Which formula to wean BF baby.

[hamster wheel]

I wasn't sure if I should post this on the BF or FF section so I'm here.

We are planning to wean my 9 mo old to formula in the next few weeks as I will have to stop BFing once I'm back to work. He's really only known BM except for his first week of life when we gave him formula when I was not producing milk yet.

I query whether he has an intolerance to lactose.

Is there a formula you would advise that we use? I've heard a sensitive formula that is easier to digest may be best for a BF baby-is there any truth to this?

 

[Blizzard]

In the Uk all standard formula is pretty much identical. It has to be by law. We put Fin on Aptamil when we finished BF in the day. No real reason for that choice though.

Is there a reason you suspect lactose intolerance? If not I'd go with one of the basic formulas, give it at least a few weeks, and change if needed.

Hope that helps! Xx

 

[special_kala]

They are pretty much all the same

 

[CeeDee]

I think formula is all pretty much the same. You just need to see which one works best for your little one. There isn't anyone that is similiar to breastmilk. Good luck!

 

[CazM 2011]

I think they are pretty much all the same we went for cow and gate as it is sweeter than the rest and our LO liked the taste best xxx

 

[Blizzard]

They're all disgustingly sweet.. Yuck .

 

[katy1985]

We went with aptamil, I weaned her off at 10 months when I went back to work. She liked it so I stuck with it.

 

[SjandPeanut]

I wasn't sure if I should post this on the BF or FF section so I'm here.

We are planning to wean my 9 mo old to formula in the next few weeks as I will have to stop BFing once I'm back to work. He's really only known BM except for his first week of life when we gave him formula when I was not producing milk yet.

I query whether he has an intolerance to lactose.

Is there a formula you would advise that we use? I've heard a sensitive formula that is easier to digest may be best for a BF baby-is there any truth to this?

There is lactose in breastmilk so unless your baby has had issues with your milk i wouldn't worry about Lactose at all.

 

[stephj25]

Aptamil is meant to be the closest to breastmilk so this is the one that we are using. I currently FF once a day to get my LO used to it x

 

[special_kala]

Aptamil is meant to be the closest to breastmilk so this is the one that we are using. I currently FF once a day to get my LO used to it x

That's not true. They have got in trouble for saying that.

 

[stephj25]

Aptamil is meant to be the closest to breastmilk so this is the one that we are using. I currently FF once a day to get my LO used to it x

That's not true. They have got in trouble for saying that.

Thanks, did not know that!! I originally thought it was true as my LO didn't like Cow & Gate x

 

[Bunnikins]

Although I agree they r all the same, the only one my breastfed baby would drink was hipp combiotic. I tried all the other brands first and she wasn't keen on them at all.

 

[cmarie33]

My lo drinks sma and is bf too and she's fine with that x

 

[babyrough]

I chose cow and gate because it was cheapest lol. And I presume theyre all the same x

 

[Gc85]

SMA do a lactose free formula if your worried about it, you can get it in boots stores, it's quite expensive though about £6 for a very small tin. My LO loves it!

If your LO does react to normal formula your gp can prescribe this (or similar alternative) for you and it'll be free.

Or you can add clolief to any normal formula, it has an enzyme that reduces the lactose content of the milk, again it's expensive though.

 

[itstime]

My DD would only take Aptimel when I stopped bf, I did try other brands which she refused. When I have given my DS the odd bottle of formula I have used aptimel x

 

[Sunshine12]

We chose aptimil cause it was the most expensive in the shop we were in so i figured it might be better than the others. No other reason. I wouldnt worry about lactose intolerance if you have been BF for 9 months with no issues. (If you do end up needing colief you get it free on NHS) x

 

[Mrsmitch80]

I combi feed, lo didn't like aptamil but likes hipp combiotic. It's easier to make up than the others as the water doesn't have to be 70 degrees as its made in a more sterile environment xx

 

[aliss]

OP is in Canada, she doesn't have most of those formulas.

Is there a dairy allergy? Or lactose allergy?

 

[summer rain]

Aptamil is meant to be the closest to breastmilk so this is the one that we are using. I currently FF once a day to get my LO used to it x

That's not true. They have got in trouble for saying that.

Yes they got in trouble for it about six years ago and changed their packaging and marketing accordingly; however they knew full well that by getting this message out by word of mouth whether amongst normal people or health professionals that people would still be saying it years later.

From a purely scientific basis it could be argued that aptamil is the furthest from breastmilk in many regards; it has unnaturally high levels of fish oil based LCPs in whereas breastmilk actually has small amounts of LCPs and large amounts of MCPs, it also contains dietary fibre, soya and fish which breastmilk doesn't. However they make out that their product is nutritionally superior and babies will somehow be missing out if they don't have it which is despicable IMHO. Bear in mind some of these 'essential' ingredients that aptamil contains were only approved in 2007 by the UK government to be added to infant formula because of concerns about their safety not being proven. If they were so essential the government would not only have allowed them but made it law they had to be added; long before this.

The reality is studies have shown no benefit to added LCPs in formula for full term babies (prem baby studies show mixed results) and a couple of studies have even shown they may have some negative implications. The situation is such now that some babies cannot tolerate any of the mainstream formulas because of these added ingredients and its sometimes mistaken as a milk protein intolerance but its actually other unnecessary ingredients causing the problem. Such parents then have to go and seek out the two remaining European available in the UK brands that don't have all this new stuff added but that do meet all the legal requirements but only very specialist retailers sell these so its not like you can just pick them up from a corner shop.

OP I don't know much about the Canadian formula market but I believe that in Canada as here in the UK all formulae have to meet minimum standards. If your baby is really lactose intolerant a gentle formula would not be suitable as they usually still contain half of the normal lactose level. xx