case this may help anyone in future it may be a good one to try.
Thanks @Tal12 - that was my alternative if I didn’t find any today

And though it may be in Ocado presumably you have to order more than just that, find a delivery slot etc ... it shouldn’t be that hard to buy baby milk surely Hmm

OP posts:
FrangipanFlower · 08/02/2022 18:38

I know ridiculous! The minimum order is £40 so I ordered two boxes and some other grocery bits and was able to get a slot surprisingly easily. As I say, I’ll wait and see if it physically arrives in the morning.
We tried Kendamil and I so wanted it to work for my little one as it’s made in the UK but I stopped being able to get it in our local Tesco.

mobear · 08/02/2022 18:44

Have you tried the Hipp ready to drink bottles? I’ve been able to get those from Ocado, and I’ve seen them in Boots as well.