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Original poster

Formula feeding question. Help. Aptamil or SMA? Please help!

29 replies

Rebecca1608 · 23/06/2015 20:34

My girls are almost a month old and were born at 35 weeks. They spent 10 days in SCBU and i specifically said that i wanted them to have Aptamil. They only had SMA or cow and gate. So i took in lots of my own but on their own accord they put my girls on SMA. They were born 4lbs 5 and 4lbs 6 and now weigh a brilliant 6lbs however they take 3.5oz or just under every feed and where as they keep it down they sometimes look uncomfortable. (Not wind) as i spend lots of time making sure they are winded and sometimes they even wind themselves but i've noticed they hold their tummies in sometimes and wince and sometimes constipated. I spent 3 hours with my girl between 12am and 3am this morning as she was unsettled and i am contemplating going back to the Aptamil but is there a difference? I'm a first time mum and just wanna get it right!

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ChazzerChaser · 23/06/2015 20:40

I believe there isn't a difference. Whet goes in formula is strictly regulated. That's only what I've read on the internet though.

bobajob · 23/06/2015 20:43

No real difference. C&G is cheapest and made by the same company as Aptimal.

Original poster
Rebecca1608 · 23/06/2015 20:43

I've read lots of different things on the internet. I've got half a tub of SMA left and 2 tubs of Aptamil what i had bought for hospital and was just wondering whether it was worth a try.

OP posts:
ChazzerChaser · 23/06/2015 20:45

This does say though that different brands can agree with (or not) different babies

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/types-of-infant-formula.aspx

Original poster
Rebecca1608 · 23/06/2015 20:49

Ok thankyou for your replies. I will try a feed tonight on Aptamil and see how they go whether they still seem uncomfortable if so i'll speak to HV if not i'll continue. More than anything i just wanted reassurance i was ok to swap formulas when they're so young.

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GingerCuddleMonster · 23/06/2015 20:55

we swapped aptamil to hipp organic because of constapation issues with aptamil.

we swapped at about 6 weeks old, never looked back, DS was much better on hippie organic.

every baby is different. You can swap however you should do it gradually I was told.

slippermaiden · 23/06/2015 21:02

Aptamil is what I used, and I work with babies. I would say sma is the one they will be sick on and it smells different.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 23/06/2015 21:51

Are they still on premature baby formula or are they on newborn formula? As others have said the newborn formulas are strictly regulated so there shouldn't be much difference.
My DS was premature and we had a lot of the problems you describe. I was told it was due to his underdeveloped gut (a common preemie problem) and he did grow out of it. I'd talk to your doctor and see what he/she suggests as it might not be the formula, or if it is they might be able to prescribe a formula.

Original poster
Rebecca1608 · 23/06/2015 22:00

No one mentioned any prem formula to me. I've just given the girls a feed of Aptamil and they are full of hiccups and still having the same problem clenching their tummies etc. They have been winded but not as well as the SMA OH not happy i tried it but i'm just trying...... Sad

OP posts:
bonzo77 · 23/06/2015 22:13

You need to stick to one brand for several days to see if it's making a difference. Some people find the baby is better on ready made or on the powder. Also you can get special formulae for digestive issues, it's called "comfort" formula. Definitely keep a diary for each baby with what you've given and their symptoms and times.

backtoworkblues · 23/06/2015 22:14

Aptamil Comfort, for colic and constipation, worked a treat on my 7 month old son. He's just gone onto follow on milk as these problems have now thankfully gone.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 23/06/2015 22:22

They were probably on a specialist formula in hospital, although I know all hospitals differ in what they use. It's pretty bad they've discharged you with no information on this but please do go and speak to your doctor. Premature babies often have gut trouble and trouble feeding. It might not be the formula that's causing the problems as wind, constipation etc are very common in preemies however they are fed

Original poster
Rebecca1608 · 23/06/2015 23:18

Thankyou everyone i'll take it all on board and i'll definitely speak to HV or go and see a doctor with them. Poor babies they are so unsettled. They are gaining weight well but throughout the night they aren't settling well and cry. Even after winding. Cuddles. Breastfeeding. Bottle feeding they are unhappy and i feel like i'm failing. OH goes back to work monday and i'm trying to make things as easy as i can and just want them happy and content. I don't mind how many times i have to get up with them in the night i just hate the thought of them maybe being in pain.

OP posts:
Hummingbird15 · 24/06/2015 03:54

I don't know on what basis, but my sister who is a midwife and a friend of hers who is a mw at a different hospital both told me to use aptamil and not touch small.

Hummingbird15 · 24/06/2015 03:54

Sorry SMA not small!!

bobajob · 24/06/2015 06:58

Aptimal target a lot of marketing towards midwives and HCPs.

slippermaiden · 24/06/2015 09:21

The Ops babies were born at 35 weeks, they wouldn't have been given a specialist formula as they aren't that early. On the postnatal wards they only offer the cheaper formulas but in NICU they will usually offer all the main formulas, but not hip organic sadly.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 24/06/2015 09:54

My DS was recently born at 36 weeks and was given a premature formula as he was dropping weight but I guess all hospitals differ and the needs of the babies.
OP there is a premature birth chat on here if you ever need it. It has been really helpful for me

Original poster
Rebecca1608 · 24/06/2015 11:43

Yeah they only had cow & gate or SMA in scbu but even when i took my own milk in they decided to keep on with the SMA which was a bit frustrating.

Is there? Where is the premature birth chart on here?

OP posts:
VenusVanDamme · 24/06/2015 11:51

DS was in nutriprem 1 then 2 in hospital (discharged on it too) which is made by cow and gate so when he was ready for regular formula we just stuck with cow and gate and thankfully had no issues. The nurses in scbu said SMA caused a lot of wind in their experience but my nephews were fine on it.

VenusVanDamme · 24/06/2015 11:54

Oh he was a 35 weeker but weighed under 4lb hence the preemie formula

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 24/06/2015 12:05

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/premature_birth

Original poster
Rebecca1608 · 24/06/2015 15:58

Thankyou. I've decided to try changing their bottles now from Tommee Tippee to Dr Browns. Thoughts? .......

OP posts:
AbbeyRoadCrossing · 24/06/2015 16:21

That's a good idea, worth a try. DS couldn't get on with Tommee Topped until he was older. I've not tried Dr Brown's myself but have heard good things from others. Can't hurt to try that anyway,hope it goes well