I Have a Question About Formula

Updated on December 30, 2007
S.A. asks from Buena Park, CA
15 answers

i was wondering if anyone knows if using different formulas can upset my babies tummy? he uses enfamil usually but similac has great products that i want to use but im not sure if that would be harmful. can someone please let me know!

hes on soy and im not talking about using milk based ones i mean just brands.
any help would be much appreciated.

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J.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.

I really dont think there is a big difference in formulas and that switching to similac will upset his tummy!
They are all pretty much the same stuff! At times if I didnt have formula but had some samples laying around from the hospital of enfamil (b/c my baby used similac) I would give her the enfamil and she was totally fine! So dont worry!!!!! I think the biggest change for a baby is when you stop breast feeding, if you ever did, and switch to formula. That seems to be when they have the hardest time adjusting tummy wise.
Good Luck!

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N.M.

answers from Chico on

Hi S.,

My son started out on Similac Soy because that's what they gave him in the hospital. When I travelled to France, I ran out and bought another brand there, which he took fine. When I returned home I bought any brand I had a coupon for with no ill-effects. In the end I was even buying the store brand which was half the price of Similac. I do think some kids are more sensitive than others, so you may want to start out buying a small can when you try something new.

Good Luck!
N.

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T.M.

answers from Yuba City on

Hi S.!

I have 6 children (ages now 2, 5, 10, 13, 14 and 16). Mine would always get constipated using Infamil with Iron or Similac with Iron. I switched to Carnation Good Start and had no problems. All have been very healthy kids. Good luck!

T.

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J.F.

answers from Bakersfield on

Hi S.! Switching formulas can cause some babies to have a little bit of tummy trouble but it's usually not for long. Just because it's a different brand doesn't necessarily mean your baby will have any trouble, especially with soy based formulas. Similac has some fantastic products and a wide variety. Whatever choice you make you are trying to make it as smooth as possible. Your baby may experience some diahrea, but it shouldn't last long, just make sure you have extra diapers, Desitin, and baby powder available so your baby won't have a diaper rash. Just one episode of diahrea can cause diaper rash. Whatever choice you make you are doing it out of the concern of your baby so don't get upset if your baby does have trouble with a new formula...you will still be an excellent mother. Happy New Year...J.

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G.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S., I had to switch formulas with my son when he was a month old and it didn't do any harm at all. His stools were a little different but he adjusted well within just a few days. Also, we used Enfamil LactoFree and have loved it.

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G.D.

answers from Modesto on
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L.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

We just asked our pediatrician the same thing. Our daughter is 5 months old. He said it's better to stick with one brand. He said all the formulas have a slightly different taste and changing them too often will be h*** o* a little system. Hope that helps!

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J.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I switched my daughter from Enfamil to Similac when she was 6 months old (she's now 9 months) and she had no problems. She actually seems to like the taste of Similac more. My advice would be to buy a small can of the Similac and see how your kiddo reacts.

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've heard about babies tummies taking better to a certain formula. If you have a sensitive baby it is usually better to stick with one brand some kids can digest one formula but a different one can be bothersome.

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E.M.

answers from Sacramento on

To me i dont see a difference between enfamil and similac.. for 8 months my daughter drank similac.. Than wic went to enfamil and we put her on that and no problems what so ever... Now Enfamil Lipil is just like Similac Advance... and so on....

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R.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

S. I have 2 girls 10,and 6, when my 6year old was an infant she had really bad gas , so i gave here good start formula, it is the best for babies digestive system and for gasy babies then when she grew for the bottle all i gave her was soy milk because of the gas . try good start, it is really good, . hope it works . R.

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A.S.

answers from San Francisco on

S.,
No it will not harm your baby to switch formula brands...it may cause stomach upset to do it without adequate transition though. I would suggest mixing like 2/3 the Enfamil and 1/3 Similac at first, then gradually going 1/2 and 1/2, then finally all Similac. Doing it this way will help reduce stomach upset. He will be fine! Good luck with your baby boy. Babies are such a blessing!!

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

With my son we used Similac and I really loved their products. Unfortunately, I don't know about switching, but I would say give it a shot. Try it for a week or so and see if it bothers him. I would imagine it's a lot like trying any new foods - you experiment and see what happens. If he has a reaction or doesn't seem to really like it, go back to Enfamil. :)

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S.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Always look at the ingredients which are usually all the same. It should not be a problem.

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J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi S.,

When my toddler was an infant, he had colic. He was on Enfamil for a while but for some reason, that wasn't working out. Our pediatrician mentioned Similac because it appears that different brands do use diff ingredients like the oil(I can't remember but palm oil?). We did switch and Similac worked out much better for us. Also, GoodStart seems to work well for other infants as well.

I would ask your pediatrician re: different brands and how to transition from one type of brand to the other. Cheers, J.

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