Best formula milk just in case cant bf.

[CollieandPup]

First of all I fully intend to BF and to do as much as I can to do this successfully, but if for any reason I can't (and I've seen friends and family struggle) or am struggling to produce enough at first, I want to have some formula in just in case. I really don't want flaming for this decision, I've read enough threads on mn as to why people think you shouldn't have a stock of formula in, but I think I have enough will power (even sleep deprived in the middle of the night) to not use it if I don't need it and I live in a small village away from 24hr supermarkets.

So, my question is, which formula is best? I'd like to take into account what's best for my baby, but also the ethics of the brand. Any suggestions?

HIPP organic appears cheaper but the tub is smaller. I haven't worked out if it's cheaper gram or gram or not.

My mum works in a hospital on the maternity and special baby unit and she said her hospital provide aptamil (and C&G) because it is the closest to breast milk. Her hospital are very anti SMA because in their experience the make up of it is too artificial and heavy and tends to make babies more sicky.

Has it been proven thet aptamil is the closest to breast milk or even remotley close? or do they have amazing marketing?

Lots of forums/posters seem to be saying this.

Friends told me that SMA and C&g gave their babies constipation, so we have stuck with Aptamil.

Crosshair - no, it's not closest to breastmilk. Not even remotely close, none of them are. All of them claim to be closest to breastmilk anyway, and C&G and Aptimal are basically the same product.

Aptimal has been clever in their advertising as they target health care providers - this strategy obviously works as Timothy's mum demonstrates! Nothing is more effective in getting new parents to choose a formula than their midwife saying "this one is closest to breastmilk". And they price it more expensive than the others, so we assume it must be the best or else why would it cost so much? Genius

The idea that SMA is "more artificial" is ridiculous though - they are all equally artificial. All formulas are skimmed dried cow's milk,fish and vegetable oil, sweeteners, flavourings, vitamins, additives and some extras they throw it that sound good but we don't really know if they make any difference (like prebiotics).

Some babies will be sick on brand X, others be constipated on Y, some thrive on Z - there is no best/closest to breastmilk/least artificial formula.

Funny enough my local hospital supplies formula to those that are using it and they don't offer Aptimal at all - SMA Gold or Cow & Gate.

We used Cow & Gate.

SMA gave then constipation.
Aptamil was like water - seriously, they would have an 8oz bottle of that and be screaming for more - they were barely on 4oz at the time!

I would get a couple of the small ready-made cartons for when you come out of hospital, try a few brands. I topped up from birth as I couldn't cope with the demand from my twins, I used Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles. They are pretty expensive but they were excellent breast feeders - never had any nipple confusion.

With dd1(8) born in 2003 I used Farley's 1st. With dd2(11m) I used Cow and Gate, poor little dd2 suffered terribly with colic and then I found Cow and Gate Comfort and as soon as she had her first feed with it at 2 weeks old, she was like a different baby, very happy and contented. I will be using Comfort again when bumpy bean is born (due 31 March)