Sma Pro Formula Milk From Birth - Any experiences?

[Fiona1987]

Hi everyone,

I'm due in two weeks time and I want to breastfeed. My partner has bought Sma Pro Formula Mil From Birth ( the one where the milk is already made and you just have to heat it up) for the first few days when my breast milk hasn't come in yet.

I read some terrible things about this product online and that it gives babies constipation and wind among other things.

Do any of you have experiences with Sma Pro Formula MilkFrom Birth?

Thanks for any advice :) xx

If you want to breastfeed then I wouldn't be giving formula just after birth as you need the baby to suckle to tell your body to make the milk. If you give formula your body will produce less milk

@dementedpixie: Okay, but if my milk only comes in after 2-3 days, I still need formula milk to feed the baby in these days.

No you don't. For the first few days your baby will get colostrum from you until your milk comes in. The more it sucks, the more milk you will produce.

When I had DD my milk didn't come in until day 5 and she never had any formula or top up in that time.

No you really don't! You will set yourself up for difficulties by formula feeding while you wait for your milk to come in.

Your milk production is stimulated by your baby feeding frequently (constantly!) over those first few days. If you want to breastfeed, that's how you need to start off if at all possible.

Don't think of your breasts as bottles more as taps that are turned on by baby sucking. As others have said your baby demands and controls the supply; giving formula interferes with this. The first colostrum is very rich in fat and calories so they don't need volume.
If you are breastfeeding you shouldn't need to supplement. Remember that a baby's tummy is the size of a marble so they will feed little and often.

Think of it as for the first few days you're producing cream!

Sorry, I wasn't aware that you could feed the baby with colostrum in the first few days. Thanks for the advice!

1. If you’re planning on breastfeeding I strongly echo the pp. You need baby to feed from you. If dad is feeling left out once bf is established the express.

2. Formula milk in terms of vitamins etc is so tightly regulated in the uk that they a very similar if they are meant from birth. Some babies will get constipated regardless of the formula you feed them. Some babies won’t.

What do you think they did before formula existed? Baby will get colostrum to start with before your milk comes in properly a few days after birth. Giving formula signals to your body to make less milk as the demand for breastmilk will reduce

As pp have said - if you want to ebf you shouldn’t need formula at all.

I attempted to breast feed however stopped within the first few days - switched to SMA and it has been fine for DS - he’s 6 months now and hasn’t had constipation at all touch wood

I'm a volunteer breastfeeding peer supporter. This is definitely not a formula-bashing response, but as PP's have said, if you want to be, just keep feeding him/her until your milk comes in. Thd formula will trigger your body to produce less. Lots of skin-to-skin contsct will help to bring it in too. The body is an amazing machine and will produce for you, guaranteed!

However to answer your actual question, all formula is almost identical regardless of the brand- think of it as similar to tea for adults- lots of similar brands but a couple that you really enjoy. If you do end up using it you will know which ones suit your baby best.

Good luck OP x

although, regarding formula, higher price doesn't necessarily mean a better product as they all need to contain certain levels of nutrients. If the extra ingredients were necessary they'd all need to contain them

OP o really recommend that you do some research into breastfeeding and what to expect from baby.

Just going to add my experience which may or may not be useful. I found breastfeeding very hard to start. Nipples were too sore to tolerate breastfeeding constantly and my milk didn't come in for 10 days. I alternated trying to breastfeed with pumping and sipped formula during that time. The formula was fine and gave me a rest and we eventually switched to breastfeeding no problems.
So there is some middle ground that is also fine too!!.
As PP said - do some research and make the right choices for you.

[quote Fiona1987]@dementedpixie: Okay, but if my milk only comes in after 2-3 days, I still need formula milk to feed the baby in these days.[/quote]
You really don't. Nobody's milk comes in for a couple of days. That's what the colostrum is for.

You could look at expressing some colostrum and freezing it before birth, I am considering it. Not buying any formula though, as said above colostrum is what they need.

OP, I recommend The Positive Breastfeeding Book. It will guide you through establishing breastfeeding and explains why cluster feeding is a part of establishing your milk supply. The colostrum provides great nutrients for your baby and is really important for them. I also recommend lansinoh cream in case you get sore nipples.