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Original poster

Which formula??

67 replies

DueInFebruary · 17/01/2015 14:50

I'm sure you will all be sick of hearing from me by the time baby is here! Due date is still a few weeks away but I'm trying to get our hospital bags packed and organised. After many discussions with midwife and gp it's been decided due to medication I'm going to FF instead of BF. Looking at buying the formula how do I pick which brand to go with? Do I order a couple of different ones? Or a few of the same? Don't really want to be continuously changing her milk if she gets on with it. Is it common for babies to have a natural preference for one or will she just go with whichever I buy asking as there's no lactose intolerance?

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Mildpanic · 17/01/2015 16:47

I would definitely go for one of the big brands as less likely to have supply problems in your local store. Yes Cow and Gate are the same, just Aptamil advert is more " fluffy " and aimed at mums that are swapping from breastfeeding. The price difference is cleverly pitched as human nature is to associate more expensive as meaning a more superior product.
Anecdotally! Of all the milks commonly used the one which seems to cause most issues is SMA, although many many babies are fine on it.
Cow ang gate also have a wide range of alternative formulas eg, comfort for colic and constipation, anti relux as well as others so if you did feel the need to swap to a specialist type of milk it would be within the same brand.
I would also stock up on plenty of the ready made formula as it can be a lot easier in the first few days and weeks before you get into the swing of things.
Good luck.

Original poster
DueInFebruary · 17/01/2015 16:48

Thank you! As I said earlier you will all be sick of my questions soon haha!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 17/01/2015 16:48

you don't need to see a hv to increase the quantity! If they drain the bottles then add some more the next time. 4 hours is also too long for most newborns to go between feeds. 2-3 hours is more usual for that age

DialMforMummy · 17/01/2015 16:50

Fwiw SMA made ds1 constipated. Sorted once I switched to Aptamil. A formula stocked by your local shop is a good move.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 17/01/2015 16:51

I started dd on Apatamil then switched to c&g as it was cheaper! I was lured in by the stupid moving on from bfing ad

GlitzAndGigglesx · 17/01/2015 16:51

Aptamil even

Original poster
DueInFebruary · 17/01/2015 16:51

I've asked DH to pick up a pack of the premixed bottles with the teats for the hospital and to get ten of the smaller cartons to start off with at home.

OP posts:
Ridingthestorm · 17/01/2015 16:51

I used Aptamil. He had it in a cup as a newborn when I had issues with BF. I did manage to BF for a month but I tried him on SMA and it didn't agree with him (too rich I think - wind, green poo) and went straight onto Aptamil and he was fine. Poop like BF babies. In fact, midwife said she would recommend it although had to say it 'unofficially'. Cow and Gate's ingredients and nutrient mix is exactly the same as ApTamil but a good two pounds cheaper.

I was on SMA as a baby and for six weeks I was a living hell. It was also too rich for me (formula changed a lot since then) and was put on Oyster milk (spelling?) and was a dream after that.

Although plenty of my friends babies were on SMA as was my niece and all fine.

TBH, I think all formula is much the same as each other and you will never know how baby is with it until you try it.

Original poster
DueInFebruary · 17/01/2015 16:51

Of the cow and gate ones I should of mentioned

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PisforPeter · 17/01/2015 16:53

I would go with Aptamil.
SMA tends to cause a lot of problems with constipation in my experience. They use Aptamil in Specual Care Baby Units

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 17/01/2015 16:59

I hate Aptamil with a passion. Their advertising is dishonest, guilt inducing rubbish IMO. They got away with 'closest to breastmilk' for ages (it isn't. All formulas are basically the same in terms of how similar/dissimilar they are to bm). They spend masses of money marketing to healthcare professionals, a cost which gets passed onto you, and they have somehow succeeded in building a 'premium' brand in a product which is so tightly controlled that all brands have to meet very high standards.

On that basis, I'd buy anything but them. Grin

dementedpixie · 17/01/2015 17:01

why go with aptamil when C&G is the same but cheaper?

Original poster
DueInFebruary · 17/01/2015 17:01

I've asked DH to get the C& G one

OP posts:
PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 17/01/2015 17:03

Sorry, I'd missed that you'd chosen.

Good plan. Buy a bit. If she likes it, stick with it. If she doesn't seem to, you can see if another brand is preferred (some babies do have a taste preference).

CelticPromise · 17/01/2015 17:04

If the only reason you are choosing ff is medication it's worth checking with the BfN drugs in breastmilk line for advice. I know plenty of people who have been told they can't bf on medication when in fact it's safe. Just wanted to pass on the info in case it's useful.

The SCBU DS was in used SMA.

Original poster
DueInFebruary · 17/01/2015 17:05

At least with the cow and gate if we get ten little cartons it's not going to be a disaster if she doesn't like it I can send him out to try a different one, will definitely remember to avoid aptimil :)

OP posts:
Theveryhungrycaterpillar123 · 17/01/2015 17:11

We use Hipp, it's a bit cheaper. I've always thought the DC were more settled on it.

As much as people will tell you one is closer to breastmilk blah blah, they're all pretty much the same.

amy83firsttimer · 17/01/2015 17:15

A second voice saying if it's just a concern re medications that are meaning you've been advised not to bf then try: Call the Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline on 0844 412 4665.
They may be able to offer an alternative medicine.

Theveryhungrycaterpillar123 · 17/01/2015 17:16

You don't need the HV to tell you increase the feeds.

Do it as and when they get hungrier, increase by an ounce and see how it goes. And four hours is way too long to go between feeds (old advice that) feed them when they're hungry. They'll soon settle into their own pattern.

StillinShockAhhhhhhh · 17/01/2015 17:17

Discussed it with midwife, GP and Neurologist and they are more concerned regarding the amounts of medications and different types of medications that I take. Have stopped all of them at the moment but need to start them again pretty much as soon as baby is here x

amy83firsttimer · 17/01/2015 17:19

Are you the OP with a different username?

StillinShockAhhhhhhh · 17/01/2015 17:25

Sorry yes for some reason my phone has a different username to my iPad?? Not sure how that's worked out?

Sonoma · 17/01/2015 17:25

Before you decide not to BF due to medication, please please contact Wendy Jones / the Breastfeeding Network (also on Facebook as breastfeeding and medication). She is the most knowledgeable person in the country about interaction of BF and medications and gives free, swift and helpful advice. You may not be getting the best/most accurate advice from MW and GP, no matter how well meant, but advice driven by the extremely risk-averse pharma companies for whom it's just easier to recommend stopping bf. Just a thought, obviously you may have other personal reasons to prefer FF and if you do then feel free to ignore this... best of luck

StillinShockAhhhhhhh · 17/01/2015 17:26

Thank you I will DEFINATELY try to contact her as the only reason for FF is the medication.

amy83firsttimer · 17/01/2015 17:44

I never answered your question. C&G, it's the cheapest!

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