Baby formula

[mummy1214]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post but can anyone recommend which formula for newborns is best between the normal Aptamil newborn milk and the Aptamil Profutura ? I will be bottle feeding exclusively so wanting the best formula.

We used aptamil profutura. I breastfed to start with but supplemented as he was big, and gradually dried up. He was in the 97th percentile when he was born and stayed that way, so it can't be too bad. I can't compare it with other formulas as we only used that, but it worked well for us. Transitioned to cow's milk after he got to a year.

No formula is ‘better’ than another, they are all very very similar in make up and all have to follow strict nutritional guidelines. Don’t be brought into branding either.

We used hipp organic as I’d read recommendations on here that it was gentler on baby’s tummy. I’m not sure how true that is but it suited us so haven’t changed.

I bought Cow and Gate because it was the cheapest Tesco sold and the local Co-op had it. Never had a problem with it. Oldest is three now and youngest four months. They also do the small ready made bottles.

They're highly regulated so basically all the same. Although it's true some babies do better on one type than another, but you don't know what will suit your baby until they arrive. Personally you are better choosing one that is readily available in shops near you, so you have no worries about getting your hands on more if you ever run out unexpectedly (drop the tub or something). Personally I would start with the cheapest one as it makes no sense to pay extra for fancy branding on something that is the same as Aldi's Mamia!
Also consider using the preprepared sterile single-use bottles for a newborn, as there are no worries about bacteria in the powder that way.

Personally (assuming you already haven't) I think you're better off spending your time researching how to correctly and safely prepare formula to be honest (WHO are a good resource for this - not annecdotes from other mum's, which are generally rife with misinformation) rather than trying to work out which formula is "best". Unfortunately many people don't know how to do this and even the best formula can be dangerous for a baby if it's not been correctly prepared.

I know they're not popular on Mumsnet but mine is very nice. My health visitor said that normal Aptamil was the most like breast milk. She said the one that Aldi make is basically a copy of that and it's half the price. DS seems perfectly happy with that choice.

I use cow and gate and haven’t had any issues.

Aptimail did a campaign when they were allowed to and said its formula was closest to breast milk. Formulas are all very different to breast milk but very similar to each other. I know this seems like a big decision but honestly they are not really different.

Apparently elephant milk is the closest to human breast milk.

We originally had ours on the profutura (complete accident, didn't realise there was a difference at first) and ended up changing over to normal aptimel. We found that the normal aptimel seemed to come together better and the profutura was a bit bitty and a bit of a weird texture.
I would honestly just recommend the same as others and just get one you can pick up easily from near you as you will run out unexpectedly at some point. Good luck!

They're actually all the same. Aptamil and aldi milk is made in the same factory, so the only real difference is cost.

With my first formula fed baby I started with the most expensive with all the fancy ingredients and ended up with a standard brand being the best fit, with the next I started on the cheapest brand I could get easily. I did change again to one that was marginally more expensive. My advice would be to start with the cheapest brand you can purchase easily (so even though I think Aldi do the cheapest if you don't have an Aldi locally don't do it!) They are all basically the same thing just with slightly different recipes, and with different extra ingredients. Some of them aren't vegetarian, though, so if that matters to you that might be worth considering

Also only some brands do the ready to feed or infant starter kits, which can be invaluable in the early days and especially if you plan to formula feed in hospital

Ours didn't get on with Aptamil for some reason, but Hipp Organic was perfect.

As others have said, formula milk is near enough the same as they have to follow strict nutrional guidelines. It is mainly the brand that you are paying for.

Aldi is only 5 minute walk from my house so my DS has their own brand. No complaints here, it is working well with him and good on my purse also .

They are all the same. I did find aptamil very thin compared to cow and gate. Mine didn't tolerate aptamil. It made them windy. Every child is different.

Afaik there are no commercially available vegetarian formula milks in the UK anymore. There was one, forgot the brand, but they changed the recipe to include fish oil a couple of years ago (Unless this has changed again since DD stopped formula about 6m ago?). We used Cow and Gate, the standard one. Just because it was one of th cheapest and readily available in our local shops. Never had any issues with it. DD was a terror of a baby and we briefly tried her on the more expensiv Comfort one that they do but it didn't help so we just went back to the ordinary one again. She very rarely vomited or possetted and she was exclusively formula fed from 12 weeks. She took to the formula straight away at 6 weeks.

I think they're all much of a muchness really though aren't they, what with them being so tightly regulated.

As a HV I would say the brand doesn’t matter at all as they’re all strictly regulated the same way. However please only use first infant formula (the one with the giant 1 on it)!! This is really important as none of the others are recommend by HCP, and are also not regulated to the same conditions. Anything such as ‘reflux’ formula,’hungry baby’ formula, ‘follow on milk’ etc etc is all bullshit, and is a money making marketing ploy. Infant formula is one of the biggest businesses in the world and they really take advantage of new mums insecurities and worries

No formula is like breast milk, ridiculous for health visitors to suggest otherwise.

Nothing wrong with formula feeding although I do think that first feed is important if you can manage. Up to you though as I firmly believe in choice.

I breastfed but had to formula feed for a bit due to illness. Cow and gate made my baby very uncomfortable. Aptimal was fine.

With number 2 I used Aldi's mammia when I went back to work and had no issues at all.

I always prepared bottles fresh and would never use a perfect prep.

@Mammyloveswine she didn't say it was the same as breast milk she said that out of the options available it was the most like breast milk. As I'd wanted to feed DS myself that reassured me. Right or wrong. Sorry if I've given anyone the impression that I think formula feeding is the same as breast feeding. I am all too aware that it isn't.

@goingtoneedabiggercar didn’t mean to offend but it’s just annoying when stuff like that gets stated.

Fwiw I’m thankful that formula is available as a safe alternative to breast milk!

I agree with PP that really, it's whatever's easiest for you. We use the normal aptamil because it's readily available and I tend to have some of the little pre-prepared bottles on me in case of emergencies. It's also sold by the Tesco at the end of our road so I never have to worry about not being able to get it and/or having to try and introduce a different milk to a screaming baby!