Is any particular formula really better than any other?

[feedmenow]

Just wondering if there are any formula experts out there?

Plan to start one or two formula feeds over night this week but want to know which formula to get.

Are any of them really "closer" to breast milk?

Do prebiotics really make a difference?

Or are all formulas really pretty much the same as each other?

As far as I know, they are different but no formula is "closer" to breastmilk, none is better than another.
However one type may suit your baby better than another type, eg some people say that sma made their baby constipated, others have no issues with it.

I'm interested to know if one tastes better...ds turned his nose up at sma then aptamil. v expensive - buy a carton first!!

feedmenow, there is no independent comparison of formulas on sale in the UK. All of them have to comply with UK standards, and to that extent they are more or less the same, though not identical.

All of them are processed from cows milk, so cannot be closer than one another to breastmilk. The introduction of formula to any baby under 6 mths has negative health effects, though this can't really be shown in an individual - but if continuing to bf without formula is an option for you, this gives the best health outcomes.

Prebiotics are there for marketing reasons - there is no solid, real life evidence that they are beneficial, and in some countries they are not permitted as an additive as the authorities there feel the research to ensure their safety has not yet been done. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that they cause runny stools and tummy cramps - they tend to soften stools but this may not always be a good thing. If you google [health effects prebiotics infant formula] you'll see some academic discussion of the effects.

Organic formulas don't have prebiotics as they cannot produce these additives organically.

It's true that some babies seem to react differently to different formulas, and that trying different brands may be necessary.

Thank you all for input.

Tiktok, interesting what you say about the prebiotics and marketing - I did wonder whether there was anything in it, as such!

So, trial and error it is then!

I have just been googling and found that very few formualar milks are not actually vegetarian...

this really surprised me!

aptamil, heinz and cow and gate contain fish. I use SMA because I am vegetarian and I prefer him to have fish free. SMA can cause constipation (in my DS it causes firm poo but not constipation, not a problem )

according to here only SMA WHITE POWDER, & SMA PROGRESS POWDER is suitable for vegetarians!

(i therefore assume SMA gold is not )

sma was great for DS1, but constipated DS2 - he is suited to cow and gate.

Formula is made from skimmed milk powder, and some fat content needs to be restored to make up the calorie value. Some brands use animal fats for this, so would not be used by vegetarians.