Selecting a formula product

s7ryf3925pivug · 13-08-2017 01:53PM #1

We are expecting our first baby in February and are looking into what might be the best formula to use.
We know breastfeeding is usually preferable but there are medical reasons for needing to look at formula.

There are some papers that suggest that 2fl hmo is very beneficial.
I cannot post links because I'm a new user. Here is a url to a study: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26154029
It appears to be unique to new similac products that are not available in Ireland. Might this still be a viable option? ie: Is it in any other products, or could it be imported in some way that was not prohibitively expensive? ...Is it even legal to import it from the USA?

Most products available in the shops here contain prebiotics. Apparently the EU advise not consuming these. They say there is no proven benefit and they can cause problems with digestion.

My understanding is that nutritionally, all products satisfy the same criteria and are not hugely different in most ways. One way they do differ is in terms of DHA content. I would look at DHA levels as being a factor in selecting a product.

Any suggestions, useful info, experiences with different products?

s7ryf3925pivug · 13-08-2017 02:22PM

FSAI approved 2fl as an ingredient after an application made by glycom: fsai.ie/uploadedFiles/Science_and_Health/Novel_Foods/Notifications/2016%20Glycom%20Fermented%202%27FL.pdf

They sell the ingredient to manufacturers though, not any consumer products. As I understand it, 2FL-HMO will be called “2’-O-fucosyllactose” when found in Irish products.

edit: I think the authorization of its sale in the EU is not yet in force: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016D0376

Regarding legality of importing it - as I understand it, it's legal to do so in retricted quantities:

There also is an exemption for powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods or special pet feed required for medical reasons, if weighing less than 2 kilograms and provided that:
such products do not require refrigeration before opening
that they are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer, and
the packaging is unbroken unless in current use

- ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animalproducts/personal_imports_en

pwurple · 13-08-2017 03:27PM

Are the medical reasons to do with the baby or the mother?

I would say consult your GP to be honest.

s7ryf3925pivug · 13-08-2017 04:19PM

pwurple wrote: »

Are the medical reasons to do with the baby or the mother?

I would say consult your GP to be honest.

The mother, and I don't want to discuss them.
We plan to discuss it with the ob gyn this week and GP next visit also.
Not looking for medical advice here, just discussion/recommendation of products.

pwurple · 14-08-2017 12:19AM

I don't follow the motivation then. If the baby does not required a specific formula, then what are you looking at these for?

Wait until baby is born, try each until you find one that suits the baby. Each child is different. No point in trying to recommend one.

You are fairly unlikely to get opinions on your import of trial oligosaccharides for making up your own formula. Who does that?

wuffly · 14-08-2017 04:56AM

Honestly its best to wait until baby arrives, they are all pretty similar I would advise going with something that is easily available in powder and pre-made format (handy for going out/travel etc) Try not to chop and change too much, its hard on their tummies. The obg gyn probably won't have any advice its not their area (mine specifically said when my son was born, don't ask me about him I don't know anything about babies, in a nice way!) best off with your GP or PHN unless your baby has specific issues they won't need a special type of formula. When we moved our son on to formula he got constipated so needed some anti-constipation formula, we mixed with regular formula until we found a balance that suited him, unfortunately with formula is a bit of trial and error. Try not to worry too much, i was gutted when i couldn't continue to bf, and stressed about formula and what's in it. If it's what you want/need to do just go with it. Its not long until they are eating/throwing solids and you have whole other set of worries. Best of luck.

mirrorwall14 · 14-08-2017 08:23AM

Pick one that's widely available so you never get caught and one that's available in your hospital. I was unable to breastfeed due to medication and they had cow and gate, sma and I think actimal. I used cow and gate. Stuck with it through reflux too as the reflux formula didn't suit him (we used additives to the bottle instead on GP recommendation)

Beanybabog · 16-08-2017 08:28AM

I agree with the last post. I breastfed but at 6 months started to wean slowly and I picked aptamil, mainly because I heard it's widely available. Turns out it is- my local shop stocks a few bits of baby stuff and their only formula is aptamil, and there's a lot to be said for easy access to it. I'm sure many of the usual formulas are similar but it'll be trial and error- you won't know if baby has an issue until you try one. Also I would import stuff, even the hassle of that if you run out will be a nightmare. When baby is here you need things to be as easy as possible

s7ryf3925pivug · 16-08-2017 05:55PM

Thanks everyone for your advice.

To clarify my second post, I wasn't thinking about making formula from basic ingredients. I just think once the ingredient is legal in the eu, products will be sold that include it. (They already are sold in the USA.)

superman28 · 23-08-2017 11:34AM

I thought it was possible to obtain breastmilk for newborns for medical reasons. (from a milkbank) In particular, if you are concerned about digestive issues etc.. might be something to consider.

s7ryf3925pivug · 23-08-2017 06:46PM

superman28 wrote: »

I thought it was possible to obtain breastmilk for newborns for medical reasons. (from a milkbank) In particular, if you are concerned about digestive issues etc.. might be something to consider.

Anyone have any experience with doing this, or trying to do it?

I wouldn't expect it to be possible long term at all, but maybe it would be advantageous to do it for a short period at least?

bee06 · 23-08-2017 07:30PM

I would say it's something the hospital would have to organise. If you google breast milk bank Ireland a lot of articles come up.

PhoenixParker · 23-08-2017 07:31PM

Boston Colossal Spleen wrote: »

Anyone have any experience with doing this, or trying to do it?

I wouldn't expect it to be possible long term at all, but maybe it would be advantageous to do it for a short period at least?

There's a lot of peer to peer breast milk donation, usually in Facebook groups. Human milk for human babies is one of the bigger ones I believe. I looked into it but never did it. The milk bank is mostly for nicu babies I think.

January · 23-08-2017 08:25PM

The milk bank would prioritize babies in NICU or seriously ill babies before a baby who can be fed formula without a medical need for breastmilk. I also wouldn't recommend using a peer to peer milk donor unless they've had similar tests to the one's used by the human milk bank in Fermanagh.

I also would highly suggest not making your own baby formula, but that's just me...

pwurple · 23-08-2017 09:14PM

Boston Colossal Spleen wrote: »

Anyone have any experience with doing this, or trying to do it?

I wouldn't expect it to be possible long term at all, but maybe it would be advantageous to do it for a short period at least?

As January has said, it's for babies in intensive care, who for some reason cannot process formula.

Honestly, I hope you are not doing this formula obsessing in front of the expectant mother, you would be absolutely compounding any sense of failure she was feeling.

jlm29 · 23-08-2017 10:38PM

Milk from the milk bank costs a bomb, apparently. I saw a figure quoted recently, but can't remember what it was. Obviously this is paid by the hospital, when the milk is needed for medical reasons, but if there were no medical reasons, you'd have to pay for it yourself.

January · 24-08-2017 12:34PM

jlm29 wrote: »

Milk from the milk bank costs a bomb, apparently. I saw a figure quoted recently, but can't remember what it was. Obviously this is paid by the hospital, when the milk is needed for medical reasons, but if there were no medical reasons, you'd have to pay for it yourself.

Public it's paid for by the hospital, private you can bet your bottom dollar that it's being passed on to the insurance company.

jlm29 · 24-08-2017 12:51PM

January wrote: »

Public it's paid for by the hospital, private you can bet your bottom dollar that it's being passed on to the insurance company.

Yup, no doubt about it, but either way, I'm sure the need for it needs to be well established by doctors. And to be honest, as a former donor, I'd be a small bit aggrieved if it was being supplied to anyone other than babies who were ill and really needed it!

PhoenixParker · 24-08-2017 12:59PM

One thing you might like to do is to look into expressing colostrum.

Colostrum is the pre-milk and probably the most important bit of the whole breastfeeding process. It's possible to hand express it near the end of pregnancy and store it to give to the newborn.

There are how to guides if you Google it.

Obviously what's preventing breastfeeding may also prevent the hand expressing but if it's something like a medication that's counter-indicated and needs to be resumed post pregnancy, colostrum expressed early would be fine.

Cocobongo · 24-08-2017 01:06PM

Sometimes formulas seem to be pretty much the same, but one is being well tolerated by the baby and another not so much. wait - try - and you will know

s7ryf3925pivug · 25-08-2017 08:20PM

pwurple wrote: »

As January has said, it's for babies in intensive care, who for some reason cannot process formula.

Honestly, I hope you are not doing this formula obsessing in front of the expectant mother, you would be absolutely compounding any sense of failure she was feeling.

My wife doesn't feel any sense of failure. It would be very misplaced if she did. I understand how someone might - it's really pushed that breastfeeding is better. She is intelligent and strong-minded enough to think about best available choices though.

My 'obsessing' is related to autism. My wife is very familiar with it and finds it irritating sometimes when I go on like that. But a quirk I have definitely doesn't make her feel like a failure.

tbh I don't appreciate the comments thanks.

blackbird86 · 25-08-2017 08:39PM

I don't know your wife's reasons for not being able to breastfeed but on the off chance it's because she's been told she can't due to medication then this link might be helpful: http://ibconline.ca/maternal-medications/

If it's for other reasons then ignore. I just know that lots of people get told they shouldn't breastfeed due to medication when it's not actually true in most cases.

s7ryf3925pivug · 17-09-2019 08:56PM

SMA Advanced is a product that contains this which is now available here.

You can also just mix the powder with water from the tap instead of having to boil it first (the stage 2 and stage 3 one at least).

Became available during the summer so how much of a benefit it provides is a bit obscured, but my son has been sick only once since starting it, and he is shaking that dose off better than my wife is. Previously he was getti g sock the whole time, and getting chest infections instead of shaking off colds, for example.

Anyway aside from my anecdote, the evidence is that it offers immunity benefits over other formula feeds, so it makes sense to use it if you are using formula and especially if you have a kid with a compromised immune system.

s7ryf3925pivug · 17-09-2019 09:11PM

As regards milk from the milk bank, our baby was premature and spent two weeks in the NICU where he was given milk from the milk bank. I had to argue a bit to get it but they should be giving it to any baby before 35 weeks if they have it available. We had gone private.

There was the offer of an individual donor before they agreed. The consultant paediatrician recommended against this because of the risk of infection.

Another thing worth knowing about feeding babies is that iron deficiency is common with them. It is untrue that stage 1 formula is as good to use as others beyond 6 months because the later stage formula has more iron in it. Premature babies are more likely to be iron deficient because they do not start with the same store of iron in their bodies as full-term babies.

Milly33 · 19-09-2019 12:15PM

I was kinda like you at the start and wanted to know exactly what one was best and research and all that goes... Was going to go goats milk formula as well even from lets say knowing a farmer they were saying tis the closest thing they would feed the calf's and sure thats another story...Cost of this and supply really cut it out for us...

Anyway in the end, went for a bit of read the back of the pack and if you understand the most of it then it is good..

I dont like the Aptamil myself, might be just because it is the most advertised one (which to me means tis dodgey or someone is making more money off you someplace) we went with the old reliable SMA and found it great.. The only thing i did not like about it was when you went to the differant stages like 2 and 3, I think it was more stage 3 it tastes so sweet more like a milkshake, no wonder people have issues weaning kids off it.. Scrapped that one and just had stage 2 and then milk.. They so dont need it, tis like selling cats milk... Madness, plus for going away they have these great premade formula which takes the hassel of having to have boiled water etc or keeping the bottles hot or cold...

In saying all this herself was great and had no issues bar some spit up but that just takes time to get used to and it passes, like most things with the babies it seems like forever things go on for at the time but it is only a few days really...

Dont be too taken back with the breastfeeding too, I found it gas how it was all about breastfeeding when you are pregnant and you can tell the docs are more keen on it and then when you have the baby i found thats where it ended, it was like right your doing it thats great bye...

Best of luck with everything and i hope ye are enjoying the last few months

CheerLouth · 20-09-2019 09:28AM

Milly33 wrote: »

Dont be too taken back with the breastfeeding too, I found it gas how it was all about breastfeeding when you are pregnant and you can tell the docs are more keen on it and then when you have the baby i found thats where it ended, it was like right your doing it thats great bye...

This 100%. When you are pregnant, every medical professional is repeating "Breast is best", in reality, Fed is best.

If your wife does not want to/can't breastfeed, for whatever reason, if she is doing a birth preferences, I would encourage her to put it on there. I've done it on both my babies & it's worked perfectly & made for ease of communication with the staff.

20-09-2019 12:53PM

The golden rule....#1 feed the baby, whether that be breast or bottle. Everything else is secondary. Each baby is different, and until you meet that little person you wont know what works best. Dont be afraid to bottle, breast or combination feed. Dont be hard on yourself if one option doesn't work, there are many things to try.

lazygal · 20-09-2019 02:30PM

Fed is best is crap. Don't believe it for a minute.
It's also grossly offensive to imply the information provided on breastfeeding is compatible to nazism. Surprised that comment is allowed in the first place.
Breast is biological normal. Artifical substitutes are all broadly similar.

iamwhoiam · 20-09-2019 02:41PM

lazygal wrote: »

Fed is best is crap. Don't believe it for a minute.
It's also grossly offensive to imply the information provided on breastfeeding is compatible to nazism. Surprised that comment is allowed in the first place.
Breast is biological normal. Artifical substitutes are all broadly similar.

There are reasons why its not always an option to breasfeed a baby . Those mothers are well aware that artificial feed is not natural . But its the only option they have

lazygal · 20-09-2019 02:44PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

lazygal wrote: »

Fed is best is crap. Don't believe it for a minute.
It's also grossly offensive to imply the information provided on breastfeeding is compatible to nazism. Surprised that comment is allowed in the first place.
Breast is biological normal. Artifical substitutes are all broadly similar.

There are reasons why its not always an option to breasfeed a baby . Those mothers are well aware that artificial feed is not natural . But its the only option they have

That's fine.
Most people initiated breastfeeding and being peddled a line that fed is best is absolutely nonsensical. What babies and infants and everyone else is fed matters.

20-09-2019 03:07PM

lazygal wrote: »

That's fine.
Most people initiated breastfeeding and being peddled a line that fed is best is absolutely nonsensical. What babies and infants and everyone else is fed matters.

Yes it matters what people are fed and formula is a perfectly good alternative, so fed is best. Breastfeeding nazis do more harm than good, the pressure I have seen people feel under to breastfeed when it’s just not for them is just wrong.

Selecting a formula product

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