Which formula to introduce at 6 months?

[angfirsttimer]

DS is almost 6 months and I plan to do BLW he has been ebf up to now. I want to wean onto formula for milk feeds, given that he isn't likely to drop milk feeds for some time do I need to be giving him follow on milk rather than first milk?
I thought follow on was meant as a supplement to solids so if he is not actually eating much will he get all he needs? But on other hand what about iron? So confused!!

follow on was pretty much invented to circumvent the rules on formula advertising. It's not necessary, especially if his weaning diet is varied. As far as brands go, I'm not able to be much help unfortunately.

why not use expressed breast milk? formula seems like an expensive faff since you've got this far with bf!

What SecretNutella said, I'm sure the main reason that follow on milk exists is to get around the advertising rules.

Stage 1 milk will be fine. The hungry baby and follow on milks are apparently a little harder to digest, so might be too harsh a switch if your DS is EBF.

Brands? They're all basically the same.. avoid the comfort milks though, they turn nappies into exploding disasters (normal SMA/C&G/Aptamil whatever is fine)

why not just continue breastfeeding?

Thanks ladies. So a marketing conspiracy then!

Ronansmummy - numerous reasons not least that I have to go back to work in the not too distant future and can't express at work

Not concerned about brand will try a few and see what he likes.

Thisisyesterday - I appreciate that would be the simplest option on face of it but I simply don't want to.

depending on when you go back to work you may be able to just breastfeed around it.
there are certainly a fair few women on here who do that.
breast in the morning, solids and water/juice at nursery, breast on pick up and in the evening

it can be a nice way to reconnect after a day apart. and it's cheaper than formula!

obv if you've decided that you definitely want to stop then i agree with the others. just pick a regular first milk that you can get easily. check your local shops and make sure it's one you can get if you run out and need some at 10pm! lol

ahh sorry, cross posted with you!

There are law in place so you should be able to express at work.

But you asked about formula. Hipp Organic is apparently quite sweet, SMA tastes revolting, Aptamil is OK ish.

I started DD on formula at 7.5 months, while doing BLW and have gradually reduced BFing - went totally formula by 9 mo. I use Aptamil first milk, apparently follow on milk is a con.

I didn't have any problems but you might need ti try a couple of brands before you find one your child likes. I've tried Hipps organic, Cow and Gate and Aptamil and she was fine on all (althoough she won;t drink the ready made carton stuff).