Picking a Formula

you're probably going to get 5 million different responses, but we were advised to supplement with Similac Advance. We've never had a problem with it, she digested it really well. She's actually NEVER spit up (from breast or bottle) so I didn't want to even question switching.

Some friends of mine have used Carnation and seem to have liked it.

Hope this helps! :)

I didn't get enough breast milk and had to do half and half. I started using enfamil and my son reacted really bad. He threw up almost everything. I ended up switching to carnation good start and it was much easier for him to break down and digest. Hope this helps.

We use Enfamil Gentlease formula when I can't nurse my twins in public. We found it easier on their stomach then regular formulas. Mixing breastmilk & formula in the same bottle will also help your baby digest the formula better.

carnation makes a great formula. no issues at all. good start i think it is.. been awhile for me. :)

heres an idea. you can give her a bottle of your pumped milk. it will be healthier.

At the hospital they used Similac Advance. I used the powder form for both my boys and had no problems with digestion. :)

I am not sure why you want to introduce formula a bedtime. If the reason is that you are hoping she'll sleep better, check out this link about whether giving formula at night really helps babies sleep better: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-sleep.html

Also, there are a ton of good reasons for delaying the introduction of solids/formula until at least 6 months. Here is another link (to the same website) with more information:

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/index.html

I know I didn't answer your question; but, I thought it might be helpful to read some of this information (if you haven't already).

I breastfed too. Up until six months, she had straight breast milk, then my body stopped responding to the pump so I had to give her Carnation Good Start with DHA & ARA during the day and just nursed at night and first thing in the morning. Initially I'd add a spoonful (baby) of peaches or bananas to it and make like a milkshake because she wouldn't take it. But after about two weeks, she just took the formula straight. But if you're going to do half breast milk (which is already sweet), she'll probably be fine without the fruit. Good luck!

Hi Ahslee,

I had to supplement with formula because of PCOS causingme to not have a full milk supply. We used Good Start Supreme with DHA and ARA with no problems at all. He loved both breast and bottle so it wasn't an issue with us. Good luck and do what you think your child needs. Of course breast is best but formula is NOT evil as some would like you to believe.

If you're going to do Formula, Go Organic for sure! If your trying to get her to sleep longer, it didnt work for us. I did the same, half breast, half formula. No dice.
Good luck.

I have a 14 month daughter. I breast fed her for 6 months. My daughter had acid reflux, so we were very concered about which formula to give her. After trying several formulas and after a few very stressful days, the formula that least upset her stomach was Nestle Good Start. It seemed to produce the least amount of froth or bubbles and it was the only formula she could keep down. I began adding small amounts of formula to my breast milk and within a few weeks I was able to get her completely on formula. Even now, I give her Good Start 2 instead of cows milk because she seems to have a very sensitive stomach. Hope this helps.

It really depends on how sensitive your baby's digestive system is. Is she prone to colic? I personally don't think any of them taste particularly like breastmilk, but if she isn't real collicky just pick something within your budget. Most of the generic brands have the exact same ingredients as the name brands and they are a whole lot cheaper.

I encounter this question often in my practice. Of course breast milk is best and by exclusively feeding breast milk through at least the first 6 months of age you reduce the incidence of allergies, asthma, and other chronic conditions. The length of time that a baby is breast fed is also directly related to a decrease chance of contracting meningitis. Solely breast feeding strongly boosts your baby's immune system as you can see.

However, if formula is necessary there is an amazing homemade formula you can find the recipe for in the book "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon & Mary Enig. It is by far the most balanced, healthy formula I have encountered in my practice. I have several families in my practice making it, and though it might seem overwhelming at first, people report that it takes just about 20 minutes every other day to make 2 days worth of formula.

After that, the next best would be a whole milk organic formula, if your baby can digest it.

The only other thing I'd like to mention is to never use soy formula. Soy formula in infants has been connected to thyroid disease as well as interfering with the metabolism of calcium. Actually we are one of the only western countries that still allows soy formula on the grocer's shelf.

Good luck & I hope this helps some. If you have any questions about what I have said feel free to contact me ###-###-#### or ____@____.com). Hope you're well.

J. Stevens, L.Ac.
www.yourwholefamilywellness.com

Hi Ashlee,

I like the Similac Advance with Dha and Ara. Alot of babies like that one and it doesn't smell so bad as some of the other formulas. Good luck!

Molly

Have you ever tasted your breast milk? Mine was delicious! It reminded me of almond
milk with some honey! Maybe you could taste it and try to add gentle, natural flavors
to copy it. But breast milk is still the best.

I used Nestle Good start when I needed to suppliment. The liquid pre-made bottles were the only ones she would take without a hassle though.

After doing a taste test myself, I found Earth's Best Organic to taste (and smell) the best and have the least icky aftertaste. Standard commercial brands did not come close. Horizon Oranganic is also good.

I heard that you shouldn't really mix breastmilk & formula in the same bottle. The tastes and textures might not mix well. I know plenty of moms though who alternated between breastmilk & formula to feed their baby.
I started using Carnation Good Start Supreme w/ DHA & ARA when I was ready to wean my babies and they had no problems with the transition. I also used the Avent bottles which were reccommended to me as the most comfortable for babies who are used to breastfeeding.
Good Luck! :-)

I have had the most luck with Similic Advance when switching from breastmilk. The Nestle Good Start (or Healthy Start)? Green/white/gold can was recommended by my doctor as being one of the best formulas as proven by studies. But it was a really bad one to transition with. It does not seem to be sweet at all. I ran out of it at one point and gave my son the Similac provided by the hospital when I had checked out and he gulped down the whole bottle. I was amazed! I thought the problem had been transitioning from the breast, but turns out it was that formula.

I supplemented with Similac and it went pretty well in the beginning, but nothing is as sweet as breastmilk to a baby, and all formulas are thicker so she might not like it. In a couple months, you can start giving rice cereal at bedtime and that'll help her sleep. I would just stick it out and wait till then as to not confuse your child.

They all taste pretty nasty, unfortunately. ;) I'd recommend starting with one that is gentle on baby's tummy, like Nutramigen, until you know for sure that she doesn't have a milk allergy. But I wouldn't start until she's closer to a year old. Then you could switch to Good Start, and eventually to cow's milk if you choose. When my son was a baby, I just pumped and gave him straight breast milk in a bottle.

I don't know about the taste, but they all smell like cauliflower feet. My sisters both bottle fed their babies. My baby is still breastfed (he's 11 months), but if he's especially hungry and I'm not around he is supplemented with plain water and snacks/lunch. He does get the Good Start in his cereals if I'm not around. I have never tried to taste them but the smell is repulsive. I can't bring myself to try it. By the way, he eats it just fine so it may not matter. It may just be what works for your budget and your baby's tummy. Oh, and check with your pediatrician about the 1/2 bottle and 1/2 breastmilk thing. I remember our pediatrician saying to never mix breastmilk and formula together because it is hard on their tummies and something else. I didn't really pay much attention because it wasn't something I was doing or planning on doing. Good luck.

Carnation good start is awesome! I had no issues getting them to take breast milk and the formula.

Hi Ashlee.

I didn't make enough milk to solely breastfeed so I did both: breastfeeding and supplementing with formula. I tried various kinds but my daughter did best with Enfamil Lipil or Enfamil Gentlease. They are more expensive than some but they were the best for her digestion and she spit up a lot less. As far as the taste, I'm not sure how much it tastes like breastmilk but my daughter didn't have a hard time taking either one. Good luck. ~R.

goodstart supreme is gentle on their tummies.

I suggest calling your pediatrician and asking this question. Because I have an issue with sufficient milk production, I breast feed my baby and then follow up with a bottle of formula to make sure he gets enough. My son's pedi recommended Emfamil Lipil,

Just curious...you didn't mention why you want to add half formula at bedtime? I know that some people are not getting good advice about nursing. I know you have another child & you've been through this already, but every child is different. Just wondering if your ped. or another mom suggested it for possibly sleeping longer or if you thought your milk supply was low. You can go to http://www.llli.org/ and find a number of a local La Leche League Leader to get some information about nursing & adding formula & how that can affect your nursing.

Best wishes in getting accomplished what you are seeking.