Selecting a formula product

XMG

If you’re going to be using formula that needs hot water get a hot water dispenser so you don’t have to boil the kettle every time for a feed. We had a 3 or 4 liter one that would boil first and then it could keep water at 3 or 4 different temperatures, one of which was the *perfect* temperature so no cooling involved. It would reboil every so often. The water did get changed every 24 hours or so regardless of how much had been used, I forget now why?

You’ll be glad of it at half three of a morning

lazygal

lazygal wrote: »

It is inferior. I used it myself. That's a fact. Medical issues exist. That's also a fact. But any health care practitioner stating formula is the same is breastfeeding are wrong. One is the biological norm and the other isn't.

It’s people acting like you that they were being told to ignore. It puts totally unnecessary pressure on people who can’t or choose not to breastfeed and just not wanting to is a valid reason. It makes people feel inadequate and cause or worsens depression. Breastfeeding is better, that is not being denied but the fact is a baby has just as much chance of being healthy and happy on formula and it may mean a happier, healthier and less stressed mother who is much better able to cope.

I was not there so I can’t tell you the exact atmosphere in the room but from what I was told the advice was to breastfeed if it works for you but not to make yourself miserable doing it and don’t be listening to people telling you formula is akin to nuclear waste.

XMG wrote: »

If you’re going to be using formula that needs hot water get a hot water dispenser so you don’t have to boil the kettle every time for a feed. We had a 3 or 4 liter one that would boil first and then it could keep water at 3 or 4 different temperatures, one of which was the *perfect* temperature so no cooling involved. It would reboil every so often. The water did get changed every 24 hours or so regardless of how much had been used, I forget now why?

You’ll be glad of it at half three of a morning

One kettle boil and make bottles for 24h at a time, keep in the fridge and reheat when needed is the way to do it. Keeping water heated like that is advise against strongly.

fits

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Just be grateful you don’t have a medical condition making it necessary to use formula . People don’t need be made feel inferior . Its not nice

It’s not about making people feel inferior. It just is. In the same way toast is inferior to porridge and biscuits inferior to apples. You may have reasons and very good ones for feeding formula but there is a reason it’s not given to preemies. It’s just not the best food for babies. A lot of women can’t breastfeed - probably more than are acknowledged have low milk supply. But a lot choose not to for cultural or other reasons and both mother and baby miss out. I found it hugely beneficial to me and am sorry more don’t get to experience that. My twins are very healthy as well and one has a condition associated with recurrent ear infections and he doesn’t get them.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

Nehemiah Obedient Coffeepot wrote: »

Exactly this. For all intends and purposes there is very little difference between the two and you will have a happy and healthy baby who is fed formula.

As a family member remarked to me when at an anti-natal class on the topic of breast and bottle feeding. The person giving the class said hands up who was breast fed as a child and out of the 12 or so people in the room not one hand went up, “and was it ever an issue or are ye not all happy and healthy adults” she said next. Basically it was saying not to be made feel you are not doing the right thing for you baby just because you choose or are forced to bottle feed.

Well, people are hardly going to disclose their medical history to a group full of strangers or acquaintances, are they? What a stupid thing for the person running the class to ask.

Some people might not know if they were breastfed also. I’m in mid-30s and only asked my mother a few years whether she breastfed. She did. But I had no clue before that whether she did or not.

iamwhoiam

fits wrote: »

It’s not about making people feel inferior. It just is. In the same way toast is inferior to porridge and biscuits inferior to apples. You may have reasons and very good ones for feeding formula but there is a reason it’s not given to preemies. It’s just not the best food for babies. A lot of women can’t breastfeed - probably more than are acknowledged have low milk supply. But a lot choose not to for cultural or other reasons and both mother and baby miss out. I found it hugely beneficial to me and am sorry more don’t get to experience that. My twins are very healthy as well and one has a condition associated with recurrent ear infections and he doesn’t get them.

The OP was asking about formulas for a baby who for medical reasons cannot be breastfed . Is it helpful to the OP or to others reading this thread for anyone to use the word “ inferior “ about formula ?
The OPs wife and others reading this who cannot breastfeed for various reasons don’t need this rubbed into their faces . They are thankful for help choosing a formula or the advice given to wait and see what suits the baby when born
The last thing they need is to repeatedly read about “ the inferior “ formula
For them its not inferior as they have no alternative at this time .
For example my daughter couldn’t breastfeed for medical reason so feeding her baby formula was not “ inferior “ to anything as it her only choice . It was the best choice for her baby available to her

fits

Ok but to be fair this thread was started two years ago so it’s not really about OP anymore.

honerbright

fits wrote: »

You may have reasons and very good ones for feeding formula but there is a reason it’s not given to preemies

As someone who just spent 90 days with my child inside the NICU I can assure you that I seen many, many babies receive formula. There is formula specifically designed for preemies. Yes there is a milk bank, but you can only rely on that so long. Many mothers are unable to produce due to prematurity, stress, biology etc and their babies still thrived on formula.

My son could not breastfeed, but I was lucky enough to be able to exclusively pump to provide for him, but not every person has that ability. In cases of preemies the mothers often feel like they failed their child by then coming so early and it's horrific that they get so shamed by people that they sometimes are unable to produce milk too - just another thing to feel bad about.

fits

I gave formula in the hospital and I don’t feel one bit bad about it. You do what you have to. Formula is an amazing resource to have where it’s needed.

NICU must be an incredibly tough experience. I didn’t produce while pumping in hospital either.

s7ryf3925pivug

The answer is SMA Advanced because it has the 2hmo in it that has immunity benefits. It also doesn't need you to boil water to make it (at least stage 2 and 3 don't).

Outside of that the major differentitator between products is the fluoride levels, which were tested as being very excessive in a number of products, especially the premade products.

Don't use stage 1 formula after 6 months because it doesn't have enough iron in it.

Thanks for the input. Going to unfollow this thread now.

maxsmum

Boston Colossal Spleen wrote: »

Don't use stage 1 formula after 6 months because it doesn't have enough iron in it.

Hi, this is untrue, number 1 formula is best option to give (of the formulas) until 1 year old.
https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/types-of-formula-milk.html

Also, the old breast v formula war always gets peoples hackles up. Even though I think the tone of some of the posters is a bit supercilious, yes, of course infants are supposed to receive breastmilk. It is undoubtedly superior to formula. but formula has the basic 'formula' of nutrients that will keep baby alive and thriving.
There is a scientific paper out there that basically equates all the formulas nutritionally, no matter what the cost or organic or extra fancy ingredients etc.

I think the difference is that mums aren't inferior mums for choosing a different way to feed their babies.