Switching Formula Brands...

There's a place called Hope Pregnancy Center in Cedar Park that accepts unopened cans of formula for pregnant women who have a low-income family. If you'd like me to come get it and deliver it to them, I'd be happy to but I can only come in the morning to get it.

Thanks,
Jen

I had the same question and my pediatrician said to keep it because after the first few weeks/months they can change when they get older without it being an issue. So, hold on to it...you will use it later, per the Dr.

I'm not sure about switching formula's. However, why can't you find anyone to take the other formula since it's not open? Try Freecycle or a Women's shelter.

We used the store brand formulas!! The ingredients were exactly the same. The price was about half. The HEB brand seemed to bubble up more and cause more gass. We ended up liking the Members Mark from Sam's Club. When ever we got free samples or a can from a friend we would mix the two together. Usually at first we had to scoop some from each container. This also helps to see if your daughter will react to it. Our pedi said it was fine to use the store brand as it was the same thing. Good luck.

All you can do is try. If your child responds negatively then don't give it to him. I learned my son was allergic to regular formula. I wouldn't have known had I not tried.

We donated all our unused formula to a friend who just had a baby. They were very happy to have it. You could try your church or the food bank.

Hi L.,

We switched formulas and never had a problem with 2 of our children.

Peace,
C.

My pediatrician told me to just buy whatever was on sale. So I did and it worked out great. That way if I ran out or something my daughter could easily use something else. It was fine!!

Enfamil and Similac are almost identical products and most babies do fine switching back and forth. As long as she is not sick, you can most certainly try it. She may prefer one over the other (think Coke Vs. Pepsi) and she may not care either way.

If you still end up with left over formula, as long as they are unopened and not expired you can donate them to the WIC program, food pantries or women's shelters. I know for sure the WIC program would love to have any samples.

Good Luck to you and your little one!

J. (former nutritionist for the WIC program)

The only problem I ever ran into switching formulas was that it made my baby very fussy for a few days, pretty gassy too, but other than that she was fine. I also don't understand why nobody will accept it as a donation. I donated a whole case of formula when emma turned 1. We donated it to the Angel House. Surely if you just call around you could find somewhere. And also, if it looks like all the other cans of formula( does not say free on it or anything like that) you could take it to wal-mart, tell them someone gave it to you(which is true, it was given to you) and exchange it for the proper one that you need.

i feel the same as the lady who said "whatevers on sale" lol, if you look at the ingredients they really are almost all the same - some of the very cheap ones have high fructose corn syrup, so just check the ingredients - i have used all the different types, and my baby never had a reaction - of course she was 7 months when i weaned her off breast milk and onto formula, so she was a little older

We did it a couple of times while we were trying to figure out what would work best and we just did half and half for a week or so.

I have switched back and forth without any problems, and when I had to go on WIC, the nurse said that Smilac Advanced and Enfamil Lipil are pretty much the same.

It shouldn't bother your daughter. And if it does then discontinue the other brand. If you don't want to try that see if you don't have a friend that could use it. Or if you're involved with a mom's group see if any of those moms would like to take it.

My kiddos got whatever was on sale...they never seemed to notice...

L.,
Check out the following site to help you determine which formula is best for your baby.
http://www.ewg.org/report/CDC-Scientists-Find-Rocket-Fuel...

I switched back and forth all the time because I was signed up for cupons. I never had problems with my 3 boys.

Hey L.,
You could hang onto the similac until she's about 6 months old and then use it...i found my boys tolerated switching much better when they were a little older.

Totally fine to do that....what you need to wean on and off is going from milk to soy, or gentle, etc...you can do the similac, she should be fine :)

How about giving away the Similac formula to your mommy friends who have young ones too? I get Enfamil and Similac powder formula samples as well and since I am not at the point of using it yet (still solely breastfeeding my 5 month old boy), I ask my friends who have babies or toddlers if they can use it. If they can't use it, I ask if they know of anyone who can. Getting formula for free is awesome and I have no problem seeking out folks who can use it.

You can also give it away for free on Freecycle or Craigslist in your area. Since I live outside of Austin, TX, I use the Austin Freecycle (it's a Yahoo group) and the Austin Craigslist website with lots of success.

When I do use formula, my choice is Enfamil. Personally, I just stick to Enfamil so I can't give you any advice on switching back and forth.

Hope this helps!
K.

I tried changing formula with my son, and he ended up throwing up every time I fed him. I went back to enfamil and stayed with it. Never changed with my daughter in fear of the same thing happening.

The giving away of the formula is no problem, freecycle.com is bound to be in your area. This is a place that if you need something or have something that can be used by someone else you can use. There is no fee for anything. At least look into it. You may be pleased that you did.

Hi L.,
I had to switched formulas (and brands) several times, it can upset their tummy a little for a day or too but it will be ok (not usually bad though). I ended up using Enfamil AR lipil, it has extra rice starch. My baby threw up alot on several formulas, but this one stopped that. Your baby should do fine switching, especially if she isn't throwing it up. A little spit up is normal the few few days of switching but after a couple days of spitting up her tummy will adjust to it. (if she spits up at all, she might not)
About your left over, new unopened formula, you can sell it on Ebay. People do it all the time. I did :) Just be sure of the cost of shipping it so you can get all your shipping cost from the buyer. If you've never ebayed,
( www.ebay.com ) just box up your formula, look at the postal website (www.usps.com) pick you out a zipcode from far away (up towards the northern states)& take your box to the post office to let them weigh it & get a cost to mail it to that zip code. That way the cost to mail it should be close to the same anywhere you send it & you can put a fixed shipping cost on your Ebay ad. Another thing is the Post Office may have a flat rate priority box that your formula will fit in, you can ask & see. I would give the Formulas expiration date on the Ebay ad also.
You can email me back if I can further assist you in selling it on Ebay. I have twins & sold their clothes on there when they dressed alike, so I am an experienced Ebayer so to speak :) Love it!
Hope this helps you.
Have a great week!

I have no experience with formula, but why won't anyone take it? You can't resell it, of course (though plenty of people do....), but I don't see why you can't donate unopened formula samples. I have three children and have had samples of Enfamil, Similac, and Nestle Good Start sent to me, and I've donated all of it. Many of the donations occurred after hurricanes (Rita and Ike), but I also donate it to the church.

***After reading the other responses, I really have to say you are NOT supposed to resell FREE samples. It's not allowed, and it's not ethical to sell something that was sent to you for free. Just my two cents, but churches will take it, you might have friends that will need it, a WIC person has said you can donate it to WIC, and Freecycle and Craigslist are excellent ideas. Please don't sell it - that's really not ethical.