Advice on Formula - Jacksonville,FL

I have used the enfamil lipil with iron for both my daughters and have had no problems with them. I hate similac, because it constipated them both and they didn't like the taste. It is also very thick and doesn't mix well. I currently had to switch my almost 6 month old to Good start which i am not crazy about, but that is what wic provides. She seems to like it but her bowel movements have been different since. If i had a choice of formula i would go back to the enfamil. The parents choice brand from walmart is very similar to the enfamil if you are looking to save some money. If you like the brand you are using now stick with it. Thats my opinion at least. Good luck.

My son is now three, so of course I don;t use formula anymore. But when I did I used the "Sams" brand..I think it is called Makers Mark. I loved it! My older son who is now going to be 10 in a week, I used Simulic and he spit up all the time. And that is supposed to be one of the better formulas. When I used the Sams brand he rarely spit up...maybe 3 times in the year that I used it. If you look on the back and read the ingredients it is just like the Enfamil, so check the ingredients on the back and compare...You will be saving a ton of money if you use this and it is just the same. My three year old is very healthy... Hope that helped and good luck with whatever you choose.

Why would you switch?

Oooo.... Don't do it! Don't switch it up on your baby! If your baby is doing well on enfamil, stick to it. Babies have underdeveloped and therefore very fickle digestive tracts and switching the formula often can mess their tummies up causing gas, spit up or incorrect absorption of nutrients. Your ped I'd right about them all being close to the same but close is not exact and the smallest difference in formula can make a BIG difference for baby.
I'd advise against it

Sorry if this has been said, but I don't know if you should be changing formula. If one is giving problems, that is fine. But if that isn't the case, I wonder if it is best to continue with the same one.

I do understand the coupon thing though. We used Good Start. Got 50¢ coupons from them and much better for the other two brands. But I stuck with the same one as I didn't want to risk upsetting his stomach by changing.

You know the saying" If it aint broke, dont fix it"?? The same applies here. If your baby is doing fine on a formula, ont swith it. Babies bellies are little and have a hard time digesting things as it is. Many babies cant tolerate certain forumlas, and parents end up going back and forth on formulas.........

B.,
I dont have any advice as far as formula goes b/c I breastfeed. But my best friend uses formula & you can use those Similac & Good Start checks/coupons even when you are buying Enfamil. The cashiers NEVER check. Now if you are talking about actual coupons that is different. But if it's checks you have, try that. I know she hasnt ever had a problem at Walmart & Target.
H.

It probably does depend on the child like a lot of moms said. After the first few months of formula (months 4-6, approx), I switched all the time depending on coupons, even using generic brands. I was still breastfeeding too, sometimes pumping for a bottle.

Hi, B.. In general, you should not switch formulas at all unless your baby has a problem with the formula you are using.

Is there a specific health reason why you are using Enfamil Premium Lipil? Something like milk allergy, etc.? If so, then definitely do not switch formulas, especially without talking to your pediatrician.

Some babies can be very fussy. If they get used to a certain formula, they will not eat a new one unless they are starving. They all have a somewhat different taste, and the baby will know the difference. It's not worth the tantrum at feeding time unless there is a very good reason to switch. Trust me. I've been there.

There is another issue, too. Quite often, switching formulas can cause colic, quite serious colic. The different formulas have different levels of proteins, fats,and vitamins. If baby's stomach and intestines are used to one kind of formula and you suddenly give him something radically different, it can take time for his system to adjust.

If you really have your heart set on switching formulas, you could try mixing the old one with the new one, half and half, and seeing how baby reacts to this. If he's OK, Then put more of the new formula in, and if this works, try him on the new one alone.

You can also try going to the Enfamil website and seeing if they can give you coupons, too. The formula you are already using sounds really good, but I realize that saving money on everything is important.

I found that getting the formula in powder and then mixing it with sterile water saved me some money (and some muscle strain from carrying cans of formula). It's kind of a pain because the powder takes time to mix up, but it's one way to cut down on expenses.

Peace,
Syl

I get $5 and $3 coupons alot for Enfamil by signing up on their website. Its free and I have save about $100 so far. Also, look online for coupons. I chose to keep with Enfamil for kid#2 as it smells the least when spit upped.

You can switch, but I wouldn't do it often, or just because you have a coupon for a particular brand. While all formulas are *basically* the same, your baby can still taste & tell the difference, and may prefer one over another. Honestly, I would pick one formula brand & stick with it throughout, unless it's causing an issue for your child. And when you do switch, do it gradually...mix half & half for awhile & slowly switch to the new brand. Formula is very expensive, so it's tempting to jump for a coupon, but you can always sign up for coupons to be sent to you from a particular brand, or swap coupons with a friend.

Switching brands of formula can cause stomache upset and change their stools. It's okay if you are making a long term change from one to another, it's okay in a pinch if you have to use another brand. If you switch up on a regular basis be prepared for a cranky baby because of stomache and digestive pain/discomfort/problems.

unless your child does not do well with the current formula, you should not switch the formula brand. it could cause major problems, digestive, refusal to drink the new formula, diahrea etc.
that said, see if you can find a mom who has coupons for the formula you're using. also pediatricians office should be able to give you samples and coupons.

We asked our pediatrician the same thing when we had to stop nursing my daughter. His response was that he preferred Similac/Enfamil but really couldn't comment on generic brands (e.g. Costco/Sams Club brands).

The BIG manufacturers, Similac/Nestle/Enfamil all have clinical studies to back up their products. The generic companies do not. Though the ingredients are the same, they may not be in the same proportions.

We started our daughter, at three months, on Similac/Enfamil (whatever we had coupons for) and moved her to the Kirkland brand over time as it was SO much less expensive. She's always been in the 90%+ and is doing great at almost 2 years.

Good luck. I think the best formula is the one your child is willing to take without giving them too many stomach problems.

I think it depends on your baby. If you have a baby that is picky then he or she may not like hwen you switch if they are used to something. If your baby doesn't care and you feel comfortable that the nutrition is the same in the different brands then why not. I wouldn't switch a lot all of the time because it might make it hard to identify if your baby is having an issue with one or the other. Good luck!

Yes, please chankge what you are feeding your child.
The makers of formula are interested in:
making money&
and therefore long shelf life.

Not always consistent with the best growth of your child.
Take a look at WestonPrice.com, look at Health Alert- Dr, BruceWest- for ways to give your child the best start in life,
as opposed to helping those companies make money.
You are the parent you get to chose.
best,k

I have tried almost every brand except simalac and i realy like the walmart brand it's cheaper and works just as good as the other brands do. i had a friend who used simalac and she told me that it smells when they spit up and it makes there poop smell even worse too. that just my opinion.

It depends. Some babies do well on any formula. Some do not tolerate certain brands. I care for a baby who only tolerates Similac sensitive. I would do it gradually by mixing the two a bit at a time.

My docotor says they are all the same too. If you are switching I would sugguest do it gradually meaning when you make a bottle use mostly the old formula and add a little of the new stuff every feeding until you are just giving the new stuff.