switching between formulas?

[violuhts]

Hi mummas!

Before i get backlash about this thread, this wasn't my ideal situation, and i would never want to upset my child's stomach or anything of this sort!

My MIL often helps out with buying DS formula and nappies, though we say there's no need, she insists on helping out, which is lovely of her. but a few times she's bought the wrong formula.

DS is on the original aptamil, but she's bought us the ready to feed aptamil pro futura bottles and a boxed aptamil organic formula 800g. i've held onto these for a couple of weeks now- unsure what to do with these.

i hate throwing things out, but i'm not sure if it's ok to switch DS to one of these, and then back to his original formula and then the other and back? i feel like this might mess up his little stomach, whilst i've read that alternating between formulas is totally fine, i don't know if i should.

what would you mummas do? and if i shouldn't keep them- any suggestions on what to do with the formula? i don't want to waste it! x

DS used to switch between Aptamil and Cow & Gate occasionally with no problem - we largely by used C&G but if we couldn't find it we'd use Aptamil instead. I'd read it was made at the same factory with similar recipes. He also had some Spanish formula when we ran out on holiday once. He was fine.

I gave a box of hungry baby formula away via our local "buy nothing" Facebook group - you can't return them to shops and our local food bank won't accept formula but yours might if you don't want to try it.

sounds reassuring! all the different formulas we've got here at home are aptamil, they're just different types, so i'd think the ingredients should be fairly similar, especially with the organic, should be similar but in a way, better??? i've just been stressing it'll mess up his tummy, but so reassuring to hear your LO responded well and had no problem!! x

We've switched between SMA Pro and SMA Little Steps with no issue. TBH most standard formulas are very similar due to regulations on the product.

How old is your DS? The use by date should be long enough until he is weaning so maybe wait til then and he is having lots of different things as well as his formula?

Depending on the age of your baby and any health issues - use it. I buy random formula (try the same but my DH sometimes gets different one, sometimes I get the more posh one without palm oil, sometimes we travel buy something abroad, sometimes my in-laws or my parents get us another brand..) makes zero difference to a healthy baby, they'll drink it all without any side effects.

he's 17 and a half weeks and no health issues!! x

He should be fine. I switched my baby from Aptamil to Cow & Gate and he was fine (he had issues such as reflux as a baby but formula changes never had an impact).

I was in a sticky situation abroad where I took ready made cow n gate but could only buy aptamil powder, they didn't do any ready made bottles (despite what I'd read online) - so DC had different formula brands each day depending on whether he was eating out and about or in the apartment. It made no difference to him whatsoever and whilst I obviously wouldn't actively recommend doing this, I think it's totally fine when necessary