Taste of Formula

Updated on August 01, 2012
M.Y. asks from Pasadena, CA
9 answers

We are about to do some traveling with our 8 month old. She is currently taking powder formula. I am thinking of buying the ready made kind so I don't have to bring and wash bottles on the trip. I am wondering if there is a taste difference between the powder formula and the ready made liquid kind. I don't expect any parents have tasted formula but I am just afraid my daughter might be able to tell the difference and won't take the ready made liquid formula.

Thanks.

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B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

powder is not that hard to deal with, buy a small bottle of dish soap and use the powder and a gallon of water, no need to sanitize as long as they are washed and straight hot water and rinsed as well in straight in hot water

2 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Portland on

I have travelled with both, and it depends on how long you are going to be gone. If its a day or two, do either one. But, if you are going to be longer, then you will need a fridge for open containers of premixed. These also take up a lot more room. I always just got a gallon of water and took it with me. You don't want to use different waters from different places because it will give her the runs and that is NO fun. The other thing about the premixed is that it takes up quite a bit of room, I always figured one bottle for 24 hours, so you may need several, and you may not be able to find it when you are there. But, I love the convenience of it, and I have taken it with me. If you are going hiking, etc, you can mix up a batch and use a thermos to keep it warm. I love doing this for long days out too.
So, to answer your question, I never had any problems going between the two: powder and ready mix. Have a fun trip!

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

What about switching to the kinds of bottles that use the bags? That way, you only have to wash the nipples.....

Also, with the ready-made formula (unless you get the small cans.. I'm not sure what is available now....), you have to keep the opened cans refrigerated... I think that would be more trouble than putting the powder into the water.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

yes, there is a taste difference. The ready made kind is thicker and my dd would never drink it.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Call your Pediatricians office and ask if they have samples.. Let them know that you are trying to see if your child will take this formula..

If not purchase some and have your child try it.. This way you know ahead of time if she will even drink it.

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Okay, I'm a weirdo who tasted my childrens' formula (after we stopped breastfeeding) so that I would know why they liked a particular formula better than another. They HATED the premixed canned stuff because, as far as I could tell, it tasted metallic and tinny. It was nasty. They much preferred the powdered formula (Carnation Goodstart which is now Gerber). My niece is the same way. She HATES the premixed canned stuff. When she's at my house is has to be the powder or she won't drink it.

You can premeasure the water in the bottles before you leave and get these little containers that you can premeasure the formula and put into little compartments. You move the spout of the compartment lid over the formula compartment and hold it over an open bottle and tap it in. Voila, mix the bottle. Ready.

S.H.

answers from San Diego on

Our son drank both and didn't fuss about it all (so long as it was the same brand) and he was/is a VERY picky eater.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

There is both a taste and texture difference (I've tried every formula I gave my son, every single time, btw., it was the only way I could guarantee it was fresh/good. Many formulas start going bad VERY fast. If I was unwilling to squirt some in my mouth, I tossed it.)

In general, premixed is sweeter. ALWAYS it's silkier / smoother/ creamier.

Powdered is either gritty or chalky, depending on the brand. Some are sweet like breast milk (which tastes like melon or cantelope juice, by the by), others taste like vitamins, others actually taste like chalk, others taste sort of like daiquiri icecream, others taste like bile/stomach acid, others taste like frosted flakes.

My son's (premixed) formula was one of the ones that tasted like melon icecream with a hint of sunflower seeds. Which was a relief. Because the runner up (which he tolerated, unlike most which made him sick), tastes like chewed up vitamins. Yuck. But still WAY better than the bile flavored ones!

I know, probably more than you wanted to know.

It can go EITHER way: refusing the silkier sweeter one OR refusing to go back to the powdered kind.

<grin> And then some kids are just 'easy', and will eat whatever, whenever.

Powdered is INFINITELY cheaper... So if you have no gas, spit up, or constipation problems (the 3 most common side effects of powdered formula or the 'wrong' formula)... I'd stick with powdered.

Our "The One!" formula was already premixed, so the single serving ones were great for traveling, but I wouldn't wish the expense of premixed on anyone. Powdered would have saved us thousands.

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T.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

My last child was on formula after a few months of breastfeeding. I can't remember exactly how old she was, but I remember thinking how convenient it would be to try the ready made liquid bottles when we went out to the older kids soccer games and such.
For some reason, the premade liquid bottles made her spit up a LOT and it was super nasty smelling compared to her normal smaller amounts of spit up. I know spit up is nasty no matter what, but I am talking the spit up from the liquid bottles was prolific and WAY nasty.
So we stopped doing that, and just brought the whole powder container and bottled water, as well as water bottles. Our diaper bag was huge because of all that stuff, but we figured the powdered stuff just sat a lot better with her tummy for some reason.
I have never been able to stand the taste/smell of formula period, so I can't say I tasted the stuff. I would have kept breastfeeding if I could have, because I really hate formula, but that is a different story.

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