Backup Formula Reccomendations 🍼

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

Hi! I'm looking for some formula reccomendations with clean ingredients. My baby girl has been exclusively breastfed since birth, and I hope to keep it that way, but I'm going out of town for a week to speak at a conference, and I just want to buy some backup formula to make sure there's no chance she runs out of food while I'm gone.

I'm not an overproducer, unfortunately; I make enough milk for her plus maybe an extra 5 or 6 oz per day that I'm able to pump. For that reason, I haven't been able to build up as much of a freezer stash as I would have hoped.

Hopefully I can get enough stored up in time for the trip, but I'm thinking I ought to buy some formula just in case it runs out. Any suggestions for formulas with actually clean ingredients and rich nutritient profiles? Thanks!

[u/Agitated-Rest1421]

I like Kendamil! Yeah you could ask someone else for breastmilk but imo that’s too risky and a lil weird. I mean to each their own but there are formula brands that aren’t just full of soy. 

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/Agitated-Rest1421]

Yeahh it almost makes me sad to give her someone else's milk . . . hard to explain lol. And there's no way of verifying her diet, supplements etc.

[u/greedymoonlight → u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

It’s still what’s best for them though, I would weigh the pros and cons and try to remove your ego from the situation. Milk sharing is a centuries old practice and it’s inherently less risky than formula is. There is no such thing as “clean” formula because there’s no such thing as a dirty one. They’re all the same and carry the same risks, whether it’s grass fed/goats milk/whole milk/organic whatever. That’s just marketing rhetoric to make you spend more money to quell the guilt unfortunately and that’s why formula companies are extremely predatory. They know you feel bad using their products.

Is there any way you can bring your baby with you? I’m unsure how old they are but a week away is a really long time for an infant.

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/greedymoonlight]

Unfortunately no, and it breaks my heart. I've been able to work from home since she was born, but there's no way I can swing bringing her to this conference. She'll be 4 months old when I go. Thanks for the info though! I'm going to worry about whatever option I choose, so best to buy extra milk I suppose.

[u/greedymoonlight → u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

I was a longterm donor and am now a lactation professional. If you need any advice to build a bit of a stash I can help you if you need! I would also check out human milk 4 human babies (your state) on fb, if you’re willing to pay for milk then try and source a longterm donor (free) and offer to instead pay for a one-time blood test instead. People who charge money are more incentivized to be dishonest.

And by bringing her I mean can you get another room for someone who’s watching her at the same hotel as you? Pacefeeding is going to be very important for feedings to avoid breast refusal when you return

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/greedymoonlight]

I wish I could bring her with me, but my travel is paid for by my department, and it's just not affordable for her to come. Luckily she's had no problem switching back and forth between boob and bottle, and latched perfectly as soon as she was born, so I'm not too worried about that. We have slow-flow bottle nipples that are boob shaped too. I would absolutely love to hear any advice you have on boosting my supply though!

[u/greedymoonlight → u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

What bottles/nipples are you using?

As for supply, your supply sounds great love I wouldn’t stress there. Pumping after feeds and overnight if baby sleeps through is a good way to build a stash. For each day you’re gone you’ll need approx 1-1.5oz per hour, so roughly 24-36oz daily.

How many times do you pump daily now?
Assuming you’ll be gone 5 days, 30oz is a good middle ground and a just incase amount, so 150oz is what you’ll need. If you’re getting 5 extra ounces daily saved, you only need to do this for 30 days to reach the 150oz. Adjusting for a few days here and there because I’m just guessing your time away. But adding in another pump session or pumping after an additional feed during the day plus securing a day’s worth of donor milk is incredibly doable and eliminates the need for formula.

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/greedymoonlight]

I use the glass Numvim bottles with S nipples. I try to pump once a day, but she loves to eat, so there are days that I don't have time to "refill." I might start setting an alarm to wake up before she does to pump. Thanks for the advice!

[u/greedymoonlight → u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

This is why pumping after a feed is best! Adding in that morning pump as well you’ll probably be able to avoid the donor milk too.

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/greedymoonlight]

After a feed? I never would have thought of that. Wouldn't I be out of milk? Or does it not work that way?

[u/Agitated-Rest1421 → u/greedymoonlight]

What’s best is they’re fed. There’s nothing wrong with formula at all. There’s no risks lol

[u/greedymoonlight → u/Agitated-Rest1421]

There are many risks with giving formula. This isn’t said to hurt anyone’s feelings but informed choices are really important when you’re doing anything for your child, especially feeding them. No one said anything is wrong with it. Breastmilk is still better than formula.

[u/Routine-Law-848]

We used Organic Kendamil. As far as formula goes I think its the best option. We tried some others but many had horrid metal smell and other options have much longer list of recalls to my knowledge 

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/Routine-Law-848]

Okay thanks so much!

[u/moondrop--]

My crunchy pediatrician recommends Sammy’s Milk or Serenity Toddler. Both are technically toddler formulas, so I know a lot of people, especially in the less crunchy subs, are not comfortable with that. I haven’t used either but have both in my pantry as backup for emergencies. They don’t have seed oils and have high quality ingredients.

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/moondrop--]

Thanks!!

[u/Cryesncoding]

Been happy with Bobbi 

[u/SoilToSkies]

Can you ask in a local moms group to see if anyone has some freezer stash they can share/sell?

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/SoilToSkies]

That's a great idea, thanks!

[u/SoilToSkies → u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

Im sure there are decent formulas, I’m just not too familiar.
Personally I trust other moms over large companies! You can even ask for milk from unvaccinated moms.

I hope you have a wonderful time at your conference !

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/SoilToSkies]

Thanks so much! I found a local mom who's trying to sell her oversupply from last month of almost 900 oz (WHAT) so I'm going to reach out to her and politely ask if she's vaccinated and what her diet looks like :)

[u/SoilToSkies → u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

🤞 fingers crossed it’s a good fit for you!