UK mums-does Nutrimigen or similar have to be prescribed?

[Roseii]

I feel guilty even asking 

I don't want to give up bf, I have no intention of doing that, but I would like a bit of a break and to feel like DD2 is actually taking a good full feed rather than snacking from me.

I *think* she is dairy intolerant, she has improved greatly since I came off dairy a few weeks ago. So I can't give her normal formula but I haven't seen the hypoallergenice stuff in any shops 

[babybarr]

You can buy nutramigen but it's expensive.  You can get it on script though too.  It smells and tastes horrible though.

[Mashi]

Charli it's not in the shops, you would have to ask the chemist for it - and dep on the size of the chemist they may have to order it (ie large Boots would prob have it, your small local one wouldn't, kwim), but if ordered usually they have it in the next day.   It's about 14 quid for a half-tin (ie/ half the size of the normal sized boxes of regular formula). When my DS was 6-8 months old we went through a tin every 2.5 days.

[Roseii]

Thanks girls, I have a big Boots about 7 miles away, might check there. Wow Mashi that must have cost a lot!!

Although it doesn't sound too appetising

[*Liz*]

A lot of BF babes won't accept mixed feeding with a HAF Charli. Some will, but many won't.

Just to bear in mind. It really tastes foul.

[Mashi]

Wow Mashi that must have cost a lot!!

Oh no, we had it on script!!!!!  One time when we ran out I did have to pay for a can because I forgot to get organised and had to pay for it, hence knowing the cost. After that we made sure to always fill the script with the same chemist near our house and they were really good with advancing me a tin if I forgot my script - so could go in, they would give me a tin and when I brought my script in the next day would give me one less, iyswim.

With the taste, my DS was 5ish months when we started it and it took a few weeks of mixing it with his regular formula to get him to take it. Doing it that way, with the aim to go onto the Nutraigen full time is not so bad because once they are used to it, they don't know any different, as long as they were young enough to start with - the Nutraigen website even suggests starting before 6 months if they are going to be on it FT.  If you are using it sometimes and the other times BM, then it will prob be much harder to get LO to take it - Liz has experience with that I think!

[babybarr]

We ended up with it on script but it gave DS very bad diarrhea - although the paed told us it was unrelated - I know it was, but then again that same paed told me DS wasn't sick

[*Liz*]

Mashi is right - I couldn't get my 6 mth old to take it while I was still BFing - but I couldn't get him to take it after I stopped either. My paed said post 6 mths once they are on solids is hardest as they ate starting to develop more of a sense of taste.

FWIW Charli I solved a snacking issue with a nice big bottle of EBM at the first NWing. It was purely a volume issue - he wasn't taking enough before falling asleep on the breast as he was always OT from all his failed naps during the day. But I know expressing is a big commitment when you have a toddler as well. I really struggle with it  .

[Roseii]

Mashi that's good you had it on prescription! Sounds like you had a nice pharmacist too
I'm not feeling too much like it's a good idea now...
Liz I *wish* I could give her a good ebf bottle, it just takes me 3 days to get one decent bottle Maybe I should just start making more of a concerted effort...DD1 was so great at taking breast and formula from 5 months, I really wanted DD2 to be the same
Thanks for your help

[*Liz*]

Just get your HV to prescribe you one tin and see how it goes - but do it soon if you want too as the older they get the harder it gets  .

And if she does accept just give one bottle every day so that she remains happy with the taste.

Babies don't have the same sensitive taste buds we do (but BM tastes of sugar water and HAF is so unpleasant I can't think of an explanation - it makes me heave  )

[Roseii]

You're not selling it Liz
I didn't know my HV could prescribe it?? Going to see if I can get DD2 a Dr appt tomorrow as DH is off work and get him to tell Dr DD2 needs s'thing for reflux and that I'm not insane So might ask about the formula depending on how that goes

[*Liz*]

Sorry - I really shouldn't be so grumpy - there are babes that mix feed just fine.

And HAF definately has a major role in helping SO many babies. It is just a shame no-one has managed to make it taste better  .

[Mashi]

I didn't know my HV could prescribe it??

Prob depends on your region/pct/local authority rules -- mine was not able to prescribe formula. 

[*Liz*]

Mine couldn't - but she could make the GP do it - and she would get less resistance.

[Roseii]

Gp prescribed some today! It's on order fro
 The pharmacy, am considering doing one feed a day...but simultaneously feeling horrendously
Guilty Sorry for
Dodgy typing am on phone x