so tell me about formula's that you use and why....

So basically when wormette arrives in the next few days we have chosen to FF her from birth.....

*this isnt negotiable just incase anyone wanted to try and change my mind :)*

so im cutrrently looking at formula's and trying to work out which one would be a good one to start with, realising its going to depend on what ends up suiting her when she is here!!

a friend has recommended the Heinze Nurture one, another friend has recommended Karicare because of the wide range of options they have (thanks tegam!) which i admit i like the sound of.

im slightly( ok hugely! :lol:) confused about why some are say Karicare Gold for newborns and not just the usual Karicare one...

so any tips would be good, recommendations too.

many thanks in advance!

Gold formulas have more iron added than the normal ones which can give constipation we changed to Heinz from karicare gold because it was cheaper I know not really a good reason to change but DS was getting too constipated I would definitely recommend not using the gold one

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Gold formulas have more iron added than the normal ones which can give constipation we changed to Heinz from karicare gold because it was cheaper I know not really a good reason to change but DS was getting too constipated I would definitely recommend not using the gold one

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oh wow thanks i had no idea!!!
yeah id rather not deal with constipation!!

if the hospital put her on say karicare, when we are going home and DH runs into the chemist can we just swap her to a different brand?

or is there a way of doing it?

I thought the gold ones had extra omega 3"s and such added to them?

I've formula fed 3 kids now, and all of them have been on different ones - different digestive systems so they all work in different ways.

DS was happy on S26 Gold. No constipation issues.

DD1 was constipated on every formula bar goats milk formula.

DD2 vomited on most formulas, but vomited the least amount on Heinz nurture.

So it definitely depends on your baby.

We've only Heinz Nurture in the past for our babies. I haven't used the newborn one, but have used the 6 months +. I have heard from others that babies get less constipation on Heinz than others. I'm not sure how you go about changing formula. But maybe take in whatever one you want to use, and make sure that's the one bub is given.

DS never had an issue with changing but some babies have a reaction I would say I think if u want to use a certain one u have to take it with u to the hospital I reckon I would rather do that anyway my hospital u had to provide formula if u want to use it from the start

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DS never had an issue with changing but some babies have a reaction I would say I think if u want to use a certain one u have to take it with u to the hospital I reckon I would rather do that anyway my hospital u had to provide formula if u want to use it from the start

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I took formula to the hospital when I had DD1 because I knew I was going to formula feed her from the start. The hospital had no issue with it.

As for changing formulas, I've just changed over to another one, and given the new formula a try for a week or something (so usually the tin) to see how it goes with them.

our hospital supply everything we need and when i asked about the types of formula they use the middie said to me unless i plan on using something weird and wacky they have them all in stock....

im being induced tomorrow at some point so ill ask them when we are getting going and then if need be DH can pop up to the chemist thats 2 seconds away....

im leaning towards heinze now seems to have a good wrap from everyone, and i can always swap her over if it doesnt suit her.

I used nan pro gold with DD and she got really bad constipation so I agree don't go with gold formulas. She was good on Heinz nurture and its cheap too. Good luck with your FF journey x

I used Karicare Soy with P as she is lactose intollerant and the dairy forumlas gave her horrible pain...I had heard bad things about S26 Soy and LF formula and sure enough, when we tried them, they made her really constipated.

The gold ones were no good for us, we ended up on karicare goats and that worked well.
I think, at the end of the day, nutritionally, they are all much of a muchness (excepting the really cheap ones) and it will boil down to what suits your bubs best.
Good luck

thank you everyone for ur tips and experiences.....

will just play it by ear and see how she goes!

We have problems with the karicare and constipation in this house but S26 lactose free is fine (no dairy)

I used what the hospital was using, which was NAN HA Gold - DD had no issues with it & was bf & ff at the start then we switched her to ff full time.

I have used S26 (not gold) with my DS and now my DD. They both don't have any problems with this formula. Both healthy happy children! :)

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NAN HA Gold - DD had no issues with it & was bf & ff at the start then we switched her to ff full time.

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This is the exact same as us - NAN HA Gold, bf & ff, then went to ff full time, no constipation or any issues at all. Did try the S26 once, that stuff is PONG-EEEE! Smelt like off potatoes! Nan worked for us.

Best wishes for tomorrow! EXCITING!! xx

OMG Crumpet, you're nearly there! How exciting hun :)

Another one here who is a fan of Heinz Nurture. (not the Gold one) DS has had the least wind pain etc on this one.

My paed said that the "gold" varieties are basically a marketing thing and are a total waste of money. The usual varieties have all the nutrients that a bub needs. Often the Gold ones market themselves as having omega 3 DHA and probiotics etc. but if you look at the ingredients listings on the normal ones many of them have omega 3 & 6 DHA etc. anyway.

It really does depend on what suits your baby.

My dr told me once that you pay for what you get, but what you get might not necessarily be necessary IYKWIM. The Gold's have added stuff but apparently the regular are adequate and far more gentler on bubs tummy. Apparently there is no need to more up stages either. She also said the really really cheap formulas should be avoided though as well. There is a lot of awful marketing these days that go into baby and toddler formulas making us feel like our children NEED all this stuff when really they don't.

Like everyone said, it depends on the individual bub. I think a babies output is the best indication that the formula is working for them. Personally I thought S26 stunk and tasted foul, stools were always far to solid and green (meaning to much iron and nutrients). Karicare was much better stool wise, was mustardy colour and smooth consistency just like bf poop.

It can take up 2 weeks for a change in formula brand to see any proper difference. Try to remember that babies are also going to cry, get wind and pains as their digestive system copes with now being used, so if bubs is upset and you decide to switch formulas it can be a slow process to work it out, and even sometimes probably a coincidence.

For DD1 we used Karicare from about 4 months but only once a day till about 7 when she got gastro and lactose intolerance, started on a karicare lactose free, and ended up on s26 soy. DD2 is still exclusive bf and has only had 3 bottles of formula but they again have to be lactose free.

with both kids the hospitals stocked S26 gold

I hadn't planned to FF either but they both required it in hopsital

Jack we just swapped out to S26 at 5 days old

Luke went onto S26 same with EBM till 6 weeks unfortuantly he had issues with this so we are now on S26 gold ...I chose S26 as well basically its been around for ever you can find it everywhere where as some of the other not every store sells if that makes sense

best of luck with it all

DS1 had Karicare AR/HA (reflux and sensitive stomach)

DS2 had Heinz Nuture - never had a problem with it.