Hey everyone who's made it to my page!
I'm here to share my genuine review of the PreNAN formula for babies. Let me get straight to the point - I'm not here to tell you to use this (or any other) formula without consulting your pediatrician first.
If you've read my previous reviews, you know our little one arrived a bit early - 33 weeks, weighing 2240 grams, and measuring 47 cm.
After the NICU and newborn unit (a huge thank you to the doctors at Filatov Hospital - I'll write a separate review), we got discharged and took our baby home. Our neonatologist recommended a few formula brands, including NAN, which is what they used in the hospital. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, but glad they did!
All the babies in the NICU were fed NAN formula, but different lines.
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Breastfeeding didn't work out
Unfortunately, breastfeeding didn't quite go as planned for me. I wanted it to work, but things didn't quite fall into place, and we eventually switched to formula. There were valid reasons for it, and I'm not beating myself up over it.
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Now, let's talk about the formula that's been our baby's main source of nutrition.
The PreNAN formula from Nestle is designed for preterm and low-birth-weight babies. It comes in 400g bottles, and I paid around 1300 rubles per bottle.
PreNAN Formula for Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Babies
The bottle is designed with two layers of protection: a plastic cap and a metal seal inside to prevent moisture and other contaminants.
PreNAN Formula for Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Babies
PreNAN Formula for Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Babies We stored the opened package for up to three weeks, which worked out perfectly for us since the containers lasted for three to four days.
Manufacturers often specify storage times for infant formula due to the presence of vitamins and other nutrients, as well as the risk of product dehydration.
PreNAN Formula for Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Babies The container comes with a measuring spoon for mixing the formula. One spoonful equals 30 milliliters of water.
We gradually increased the serving size
At the hospital, we started with small servings, and it makes sense – newborns have a hard time adjusting to solid foods and are still developing their reflexes, including sucking. We gradually increased the serving size, starting with 20 milliliters when I was feeding the baby myself, and then moved on to 40-45 milliliters. By the time we were discharged, the neonatologist even gave us recommendations for feeding.
Nutrition Mix for Premature and Underweight Babies PreNAN I have to say upfront, but this is my personal opinion, and it might be different from yours or your pediatrician's – so, please follow your heart and your child's doctor's advice, not some generic rules. If you're dealing with a preemie, it's better to consult a specialist and get personalized guidance, rather than relying on general advice from a clinic that might not have experienced staff.
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Underweight Babies
As it turns out, the serving size guidelines on the packaging aren't exactly tailored to our needs. Even now, at 10 months, my daughter can't finish more than 160ml of the mix in one sitting. When she was 4 months old, our serving size was a mere 90ml, and by 6 months, we'd gradually increased it to 125ml. If your baby wants more, don't force it – this is my rule of thumb, and our neonatologist gave us the green light (but, as always, it's a case-by-case thing).
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A Little Tip for making the perfect serving size: how to scoop out the right amount of mix without spilling any?
Here's what works for me: scoop out the mix with the spoon and run it along the inside of the rim – voilà! The excess mix is left behind, and you're left with the perfect serving size.
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Instructions for Preparing the Mix
It's all pretty standard:
Wash your hands
Wash and prepare the bottle
Use water around 45°C, and make sure to cool it down to 37-38°C before feeding (that's the perfect temperature for your little one).
To check if the water or mix is too hot, try this: just drop a tiny bit on your wrist – if it feels hot, it's too hot for your baby, so give it a few more minutes to cool down.
I've got a thermometer that's been a lifesaver in these situations, but I still like to double-check the temperature with the wrist test, just for good measure.
PreNAN Formula for Low-Birth-Weight and Premature Babies
Colic Finally Caught Up With Us
After being discharged from the hospital about a week and a half later, the inevitable colic symptoms arrived. This could have been due in part to the fact that we were still doing a mixed feeding routine at the time.
Weight and Height Progress on PreNAN Formula
Now, I'll tell you about how we gained weight from birth to the point where we switched to PreNAN formula.
Rodden at 2240 grams, 47 cm tall
1 month: 2670 / 48
2 month: 4001 / 53
3 month: 5250 / 57
4.5 months: 6250 / 60
5 months: 6800 / 62
6 months: 7300 / 63
From then on, I won't go into further detail about our weight gain and growth, as our baby had switched to another formula in the same line - NAN Triple Comfort.
NAN Triple Comfort
How Long to Feed Your Baby PreNAN Formula
We were on PreNAN formula from birth to 4.5 months, then switched to another. All transitions and how to switch to another formula were done after consulting with our pediatrician, a neonatologist from the Cathamnes department. So, personally, I didn't do anything to extend or shorten the time we spent on PreNAN, as the instructions indicated that we should continue feeding until the baby reaches a body weight of 4 kg. In our local clinic, they advised us to stop using PreNAN by the end of the second month. Ultimately, it's up to you, your trusted doctor, and your child's health to decide.
Weight Gain Slowed Down
I was lucky enough to experience the first six months of my daughter's life with a mix of formula and additional weight gain of about a kilogram per month. After switching to a different formula, the weight gain wasn't as dramatic, and we were seeing around 350-600 grams per month. At first, I was worried that the new formula wasn't the right one, but as a first-time mom, I learned later that it's normal for babies to slow down their weight gain after three to four months. Even now, at a year old, our little one has months where they only gain 100 grams. It's all part of their growth and development, and it's not just about the formula.
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Where to find it cheaper?
Initially, we bought the formula at Detsky Mir. The price was around 1300-1400 rubles for a 400-gram bottle, which would last us three to four days. Considering my daughter wasn't gaining weight as much after six months, we needed around 10 bottles per month.
After we left the hospital and started attending our pediatrician's appointments, my husband suggested checking out Avito for deals on baby essentials, including formula. We found closed, new bottles with great expiration dates for significantly cheaper – between 600 to 900 rubles. This greatly reduced our expenses on baby food.
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+ Gains weight
+ Eats well
+ Easy to mix
+ No lumps
+ Easy to find in stores
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- Thick consistency, not all nipples work well
- We experienced some constipation (but it's common in premature babies too)
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Conclusion:
I'd definitely recommend this formula. Whether or not to start with it is up to the mom, after consulting with a specialist (or a few).
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If you're interested, I also share my thoughts on:
Diapers and underwear:
Nappy club (could have been better)
The Worst Diapers Ever (how to put them on without losing your mind)
Nishoomi
Lovular (thin, comfortable, and great, but sometimes they drive me crazy)
Joonies (the diaper leaks, and it's not just a problem with the diaper, it's a problem with you and me...)
I've had my fair share of diaper disasters with Fruitonya and Semper