Best rated formula for baby

[Jamieef25]

Hi all,

I'm planning on combination feeding my little one when they arrive. I'd like to start with breast feeding if I can, then progress to combination feeding but obviously would like to have a stock of formula to take with me in my hospital bag should I be unable to breast feed.

My question is, which is the best rated formula that's a close to the nutritional value of breast milk (I know breast is best) but which is the best substitute for breast milk should breast feeding not be possible?

From looking into it, I've come across SMA PRO First Infant Milk from birth breast milk substitute or Kendamil Organic First Infant Milk which seem like good options.

I just want to know the best option for my baby (aside from breast feeding)

Thank you

Legally, they all have to be very similar, it’s very strict. Don’t feel guilty about giving your baby formula, I did with my first as I was convinced that my breast milk would dry up. With my second, she had a bottle of formula everyday with her dad and she was fine. I breastfed both of them to a year old.

I understand that you want the best for your baby, but there are lots of factors which affect the choice. I found that using one which has a pre-made bottle available useful. Some babies prefer one brand to another, some help if they have reflux.

They are so highly regulated that they are all perfectly good BF alternatives. Just buy the one your preferred supermarket/local shop sells.

I picked the one that was easy to find on our local shops and available in both powder and ready made so it was convenient when going out about. DS used to get through more than a tub a week at one point, I love him dearly but I'm pleased we were paying £9 a tub rather than £15+

i used kendamil my daughter thrived on it.But breastfeeding takes practice ,try at the hospital see how you go.Keep the formula at home,practice breastfeeding for a day or two before combo feeding.It will be easier not having to take formula to hospital with you

They're all basically the same. I agree that keeping the formula at home (or in the shop!) may balance a little bit of the PITA nature of BFing at the beginning.

I combo-fed from 8 weeks until 11 months with Kendamil and used the follow on milk after. I was hysterical about the chemicals in formula and it was the only one I was willing to use. No palm oil, weird fish oil and after tasting a few myself definitely the nicest creamiest flavour!
I was a total loon about it to be fair, but I’m pregnant again and plan on EBF to start with then using Kendamil again.
it isn’t in most shops though so I’d set up a subscription delivery direct from their website xx

I combi fed my eldest and EBF my youngest. In my experience combi feeding is way more of a faff.

However, if you want to combi feed the key is to establish breastfeeding first. Once the milk is there, then you can mess around with it. A baby either will or will not take a bottle. You can increase the chances of them taking a bottle by giving an oz a day just randomly in the early weeks. It's not enough to mess with your supply but enough for them to get used to the bottle. That said, my EBF child still hated bottles and refused them.

If you do combi feed try to use bottles in the day as breastfeeding at night is a lot easier. Also try to alternate between breast and bottle feeds to protect your supply and help the down regulation when the time comes. I used to give 10am and 3pm bottles. Look up paced feeding and don't change teat sizes.

As for the actual formula. It's so tightly regulated that they are all good. It's just marketing really. The formula companies are terrible for underhand and misleading marketing. That's why the rules surrounding formula marketing are so strict.

Have a look at what is easiest and cheapest for you to get hold of.

Oh and finally, if only doing a bottle or so a day, premade might work out better for you. It's more expensive than the powder, but the tin can only be open for a certain time and you might not use it up in time.

They're basically the same, just pick one that is stocked in several shops local to you so you don't have to worry about running out. Also handy to pick one which does ready made bottles as these are handy for when you're out and about/to keep in a bag or car for emergencies. We used Hipp organic from 6 months onwards with no issues.

They all have to stick to the legally agreed "formula". If any additional ingredients can be shown to be beneficial, then these are added to the required formula for all brands to follow. No formula brand is allowed to claim any special status for their first infant formula and certainly not claim that it is nearer to breastmilk than any other.

The simplest thing to do is to choose a readily available brand that comes in a format you prefer eg the small ready made bottles which can be kept at ambient temperatures and used immediately.

The hospital will usually provide formula if there are problems with breastfeeding so it is probably not necessary to bring any. My hospital used SMA. I was actually glad to have some formula at home as we really struggled with breastfeeding (turned out to be an undiagnosed tongue tie) and we arrived home late on a Sunday with lots of shops closed. Readymade either in the 70 mL ready to feed bottles (no sterilising needed) or the 200 mL cartons is handy when the baby is tiny and not drinking much.

We started with Apitimal but switched to Kendamil when DD was getting constipated on Aptimal. Kendamil smells much better than Aptimal but is expensive and less readily available than other brands.