Aptimil Baby Formula Milk

At six weeks my son started to increase the volume of his milk feeds until he was regularly taking eight ounce feeds (240mls) every couple of hours. The problem with this is that it was making him a very sicky baby as his tummy was finding it difficult to cope with the sheer amount of fluid going into his system. When I tried to decrease the amount of milk he took by simply denying him milk and trying to distract him with water, dummies or mummy's ...
...red in the face and I was stressed beyond belief.

I spoke to my trusty Bounty friends who informed me that when this sort of thing happened you get three choices - persevere with the distraction method, wean your child early or put them onto a hungry baby milk.

I had ascertained that the distraction method was only going to drive me insane, and baulked at the thought of weaning my wee baby boy before he had reached twelve ... more

At six weeks my son started to increase the volume of his milk feeds until he was regularly taking eight ounce feeds (240mls) every couple of hours. The problem with this is that it was making him a very sicky baby as his tummy was finding it difficult to cope with the sheer amount of fluid going into his system. When I tried to decrease the amount of milk he took by simply denying him milk and trying to distract him with water, dummies or mummy's funny faces, he did nothing but scream until he was red in the face and I was stressed beyond belief.

I spoke to my trusty Bounty friends who informed me that when this sort of thing happened you get three choices - persevere with the distraction method, wean your child early or put them onto a hungry baby milk.

I had ascertained that the distraction method was only going to drive me insane, and baulked at the thought of weaning my wee baby boy before he had reached twelve weeks at the very earliest, so it seemed that this 'hungry baby milk' was my only option.

Alas! The formula that I had my son on (Cow & Gate Omneo Comfort - see review) did not do the hungry version, so it was back to the Bounty girls to find out which formula they suggested. My thread received well over thirty replies and the overall favourite was Milupa's Aptamil Extra. When I asked why they used this brand most women said that their child was a changed baby since they had put them onto this formula, some stating that their little ones were now sleeping at night or had had no more iffy tummies since changing over to Aptamil. The one answer that got me really excited, and which most other mothers acknowledged was the case when they switched over, was that Aptamil gave their little one more regular, softer bowel movements and that a constipated baby on Aptamil milk was a very rare thing indeed.

-- SO WHAT IS HUNGRY BABY MILK? --

There are three main types of baby milk - first milk, hungry baby milk and follow on milk. There are other kinds, like soy-based milks, but they are not relevant to this review. Both first milk and hungry baby milk can be given to a baby from birth, although you are advised that breast is best for baby and that formula should only be used on the advice of an independent doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietician or pharmacist.

Formula milk is usually based on cow's milk, modified in the factory to make it more suitable for a new baby's digestion. The protein in hungry baby milks is casein-based, as opposed to the more usual whey-based protein in first formulas. Casein protein molecules are larger than whey molecules and form curds in the baby's stomach, which leads to them being satisfied with less milk or gives them a feeling of fullness for longer. Please be aware that this extended digestion time can lead to some digestive discomfort or even constipation.

I have found that whilst doing some research that you are not recommended to give your baby casein-based formulas before six to eight weeks in age because it is harder to digest and can therefore put baby's renal system under pressure (which can lead to dehydration), but whether you do use it before this age or not is up to you as it says on the packaging that it is suitable from birth. Speak to your midwife or health visitor if you have any concerns.

-- PACKAGING AND PRICE --

Milupa make the three main types of milk - Aptamil First for use from birth, Aptamil Forward for use from six months onwards and Aptamil Extra for hungrier babies, which is the one that I am reviewing.

Aptamil Extra is the one that comes in the purple tub or carton (First is blue, Forward is green), and it retails at about seven pounds for a 900g tub, or about fifty pence for a 200ml carton of readymade milk. As with most 900g tubs, you get a scoop which can be kept safe in the specially designed 'holder' on the lid and there is a built in leveller in one corner to ensure you are not over filling your bottles with formula.

-- WHAT'S IN IT? --

Prebiotics. These do a similar job to those yoghurt drinks we see advertised on the television, feeding the good bacteria in the gut and helping to support baby's natural defences. Breastmilk contains prebiotics, as do bananas and onions amongst many things. Having a good level of 'friendly' bacteria in the gut helps prevent potentially harmful bacteria attaching to the gut's lining, reduces the availability of nutrients for the harmful bacteria, bring the PH level in the gut down and improves mucous production from cells lining the gut… all of which gives ongoing support to the immune system.

Nucleotides. Naturally occurring in breastmilk, they seem to enhance the immune system, maintain the balance of cholesterol, improve iron absorption, assist in LCP use in the body, help maintain a healthy beneficial bacteria population, and improve digestion.

LCPs (AA & DHA). These are long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and are a recent addition to formula milk. These are essential for good vision and brain development. LCPs are particularly beneficial in the first three months of life, after this the digestive system can manufacture its own. Don't be alarmed when you read that this milk contains fish as this is to provide the LCPs.

Beta-carotene & selenium. Again these are naturally occurring in breastmilk. They help maintain a healthy immune system, can be converted to vitamin A, neutralise harmful free radicals and help prevent cell damage.

You are also advised on the packaging that the formula is enriched with iron, is gluten free, has a low sodium content and is Halal approved. It does contain milk, fish and soya.

-- MY THOUGHTS ON THIS PRODUCT --

My son has been using this formula for three months now and I have to admit to being one of those women who now recommends this milk to others whenever I see any threads similar to that one I posted on Bounty all those weeks ago.

Although it is about a pound more expensive than most formula, I do not mind paying it as my boy is now one of those 'changed' babies since going onto Aptamil Extra. From the very first feed he was a happier baby, immediately going for four hours between feeds instead of two and even sleeping for four hours (five hours between feed) the first night I gave it to him! He never suffered any of the constipation which can quite often occur when you change formulas, especially when you change them onto a casein-based hungry baby milk. He stopped suffering colic-like symptoms and brought his wind up fine.

It does smell pretty awful in the tin and my goodness does it give your little one rank-smelling poopy nappies, which is due to the prebiotics, LCPs, nucleotides and antioxidants apparently making the formula 'closer to breastmilk' and therefore making baby's poops more like a breastfed baby's (soft and sweet smelling). Oliver certainly hasn't suffered from any lasting constipation and his poops are definitely softer, more yellow (like a breastfed baby's) and a queer mixture of sweet-smelling and poopy-smelling… the worst of breastfed poops and formula fed poops combined, I think!

Their sick does get a bit lumpier due to the casein plumping up in their tummy, so don't panic too much about the change in sick consistency unless the are constantly bringing feeds back and they show other signs of illness.

It is readily available in Boots and all the top supermarkets and has an unopened shelf life of a year and a half. You are advised not to keep an opened pack longer than four weeks, which is more than long enough for it to be used up in my opinion.

The packaging has lots of relevant, useful information on how to store the formula, how to prepare it, and how to use the scoop and leveller. The nutritional information and ingredients are very in-depth and you even get a warning on the side of the packaging about the possible change in baby's poop consistency.

I am so glad I found this formula that I am always going on about it to other mums, I am sure they find me incredibly boring sometimes, but I love it so much that I want to spread the word. Definitely a huge five stars out of five from me.

-- A FINAL NOTE --

I personally made my own decision not to breastfeed when I was ill after giving birth. I am more than a little bit sick and tired of constantly having the breast is best slogan shoved down my throat every time I mention formula feeding, as if I hadn't already beat myself up enough for not breastfeeding, and as such I would prefer no one leaves any comments on this review saying anything along these lines. I do admire all the women who do manage to breastfeed, but think that sometimes some of them don't realise how hurtful innocent comments can be. Thanks for your consideration.
 

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