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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Formula milk

36 replies

star15 · 15/07/2013 13:44

Afternoon,
I am currently 32 weeks with my first child and planning on breastfeeding, however after watching a few friends really struggle with it I was going to buy some formula milk to have in the house should the same thing happen to me. Can anyone recommend what formula to use?

OP posts:

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Featherbag · 15/07/2013 13:48

They're all pretty much the same (unless you need a specific type, soya, etc.) so I based my choice on what was readily available everywhere in case I was caught short and needed to buy some while out and about. I used SMA because in the very worst case scenario of having forgotten both milk and bottles you can buy the ready made filled bottles with teats!

knittingirl · 15/07/2013 14:08

Hi, sorry no advice on your question, but just something to think about - I am in a similar position, 34 weeks and really want to breastfeed. I know that if there is formula in the house then if/when breastfeeding gets difficult I will be far more likely to give up and use formula than if I have to send dh out to tescos to buy some (and with 24hr supermarkets I'm not particularly worried about ability to buy formula/bottles at any time). You know yourself best, and how determined you are that breastfeeding is what you want to do, but just a thought!

User9987634234 · 15/07/2013 15:10

I could not have been more determined to breast feed and it didn't work out for me, so I think it's great that you are being open minded and realistic.

You may have absolutely no problems at all, but as you say, you never know. I thought formula was the devil's work before I had DD (was influenced very heavily by the NCT...) and really resisted it when DD wasn't feeding effectively. I felt horribly guilty when I 'gave in' to supplementing her on advice, but in the end it was the right thing (and only thing I could have done, tbh, in my own case as DD was failing to gain weight).

My advice to you if you are concerned about struggling with BF would be to get some proper breastfeeding guidance before you give birth. What a lot of BF counsellors tell you - that it's all instinctive, that the baby will guide you etc., is IME, total bollocks! It is a skill like any other, which can take time and patience to acquire. Several people have recommended the Ina May Gaskin book on breast feeding to me, which I intend to read now I'm having DC2. I'm also going to have some one-to-one BF 'lessons' with a local independent midwife before I give birth.

I wouldn't worry about having formula in the house as it's so easy to get some if you need it any time, and as another poster said you might be tempted to resort to it sooner if it's to hand. From my own experience my supply reduced even further as soon as the supplementation started, so (purely in my experience, I'm not an expert) I understand that it's best not to do it before six weeks when the supply is more stable. If you struggle in the first days, go to a BF counsellor straight away, and if she doesn't suit you try another one as they are not all trained the same way. In my area there were about six different BF clinics and some definitely better than others.

But, if things aren't working for you, there is really nothing wrong with formula. I slightly prefer Hipp Organic as the milk they use is (as it sounds) organic so the cows won't have had the same exposure to antibiotics and hormones as other intensively reared dairy cows. That is purely personal preference and it's slightly more expensive I think. Most of my friends used Aptimil.

Original poster

star15 · 15/07/2013 18:04

Thanks very much for the info, I am due to see my midwife this week so will ask about breastfeeding support groups in my area. The only reason I thought about getting some in the house was we live in a rural area nearest 24hr shop a 45min drive.

I am hoping I am a natural at breastfeeding and don't ever have to use formal

OP posts:

MOTU · 15/07/2013 20:14

Can't reccomend a brand but can I suggest getting the ready to go cartons cos they're only about 50p each so you don't need to shell out £10 on a whole box of powder in case you don't use it. I bought a couple of cartons of aptimil but as it never got used I couldn't tell you if that's good or not. Good luck and don't listen to the people who say your preparing to fail (as I did) your just being pragmatic!

LoganMummy · 15/07/2013 20:18

We got the aptamil starter pack from Asda with ready made bottles for the exact same reason you say.
Six weeks in and we haven't used it although on day 3 I very nearly did so prepare yourself for the exhaustion and cluster feeding.
I hope it all goes well for you.

mrscog · 15/07/2013 20:21

Definitely find out about support groups in your area, any peer support schemes etc. now rather than when you have a problem. I really struggled to BF (but happy ending - got there and I'm still feeding DS 16 months on!) but because I was so confident after reading MN I didn't know where to get help once I hit trouble!

Hawkmoth · 15/07/2013 20:22

You may well be a natural at breast feeding, but days three and four were pure hell for me and if I'd had some in, I would have FF. I was begging DH to go and get some.

As it worked out, I have had to top up because I was really ill and my milk took ages to come in, resulting in a big weight loss for DD, but I would have given up completely if there had been artificial milk in the kitchen. I was crying my eyes out before every feed, every two hours. I'm glad there was no easy option for me, because I was so low I wasn't logical.

Hawkmoth · 15/07/2013 20:25

Sorry... And logically now, I know that the four lots of two ounces of FF baby has at the moment doesn't take away from all the BFing I do, and the fun I have sat Feeding and MNing for hours :D

Tinyflutterby · 15/07/2013 20:31

Hi, I too was so desperate to bf with DS1 that I didn't even consider buying bottles, formula or anything of the sort. Didn't even research it. However, due to a lack of support in hospital, I was unable to breastfeed and in addition to the guilt and disappointment I felt over this, I was also totally overwhelmed and unprepared for what to do instead and had to rely on DH running to the supermarket at all hours of the day and night and panic buying bottles, formula, steriliser etc. We wasted a lot of money as most of the stuff was unsuitable and we had to buy more.

I am now 21 weeks pregnant with DS2 and although I am equally, if not more, determined to breastfeed this time, I am preparing for all eventualities so that I don't end up in this out-of -control panic situation again. I will be looking out all the bottles and steriliser, buying a few ready-prepared cartons of Aptamil, but have also bought an electric breast pump, so that if baby is having trouble latching on as before I hope to express and feed that before I have to resort to formula. If I'd been more prepared and done more research first time round I would have tried to do this. I wrongly assumed that bf was 'natural' and would happen automatically and how wrong I was. I am also hoping to see an independent midwife before and after the birth so that I am not left relying on already over-worked and understaffed midwives in hospital. Good luck!

Callmedreckly · 15/07/2013 20:32

I got some before LO was born, Its still in the cupboard after 12 weeks, I persevered through 2 weeks of Mastitis, very nearly gave up.

It was just peace of mind for me, I got the organic one but Im not sure which is best.

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 15/07/2013 20:36

I got a couple of cartons in with each. Aptimil is my preferred brand but they're all basically the same. Fwiw I mixed fed ds from 6 wks and ebf dd to 8 mo but the cartons of formula in the cupboard didn't deter me from bf. if anything it took the pressure off.

lurcherlover · 15/07/2013 20:37

I'd really recommend reading The Food of Love by Kat Evans. Despite the cheesy name, it's actually a really practical, humorous guide to bf and has lots of really good info.

AlisonL1981 · 15/07/2013 20:40

I got some aptimil cartons just in case. Ready made and easy to use!

I breast feed at home but take the cartons if I go out. They also came in useful a couple of times when dp fed ds when I wasn't feeling well and didn't have the energy to express.

RobotBananas · 15/07/2013 20:42

Whichever one they sell in your local shop, or the nearest 24 hour garage - because that's where you'll need to go if you need emergency supplies :)

(they're all basically the same)

RobotBananas · 15/07/2013 20:48

Oh - cow & gate is made in the same factory as aptamil, and £2-3 a carton cheaper. Don't buy into the advertising bullshit. It is not 'closer to breastmilk' than any of the others.

jammiedonut · 15/07/2013 20:50

Aptamil is closest to breast milk, so that's what I would go for. The ready made cartons are fab on the go. I was absolutely determined to breastfeed but lo tongue tie was undiagnosed for 4 weeks, so had to combine formula and expressed breast milk. I was extremely reluctant to introduce formula (wanted to avoid nipple confusion), but was absolutely heartbroken to see ds lose weight so rapidly when he couldn't latch and my supply was dwindling despite pumping 8 times a day. I'm very glad I was prepared with formula- ds guzzled 12oz in one sitting and I was able to relax knowing he wasn't starving!

jammiedonut · 15/07/2013 20:52

Btw I've had no issues re nipple confusion and was able to switch to ebf in a matter of weeks by slowly replacing formula feeds with bf, so there's always hope!

patchesmcp · 15/07/2013 21:01

Can't help with which formula to use but if you are keen to bf it may be worth while buying some nipple shields before the baby arrives. They have been a life saver for me with both my DC.

Apparently, they are a little frowned on but I don't know if I'd have continued through the initial painful period without them. Also make sure you have a tube of lansinoh and apply it before and after feeding.

Good luck and enjoy your baby when it arrives

Bert2e · 15/07/2013 21:05

Lots of info here:
www.firststepsnutrition.org/newpages/Infants/infant_feeding.html

And no Aptamil isn't closest to breastmilk!!!!
www.cwt.org.uk/pdfs/Formula_PTBReport.pdf

lurcherlover · 15/07/2013 21:46

Jammiedonut aptamil want you to think that, but it's a myth. Formulas are all the same and everything else is marketing.

RobotBananas · 15/07/2013 22:19

Like I said,don't buy in to the advertising BS

jammiedonut · 16/07/2013 02:58

Fair enough, only plumped for aptamil as was recommended by sis who used it....may give cow and gate a go next time and save myself a few bob!

RobotBananas · 16/07/2013 07:32

SpottyTeacakes · 16/07/2013 07:41

Cow and gate and Aptimil have exactly the same ingredient list. I had formula cartons in the cupboard but didn't use them, I think it was just nice to know they were there at 3am (no 24 hour shops here).

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