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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Which formula brand did you choose and why?

39 replies

Chardonnay1966 · 11/01/2008 19:29

...just wondered how those of us who ff came to choose the brand we did!

Eg. We use Aptamil cos that's what my sister used and I just copied her.

How did everyone else decide?

OP posts:
3andnomore · 20/01/2008 11:52

Hm...isn't the reason for fisheyes and so on in Formula that they now have those LCP's in them (Omega this and that...)....if so, than Farleys will probably use that as well chocolate spider...

tiktok · 20/01/2008 12:34

Interesting that there is so little good information to help ff mothers make up their minds - does this not make you cross?? Manufacturers could easily inform mothers if they wanted to, about the ingredients and their sources, and if you wanted to avoid LCPs with a fishy source, you'd then be able to.

It really is rubbish about one brand being closest to breastmilk - they all say that, and they can't all be right!

There is no reason why you can't swap brands, either.

Lazylou · 20/01/2008 12:42

We started off with SMA and then thought DD struggled with it so went on to Cow and Gate, but she didn't keep that down either. We were going to change again but our HV said not to bother as it was a reflux thing rather than a formula intolerance thing.

lizziemun · 20/01/2008 12:51

Juliet42

I had the same thing with dd2 used SMA as i had done with dd1 who was fine on it.

But dd2 was constipated and chronic wind so switch to Cow and Gate easy digest and she is much better.

I choose sma because it was most easily available. I always make sure i have a spare tub so i don't run out.

Pixiefish · 20/01/2008 12:53

dd2 has 180ml a day over 2 feeds. i chose aptamil cos a friend said it was closest to breastmilk.
i buy the cartons of ready made stuff as i can't be bothered for 2 feeds to mix it

VeniVidiVickiQV · 20/01/2008 14:07

So true tiktok.

We used SMA for DD, it was prescribed by GP. She needed soya milk for allergies. I dont actually know if there are many other types of soya-based or milk protein free formulas.

tiktok · 21/01/2008 11:07

VVV, it's so revealing to read the reasons behind people's choices....in the absence of any decent, indepedent information that compares formula, or which guides people to meet their babies' health needs, what are we left with?

  • totally spurious 'closest to breastmilk' claims passed on by midwives and others who should be savvy enough to know better
  • what their mum used
  • what their friends used
  • what they read other people on a talkboard used for their babies
  • what someone came back with from the supermarket

There's no other way to 'choose', in fact. This is what lies behind the campaigns to stop advertising and to force manufacturers to be freer with information instead.

VictorianSqualor · 21/01/2008 11:21

Crikey, it's quite a surprise to see why people use different formulas, made me think about why I used SMA for DD, because the hospital gave it to her and then, because I was getting milk tokens and the baby clinic would only cover the cost of SMA with the tokens!

chrissnow · 21/01/2008 11:43

I agree tiktok about the lack of information. You prob won't remember me posting ages ago about my bf nightmare (I was under a different name anyway). I was in a serious downward spiral with bf and ff was the only way to go at the time, the huge array of choice with no info etc actually very nearly tipped me over the edge. CLoser/closest to breastmilk just screamed at me. I knew it wasn't and even so close wasn't good enough. I was just in tears at the whole thing. DH had to make the purchase in the end/then prepare bottles and feed poor dd1.
Anyway DH chose SMA because it was closest to him on the shelf and he was desperate to rescue his poor wife and daughter!!

tiktok · 21/01/2008 11:58

Squalor, a totally logical choice for you, but wd have been better to have had more info...

Chrissnow - not so much closest to breastmilk but closest to DH on the shelf!

I think it's a scandal, but because people are sensitive about the whole breastfeeding-formula feeding 'thing', they interpret a call to ban advertising as suppression of information (ha!)....an 'argument' that is supported by the manufacturers who really, really, don't want to inform you

VictorianSqualor · 21/01/2008 12:05

Maybe logical but terrible that I had nothing else to base my choice on, I honestly thoguht because the hospital had those little free bottles that it must be the best

Juliet42 · 21/01/2008 17:15

thanks lizziemun. His constipation has definitely gone now which is great (have now fed for 24 hours on Cow&Gate Comfort) but am not sure how much he likes it as feeds are taking a long time. still, probably best to persevere for a bit rather than change back. HV told me today that the reason they prefer people not to switch formula is in case the baby doesn't like it and then refuses to feed altogether. Another thing to worry about!!

VVVQV · 21/01/2008 17:34

Oh absolutely tiktok. I'm all for freedom of speech. But what about freedom of information? It doesnt go hand in hand wrt to formula advertising. That's what pisses me off with it.

lizziemun · 21/01/2008 17:35

juliet42

I found that dd2 inproved within 24hours as well.

She is now 19wks and doesn't much at all she is over 17lb but still only has 5oz every 4 hours (strugle to feed), but will happily go 5 - 6 hours. But as you just another problem to worry about.

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