Did you use baby follow on milk?

Question

my baby has been formula fed from week 2 onwards, due to health complications that meant I couldnt BF, around 12 weeks I moved him onto hungrier baby, stage 2 formula (after speaking to my HV), now hes just over 6 months I am wondering if I should move him onto stage 3 follow on milk? Also he drinks juice from a sippy cup at meal times, what age do you give baby milk from a beaker with spout instead of a bottle? Just wondering what you did with your babies! Many Thanks

Answer 1

i moved my daughter onto stage 2 at 3mos also, the milk i used was aptamil, stage 2 was for hungrier babies and was suitable from birth. i started weaning at 4mos, so by 6 mos my daughter was having solids twice a day and snacks of soft fruits in between, however formula still made up the majority of her intake, so i started her on aptamil 3, follow on, at 6mos. she is 1 now and im in the process of withdrawing it completely, however im not in a rush to do so, she will drop it when she is ready but she takes considerably less than she used to.

Answer 2

Wow... That seems really early to be moving him to stage 2 and 3 milk. Most babies I have  seen stay on a bottle until around a year old and then move on to a sippy.  

Answer 3

Ok, first off the people telling you that stage 3 milk is only for over 12 months are wholly wrong. You have first milk, suitable from birth; then second milk, also suitable from birth for hungrier babies; then third stage, or follow on milk.

My eldest had 2nd milk at 9 weeks on the health visitors advice, and follow on from 6 months. At 52 weeks HV let me change him to cows milk (full fat). He is now 17 months, and still has a bottle for his milk, which he has at bed and naptime, though at nursery he drinks it from a cup. All his juice he has from a cup too. I will take his bottle at Christmas I think, when he'll be 21 months. Nice new sippy cup from Santa should do the trick ;)

My youngest was on first milk longer, he was bigger, but not as hungry lol. He's 18 weeks now, and been on second milk for a month. He'll be having follow on milk too, at 6 months.

Follow on milk is, in my opinion, vital from 6 months if not breastfeeding. When babies are born they have a "store" of iron, that is used up by about 6 months - follow on milk has extra iron, to allow for them not necessarily being fully weaned, and therefore ensures that they get enough iron.

If I were you, I would change him, whether he has a bottle or cup is up to you. Though, despite the 'advice' I don't see it being necessary. It's ok to let them breastfeed that long so why not have a bottle?

Answer 4

Stage 3 is only for toddlers over 12 months. The different stages aren't for 'hungrier' babies, they're because a baby's nutritional needs change over time.

My daughter is 18 months old and drinks water from a cup (with spout) and milk (stage 3 toddler formula) from a bottle.

Answer 5

Well first of all my son was on stage one sma white until just before his first birthday. He was one in july and i never put him on to the stage two follow on milks, just onto normal cows milk and he is fine with it. You say your baby is 6 months right, don't you think it is too early to have him on stage three formula milk, i though that was just for older toddlers???? (it may be early for stage 3, but then again it depends how much formula your baby needs, stage 3 formula will more than likely fill him up more and keep him content and not hungry longer)

Also, if you notice that your son is rejecting bottles and prefers his sippy cup to have milk in then yes you can give it to him, or if you think he is just ready to be weaned slowly off bottles then do it, it's really up to you and what you think your son needs. My son has been off bottles for about four months now, he only has one in a day and that is before bedtime as it is his comfort thing, and it settles him down to sleep.

Answer 6

Just go with what your baby seems to need. If he is happy on stage 2 then just leave him on it. I personally think he is a little young for stage 3 but if you think he needs it then do it. I wouldn't recomend putiing him on cows milk yet as there is loadsa complications cows milk can cause to a baby's stomach