Formula Query

From what I have read on here it seems to be down to the individual baby, what makes one spilly doesn't make another spilly etc.
Plunket told me to stay away from the gold variety as they are prone to cause constipation. Until we went onto specialist formula we used heinz and SMA. I haven't heard of any to avoid, except soy as that is really only used for cultural reasons.

Should probably explain that soy comment a bit better, it says on the tin not to use unless under medical advisement and its main reason for being created was for those cultures that don't use any diary products. There are reasons for it only be used under medical advisements but I can't remember what they are.

Edited by cuppatea

JMHO - keep away from Karicare all three of my kids got constipation and/or the runs!

I'm a fan of Heinz Nurture myself, again all three kids have been on this with no problems.

I think some of the mums on here use S26 for their children, it didn't agree with Cooper at all, it cause constipation.

Personally I would wait and see, don't think the worse or expect that you won't be able to Breastfeed, you never know you maybe the one who does do really well. I really think you should take the "wait and see" approach.

My son is on Karicare with no problems - I would suggest staying away from the gold brands to start with. My son has issues with whole cows milk - he gets the runs but has had no problem with whole milk based formulas. Some brands have a different consistency than others ie I found some didnt dissolve easily and others were grainy. After a couple of tries of the single serve sachets, I chose a brand. Only advice is; once you have chosen a brand - stick with it and dont change to another. Thats often when you get problems with the runs and wind etc.

I use Karicare with no probs.

Another idea is to ask your MW what formula the hospital or birthing unit you are birthing at use as "if" your baby ends up onf ormula in hosp its sometimes easier to stick with that formula then change again at home. They do say that you have a bit of flexibility in the first few weeks tho as their tummys are getting use to everything anyway.

Charlotte was Breastfed exclusively until 4 months then I introduced a formula top up (S26 Gold as thats what all my coffee group used at the time!) and she was fully formula fed by 6 months. With Kate I Breastfed until 12 months and now she has organic formula out of a cup 3 times a day- didn't want to have to wean her off a bottle so we just went straight to sippy cup.

So yeah- we used S26 Gold. Charlotte never had any problems with it but she was a bit older when she started so maybe its a bit harder on new tummies?

For those that have breastfed, when did you move onto formula or did you - I know that sounds dumb but this is a first for me, just trying to figure out what's what.

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It's not stupid. Having your first baby is almost always about experimenting to find out what works........I haven't done 99% of the stuff I did first time this time.   

DS1 had formula top-ups from week 4 due to bad advice at the time and was 100% ff from just shy of 10 months when he prematurely weaned. DS2 on the other hand was ebf for 6.5 months and still has never had a drop of formula. DF wants to start him on cow's milk when he turns one in just under 3 months time, but I'm not inclined to do this when I make milk for free. LOL So I guess for us, not planning on going anywhere near formula unless we have to. Coffee group mums are mainly using Heinz, but like I said can't comment specifically as Alex has never had any.

If you are concerned about bf, and how long you want to do it for...then set yourself small goals at first so maybe till the 1st week, then maybe the 3rd, the 6th and so on. There is no "magic" age, from a nutritional point of view that they have to be "weaned" by.....though these days that number seems to be 6 months. Not sure why that is, but don't see the sense in paying for formula for 6 months and then switching to cow's milk when you could bf for a year (barring not wanting to for whatever reason) and spend that money elsewhere.

Christina

Maya wrote: You can buy most of them in single serve sachets too, might be worth trying those first rather than buying a whole tin and finidng it doesn't agree with bub.

This is a great idea. We tried karicare and Daniel got instant huge wind probs. On nurture he ended up with cronic constipation and now hes on S26 and doesnt have any issues.

It's very individual