European mommies, have you used Holle formula??

My son is 7wks old. I started out nursing but am no longer producing milk, not sure why. I have done everything from taking supplements to drinking tea and making lactation cookies. I pumped every 3hrs with nursing and it just seemed to disappear after a month. I am working with a LC to get my supply back. However in the mean time he must eat so unfortunately I have to have him on formula and I am not a fan of American formulas. I am not saying those who formula feed are bad but it is my choice. I dont' like the ingredients at ALL and the cost is just absurd!

I found an organic formula out of Europe called "Holle." I found it via a breastfeeding forum where mothers who have to supplement with formula recommended it due to it being all natural and closest to breast milk. The problem however is it is NOT available in the US. It use to be available on Amazon but is no longer there. I did find a company that sells it and ships to the US. It is cheaper even with $45 dollars in shipping than the formula here and it's got better ingredients. They also sell the cereals or porridge as they call it over there. I have not found one negative thing about this formula. I found nothing but high ratings on it and many moms who are American said their child stopped having all the issues with American formula when they switched to this.

My little guy has been switched 4 times already and has gas and reflux issues. They have him on some kind of drops for the reflux/gas and next they said they would put him on Zantax which I am not thrilled with. He is a baby and babies shouldn't be on those kinds of meds. If babies have such hard times with formulas in this country then WHY do they make the stuff the way they do?! I can't think of one of my friends whose little ones didnt have a hard time with formula. Every one of them had to be switched multiple times and many were on various meds to help with the side effects from the formula. I just think it's wrong. A baby shouldn't have to go through that! I feel horrible that i can't provide for my son. I cried when I had to give him formula. It was the one thing I thought I could control.

So if you live in Europe and have used this formula what are your thoughts on it? It seems to be the best for supplementing while breastfeeding. I found this stuff via a forum that is for breastfeeding and supplementing. I couldnt find one negative thing about it. We are going to order it and see but I just have a feeling it will be much better than what we have here as options since the ingredients are not the same. I know when I was a baby my mom said I had an extremely hard time with formula and ended up in the hospital as a result. I worry about my little guy and him having a bad reaction to this stuff. I mean how many times are they going to switch him. His poor tummy. The stuff he is on now is ok but he poops while eating and already has a small rash starting as a result. He has only been on this stuff two days. it stinks like rotten eggs no joke. He spits up less frequently from it but when he does it's projectile and he cries. He doesn't seem to get any relief. He did not have any of these issues while nursing.

Any mommies use this stuff and what are your thoughts on it? I have also found recipes to make breastmilk well close to breastmilk using goats milk. I also looked into milk banks but so far no luck in FL. I am still waiting for a reply from a few other places I emailed to see if they will ship to Florida.

Thanks!

Being a fella I have no idea so I will star and flag you in hope that it will help you get attention to your thread.
Congrats on the wee man btw.

I never used formula, but like boymonkey I am replying, more than anything, to give you a bump to get you noticed, however, I am a little concerned that you may not be getting the best advice...although you might be, you don't give a lot away. So please don't be offended by my sticking my hoar in if it isn't wanted, I am only trying to help.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, that it is fairly normal for the milk flow to peter off after a couple of months, give or take, due to your body adjusting to your baby's habits. Your breasts may feel less full, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you are producing no milk at all, it just may not seem like much. If you are producing none at all though, ask your doctor to check your thyroid levels if they haven't already done so.

I am sure that your midwife/health visitor, or whatever you have in the US, has told you this, but do keep giving your baby the nipple regularly, even if they are not getting anything, every hour and half or so is what I was recommended. If there is no physical problem, this will help stimulate production eventually. Whilst he is feeding, massage your breast towards the nipple to ensure that the breast is emptied, and then switch to the other one. This ensures that they get a balance of fore and hind milk. As I said, even if you are supplementing with formula, keep going through the motions, it will help eventually, plus, as I am sure you already know, it is great bonding time.

As I said, I am not sure exactly what you mean by losing milk supply, whether you mean entirely or just low supply, but the rule of thumb should be that as long as he is gaining weight, he is getting what he needs and there is no need to use formula. It may seem as though he isn't getting a lot, but it can be deceptive especially after you're used to leaking everywhere at the first sign of him crying

What is his feeding and sleeping pattern?

Sorry again, if this is all useless and not what you needed to know, but I just wanted to say it just in case...on the off chance, and if it is useless, at least your thread got a bump. I went through a dry period myself, and worried myself sick, but patience and perseverance paid off in the end so don't lose heart. I fed my boy until he was 14 months, and despite the odd bout of mastitis and a few hit the ceiling bites when he was cutting his first teeth, it still makes me well up with tears just writing about it because it was so difficult to let that precious bond go. You will get through this.

Best of luck and don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help at all, and hopefully someone will be along soon to answer your question regarding the formula.

I didn't use the formula, I nursed both of them. I wanted to respond to say that you shouldn't feel bad, you obviously
care deeply. Everyone is different, mamas and babies, so do what you feel is good and right for your son. Kudos for finding an alternative to locally available formula, my nephew also had many reflux issues and had to take Zantac eventually. I agree that little ones shouldn't be medicated like that if there is an alternative. He honestly never even showed much improvement after he started the meds. The problem didn't go away until he was on solids.

I wish you and the lil one much luck and even more sleep!