Formulas – what’s the difference

We’re thinking of changing Caitlin's formula to a "follow on" one.

She’s currently on the Karicare HA, but as her issues are not dietary related and it hasn’t made any difference to her issues (good or bad) we don’t see the point in her being on this now (also don’t see the point in paying $26 a tin when it doesn’t help her anymore than a $14 tin).

I noticed that there are brands that do a normal formular and also a Gold. What’s the difference? It’s not clear on the tins.

Is it right that the follow on ones have more calories than the starter ones as babies are using them up more with crawling etc? Is that the only difference between starter and follow on?

Also, what is everyone else using for their 8 ½ months old and older babies?

TIA

We had Andrew on the plain S26 stuff (not the gold stuff). From what I know (and I have been out of formula for almost 18 months now) the gold stuff has more stuff in it for baby (can't remember the name of the stuff thou sorry, i'm sure someone will know).

The starter formula is for a baby under 6 months, the follow-on has more stuff in it for children (I would say calories).

I would say get a few packets instead of a can to start with and see how she goes with the normal stuff. If Karicare is working well with her just got to the 6+ formula and try it with her. If it works then great a cheaper formula for you. If not try others. I know you can't get S26 packets from the supermarket you have to go to a chemist (usually unichem) or try their website (wyeth nutrition I think they are).

I learnt just recently that the difference between standard and 'gold' formulas is that one is whey dominant and the other casein dominant. And that is the extent of my formula knowledge having never had a baby that can have standard formula

I have no idea! Sorry But someone will know! Or it will say on the front of the tin.

Really helpful I am

oh! I didn't know they were ALL casein dominant!?!?! If that's the case I'd rather keep her on the one she's on (she can stay on that until 12mths+).

There must be some that are Whey dominent due to the Casein being harder to diegest. Might have to do a bit more investigating I think

There are 2 different "types" of formula, whey and casein
Casein is what cows milk is dominant in and whey is what breast milk is dominant in.
As the follow on's and toddlers go.
The increase in iron, there is also a few more minerals but I can't remember what ones!
The Gold ones have the fish oil which improves concentration and what not.

All formula's have to be basically the same, it isn't that one is better than others but which one your baby is the most comfortable on.

There are some wonderful tips and information on the COSM site, in particular:
Infant feeding
AR formula (has the casein and whey info on it)

Edited by Peace

And the bargin is the one we are on is like $12 a can haha

Hey Toni, I have just started Ashleigh on the follow on (she is 6 months corrected age now). I was using the "normal" Karicare so just moved to the follow on Karicare (in the darker blue tin) I have got it in front of me and it says on the front Whey Dominant. It also says

"Karicare Follow on Formula is designed to meet the needs of growing infants 6 months or older. Recent recommendations discourage the use of ordinary cows milk for babies under 12 months of age. Karicare Follow on formula is whey based and specially formulated to provide more iron and essential vitamins compared to ordinary cows milk"

So yeah its got more iron and vitamins in it than the from birth formula   That is actually why I have changed Ashleigh as she has had low iron since birth and is on iron supplements so I thought this may help a bit.

Oh and it also says " Karicare 2 follow on formula is based on whey dominant cows milk proteins"

And gosh my touch typing has become shocking!!!!!!!

Edited by KH25

Amy, ring up Karicare and ask them where you can buy the formula from in your area. They should be able to tell you that.

TRUE?!?!?! I didn't know that and certainly wasn't told that when advised by Paed to switch her to Karicare HA (I even called Karicare dietician at the time and also asked if it was subsidised at all - she could have said something! Grrrr)

Amy, I wonder if we could combine our orders and still get $5 courier fee since we live close to each other? That would save us heaps!