There are so many baby formulas out there. I’m pregnant with my firstborn. How do you choose a formula or does the hospital do it for you? Also, I see that there are tons of generic formulas, such as Walmart Brand or CVS Brand, do you think those are really the same?
When we were in the hospital and made the choice to formula feed our son the nurse went through the different brands with us and suggested some of the generic brands that were best. I’d just talk to your doctor and see what he suggests! They’ll know all about the different brands supplied in your area!
How to pick what baby formula to use?
This entry was posted in baby formula. Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
11 Comments
Choose the cheapest or the one that least outrages the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Generic is fine. Avoid DHA; it hasn’t been adequately tested, and some testing has shown negative outcomes.
The hospital will offer you whatever formula comes from the company that has paid them the most money to use it.
Why on earth would you plan to use that stuff, though?
References :
When we were in the hospital and made the choice to formula feed our son the nurse went through the different brands with us and suggested some of the generic brands that were best. I’d just talk to your doctor and see what he suggests! They’ll know all about the different brands supplied in your area!
References :
Congratulations on your new baby….I chose Nestlee Good Start…it had all the nutrients and it was easy on baby….If you choose to formula feed the hospital will probably give you similac…if your baby likes it then stick with it…it’s not good to change formulas once baby has already taken to one kind…I’m not sure about the generic brands…I would stick with the more popular brands that have been studied … most of those brands are very similar to breast milk excluding some nutrients…good luck!!
References :
Hospitals don’t ‘pick’ the formula – they use a standard one, which is typically Similac (as was my experience).
Similac is quite expensive and we ended up switching to Parent’s Choice, which if you look at the labels, have the exact same ingredients. When our daughter became a little cholicy, we switched to the Parent’s Choice gentle brand. Again, the exact same ingredients as the more expensive brands – and literally $10 cheaper. Remember in most cases, you’re paying for the name.
Sometimes, however, it’s trial and error. My sister-in-law’s baby could only take Similac for some reason…
Try the Store brands when you get home from the hospital & if your baby has no reaction, then you know. Good luck & congrats on your pregnancy…what an exciting adventure you’re about to embark upon!!
References :
My hospital gave Enfamil as their formula so that is what I started to use. I switched to my grocery store brand shortly after because it has the exact same ingredients in the same quantities as Enfamil and is $12-$14 cheaper. My OBGYN actually told me that as long as the baby doesn’t have any digestive problems, you can switch to whatever formula is on sale. I never did that but she said she did it with all of her kids. If you aren’t comfortable using store brands, sign up at the formula websites and they will send you coupons for the different brands.
http://1sttimeparents-whatdowedonow.blogspot.com
References :
The regular enfamil is great for most babies. Yes, you can use the generic. One of my friends used the parent’s choice brand. If your baby seems to have trouble digesting it, start trying others – not too quickly – ask your dr. I breastfed for the 1st 2mo. When I began switching to formula, my son was having trouble with the regular enfamil, so WIC suggested I try enfamil gentlease – worked great. Switched to milk when he turned 1.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions.
References :
well i started with similac cus that was what the hospital gave us, but then i noticed my son kept having bad diaper rashes, a friend said that the formula may cause that so i switch to the walmart brand and his butt cleared up so i actually think walmart brand is better than similac, least it was for my son… only problem is we now HAVE to go to walmart for formula even though we have other stores closer so we try to make sure we always have a full can on reserve
References :
Depending on the hospital they usually choose the milk for you (usually similac advance) if there are any complications such as gas or bowel problem with the milk (you will usually notice it a few weeks) talk to the pediatrician and they will tell you what to try use until you find a milk that works well with the baby.
Now for instance if Similac Advance is working for your baby you can try generic brands such as parent choice they are exactly the same just different prices. My fiance works in pharmaceuticals and he makes brand named and generic drugs, he told me its a way for the companies to make money for the stupid and the smart…the stupid thinking only brand name means quality and the smart people who read labels and can tell they are the exact same product made out of the same production facilities only with different labels….I was stupid and then became smart with fatter pockets.
References :
i first tried the enfamil but it was to strong for my baby so i tried the similac and she’s taking it but its a bit pricey, my friend tried the parents choice formula with her daughter and when she carried her back to the doc she was told that her daughter wasn’t gaining enough weight but thats just one child it dont have to be the same wit yours
References :
It really depends on the baby, my first one had acid reflux and my second one was allergic to everything so I’d wait till your baby gets here to see.
References :
Usually the Pedirtician will recommend a formula. I’d stay away from generic store brands as the quality isn’t always the best.
References :