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Original poster

Formula

201 replies

ToniMuir · 18/02/2023 17:45

Hi there.. totally new to this! My wife and I are expecting our first baby together. We are a lesbian couple, and my wife is carrying our child conceived through stimulated IUI.

im wondering what the best formula to use is? I know the benefits etc of breastfeeding, but we really would rather formula feed. Recommendations please?

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ToniM95 · 19/02/2023 19:46

ImaniMumsnet · 19/02/2023 19:45

Hi everyone,

just popping our head round! Can we get some peace and love on here please?

Thank you!!

I'm completely new to Mumsnet and wasn't sure what to expect! This is not it though! 😢

Emmamoo89 · 19/02/2023 19:57

ToniM95 · 19/02/2023 19:23

I appreciate your concern. But isn't this a support network? You're pushing your opinions on me when I've already stated we will be formula feeding only. You don't know our situation, you don't know if my wife can even produce colostrum. It's a personal matter. Please stop with the unwanted comments now.

Good and I'm not pushing anything on you. You won't know till about 36 weeks or after the baby is born.

Emmamoo89 · 19/02/2023 19:57

ImaniMumsnet · 19/02/2023 19:45

Hi everyone,

just popping our head round! Can we get some peace and love on here please?

I appreciate you deleting the unwanted comments. I'm done commenting now.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Baby & toddler products Breast & bottle feeding Families General parenting
ToniM95 · 19/02/2023 19:58

@Emmamoo89 I've asked you nicely, please stop with the unwanted comments. Thanks

Emmamoo89 · 19/02/2023 20:01

calmandcaffeinated · 19/02/2023 19:32

@Emmamoo89 I expect your intention was good, but honestly, you've come across as tone deaf. The thread is literally called 'formula', so unless you were coming here to give advice on which formula to give (which you have yet to do by the way) then you have no business commenting. If this was a thread debating bf vs formula then I would have some sympathy but OP has literally stated she will formula feed so you didn't need to comment anything regarding breastfeeding unless it was also related to formula feeding.

I think unless you're willing to at least acknowledge that you have been of no help to OP and haven't addressed what she's asked then I suggest you jog on.

OP, on a different note, you don't need to move on from first infant milk (marketed 0-6 months) as they are suitable until a year old (or beyond). I believe the first stage milk is more highly regulated than the other later stages anyway.

On the note of cost, Aptamil is so expensive at the moment and we moved my LO to Cow and Gate at 6 months with no problems as it was considerably cheaper and no different. Both do prepared milks and teats and ready made bottles for out and about. One thing you may want for research more is bottles, as there are so many and the cost can be high if you keep having to change due to reflex, etc.

My intention is only ever good. I'm not trying to be any other way. I do know about formula. I used the ready made ones in the beginning when my son was tongue tie and they were great. Aptamil. Anyway peace out. I'm done.

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/02/2023 20:33

Congrats

I'm a maternity nurse and yes all
Formulas have to adhere to strict guidelines and ingredients are usually the same if you cba to check them

It's often the packaging that costs more

My fav is hipp organic as I have never had a baby be unhappy on it and often if my clients use another brand - I suggest swapping if there are issues

Honestly seems the cheaper ones are better as don't have any Extras

Aldi or Lidl own make

Sma

Cow and gate

All fab

Many buy aptimil as it is the most costly and think it's like Hienz beans and must be better 😂😂

It's not

The profutura one seems to cause issues - around 5yrs ago they swapped
Ingredients about and added stuff and I find many babies didn't like it and caused wind or uncomfortable

Riverbiscuits · 19/02/2023 20:35

We started our first with SMA but it didn’t agree with her so we changed to cow and gate which was a big improvement and had been great for our second too. Also comes as ready made which is so convenient.

ToniM95 · 19/02/2023 20:36

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/02/2023 20:33

Congrats

I'm a maternity nurse and yes all
Formulas have to adhere to strict guidelines and ingredients are usually the same if you cba to check them

It's often the packaging that costs more

My fav is hipp organic as I have never had a baby be unhappy on it and often if my clients use another brand - I suggest swapping if there are issues

Honestly seems the cheaper ones are better as don't have any Extras

Aldi or Lidl own make

Sma

Cow and gate

All fab

Many buy aptimil as it is the most costly and think it's like Hienz beans and must be better 😂😂

It's not

The profutura one seems to cause issues - around 5yrs ago they swapped
Ingredients about and added stuff and I find many babies didn't like it and caused wind or uncomfortable

Thanks!

Yeah I think my wife has got it in her head that more expensive means better haha, which isn't always the case! After reading through these comments though I think we're gonna try and go with SMA, and see how baby gets on. Thank you!

mummyh2016 · 19/02/2023 20:43

I wouldn't go for Aldi or Lidl purely because they don't do ready made (afaik) which is always useful to have in the cupboard if you have a last minute outing where you won't be home to make a bottle or don't have any made up to take with you.
I used cow and gate with my DD, she was fine on it but did suffer with colic. I know this is unlikely to have any bearing on what formula is used but I decided to try a different brand with DS, friends had used aptamil in the past so I went with that. No issues and no colic.
Different formulas suit different babies. Try one and if you're finding it's not suiting 100% switch to another.

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/02/2023 20:47

Ready made is handy and again cheaper brands like sma ans cow and gate do ready made - where as shop own brands don't

When I had dd almost 6yrs ago there was a lack of formula
Some months and hard to get what you wanted - so did flit from brand to brand

Dd varied from Aldi own - cow and gate and sma

Hipp organic wasn't about so much and couldn't get from the local shop

She was fine mixing and matching - mainly as all formulas have the same basic ingredients

Obv not all babies will be so obliging 😂

Sometimeswinning · 19/02/2023 22:48

ToniM95 · 19/02/2023 19:58

@Emmamoo89 I've asked you nicely, please stop with the unwanted comments. Thanks

They are not unwanted. I don't think @Emmamoo89 hasn't said it very well but they have given an opinion.

Breast feeding is free and convenient. Only, for those reasons do I think it's the best choice. You could just have a list of what each person had for their child which is what you are getting. Or you could have someone give you an alternative.

Choose which formula is available from your local.
Don't change formula without good reason.
Its stupidly expensive.
Use sterilising tablets and bowl. Far more convenient than a steriliser.

Emmamoo89 · 19/02/2023 22:52

Sometimeswinning · 19/02/2023 22:48

They are not unwanted. I don't think @Emmamoo89 hasn't said it very well but they have given an opinion.

Breast feeding is free and convenient. Only, for those reasons do I think it's the best choice. You could just have a list of what each person had for their child which is what you are getting. Or you could have someone give you an alternative.

Choose which formula is available from your local.
Don't change formula without good reason.
Its stupidly expensive.
Use sterilising tablets and bowl. Far more convenient than a steriliser.

Show quote history

Things always get took the wrong way on here. Was just my opinion.

elenacampana · 19/02/2023 23:09

ToniM95 · 19/02/2023 19:46

Thank you!!

I'm completely new to Mumsnet and wasn't sure what to expect! This is not it though! 😢

Show quote history

It happens, esp when it comes to infant feeding, it can all get a bit fiery. I apologise for showing my frustrations with another poster on your thread, that was wrong of me. I reported that poster and was satisfied with the response I got back from MNHQ so I’m happy to leave it there.

We used Aptamil, but really only because my MIL got me plenty of ready made bottles to go into hospital with and then as my baby agreed with it, carried on with powdered Aptamil until she no longer needed formula a couple of months ago. If my MIL had got us SMA or Cow & Gate, we’d have just used that.

I was on a specialist feeding ward for a couple of weeks after my baby was born as she had suspected meningitis and wasn’t feeding well. I mention that because the hospital themselves had Aptamil, Cow & Gate and SMA ready made bottles on that ward.

I really recommend a flask for taking hot water out in and a set of formula stackers that you can measure the formula out into before you go out. Just make sure your flask is fully closed when you put it in the bag, we had a couple of times when we hadn’t checked and everything got thoroughly soaked!

Emmamoo89 · 19/02/2023 23:19

elenacampana · 19/02/2023 23:09

It happens, esp when it comes to infant feeding, it can all get a bit fiery. I apologise for showing my frustrations with another poster on your thread, that was wrong of me. I reported that poster and was satisfied with the response I got back from MNHQ so I’m happy to leave it there.

We used Aptamil, but really only because my MIL got me plenty of ready made bottles to go into hospital with and then as my baby agreed with it, carried on with powdered Aptamil until she no longer needed formula a couple of months ago. If my MIL had got us SMA or Cow & Gate, we’d have just used that.

I was on a specialist feeding ward for a couple of weeks after my baby was born as she had suspected meningitis and wasn’t feeding well. I mention that because the hospital themselves had Aptamil, Cow & Gate and SMA ready made bottles on that ward.

I really recommend a flask for taking hot water out in and a set of formula stackers that you can measure the formula out into before you go out. Just make sure your flask is fully closed when you put it in the bag, we had a couple of times when we hadn’t checked and everything got thoroughly soaked!

Show quote history

I think that was response to me as they took down your comment to me and several others.

elenacampana · 19/02/2023 23:28

Last message I sent was for @ToniMuir, the OP. Clarifying in case of confusion.

Redebs · 19/02/2023 23:31

They are pretty much the same, whatever brand.

They all make false health claims to be as good as breastmilk, but they're nowhere near.

somuchtolearnabout · 20/02/2023 04:28

Redebs · 19/02/2023 23:31

They are pretty much the same, whatever brand.

They all make false health claims to be as good as breastmilk, but they're nowhere near.

Would you say that to the mother who's baby was in NICU and who herself was separated from her baby due to sepsis, and therefore physically unable to pump her milk to maintain supply? Would you remind her that what she has to feed her baby to keep them alive "isn't anywhere near as good as breast milk"?

MamaBear1022 · 20/02/2023 06:10

We started on cow and gate and DS hated it so swapped to Aptamil which he's been on for 10 months now.

Redebs · 20/02/2023 06:23

somuchtolearnabout · 20/02/2023 04:28

Would you say that to the mother who's baby was in NICU and who herself was separated from her baby due to sepsis, and therefore physically unable to pump her milk to maintain supply? Would you remind her that what she has to feed her baby to keep them alive "isn't anywhere near as good as breast milk"?

Show quote history

But this isn't the case here.
Baby isn't even born yet.
People can't make an informed decision without the facts and the artificial feed industry sure aren't providing facts

Redebs · 20/02/2023 06:27

Suggest you don't trust the claims made by manufacturers

Formula
SouthLondonMum22 · 20/02/2023 07:19

Redebs · 20/02/2023 06:27

Suggest you don't trust the claims made by manufacturers

Sounds like she doesn't. Hence the OP.

ineedafairygodmother · 20/02/2023 07:52

Congratulations!!!

The advice from my midwife was to go to my local corner shop and the closest late night shop and see what they stocked!!! The last thing you want is to realise you've run out when most shops are closed.
We started on aptamil as that was the most readily available closest to me but we changed over to Aldi's own as aptamil was so expensive..... And I never gave my DD colostrum and she's a thriving 13 month old now

Emmamoo89 · 20/02/2023 08:03

Redebs · 19/02/2023 23:31

They are pretty much the same, whatever brand.

They all make false health claims to be as good as breastmilk, but they're nowhere near.

I agree. They'll never even come close to breastmilk

ToniM95 · 20/02/2023 08:34

Please stop with all the negative comments etc. as a first time mum, I came here looking for advice. I know the benefits of breastfeeding, and colostrum. I only wanted people's opinions of formula that they have used, and if more expensive does mean better etc. I didn't anticipate this becoming so heated!! I appreciate everyone has their own opinions etc but please, let's stop all this arguing etc. I appreciate everyone's help and recommendations, but let's stop now x

Changedmymindtoday · 20/02/2023 08:37

We used Kendamil. My daughter thrived. It tastes quite nice. Most formulas taste awful. I figured I would only give her something I think tasted good myself.
They are a UK company too which helps!