Best formula

[ashlea4x]

Need some advice!

I am not going to be breastfeeding, apart from the first couple of days! (Please do not comment if you are going to tell me about the benefits of breast being best - this is my choice and I am here for advice)

I am looking at formulas at the moment and have decided on cow and gate! Has anyone else used this formula or can suggest another formula hutch is a good breast milk replacement?!

Thank you so much!

I use Hipp Organic for my ds and have done from 9 weeks. We did try some ready made Cow and Gate and Aptamil but he regurgitated both. I like the fact that Hipp is cheaper, comes in reasonably eco packaging and their website is easy to bulk buy from.

Some good advice I heard, was to try the brand that is stocked at your local shop/garage, so that you can always get hold of some if you run short.

They're all much of a muchness as their nutritional value is regulated. None of them is really any closer to breastmilk.

HiPP Organic was always best for us. Hard to track down the premade bottles though.

It's tricky to recommend as it's down to what your baby likes/will tolerate.

Sma was too rich for my son and made him a little constipated , aptamil was fine for him but is expensive and they have changed their formula slightly lately which has caused problems for some babies. I've now transitioned my son to cow and gate as I didn't want him to have the new recipe aptamil. Cow and gate is also only £8 per 800g tub (in asda) , you'll probably go through 1.5 tubs per week so cost may be a factor. Aptamil is £11 per tub. Sma around £10.

I like a pps advice about using one that you know you can get locally. Also try not to stock up too much as you may need to change.

I don’t think there’s much in it; my DD did really well on SMA

We’ve used cow and gate since birth, we had to move onto the comfort one and have started weaning her off it. We did try aptamil and cow and gate ready made in the hospital (which are lifesavers for those first few days especially the ones where you can screw on a sterile teat!) but a week or so after getting home she got really constipated by them, we do keep one in a bag in case of emergencies though.

Started on aptamil but switched to HiPP organic after DS couldn’t tolerate it. All formulas are made very closely due to the regulations but some babies seem to tolerate some better than others. Brands such as aptamil/cow and gate/sma will be more readily available than HiPP but very quick delivery from their website. They have just changed their packaging for the first infant milk from cartons to bottles so there is a shortage on the shelves at the moment but plenty in stock online. We found pre made bottles were a lot easier for using in hospital and in the first few weeks. Most brands normally do a 70-90ml bottle with individual teats.

I've always used Cow and Gate for my four and I use both Cow and Gate and Aldi Mamia for my 10 month old. All the formulas are basically the same, but I use Aldi's for the price.

Personally I'd start with whatever is most widely available in your local shops.

I used aptamil with DS and never had any issues with it. This time I will start with aptamil again (the new formula one), and see how DS2 gets on with it.

Good luck OP - I'm planning to do the same as you re breastfeeding for the first couple of days then switching to formula!

following - currently researching this also! And bottles.... if anyone can recommend a good bottle to use to avoid colic, that would be great!

@Italianshark we used Dr browns bottles in the end. I'd bought loads of Tommee tippee ones but the wide flat teats blocked my son's nose meaning he was gulping in loads of air and couldn't feed comfortably.

I've heard good things about mam bottles too.

Dr brown bottles and aptimal formula. The change in recipe didn't seem to affect my lo so I'd recommend it especially if starting on it.

SMA formula with MAM bottles always worked with for us!

I love the Mam bottles, think it's the shape of the teat that makes them easier to latch onto. Mine could never take to Avent bottles because if the teat shape.

Our 7 week old seems to be getting on nicely with Mam bottles and cow and gate formula (when she needs a top up)

We used aldi formula with no problems - he was 6 weeks when he started on formula. I loved that it was cheaper!

We used Hipp Organic. Found it smelt better than the other too.

They're all the same, none of them are "closer to the breastmilk" than any other, despite what the formula manufacturers would like people to believe. Personally I'd start with the cheapest / most easily available to you, and see how your baby gets on.

Have you come across first steps nutrition? They are an independent public health body. They have some great resources on how to help choose formula which is free to use and free from advertising. They also have great stuff for when you start weaning www.firststepsnutrition.org/parents-carers

I'm going to try him on Kendamil. It's organic, made with full fat milk rather than skimmed and fish oil free (we're vegetarian)

If he doesn't get on with that I will try SMA Comfort as that is also fish oil free

If neither of those are suitable we will have to put him on a soya formula as all the other formulas contain fish annoyingly

I think it's advised to speak to your GP before using a soy-based formula - they're not really meant to be used under 6 months and there are concerns about their impact.

@polkadotpixie be careful starting comfort milk if they don't need it. It's only recommended if your baby can't digest the other formulas.

Also your not meant to give your baby soy free unless a doctor has said to for medical reasons.

I combination fed DS from around 5 months and gave him HIPP organic, the packaging is recyclable and I found it was sold in most supermarkets.

@molifly @QueenAravisOfArchenland Don't worry, Soy would be a last resort if neither Kendamil or SMA Comfort suit him

We have a significant family history of severe reflux and milk allergies so am just trying to plan for every eventuality