hi
I'm a little confused I still have about 13 weeks before my baby arrives and i have every intention of trying breastfeeding first but if that fails i'm lost!
what brands of formula are there? i've only heard of 2 types s26 (in several forms eg. gold) and karicare,
and do they have trials as i really don't want to have to buy full containers to try if my bub isn't going to like them or they don't agree with his belly
anything to make this a little less confusing would be great smile

If you want to breastfeed then don't worry about formula, you can pick some up fairly easily should you need it. With the right information and support you shouldn't though smile

hi i have researched this myself coz i have chosen to formula feed. here is some info smile





Bellamy’s Organic Formula: is a wholesome foundation made with certified organic milk, oils, carbohydrates and proteins, together with all the essential vitamins, minerals and iron needed for a healthy baby. Easy to digest, our formulas meet all the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) requirements for infant nutrition with the added benefits of being certified organic.

Basic Nutritional Information for infant Step 1 formula (per 100ml made up formula) - Energy: 286kj, Protein: 1.7g, Carbohydrates: 7.2g, Fat: 3.7g, Calcium: 48mg, Iron: 0.96mg.

Basic Ingredients - Organic demineralised whey powered, organic vegetable oils, organic milk soilds, organic lactose, whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, taurine, l-cystine.

Range -

From Birth: Infant Formula

From 6 Months: Follow-On Formula

From 12 Months: Toddler Milk

Price - $24.00 - 900g tin.




Karicare Infant Formula: is a whey-based infant formula specially designed for bottle fed infants from birth or when changing from breastfeeding. Karicare Infant formula can be used as an initial formula for healthy babies.

Karicare Immunocare® Gold+ Toddler from birth is a unique formulation, nutritionally complete and designed to meet the needs of bottle fed infants. The exclusive formulation in Karicare Immunocare® Gold+ nutritionally supports your baby's immune and digestive systems. A well supported immune system helps babies thrive. It also contains fish oil which may assist your baby's eye, brain and nerve development.

Basic Nutritional Information for infant formula (per 100ml made up formula) - Not Available Online.

Basic Ingredients - Milk solids (Demineralised whey, Skim milk, Whey, Lactose), Vegetables oils (contains Soy oil), Maltodextrin, Emulsifier (Soy lecithin), Acidity regulator (Calcium hydroxide/Sodium hydroxide), Taurine, Choline chloride, Inositol.

Range -

From Birth: Karicare Infant Formula and Karicare Immunocare Gold + Infant Formula.

From 6 Months: Karicare Follow-On Formula and Karicare Immunocare Gold + Follow-On Formula.

From 12 Months: Karicare Toddler Nutritional Suppliment and Karicare Immunocare Gold + Toddler Nutritional Suppliment.

From 2 Years Old: Karicare Immunocare Gold + Junior From 2 Years Nutritional Suppliment.

Specialty Range: Karicare Goat Starter Formula, Karicare Goat Follow-On Formula, Karicare Soy Infant Formula, Karicare AR Thickened Starter Formula, Karicare De-Lact and Karicare HA Gold + Infant Formula.

What is the difference between Karicare Formula and Karicare Immunocare Gold Plus Formula? - Karicare Immunocare Gold Plus is designed to nutritionally supports your baby's immune and digestive systems and also contains Omega 3.

Price - $ 21.95 - 900g tin.




S26 range:
Nutritional needs change as they grow. Therefore you need to ensure baby receives the appropriate nourishment that will help through this significant stage of development. S-26 Gold Newborn with Alpha Pro is a premium infant formula specially designed to meet these needs of babies from birth to at least six months of age. It contains complete nutrition to provide a strong start for formula fed babies. Basic Nutritional Information for S26 Gold Newborn (100ml prepared formula) - Energy: 281kj, Protein: 1.4g, Carbohydrates: 7.3g, Fat: 3.6g, Calcium: 49mg, Iron: 0.8mg.

Basic Ingredients - Not Available Online

Range -

From Birth: S-26 Gold Newborn, S-26 Original Newborn and SMA

From 6 Months: S-26 Gold Progress and S-26 Original Progress.

From 12 Months: S-26 Gold Toddler

Specialty Range - S-26 AR, S-26 Lactose Free, S-26 Soy and S-26 Premgro.

What is the difference between the Gold and the original?

The difference between S-26 Gold and S-26 Original - S26 Gold has Omega-3, Alpha Pro and Lutein.

Price - $22.00 900g Tin



NAN H.A.(nestle): 1 Gold with Bifidus BL is a premium 100% whey starter infant formula which is nutritionally complete and specially formulated for healthy infants from birth. It is made from partially hydrolysed whey protein for easy digestion. Also contains Bifidus BL, a beneficial probiotic bacteria. Can help support your baby’s natural intestinal flora, immune and digestive systems. It also contains fish oil to help support optimal brain and visual development.

Basic Nutritional Information for Nan H.A. Gold Infant Formula - Energy: 281kj, Protein: 1.3g, Carbohydrates: 7.9g, Fat: 3.4g, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 0.7mg.

Basic Ingredients - Lactose (milk), vegetable oils, enzymatically hydrolysed whey protein (milk), minerals (magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, ferrous sulphate, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, potassium iodide, sodium selenate), omega LCPUFAs [DHA from fish oil, AA], L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, L-histidine, choline bitartrate.

Range -

From Birth: Nan H.A 1 Gold, Nan Pro 1 Gold and Lactogen

From 6 Months: Nan H.A 2 Gold and Nan Pro 2 Gold.

From 12 Months: Nan H.A 3 Toddler and Nan Pro 3 Toddler.

What is the difference between H.A and Pro?

The difference between Nan H.A and Nan Pro - Nan H.A is Hyper Allegenic for babies at risk of allergies.

Price - $24.00 900g Tin.



Heinz Nurture formula range: has been improved to help your baby settle after feeding.

Basic Nutritional Information for Heinz Nurture Starter Infant Formula - Energy: 282kj, Protein: 1.5g, Carbohydrates: 7.1g, Fat: 3.7g, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 0.9mg.

Basic Ingredients - Not Available Online

Range -

From Birth : Heinz Nurture Starter and Heinz Nurture Gold Starter.

From 6 Months: Heinz Nurture Follow On and Heinz Nurture Gold Follow On.

From 12 Months: Heinz Nurture Toddler Milk Drink and Heinz Nurture Gold Toddler Milk Drink.

The difference between Heinz Nurture and Heinz Nurture Gold - Heinz Nurture Gold contains Alpha-lac, Prebiotics, Probiotics (Bifidus) and Omega LCP’s

Price - $ 900g tin



Novalac: is a range of special infant formulas designed to feed and manage the common infant feeding problems of colic, constipation, diarrhoea and reflux in bottle fed infants. There is also a Novalac formula for infants who wake constantly due to hunger and for those at risk of allergy. Some Novalac formulas are not for general use and you should consult a general practitioner, child health care nurse or pharmacist for advice.

Range -

Specialty Range: Novalac Colic, Novalac Diarrhoea, Novalac Reflux, Novalac Constipation, Novalac Sweet Dreams and Novalac Hypoallergenic.

Price - Varies depending on range.

Thank you sooo much Mirabi the information is fantastic exactly what I have been looking for.
You have made it much less confusing for me I tried to look for this sort of info myself but had no idea where to start now I know the diff brands and there contents thanks so much again grin

no worries at all, glad to help. smile

My baby is 2 months old, I use NAN HA Gold, started using it the day she was born... no problem at all... midwives and pediatrician recommended it.

hi i have researched this myself coz i have chosen to formula feed. here is some info <span class="emoticon smile">smile</span>


Basic Ingredients - Organic demineralised whey powered, organic vegetable oils, organic milk soilds, organic lactose, whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, taurine, l-cystine. ...................

Basic Ingredients - Milk solids (Demineralised whey, Skim milk, Whey, Lactose), Vegetables oils (contains Soy oil), Maltodextrin, Emulsifier (Soy lecithin), Acidity regulator (Calcium hydroxide/Sodium hydroxide), Taurine, Choline chloride, Inositol. ..............

Basic Ingredients - Lactose (milk), vegetable oils, enzymatically hydrolysed whey protein (milk), minerals (magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, ferrous sulphate, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, potassium iodide, sodium selenate), omega LCPUFAs [DHA from fish oil, AA], L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, L-histidine, choline bitartrate.

<span class="emoticon blink">blink</span> Umm, but do you know what those ingredients actually are?
Sodium hydroxide - commonly known as lye is a caustic chemical found in many cleaners.
phenylalanine - Is a neurotoxin.
And that's just two obvious ones, those alone are enough to put me off.
As for all the ones that don't publish ingredients online, perhaps it's because many of the common ingredients found in them don't sound very appetizing.

More reading here

With S26 Gold, you can buy a box of sachets to try (from the supermarket). It's cheaper than buying a can so if it's no good (eg. bubs refuses to drink, gets hives, gets runny stools etc) you don't waste it all. I didn't see other brands with the sachets though sad

I started with Karicare because lots of people recommended it and it's NZ made!! It was the only NZ made one when I was looking, not sure these days BUT my wee girl got terrible constipation with this (I've since found out this happens for lots of bubs on Karicare but not all of course). She now has Nuture which I have used for 1.5 years and am completely happy with it!! I've had 2 midwife's and a nurse all tell me not to bother paying extra for the 'gold' brands for any types because more than anything it's just a marketing ploy.. Hope that helps, it's a scary choice to make.. Also just so you know the hospital will provide formula for the first week or two if you end up needing it, best of luck to you with breastfeeding

<span class="emoticon blink">blink</span> Umm, but do you know what those ingredients actually are?
Sodium hydroxide - commonly known as lye is a caustic chemical found in many cleaners.
phenylalanine - Is a neurotoxin.
And that's just two obvious ones, those alone are enough to put me off.
As for all the ones that don't publish ingredients online, perhaps it's because many of the common ingredients found in them don't sound very appetizing.

More reading here

ummmmm.....
never said i knew what the ingredients were, i wrote that i have done some research myself, and that was the info that i found (copy and paste) from the website that i found! geez. i never gave information saying it was safe or not safe for that matter, i just simply posted that i found some info for her to read (which is what she wanted -some info)
ummmmm....!!!!

ummmmm.....
never said i knew what the ingredients were, i wrote that i have done some research myself

Which implied to me that some research was actually done. Reproducing a list of chemicals and additives is not research.

If formula is so dangerous then maybe that is an even better reason to look into it before you have a bub even if it is very unlikely you are going to have to use it??? Obviously you have done so if you know so much??? I haven't used formula and didn't think to research it before having a baby but you definitely wouldn't have time to look into it properly after you had the baby??? Perhaps some unnecesarily antagonistic comments that could have been made in a more productive fashion???

NOt wanting to join the debate but i agree with Ruby, Do not buy formula if you want to breast feed, I have fed three now but with my first two one for a year the other 4 months and my last 15months but if i had a can of formula in the house in the first few weeks i would have used it,

I suggest instead of looking at formula start researching breast feeding, because it doesn't come naturally at first and at first it does hurt and you have pain and hormones all over the place,

it takes 6 weeks to establish breast feeding and thats with a baby who perfectly latches on, yes you will have people saying its easy and others hard, i am telling you don't have bottles or formula if you want to give breast feeding your best shot for your baby.

google some breast feeding videos on youtube there are heaps,

also to the person who has chosen to bottle feed, how about giving it a go and seeing if it comes easy for you?

NOt wanting to join the debate but i agree with Ruby, Do not buy formula if you want to breast feed, I have fed three now but with my first two one for a year the other 4 months and my last 15months but if i had a can of formula in the house in the first few weeks i would have used it,

I suggest instead of looking at formula start researching breast feeding, because it doesn't come naturally at first and at first it does hurt and you have pain and hormones all over the place,

it takes 6 weeks to establish breast feeding and thats with a baby who perfectly latches on, yes you will have people saying its easy and others hard, i am telling you don't have bottles or formula if you want to give breast feeding your best shot for your baby.

google some breast feeding videos on youtube there are heaps,

also to the person who has chosen to bottle feed, how about giving it a go and seeing if it comes easy for you?

I totally agree with what you say sub. I don't want to start a debate either, just had to say something in defense of this lady who says she is keen to bf but wants to research formula just in case and she is shot down so rudely. How are such comments going to make a new mum feel positive about breastfeeding. As you say, bf can be hard so you don't need people pressuring you; you need positive and reassuring support.

I totally agree with what you say sub. I don't want to start a debate either, just had to say something in defense of this lady who says she is keen to bf but wants to research formula just in case and she is shot down so rudely. How are such comments going to make a new mum feel positive about breastfeeding. As you say, bf can be hard so you don't need people pressuring you; you need positive and reassuring support.

I agree. FACT: No everyone breastfeeds - for so many reasons!

I fully intended to breastfeed. We didn't even look at or buy any bottles or anything, (only the breastpump and the containers had lids with teats on).
But about a month before I had DS I started to wonder, what are the options of formula. In NZ, the antenatal classes are not allowed to discuss FF with you or give you any advice (although some of them do). Everyone told us the expensive ones were the best - DS ended up on the cheapest in our local supermarket, Nuture. Purely cos it was the only 1 available in sachets when we did need it. We never had any problem with it, but did need to put DS onto the Nuture thicker formula as he had reflux. Both doctor and plunket nurses were very supportive of this brand.

All the best to you, I hope you enjoy BF as it is really special. If you do FF, make sure you are the one giving your LO the bottle to hold onto that bonding time.

Opps! Double post!

Which implied to me that some research was actually done. Reproducing a list of chemicals and additives is not research.

well i am sorry that you feel the need to go and correct me, when the person who posted the question, was simply asking for some advice, which i then gave her "a list of chemicals and additivites" as you say. after i posted those "list of chemiclas and additivites", it is then the lady who wrote the question, weather or not to take the info or not. i was simply suppliying her with info on what was in different brands of formula, so she can decided for herself......if you read her comment after mine, she seemed pretty grateful for that
thankyou.....that will be all smile

I thought about getting formula 'just in case' but I am glad I didn't. Establishing breast feeding is bloody hard and if I had had an alternative I would have been tempted to use it. But I didn't and I sucessfully breast feed for 12 months.

My sister in law was exhausted with her second so her mum offered to watch her DD at 6 weeks while she slept. She woke to find her Mum giving her a bottle of formula because she found it in the kitchen. The baby refused the breast from then on and my sister in law didn't not forgive her mother for years.

Breast feeding is really hard, and you can get formula and bottles from any supermarket at any time if you really need it, but why buy something you might not need?

I really appreciate everyone's replies, i've looked at all the links so far you guys have posted, i have looked into breatfeeding first(which is what i want, luckily i've just noticed pre-milk yesterday i was wondering when it was gunna start, i'm 27 weeks now) and only asked about formula as it runs in my family that we can breatfeed but we just do not have quality milk and have had to substitute, not that i know i will be the same as the other women in my family i simply just wanted to know the options available to me smile

I really appreciate everyone's replies, i've looked at all the links so far you guys have posted, i have looked into breatfeeding first(which is what i want, luckily i've just noticed pre-milk yesterday i was wondering when it was gunna start, i'm 27 weeks now) and only asked about formula as it runs in my family that we can breatfeed but we just do not have quality milk and have had to substitute, not that i know i will be the same as the other women in my family i simply just wanted to know the options available to me smile

Not sure if anyone has suggested it but the ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association). They have a facebook and website and 1800 number. Might be good to speak to them before bubs arrives. They will be able to help you with any concerns you have regarding supply, quality etc.

Best tips I can give you to help you succeed in breastfeeding is to eat really well, drink lots and lots of water and demand feed. Let bub feed as often and for as long as he/she likes.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth and hopefully you won't have to worry about formula. smile

Hey sorry to bring this topic back to life but i just felt the need to add that breast feeding isn't necessarily hard. Some people do have trouble but a lot dont! For me it came quite naturally and although i had sore nipples for the first week or two while my body adjusted to it all, my breastfeeding experience has been a very pleasant one.

Sorry i know this doesn't answer your original question but i just wanted to balance the opinions out because i dont think it should be assumed that breastfeeding is hard for everyone and will be a difficult thing to do and i didn't want you getting a negative idea about breastfeeding based on some of the posts here.

I do however think (and i think this is the point most PP were trying to make) is that if you find it a little tricky to begin with dont feel alone and know that lots of other mums go through the same thing and manage to get through it and successfully breastfeed their babies.

Its great that you are seeking out info so you are prepared for all possibilities. I think the reason for my positive experience with breastfeeding was from research and the breastfeeding class i did through the hospital where i learnt some very little tips that made the world of difference.

All the best with the rest of your pregnancy and good luck with your bub xx

Just do whatever you find works best for you and your baby - you are the parent and should feel comfortable with the decisons you make - you just need to keep your baby happy not everyone else.

glad that you are happy, and going to give breastfeeding a go. good luck and all the best smile

hi i have researched this myself coz i have chosen to formula feed. here is some info smile

Thank you. I for one found this information very useful. As someone who has made a decision based on what will be best for my baby to formula feed, it was really good to get a starting point.

I have a mental illness that requires me to take medication that, while not so bad in-utero, can really screw with baby in my breastmilk.

I decided I would rather be a functioning mother than a milk tanker bordering on being committed to the psych ward.

I still have a long way to go till baby is here, BUT, since I have to go with something not natural, I want as much time as possible to think about it.

To those of you that can breastfeed without a moment's thought...lucky you.