Baby formula Question

[Butterfly]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at switching my son, who is 10 weeks old, over to formula. I'm currently using Lactogen for two feeds a day which he seems to like. I'm interested to know if anyone else has used the Lactogen formula with their kids and how you found it and, whether or not you would recommend it to others?

The reason for me asking this question as I've been told that I should be using one of the 'gold' formulas such as S26 Gold or Karicare Gold.

Thanks everyone.

[Barbara]

Hi Sharon
I used Lactogen for both of my boys and never had a problem with it. It has been around for years (my mother in-law used it with my husband!!) I found it to be the best one for two different reasons. My first son needed something heavier than some of the formulas designed to be more like breast milk. He thrived on the Lactogen. My second son went through every formula on the market because we had trouble settling him down and were told by the health sister to keep swapping his formula. It didn't help and we ended up again on Lactogen and never have a problem with it. Please bear in mind that my sons are now 10 & almost 8 so I have absolutely no idea what is currently on the market to compare it with. All I can say is that if your son likes it, has had no problems with it (can digest it without any problems), is gaining weight, is healthy - continue with it. It has been around for that long. If it wasn't any good, it wouldn't have lasted on the shelves for so long. At the end of the day though the decision is up to you. I hope that helps.

[MissieK]

I'm sorry I can't help, I have no idea about formula.

Have you asked your health nurse?

Though if you have one he likes, then stick with it.

Melissa

[mel35]

Hi Sharon :waves:

I used Lactogen with all 5 of my kids who are now 13, 11, 9, 6 and 4 and I never had a problem with it and they are all healthy kids. I first used it because it was the cheapest one available at the time and a few friends had reccomended it.

If you are happy with it I would continue to use it and wouldn't switch unless you find he is not putting on enough weight or having a bad reaction to it.

Good Luck
Mel

[alegna]

Sharon,

For what reasons have you been told to change to a GOLD formula??

I used S26 Gold with my son and found it to be good ... but have only heard good things about Lactogen so if you've not had any problems with it why change??

Changing formulas can cuz problems - belly upsets and constipation etc. So depending on the reason I wouldn't change if your son is happy on it.

I think it's each to their own with formula - each child is different and likes different formulas. My sister in law swears by Heinz and my son hated it!

Good Luck and let us know how things go!
Angela

[Butterfly]

Thanks for the words of advice.

The reasons I asked this question was because my Dr told me that Lactogen was not as good because it didn't have the little bit extra in it to help with brain development that the 'gold' formulas did. However, the nurse that we see at the same medical centre contradicted the Dr and said to me to "use what works", which is what I'm doing at this point.

I too was raised on Lactogen but that was almost 30 years ago, and I turned out ok :), but I wanted some reassurance that it was still good today as it's no longer made in Australia like it was for me and I'd also heard that its ingredients had changed a bit as well.

I've also noticed that since doing these extra feeds on top of the normal breastfeeds that he will use his bowels regularly most of the time and then go 2 or 3 days at the most without doing a poo. Is this normal for formula fed babies?

Thanks.

[MissieK]

I know that is normal for breastfed babies. My kids did that often. Not sure about formula fed babies, though. It could be the same.

Melissa

[Naomi]

Hugo was/is breast-fed and would regularly go 10 days or more without a bowel movement. It was gross when it did come though.

I think as long as he has a BM every 2-3 days and he isn't in pain/straining to go it's probably okay. If you are worried, maybe you can give him some extra water to see if that helps (I've also heard brown sugar in water or prune juice helps, but I would be a bit reluctant to give that to such a young baby).

I wouldn't be worried about the quality of Lactogen, they have standards for formulas regardless of where they are made so if it's for sale in Aust then it will be fine. If he's taking it without problems now I'd stick to it rather than changing around too much which can upset their bodies more.

[Leigh]

I have only use the s26 gold, so can't help you with the other. But agree, if it's working, changing could cause more problems.
All formulas are fairly similar these days, so if you have found one that works well for your baby, stick with it.

As for his bowels, if he isn't straining at all he should be fine.

[jelena]

Hi I personally use SMA for my daughter who is 11 weeks. I used this for my other two as well because it is slightly thicker than the others and a lot cheaper. My other two kids were reflux babies and the thicker formula did help to some degree. If your son is happy on Lactogen then stick with it as changing all the time can cause more problems. As to your other question about poo, a full bottle fed baby should have 1 or 2 dirty nappies a day at least, where as they say to just accept what ever you get from a full breast fed baby. You only really need to worry if what is being passed is dry and hard and can cause the baby distress in trying to pass it. If this happens, he is probably constipated, which can be solved by adding extrs water to his formula or with coloxyl drops added to his bottles.
Hope this helps

[Butterfly]

Thanks everyone your advice has been a great help.