Which is the best forumla?

cclarke12

Both mine had Aptamil. I don’t buy into the school of thought that if you have formula ready then you won’t persevere with breastfeeding. Rather, I think the opposite can be the case; if you are struggling with breastfeeding and worrying about your baby starving then knowing you have something at hand if desperate can reduce anxiety. I primarily breastfed both of mine until they were 6 months at which point I was going back to work and felt ready to have my body back (which I am sure some will think makes me a terrible mother...). I couldn’t express milk for love nor money, so both tended to have one formula bottle feed per day which I liked as it meant that in an emergency (as I did have once in my case when I was rushed into hospital) they could be fed by someone else.

If you can breastfeed it is so much easier especially in the night – the idea of having to get up and sort out bottles in the night is my idea of a nightmare. However, I have had friends that found breastfeeding difficult and were consumed with guilt which only made for them and baby being upset. At the end of the day breast might be best, but common sense should prevail and if a mother doesn’t feel able to breastfeed comfortably then they shouldn’t be made to feel guilty. There are bigger things in life to worry about. I would imagine a happy and relaxed mum means more likelihood of a happy relaxed baby.

Good luck with the new arrival!

DevilsAdvocate1

JBD wrote: »

As far as I know you can use the powder from birth. You certainly could a few years ago. I don't think cartons have been available for that long anyway.

They've been around quite a while. My oldest has just turned 12 and I remember buying some for him. I breastfed, but was unable to express, so I bought the RTF ones to use if I was going to leave the baby with someone else. I think only one brand did them at the time, but can't remember which one.

D.

emlou2009

We tried all of them, and Aptamil and C&G seemed about the same for our little man.

OP, you're doing the right thing by getting something in just in case, we werent that wise as I was adamant I would BF, and my first memory of being at home with my son is rocking my LO praying to god he wouldnt cry while my OH went to Tesco to get some formula, bottles and a hand pump, cos he wouldnt feed properly. Not very nice at all. I wish we'd had the foresight to be a bit more prepared, and perhaps my first memories of bringing my boy home would be a bit happier.

My_Fathers_Daughter

OP - you seem to be going into this with your eyes wide open. BF is not the easiest thing in the world but there should be no reason why you can't do it.

By all means buy whatever you need to feel emotionally secure (for me it was bottles - I needed to buy the 'right' bottles so I wasn't relying on hubby to buy what would inevitably be the 'wrong' bottles should we need to try formula).

As long as you are aware that BF is hard work (extremely rewarding but very hard work) and you expect to be stuck under your baby one way or another for the first few (or 6!!) weeks then you are halfway there.


There is tons of support out there but you need to want to find it. The Parents Club is there if you need some reassurance and I second the recommendation to find your local Booby Club (even if everything is going right).

Good luck hun - my problem is now getting out at the other end! My baby turns 1 next week and I am trying to give up the BF!!
FWIW, I have used Aptimil for a feed or 2 a day since I stopped expressing about 7 months.
xx

shays_mum

Whatever you kids can keep down!, mine made a choice of Aptimil , if your not sure, you can ask your health clinic for samples or otherwise call the manufacturers they will give you loads free then decide what keeps them sleeping longest

floss2

feelinggood wrote: »

That said, you aren't supposed to use the powder from birth are you?

Didn't do me or my kids any harm

candygirl wrote: »

Cartons are quite new on the scene aren't they?;)

They were around when my younger son was born in 1988

Fitzio wrote: »

I think all of the milks are similar and no-one can say any of them are better or worse for you to try. Occasionally, one may not agree with a couple of babies, but it’s fine for the other millions of people using it so you can’t really judge by other peoples’ experiences. I use Aptimil as the marketing blurb says it’s closest to breastmilk. Other people have picked C&G because they like the free cow when they sign up to their website and they can keep with the same brand for jars etc when weaning. Others use SMA because their mums used it and it’s more widely available in garages etc. if you were to run out one night. Everyone has a reason, but they are all as valid as the next one. Good luck with the breast feeding, and definitely give it a chance and get lots of support if it’s what you want. But don’t worry if you switch to formula – it’s not the end of the world!

Well said. FWIW, DS1 was on SMA gold, DS2 was on SMA gold, then SMA white, then C&G (but he was always a greedy so & so!).

candygirl

FLOSS I never saw the cartons when I had DD in 87, but prob went round with my eyes closed half the time:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

mrcow

All mine had SMA

But later on I switched about for whatever was on offer.

I would say that the Heinz one is the best IMO as it smelt nicer (some of them stink). Consistancy/nutrition wise, they are all pretty much the same - it's just personal/baby preference after you get going with it.

Ms_Piggy_2

Fitzio wrote: »

I use Aptimil as the marketing blurb says it’s closest to breastmilk.

Says it all really!

It's closesr to cows milk than human milk (which is what you'd expect as it's made from cow's milk!

As others have said, they are all much of a muchness - it's personal preference, but do make sure you have lots of professional (not just MW and HV) support

floss2

candygirl wrote: »

FLOSS I never saw the cartons when I had DD in 87, but prob went round with my eyes closed half the time:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

They were pointed out by excited midwives in the maternity ward as new fangled gimmicky things that wouldn't catch on