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Parenting

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Original poster

6 mth follow on milk...when to start

16 replies

sparkleshine · 25/05/2010 08:49

Hi
Just wondered if anyone can help

My DS will be 6 mths in 2 weeks and was thinking that he automatically goes onto the 6 mths+ milk stage

But a friend told me that the milk doesnt have as much nutrients and makes babies more constipated and its better to only change the milk when hes weaned properly.

At the moment hes only on a few spoons of baby rice/porridge at breakfast after his bottle.
Only started weaning last week.
Hes only on 4 bottles a day anyway.

So what do u think?

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Shaz10 · 25/05/2010 08:51

I've not changed, son is 10 months.

Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa · 25/05/2010 09:03

It's marketing nonsense. Just carry on with normal formula, switch to cows' milk at a year or so.

Chunkamatic · 25/05/2010 09:10

Apparently the "follow on milk" was only introduced after the ban on advertising infant formula (they are not allowed to advertise formula milk to babies under 6mo). So essentially it is exactly the same thing, Grumpyold is right it's just marketing!!

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CrystalQueen · 25/05/2010 09:11

Everything I've heard says that there's no need for follow-on milk. I kept DD on normal formula to 1 yr, when we switched to cow's milk.

Original poster

sparkleshine · 25/05/2010 09:37

Oh thats great.
Thanks ladies, i had no idea.
I just kinda expected that he would change, but now i know better

OP posts:

Original poster

sparkleshine · 25/05/2010 09:59

But....i have noticed that its cheaper to buy and sometimes on offer....so is it that bad to actually buy it?

OP posts:

chiefcook · 25/05/2010 12:50

My DS2 is 7 months and I haven't switched. I am BLW though and he is still having 5-6 bottles a day.

The only time I used follow on milk with DS2 was after I switched to cows milk at 1y if I was worried he hadn't eaten enough. Doesn't make much sense now when i think about it!

Saw programme about toddler food that said follow on milks are really sweet and can encourage a sweet tooth.

PoxyChick · 25/05/2010 13:14

Sparkle - If you are interested watch some of this Panorama episode 'What's Really in Our Kids' Food?'

Its on BBC iPlayer here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qcl08

At about 20 minutes in it discusses follow on milks and talks about what is in them.

BertieBotts · 25/05/2010 13:19

No, the milks that are extra sweet are the toddler milks for 1 year +. Follow on milk for 6 months + is different.

There is not much difference between stage 1 infant formula and the 6 month + stage. It has more iron in than the infant formula (but they will be getting iron from food anyway, and too much iron can cause constipation - so it's not needed, but it only causes constipation in some babies)

It's also slightly harder to digest than the stage 1 milk (something to do with the kind of protein) which means it may make your baby feel fuller for longer, it's not as gentle on their tummy, but then food is not as gentle on their tummy as milk anyway.

It's really up to you - if you want to switch him, that's fine, but you don't have to. And never switch before 6 months.

HTH

PoxyChick · 25/05/2010 13:28

Sory Bertie, you're right!

PoxyChick · 25/05/2010 13:29

I meant sorry, its not my day!

Still think the panorama is good viewing though.

Original poster

sparkleshine · 25/05/2010 13:46

ok thats great thanks.
Will watch the episode anyway.

I guess ive got time to decide if im gonna swap. Will talk with DP as well.

Maybe i could try the ready made cartons first. But then hes not keen on the first milk cartons either.

Its so not easy this parenting is it?

OP posts:

chiefcook · 27/05/2010 14:39

sparkeleshine its MUCH easier with your 2nd, I don't stress half as much with DS2 as I did with DS1. (he's turned out semi normal so I must have done most things right!)

trixie123 · 27/05/2010 19:29

we switched DS briefly to it, he did get constipated so switched back. Also, I compared the nutritional values on the packets and they are almost identical

TurtleAnn · 27/05/2010 20:59

Its trial and error, just see how you go. You're LO might be like mine and just not like the taste, consistency etc of stage 3 milk and stay on stage 1 until 12 months then go straight to 1+. I give him less than it says on the pack because he guzzles regular milk now too.

Tootingbec · 31/05/2010 13:26

I used 6 month+ milk (can't remember why to be honest) but yes it is just marketing guff.

Don't bother with the toddler milk either - again just a way of making money out of parents when regular cows milk is fine. They scare you into thinking that babies can't get enough iron from cows milk. What they don't say in the adverts is that they get their iron from a normal diet of meat, veggies, milk etc.

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