Tom

If breastfeeding is not possible ... is there a "best" formula?

I saw there was a thread on homemade baby food so I'll assume homemade is best but I'd like to know opinions on formula available for purchase as well. Also, does "best" differ based on age?

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fallon

I think it does differ by age, at least in our situation logan's stomach problems lightened up with age. As far as the "best formula" every baby is different so there are a ton of different kinds out there to fit your babies needs. I've tried a few different ones trying to fit Logan, but ended up on a basic Similac Soy w/ DHA ARA and iron

tater03

I was not able to breast feed but I to had to use Similac Soy. I am not to sure which ones are the best. I think they all have to have the DHA in them now?

Kaytee

I would say that if all else fails and you have to use formula then, no there is no one best. You have to start with one and hope that it does not cause your child any probelms, if it does you move on to the next. Some people are lucky and their child never seem to have any problems from the formula, others try and try and try.

If your wife is still nursing some and having problems PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE call a lactation consultant. Even if she nurses once a day and gives formula every other feeding, once a day is so much better then never. You can always have her pm me. I probably cannot help her but I will be able to give her some support and places to call or websites to go to that will be able to breastfeed. Although some women cannot breastfeed at all, 98% of all women can with the right support and knowledge.

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Tom

Thanks for all the advice and yeah Kaytee I'll probably ask you a bit more over PM.

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fallon

good luck Tom

TAR

I know brestfeeding is best and important but now the formulas are being pushed to be comparable to brest milk (with added iron & DHA) I was not able to brestfeed my older daughter because I was given tons of meds & shots right after having her (I hemmoridged a lot after she was born) Then they took me to prep for a blood transfuion. Since all this happened so quick, they fed her formula and she did fine, I tryed switching her to the breast and she would not eat. So I stuck with the formula.. with my second daughter she wasn't breathing so they took her to the ICU and I had to go up to recovery (I had a c-section and wasn't doing good after) They started her on formula in the ICU but I breastfeed for a week after but she was unresponsive and not eating and she had to be hospitalized for jaundice and they feed her formula through a tube and when everything started going well I stuck with the formula... My LONG point is breat is best but there is nothing wrong with feeding your baby formula and whatever works for you is what you should do... And all formula is regulated to be the "best" it can...
Now we are planning to have another baby and I don't know if I should breast feed or formula feed becasue both my babies were formula feed and seem just fine... It's something we'll decide when it comes time to do so.

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Kaytee

I am glad your children are fine. I am not anti formula. I believe formula has a place. Ijust hate to see people go to it so easily. Not saying you did or that Tom's wife is for that matter. Just a general statement.
I do hope you try breastfeeding again with the next one. Just do your study get a lactation consultant to help you before the baby is even born. LLL has free ones so do most WIC clinics. You do not have to have WIC to use them.
And you are right most children will most likely do just fine a formula, but some don't do fine at all. What happens if you start your baby off on formula and they do not tolerate it well at all, you can keep switching to try to find one that works, but you can never go back. At least when you start with breast and it doesn't work you still have an option.

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jenilouise

I found a recipe once for homemade formula made with evaporated milk and Karo among other things. I made it for my niece and she seemed to dig it and she didn't spit it up. My little brothers used Carnation (mom b/f the older three, milk ducts got damaged, formula fed the younger three.)

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