Breast is best, so we’re always told. As a man, I’m bound to agree, and would never turn down a breast if offered, but that’s enough about how I prefer my chicken, so on we go to the op.
Breast-feeding is best-feeding, and as a man who’s read up on the subject, I’d agree, but as a dad I didn’t want to see my daughters breast feeding after a few months. I certainly didn’t want to see teeth marks around Mel’s nipples either, so for this reason (and about a billion much better ones), we decided that we would bottle feed both kids from the age of a couple of months. Not only did this ensure that we could see what quantity of milk they were getting, it also allowed me to help out on midnight feeds. Great.
I’m writing this op on SMA Progress, which is a follow-on milk, designed to be used after an infant milk, suitable for babies aged six months and up, though our youngest went on SMA Progress (or Red-top SMA as we call it, primarily due to it’s erm, red top) slightly earlier than suggested. This was in agreement with the local health visitor, who you should contact before going against a manufacturer’s recommendation.
SMA Progress can be bought from most supermarkets and pharmacies, though it’s not uncommon to see it on sale anywhere and everywhere, though you will probably be unlikely to find smaller shops selling all formats, those being: 6 oz sachets of powder, 250ml and 500ml Ready-to-use handy cartons of liquid milk and 450g or 900g cans of powder. This opinion is about the 900g can.
The SMA website, SMANutrition.com describes the milk as such:
>Follow-on formulae are specially formulated for older babies. They contain higher levels of iron and key nutrients that are essential for the rapid growth and development your baby is going through at this time. Follow-on formulae are formulated to be used alongside a varied weaning diet.
Babies are born with a supply of iron. However by around 6 months this has been depleted and an adequate amount must be supplied in your baby's diet. Providing the recommended amount of iron is often difficult in babies that are being weaned, and this is why follow-on milks, which are high in iron, were introduced. <
So what is my opinion, which after all is why you’re reading here. Well, I think SMA Progress is great stuff. Our youngest, Aaliyah, is 7½ months old as I write this, and has always been a hungry baby. When she was first born and being breast-fed, she often used to wake up hungry, which meant that her poor mum had to get up to breast feed again. SMA gave me the opportunity to get involved, and though I’d be lying if I said that getting up in the middle of the night to feed a baby, or to have a screaming child thrust into your arms when you’re trying to watch TV isn’t a pain, I DO feel closer, and more of a part of Aaliyah’s upbringing because of the bond that feeding your baby brings.
We started using SMA Progress with Aaliyah when she was around five months old, after having checked with the local health visitor, of course. We were finding that no matter how much we fed her, she always seemed to be hungry, so by moving to SMA Progress, we found that we could give her a lower quantity of milk, and yet she would be more satisfied than before.
What else does it provide? Again, this is ripped from the manufacturer website:
>100% of the iron your toddler needs - essential for brain development and difficult to obtain from the diet alone All the essential recommended vitamins including antioxidants to help protect toddlers and improve their immune system More protein than infant formula - required for muscle development All the zinc your toddler needs to aid growth and boost their immune system Extra calcium, phosphorous and magnesium - essential for rapid, healthy bone and muscle growth A rich source of vitamin D - essential for strong, healthy bones Vitamin A - essential for your toddler's eye development<
You will generally pay around £6 per tin, and a quick look online tells me that Boots sell the SMA Progress 900g for £5.89. This price isn't great, but unfortunately is roughly what you will pay for any brand of follow-on milk.
Once made up, which is done by using 1 fl oz of water per scoop (which is provided) of SMA, and mixed together, you’re left with a creamy looking liquid, which smells of malt. Served either warm or cold, depending how your baby prefers it, or mixed in with cereal.
This stuff definitely gets the thumbs up from me. After a few ounces of this, we normally have a very content, if not sleeping baby, which in turn means a happy mummy and daddy, especially at 3am!
As the title suggests, by bottle feeding the baby, mummy can share the sleepless nights with daddy, so for Ma, get Sma!
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I've used this for all my kids from day one. It's mind boggling to think how many gallons of the stuff we must have been through : )
pixiedon 08.04.2003 21:44
My boyfriend's niece Libby started on real milk just before the recommended 12 months for the same reason. She LOVES milk so much, even at almost 2 yrs old.
royray 07.04.2003 17:42
excellent op,I can remember using this,take care,pat.
Advantages: Convenience initially for parents Disadvantages: Not sterile, can cause gastroentiritis, ear infections, respiratory problems, obesity, lower IQ, no immunity to other diseases, lack of hormones and growth factors. Time off work with sick baby.
juliepulie 07.03.2007 ·
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