Aptamil and Cow & Gate I've been conned

zeebie

Its terrible for mums to be stuck like this. I think if the manufacturers would pay the extra for the (now expensive) ingredients they would not have this problem.

If any mums are interested, its possible to go back to breastfeeding sometimes, if you wish to.

Look up Relactation, there is a good article on Kellymom

kelly_cole

Its rubbish as if having a new baby wasn't expensive enough! It always annoys me that you also can't use Tesco money off coupons on baby milk, its not like it is a luxury item, its a necessity!!

Kayalana99

kelly_cole wrote: »

Its rubbish as if having a new baby wasn't expensive enough! It always annoys me that you also can't use Tesco money off coupons on baby milk, its not like it is a luxury item, its a necessity!!

You can't even use staff discount on baby food/baby milk. Thiers a law on it but im not sure what that law is because they do *occasionaly* do deals like 2 for £14 etc but its usally the 6mon+ milk.

You will find it the same in any supermarket or shop that sells baby milk though.

I think its *meant* to encorage breast feeding.

grey_lady

Same ingredients yes but one of the probiotics is present in greater quantities in Aptamil than c&g - which suits some little ones tummies better.

kelly_cole

Kayalana99 wrote: »

You will find it the same in any supermarket or shop that sells baby milk though.

I think its *meant* to encorage breast feeding.

I have 3 children, the first and last who is currently 5 months I breast fed exclusively. My 2nd I only managed a couple months but it was not through lack of trying she just couldn't latch on and the end result was an underweight hungry baby - sometimes breast feeding just isn't an option. I felt like enough of a failure as it was without the added pressure from the health visitors etc. So I think if that is what they are doing then it is really unfair.

jetplane

grey_lady wrote: »

Same ingredients yes but one of the probiotics is present in greater quantities in Aptamil than c&g - which suits some little ones tummies better.

Thanks, can you tell me where did you get your info and how recent, because this is one of the reasons that we thought Aptamil to be superior, but I now think it is an urban myth that persists. Aptamail helpline denies that there is any difference whatsoever, they are owned by Danone and made in the same factory. Same ingredients, listed in the same order, same quantities, nothing extra in one or the other?

skintchick

kelly_cole wrote: »

I have 3 children, the first and last who is currently 5 months I breast fed exclusively. My 2nd I only managed a couple months but it was not through lack of trying she just couldn't latch on and the end result was an underweight hungry baby - sometimes breast feeding just isn't an option. I felt like enough of a failure as it was without the added pressure from the health visitors etc. So I think if that is what they are doing then it is really unfair.

Less than two per cent of women have a medical reason that means they cannot breastfeed; the rest can with the right support.

That's not to say you should, but lots of women who say they couldn't breastfeed, actually could, but weren't supported sufficiently, or chose to stop rather than seek support. I'm not judging, just saying that's how it is.

So it's not really unfair, because pretty much everyone can breastfeed, they need better support and help, and to choose to seek that.

I hear stories like yours all the time, and I'm always sad that the right support wasn't given to enable people to breastfeed for as long as they want. It's especially hard for people like you, who know they can breastfeed, and for whom it became very difficult, to the point of being unable to carry on. But that wasn't because you could not breastfeed (your body didn;t suddenly stop being able to do it for one of your children), nor that your child couldn't, it's because no-one took the time to find out why it wasn't working, and to help you overcome those issues (tongue tie? upper lip tie? chromosomal disorder resulting in poor suck? premature? there are many reasons why a baby will struggle to latch and suck, most of them solvable, although not all).

That sucks. Big time. But it doesn't mean you should have discounted formula to make up for it. You might not like it, but it isn't unfair, any more than Tesco not discounting my favourite white wine is unfair.

skintchick

jetplane wrote: »

Thanks, can you tell me where did you get your info and how recent, because this is one of the reasons that we thought Aptamil to be superior, but I now think it is an urban myth that persists. Aptamail helpline denies that there is any difference whatsoever, they are owned by Danone and made in the same factory. Same ingredients, listed in the same order, same quantities, nothing extra in one or the other?

Jetplane you are right. Any new ingredients discovered have to be in all formulas - they are not allowed to withold that as it is infant nutrition at stake. There is basically no difference between any of the formulas, no matter who they are made by, it is all just (very clever) branding.

I shall try and find a linky.

sunshine_shell

Skintchick i had 8 midwives and 2 neonatel nurse try and help me and my daughter breastfed and it wouldn't work for us. Comments like yours 'because pretty much everyone can breastfeed' make me feel even more crap!

kelly_cole

I couldn't agree with you more sunshine_shell. I also thought to compare not getting discounted formula with wine was a ridiculous comment to make.