Folic, egg and fish free formula

[Toria33]

I’m trying to find a newborn milk for when baby arrives, I have been struggling with my weight and lost over 13 kg since becoming pregnant, so worried about my milk being rubbish.
I have singel gene mthfr and so cannot digest folic acid (didn’t want to give folic until we get him checked, metafolin can be used instead ) and I didn’t want a milk with fish or eggs in it as I am prone to allergies and wanted to be careful with what we give a newborn. I would love a lactose free option too if anyone has any suggestions?

I recently joined a Hyperemesis gravidarum group, a lot were able to breast feed sure but in cases of more than 5% body weight loss found; some did not come into their milk at all, some had to substitute feed partially, some had their milk just dry out in weeks or a few months, some had to stop bf because it caused sickness to continue and in a couple of cases they were able to breastfeed but their teeth fell out. So in short Hyperemesis gravidarum does have an effect on production and can be detrimental to mothers health if they try to produce. Therefore I have decided after an over 15% body weight loss to not even put myself through it as it can be detrimental for my health and I cannot be sure that milk will be sufficient or sustainable. Fed is best

I think you are overthinking everything. If your decision to formula feed is certain, then buy a tub of aptamil and give baby that, then assess baby afterwards and change if needed!

Not over thinking anything lost 15% of body weight in 6 months, malnutritihed and would like to heel, I came back to prove that you were mostly all wrong and that Hg has long term damaging effects to the mother. So that the thread informative and based on fact. Non of you know anything about this condition yet you all said my body would provide and I am giving facts that in some cases (which given I have been hospitalised 3 times and spent my pregnancy on A knife edge I am ) it will not or woman loose teeth or really can’t thrive.. your wrong, EDUCATE yourself before bullying someone into thinking they are wrong, in what their body is telling them. Your misinformed learn something and don’t do this again

We used sma wysoy for our son when I was in hospital and struggling with massive blood loss. We're vegans but vegan formula sadly doesn't exist yet - soya formula was the next best alternative to breastfeeding for us while I recovered. I've also heard of a condition called dmer which can make you feel very ill when breastfeeding - I don't know a lot about hg but coupled with dmer I'm sure it would be absolute hell.

I'm sorry you feel that you are being bullied or that people in the thread have no understanding of HG.

I had it and it is awful and I wasn't big at the start of the PG.

I mean this in the kindest way, I think that you might need to talk to your MW, not only about feeding and a possible Dietitian appointment for you due to your worries over your weight loss but also for some support over your MH and anxiety.

I can totally get that you want the best for your baby but the amount of research you're doing and how you're reacting to posters in here suggests that you might have Pre-Natal Illness.

Please take into consideration that the majority of people who join support groups, do so for support/info because they are the ones most badly affected by the condition. Most support groups are not a realistic representation of people affected

This isn’t recommended for babies under 6 months.

OP I’m a little confused as to why you want a cow’s milk or goat formula - they will both contain lactose.

Anyone can call they themselves and nutritionalist, what you need is a dietitian and for the baby a paediatric dietitian. What is your BMI now? If you have malnutrition why haven’t you been referred to a dietitian already?

My son was on various prescription milks and under a paediatric dietician. I doubt you’ll find an “over the counter” milk that doesn’t have folic acid in it as they specifically fortify infant milk. Leaving aside the folic acid thing which I know nothing about, I expect they would advise you to try normal formula first and then move on to something else if there were any symptoms of allergies. Lactose intolerance is highly unlikely though cows milk protein allergy is relatively common. As far as I am aware egg is not normally added to infant formula. As someone else mentioned, kendamil uses omega 3 from algae rather than fish oil. Definitely speak to your midwife as I think you need a referral to a paediatric dietician.

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some did not come into their milk at all, some had to substitute feed partially, some had their milk just dry out in weeks or a few months, some had to stop bf because it caused sickness to continue and in a couple of cases they were able to breastfeed but their teeth fell out. So in short Hyperemesis gravidarum does have an effect on production and can be detrimental to mothers health 

All of the above is true if you take any collection of mothers on any forum - take five minutes to check on Mumsnet. Regardless of everything you have said, some mothers will not be able to bf, some will lose teeth, many will suffer mentally.

I just think you're stressing yourself out about something that might happen. Better to save the energy for things that are happening.

If you want to talk to someone who is an expert in Uk formulas and allergies, and who can also advise on breastfeeding with allergies, then you can book an antenatal session with Shel Banks. shelbanks.co.uk/services

(I’m not affiliated with her in anyway but it sounds like an expert will help you find what you are looking for)

Please don't use soya formula unless advised by a doctor. It isn't as good and boys particularly need to be careful with it.

Babies by their nature are not vegan. They are mammals that are fed with mammal milk. If that mammal milk doesn't come from mother then it needs to come from another mammal.

After 6 months introduce what food for diet you want.

Are you OK? Have you spoken to your midwife about your concerns and how you're feeling?

OP the best website I ever found in feeding my 4 babies was kellymom.com. there is a huge amount of misinformation about breastfeeding because our parents and grandparents generation generally didn't do it for long if at all, and it's very different from formula feeding. It's bloody hard for the first 6 weeks and then piss easy. But if you don't want to breastfeed, at least consider giving the colostrum for the first few days. In the long run its not possible to tell who was breastfed and who wasn't.

Have you tried doing your formula search backwards OP?
So go to your usual shop and see which different baby formulas they sell and see if you like the idea of any of them for your baby? If you find one you’re happy with that’s easy to get hold of, it will make your life much easier than having to order a special one which may or may not be in stock all the time and may have a very high and possibly fluctuating price.

I have a long list of allergies (30+ different foods). DD isn't allergic to any of the same foods as me but is allergic to others. It would have done her no favours at all to give her formula avoiding MY allergens.

There are reasons to restrict the dairy free formulas to only the babies with proven medical need to avoid them.

Please talk to your midwife and health visitor about this as you really need medical support on this.

I have a long list of allergies (30+ different foods). DD isn't allergic to any of the same foods as me but is allergic to others. It would have done her no favours at all to give her formula avoiding MY allergens.

That's a lot of allergens ItsNot

I have about 5 and neither DC haves showed any signs of reacting to the same foods, ever.

Like you, I don't think it's wise to restrict the allergen's for a baby from day one unless you've been advised to by a HCP who has taken a full history from you and you've seen in person. And that's a qualified HCP, not somebody calling themselves a Nutritionist which is a meaningless term.

It sounds like you could benefit from a dietician for both you and your baby. 15% weightloss is no joke and can be really hard to regain. Rest assured that if you choose to breastfeed your body would make milk suitable for your baby (noting that protein based allergens can pass though breastmilk). However you might need support to maintain or regain weight while breastfeeding.
If you choose to formula feed the information provided by First Steps Nutrition is really good, evidence based and free from industry influences.