Best kind of Formula Milk?

Question

I'm switching my baby onto a bottle after breastfeding him for 3 1/2 months, what is the best kind of formula milk to get? And do I start on the first or the second because they both say they are suitable from birth??

Answer 1

i used sma with my first two and farleys with my new baby, i don't think there is much difference between them,i'm sure your baby will let you know if he/she doesn't like it, and it depends on your baby whether you should use 1 or 2 if you think you've got a hungry baby then use 2....use your instincts they are usually right...hope this helps

Answer 2

SMA is popular primarily because they heavily advertise (only they advertise 'follow on milk' because it's illegal to advertise breast milk substitutes).

My health visitor told me that it is important that the milk contains long chain fatty acids (I think they're called LDA's?) and this information is available on the back of the pack.

We used aptimil.

You only need the first milk (i.e the one that admits it's a breastmilk substitute). Don't go for the hungry baby mix.

Follow on milk is unneccesary and was only invented to allow the formula manufacturers to circumvent the law banning formula advertising. Use the milk that is closest to breastmilk for the first year, then switch to cows milk after 12 months provided your little eats a balanced solids diet at that point.

At first, I would buy a few cartons of ready mixed instead of a whole tin that might be wasted if your baby doesn't like it (and it can only be kept open for a month). Also switch gradually - one feed at a time per week otherwise your boobs will not be able to cope with the transition and you may end up with mastitis. The gradual transition also allows your baby's tummy to adjust too. Once you have swtiched and your baby likes the new feed, then go ahead and buy a tin.

Answer 3

When I mix feed my eldest daughter Aptamil was recommended as the closest to breast milk. My subsequent babies had Cow & Gate and the last SMA. They are all very similar now and as recommended before start with a small tin of the first stage and if you have to feed huge bottles to satisfy move on the stronger stuff but in the same make. Changing the make too often can have an affect on their tummies.

Answer 4

It's hard to say how your child will react, so I think the idea of testing small amounts of premade formula is a great idea.

One thing that I found was the store brands worked just as well as the name brands. I found myself using Parent's Choice or Kroger brands in a pinch, and when I realized that my son reacted well to them I made the switch. It was several dollars cheaper that way. I also preferred powder, because it doesn't spoil.

Definitely let the pediatrician know your plan. He may be able to help you and might even give you some samples to try.

Answer 5

ask your doctor's opinion or go to the store and see the various types. I was told that anything soy based is better than milk based for nutritional value. (I was told by a paediatric nurse in the hospital) But you will honestly get too many people telling you every kind and name brand here. so look at what you need, look at the prices and what you can or cannot afford on an ongoing basis because you don't want to have to change it part way through. Myself I used soy based Isomil and I discovered afterwards that it was "for sensitive tummies". My kids didn't need the sensitive tummies part but I stayed with it and they had no spit up or vomitting for the time I used it and they grew like mad to above average on the scales, height as well as weight.

But again look for yourself, talk to your doctor or nurse. There are so many out there it's a hard choice.

Answer 6

You've already got a ton of opinions on this, but I used Enfamil Gentlese(purple container)b/c my son was really gassy and this helped him a lot. Whatever you choose, start him on the first step. My pediatrician actually kept him on the first step until he started whole milk b/c he said there is no nutritional difference between 1 and 2....it's marketing. I did compare the labels and he was right. Also, I compared labels to the generic, grocery store kind and the nutritional value is the same...just FYI. Good luck!

Answer 7

I've been feeding my son SMA Gold and he's had no problems with it at all. It's hard to comment on other formulas as his is the only one i've tried.

I'd certainly start on the first stage milk, as the second is much richer and is generally given under the guidance of your health visitor.

Answer 8

I just started supplementing with formula after 4 months and I like Nestle's Good Start Supreme. It's the only formula that I can get my daughter to take. Breastfed babies tend to get used to the sweet taste of mom's milk and then, when you try to give them formula, they protest. The Nestle's Good Start Supreme has a slightly sweet, pleasant smell to it, UNLIKE the Similac and Enfamil we previously tried. She spit both of those out and refused to take an ounce!

Answer 9

I used SMA for both my boys. I would start on the first milk and if he doesn`t settle try the second. Well done for breastfeeding this long, I was not able to and was totally distraught, there`s always hopes for a third try though!

Answer 10

I used Farley's for my baby. I started him on the yellow, but it did not satisfy him so I moved onto the green for hungrier babies. With Farley's, I found that he was rarely sick where as other babies I knew on SMA were very sicky, also Farley's is nearly £1 a tin cheaper!

Answer 11

Before you buy any large tins of formula try buying the small cartons of formula, (already made-up), you can buy these from Boots, you can then test your son's progress and whether it satisfies his hunger, and not waste money on expensive tins of formula by having to throw it away. You should also be able to get formula cheaper from the Clinic.