how do you decide which formula to use??

[insywinsyspider]

ds2 (14 wks) is ex bf but I want him to take bottle in evening to give dh option to put him to bed and its important to me he'll take a bottle so we have some flexability so far I've expressed 6oz every morning for the feed but with a 22 mo its hard work to remember/have time sometimes - I'd liek to give him formula as last feed, how do you decide on the best formula for your baby? for ds1 we gave aptimal but its one of most expensive, why? is it any better than others on market? I have no idea where to start....

There's no independent data available on which is truly the 'best' one, so all I'd do is use the one stocked by your local late-night corner shop / garage / 24h tesco so at least you can always get it.

Expressing is great though (and better than formula) - you can always build a stock in the freezer before you start introducing the bottle so you have some in hand if you miss a day.

thanks mrsbadger - its only one feed a day and its taken me days of anganising about it and I've concluded that ds2 will be at least 80% bf so getting all the benefits and my toddler can have me back for bed time some nights - ds2 is already having bottles of expressed and 6oz is tough enough to get each day I don't get a chance to build up any stock!

I was advised to use a particular one by a midwife who said it was closest to bm ...but if I had to use formula again I would probably go to the local shops you would be likely to buy it, see what they stock & read the ingredients on the packaging to see which ones you are happy with & then let your LO decide which one(s) he likes.

they are all much of a muchness, find the one that is available most locally, from the all night corner shop or petrol station and go from there

When I FF ds1 I went with what the hospital tended to use, Aptamil.. since learnt that different babies get on better with some formulas better than other, and tbh I occassionly use a bottle of formula with my ds2 (mainly as a last feed) and have stuck with Aptamil for no real reason other than that was what ds1 had and he got on fine with it.

I'll have a look at the supermarket next time - don't think I need to worry bout all night shops as its only one feed and if I am ff then I could express and build up a small stock like mrsb suggested...

martha - ds1 had aptimal when I weaned him at 7 mo, I'd never really though about it, it was one my friend used and I recognised it in the shop this time I felt I should get the 'best' one as ds2 is younger (I know that sounds stupid!) aptimal seemed to be most expensive and I couldn't work out what the other differences where between them all today in boots so gave up!

true !

Hipp organic is nice ! well, DD seemed to like it

i did use SMA origionally, but don;t like their new logo...

We used sma gold with my dd with no probs so intorduced it to ds and he was often returning some to us which smelt rile - the hv told us that aptamil was gentler and tended to be used in scbu so we gave it a whirl and he settled on it. I think it just goes with what they settle on and are happy with. Its just our ds has expensive taste!

Arr.. that'll be why.. ds1 ended up in scbu so the hospital suggested it as he really needed to get more than the pitiful amount I could express at a time

Aptamil is promoted heavily to healthcare professionals. This is why it is often recommended by them. There is no evidence it is any better than any other formula.

Go with the logo you like best - it's as good a basis as any!!