Formula and breastmilk for 6 month olds

[RedPanda]

I'm not sure which section to put this in, so I'll pop it in bottlefeeding (mods, feel free to change!). I was thinking about how once DS is six months, I'll have to get different formula, and it made me wonder. Does breastmilk stay the same regardless of the baby's age? If not, how does that work for tandem feeders who feed babies of different ages?
I'll get the next stage up in formula when DS turns six months, but just curious about the difference between infant formula and 6months formula!

[MrsMiggins]

I know breast milk changes all throughout different stages of the bubs life, so it would probably be changing all the time, including around the 6m mark.

Just so you know, you may not have to change formula. I never did - my bub is still on S26 Gold - step 1. I'll keep giving her this until my CHN advises otherwise.

I believe there is a bit of debate over whether or not a change in formula is necessary at all. Maybe in some bubs it is, some it isn't. I'm not exactly sure.

[Milliner]

I think (don't quote me) the 6 months formula has more iron in it.

[Goosie22]

Hi,
I am pretty sure that the only difference is the name on the tin. The composition is the same with in the same brand. Some may have higher iron, but if your giving iron fortified cereal its not required.

[MrsMiggins]

There is a difference in the iron content, as bubs birth supplies of iron tend to dwindle after 6m, but depending on your formula & how bubs takes to solids, it may not make a great deal of difference.

Claire was not interested in anything but her bottle, so was not getting any additional iron from solids (refused rice cereal point-blank!) but as I was using S26 Gold, and this has the highest level of iron of any of the brands, my CHN said not to worry about changing.

Follow-on formulas are also often casein based. Casein is a larger protein molecule and it forms curds that are more slowly digested. It satisfies hungry babies and is therefore more economical.

S26 Progress is casein based, whereas Karicare Follow-on is not.

I would suggest checking with your CHN. Sometimes bubs can be upset by changing up to the follow-on formula (constipation, tummy upsets etc.) while others are fine & appreciate the extra bulk.

[RedPanda]

Thanks everyone! I'll speak to my CHN next month. I just want to avoid changing him unnecessarily. I've changed him once before and he got constipated and unhappy.:(

[Sarie]

It took us a few goes to get the boys onto the right formula, but once they were they were fine.
We put them onto the follow on formula at 6 months without a problem and then back to regular Karicare gold at around 10 months, with no hiccups. But the problems we had before we found the goat formula were awful.

[MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea]

Just to answer your question about breastmilk - it does change as the bub grows - with tandem feeding its the right composition for the youngest eg goes back to colostrum when they are born. By this time the first bub is usually over 1yr so they are getting other things they need from solids so they don't miss out on anything.
Mel

[Mrs Potts]

Hazel, with DS I was advised by nurses/GP that the follow on formulas weren't necessary. There is little difference between the levels.

Basically, I was told if we wanted to change that's fine, but it's not needed.

IMO, if your child is happy on their current formula, why risk upsetting the apple cart by changing things?

[mamachops]

I thought some 6 month onward formulas were cheaper, or have I remembered this wrong?

[~~backza~~]

For our last baby we are using SMA as its the same tin for up to 2years.

But our other kiddies were on HEINZ and we bought the follow on around the 6/7 mth mark.