What formula is closest tasting to breast milk?

Question

i am going to work for 3 hours. My son is 2 months old and totally breastfed. What formula is most likely going to be more what he is used to. My milk doesn't express very easily and this is only occassional, so I am going to buy some formula. Also, should I buy nipples with the little holes or the big ones?

Answer 1

Hey mommy......what you can do is sign up with the different formula company websites and they will send you free samples (Enfamil sent 2 large cans, unfortunately my son never drank it). This way you can try the diff ones and not waste any money for it.....and then use the one that baby likes. That said, you can rent pumps from the hospital lactation center or buy a manual one (they are not that effective) and store the milk. This will ensure that you continue to have milk (you will work only for 3hrs so you can try and feed right before u leave and if possible can someone bring him to you at the workplace so you can feed, if ur work environment supports that). Good luck

Answer 2

No formula tastes like breastmilk. Breastmilk is a bit sweet, but it also takes on the flavors of what the mother eats during the day. It's always a little bit different.

I know you are having trouble expressing milk, but you might get some help from La Leche League or other people who are pros at pumping. When I first used a pump, I couldn't get anything. It was just really awful.

Then what I started to do was use my Avent hand pump on one breast while I nursed the baby on the other, not long before I went back to work. It was amazing! With the baby nursing, I had no trouble letting down, and with the hand pump, I was able to mimick how the baby suckled (they go faster then slower). I was able to fill several 4 oz. and 6 oz. bags and keep them in the freezer before I went back to work.

Since you are only working 3 hours at a time, that should be plenty of food for your baby while you are gone. And the Avent pump is cheap -- probably the cost of 2-3 cans of formula, so it will pay for itself really quickly, and you won't have to worry about your baby not liking the taste of formula. If you end up working longer shifts, you'll soon be able to fill 8 oz. bags if you keep up with it, and if you pump once early in the day and once later while you nurse, you will soon have a good "freezer stash" to rely on.

Best of luck to you. I know how hard it is to leave the baby and go to work, but when your family needs the income, you do what you have to do.

Answer 3

I dont think any is close tasting to breastmilk... yep, i have tasted it as well as my ex-husband. i would really try to just pump with a good manual or electric pump. if he has been total breastfed for 2 months, you should be able to express milk well, however some good tips while doing it would be, bring the baby near you when pumping, alot of times he will stimulate you, and try to relax and think of nothing but the baby... i know pumping is uncomfortable but after a few times, your body will yield much more over time. and then you can freeze milk for various times when needed. but if you do decide to ultimately use formula (they say it is not good because it could decrease your milk supply and slowly he will take for the formula instead of the breast), then I would try enfamil lipil with iron that has dha and ara in it... another good one that does well with babies tummies are goodstart supreme with dha and ara. it breaks down gentle like breast milk. and when you buy nipples, look for those that are similar to the breast. i happen to like the first years soothie bottles (they are clear and have a green nipple) or if you want to get one that has the disposable bag, and a wide nipple, those work well too, but given his age, i would use a stage 1 nipple still. hope this helps!

Answer 4

Just about any good formula will do. The taste of breastmilk can change relative to what you eat every day. The real adjustment issue will be the nipple. Try to find bottles with a natural shaped nipple. He's still too little for the large holes, get the small holes.

This is really a good idea as it is a way for him to get used to someone else feeding him and if you should get ill or eat something that disagrees with him, you still have a way to feed him.

Answer 5

Since you'll only be away for about one feeding, I suggest you pump! Start pumping before you start work so you can get the hang of it. I work an 8 hour shift 5 days a week and had to give my son formula because I didn't know how to pump and didn't know where to turn for help until it was too late. My son (now 3 months) is now refusing the breast and I've lost that special bond we once had. Please try to pump first before resorting to formula. Formula doesn't have everything breastmilk does. Also, since your son is so young, start with the stage 1 nipples with the slow flow. So he doesn't get nipple confusion, breastfeed him when you are home!

Answer 6

Sorry to say it but none of the formulas taste like breastmilk. Breastmilk is really sweet and formula isn't. If you want to start giving him formula, try giving him a little bit while you're still breastfeeding. Get him used to the taste. It may take a few days/weeks.

Just slowly introduce formula in addition to breastfeeding.

Breastmilk comes out slowly. Since your son is only 2 months old, I would suggest getting the slowest flow nipple (smallest holes) so it doesn't come too fast for him.

Answer 7

Have you tried using a breast pump? This way you can have some milk on reserve that he can eat. It is perfectly fine to mix it with some formula. I would start with something low iron as the yellow similac formula can often make a baby constipated. I also love the carnation good start. Easy for the baby to digest and full of vitamins and nourishment. Don't use formula if you don't have to, it is expensive and the baby will be missing out on certain immune system boosters that formula could never provide.

Answer 8

either the milk-based Enfamil or Similac would taste closest.
get nipples that are specially designed for mothers who breastfeed and supplement. make sure they are slow-flow (the tiny holes) because of the age of your son. once he is over 6 months then the medium or fast-flow nipples would be better suited.
i would try and express as much milk as you can though, and even if you have to mix it with the formula, it would be better then just expecting him to take it cold turkey. if you don't think you will be able to express any milk to store, then start introducing some formula to him before you go to work, cause chances are he won't just take it, and will scream hungry for those 3 hours.
just a thought, good luck, i hope it all works out for you!!

Answer 9

I worked 9 hour days when my daughters were little and I drank tons of water so I could express milk for them. It might still be do-able for you. They still remember me at the Sacramento airport - 6 years later - because I always used to have my baggies of milk on the conveyor belt when I was on a 15 hour day trip. Pumping's no fun but you can do it on one breast while he's nursing the other.

As for nipples, you'd have to try different ones. Babies take to different brands and there's no telling what they'll like. I suggest the little holes because you can always make them bigger.

Answer 10

Sorry to say but...Nothing is better and tastes closest to breast milk... I am a working mom as well, but that didn't stop me from breastfeeding, because i wanted to give my daughter the best. There are certain vegetables and vitamins you can eat/take that enhances breast milk production, you can try that. Then buy a breast pump, and store your milk in the fridge for your son to take. You can even keep them for a couple of months if stored properly in the fridge.