Whats the best Formula?

Becci_Boo86

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Hi Ladies

Hubby and I have been looking at all the different Formula and we just have no idea whats best.

we are hoping to breastfeed but we wanted a back up if it dosnt work or if baby needs a top up.

what formula do you use? what do u find helps baby best with colic etc..

thanks xx
 
I FF my first and when we were told to top up by the consultant (we shouldn't have listened to him!) he said that Aptamil is closest to breastmilk. I now know that's a load of tosh based on old advertising by Aptamil - there really isn't any formula that is better, they all contain more or less the same thing as is the law. They add things with fancy made up names but they don't really mean much. I also know now that Cow & Gate is the exact same formula as Aptamil, made by the same people but packaged differently (they do research and more advertising under the Aptamil name to justify the extra cost). I wouldn't have paid the extra for Aptamil had I known that!

I BF my second LO but if for any reason I had to use formula I would start with the cheapest standard formula and see if it worked for LO. If it didn't, I'd move up to the next cheapest, assuming they're all easy enough to get. If you find yourself needing formula for whatever reason, just get what's easiest at your closest shop!
 
Like Rachel_C said, there is very little difference in formula brands due to them being heavily regulated. We use Cow and Gate as it is the cheapest of the big 3 brands and it is easily available in our local shops as well as the supermarket. We've got on really well with it and I agree totally with what Rachel_C said, try the cheapest and most readily available first and if that doesn't work for you, try the next one up until you find one that suits.
 
Different strokes I'm afraid! Some babies seem to prefer different formulas over others. Start with one and see how you get on, you might find baby goes for it or you may have problems. Just don't buy a ton of the stuff in case you don't get on with it. Also some may prefer/need hungry baby formula, colic formula, ready made as opposed to powdered etc etc, you need to find what's right for all of you.
 
Because they're all so similar because they have to be regulated unless you go onto specialist formulas which you would only do if there was a problem, I suggest going to the shop closest to you and seeing what they stock this way if you run out you're able to just do a quick trip to get some.

I use aptimil I prefer it because I use the ready made milk most of the time and the little cartons when I'm out.
 
Check some of the brands website. You can get samples from them. I got two cans, ready-to-feed (x6) and coupons from Similac. I also from sample from Enamil, but they were not as generous as Similac in their samples lol.

I don't know which ones are better since this is our first child and he's being stubborn about coming out : P
 
I've been wondering the same, I want to change Imogen's formula from SMS to see if it helps her constipation plus its really greasy and smells like mouldy pumpkins :/
 
Honestly, just buy whatever is cheapest and easiest for you to get wherever you shop. They are all the same (even the cheap ones compared to the expensive ones) because they have to be. They also all smell and taste equally rank! One thing might work better for you than another, but I'd stick with just the regular infant milks, not go for the colic or hungry baby ones. Some people swear by them, but I think it's just a gimmick and most 'colicky' or 'hungry' babies actually need something else (like medicine if they have reflux or more regular feeding or just to be held). I've found gripe water added to a bottle on the rare occasion I needed it for reflux or constipation was the best thing, rather than buying a milk with added crap your baby might not need all the time.

But honestly, if you're planning to breastfeed, steer clear of formulas. You don't need to buy them in advance and the best way to make sure you succeed at BF is to do it and not top up with formula, unless there is a real medical need to do so. If you do have trouble and decide it's not for you, you can easily buy some formula. My daughter had terrible latch issues and could barely BF, but even we made it 10 weeks and didn't need to keep formula in the house 'just in case'. Your partner can always run out and get some if you need it. One thing I would recommend though is a quality breast pump, some bottles or cups (cup feeding is recommended over bottles in the early weeks if you do plan to BF), and some sterilising solution in case you need to express.
 
They're all the same really none is better than another, just buy what's easily available. Some babies react differently to different formulas just because of the different LCP levels and the way it's processed but other than that they're the same x
 
I agree, you need to try and see what your baby gets on with. We like Aptamil.
 
I really get on with Aptamil, although it's the only one I've tried and it's readily available where we shop. We use the powder in the day and the ready made cartons at night and when out. The cartons are pretty blissful to use at night, albeit a little costly. I find it worth it for the hassle-free-ness!! If you look at this page-

https://www.aptaclub.co.uk/products/baby-0-6-months/article/aptamil-first

it gives you a little tick chart of what some of the brands include or dont include, but god knows if it actually means a great deal as like PPs have said they're all similar.
 

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