Moving from 1st milk to next stage

[WW1]

Is there any point (beyond the one that I'll actually get advantage points!!)?

Is the first milk perfectly good for the first year or is there something in the next stage milk which is necessary for LO?

Has anyone tried the next stage milk at 6 months and if so, did it make any difference?

I can't help but think it's just a gimick to allow them to advertise (not being able to advertise first milk and all that) but maybe I'm being too cynical...

Your experiences would be very helpful (I use aptimil by the way)

 

[bunnyg82]

Hello, I hope you don't mind me popping in, but I went to my "infant feeding class" a few weeks ago and although it was mainly focussed on BF, the midwife did briefly mention FF and was quite clear that there was absolutely no need to use follow on milk and in fact said not to use it and that you should use the first stage for the whole 12 months.

Hope that helps! xx

 

[tinyme77]

I think that as long as your baby is happy on the first milk then don't bother to change them. They all have the right nutrients for the age ranges on the boxes. I think that the mix is slightly different but i wouldn't change for the sake of it if your LO is happy.

 

[HayleyJA]

Oooh, I'm glad you've asked this as I was thinking the same thing myself today and have been browsing the Aptamil website this evening for advice. The only real information I can find is that after 6 months, once babies start eating more, obviously they won't need to drink as much milk, but need as much, if not more, vitamins and minerals. From what I gather, the follow on milk (stage 3) is just more a more concentrated version of stage 1... so that even if baby isn't drinking 30ozs+ a day, they are getting all the goodness they need.

I'll also be interested to read other peoples experiences though.

(I think the advantage card points might sway me though... does that make me a bad Mum?!)

 

[OmarsMum]

Omar is on Anti reflux formula & it says 0-12. It's exaclty the same as 1st milk but with added thickening gum for reflux. If his fomula is good for him until he's 1 yr, I think normal stage 1 formula should be the same. He's on Aptamil AR & I compared it with Aptamil 1 & they were exactly the same in terms of ingredients & suppliments.

 

[WW1]

(I think the advantage card points might sway me though... does that make me a bad Mum?!)

 

[Eala]

My LO is still on the stage one milk, and I haven't had any thought to change her. My HV agreed with me, and also said that follow on milks exist to allow formula companies to advertise.

Given that my HV is always badgering me about LO's weight, eating & milk-drinking habits, the fact that she isn't bothered about LO being on stage 1 milk still is a good thing to me

 

[bubbles123]

The advantage points are indeed very attractive as you'd get a free box of formula every few months or so However, I don't really see the need for follow on milk. Vitamin and mineral absorption is not always that efficient so just because a formula has more vitamins in it, does not mean that the body will absorb them any better. Too much iron is linked to constipation too. However I do think there's nothing wrong with follow on milk and will probably switch at some point but not until LO is a bit older than 6 months (probably just in his last few months of formula before he goes to regular milk.)

 

[allthingspink]

I never used it with my first 2 and wont with this one either as long as she is happy and healthy on it.

 

[twists183]

I switched - didn't think about it really, had SMA stage 1 now on follow on. Suits us ok.

 

[history_girls]

we have just moved to comfort stage 2 milk - don't know why really. Wasn't going to but Dr asked if we were.

it is really hard to find comfort stage 2 but she is lapping it up without problems!

 

[suzib76]

i have never changed any of mine and have no plans to change Lana either

iron levels naturally start to dwindle after 6 months, and they play on that in the advertising, but babies start eating food which also contains iron at about this time anyway