Formula feeding suggestions?

[MamaButton98]

Hello all,
Unfortunately I’m starting to struggle with breastfeeding my little one, he’s not gaining weight as quickly as he should be according to the health visitor. So I’m thinking of turning to formula feeding but the two options I’m looking at are pricey in my opinion, Aptamil and CownGate.

Since my little one is two months next week I want to know which formula is going to be cost effective and the best choice for him till he can eat proper foods full time. It’s difficult wanting the best but not being able to provide it or able to afford it.

I’m going to breastfeed as long as I’m able to but just in...

Why those 2? Doesnt really matter which you use as they are all regulated to contain certain nutrients

Only ones I really know, they’re the most advertised I guess

Aptamil and cow and gate are by the same manufacturer and obviously are great at marketing! Price doesn't really matter as they all have to contain certain necessary ingredients

Aldi formula always gets good write ups, from what I read it is as good as Aptamil.

If you can, go to a bfing support group (or even ask on here) rather than asking your health visitor's advice, they don't always get a good rep on here!

Cow and gate and aptamil are the cheapest I can get where I am, but cow and gate is about £3 cheaper depending where I go. We started on aptamil because that's what the hospital offered, then breastfed for a while, then went to cow and gate because the £3 difference made a huge difference in my purse.

Buy whatever is readily available near you.

They really are all very similar in terms of nutrients regardless of cost.

If you want to BF then I would say get to a BF cafe and get some RL support.

Formula is regulated and mostly is the same ingredients and a very similar price. You also need to factor in the cost of bottles - not cheap!

At the end of the day all the formula milk is exactly the same, a few add an ingredient here and there and claim it helps with fussy/hungry baby's etc but it's all the same. Your baby won't get better nutrition based on how much you spend on the milk. Go for the cheapest you can find!

They arent exactly the same but will contain legal amounts of certain ingredients. One milk may suit better than another but price doesnt really come into it

Have you considered expressing? Or just topping up with formula? You must be feeling quite stressed out by the whole thing. Regarding the formula I found it didnt make any difference to my dd when she was a baby. If you feel you want to continue to bf then I would have a look for bf support. Whatever you chose to do fed is best.

Do you still get allowed a reduction on one tub a week of formula if you are on tax credits or universal credit? I used to get 1/3 off a tub a week by showing my tax credit card for prescriptions.

You can get vouchers (healthy start?) That can be used against fresh fruit/veg/milk/formula.

www.healthystart.nhs.uk

If you have an Aldi near you their formula is as far as I'm aware very similar to aptimil. It's what I feed DS and he's thriving.