Following up on post below....looking into formulas right now and overwhelmed. We do already have two at home thanks to free samples and gifts...one if Similac advance, the other is Earth's Best Organic. Not sure if anyone has used those. A mom friend of mine swears by the Emfamil brand however, and online Emfamil gets better reviews than Similac. I would Ideally like to use the organic formula but not thrilled with their ingedient list - milk is not the first ingredient but instead whey is, and they has syrup solids in the organic, as well as added DHA which is a bit of a controversy anyway...
What would you use?
Re: What formula to buy?
I've always used Enfamil since they mailed me two free sample canisters and DS never had any trouble with it.... I guess marketing works. :P
I have always used breastmilk and formula from the beginning. DH always talked up the benefits of breastmilk AND formula throughout my whole pregnancy... breastmilk for obvious well-known and touted reasons and formula for nutrients like iron. I didn't get my pump from my insurance until 7-8 weeks PP so I used formula when we went out. Now I pump at work daily (10-13 ounces) to cover the next workday and nurse when I'm home. DS gets a bottle of formula 0-2 times a day depending on his hunger, what I've got in the fridge (I never built a stash), or if I want to have a drink.
ETA: Whatever you choose, please don't beat yourself up about using formula. Despite my husband's glowing endorsement of using formula and breastmilk I felt bad for awhile. Luckily not too long... because I've taken all measures to keep my supply from dipping and I anticipate being able to BF my little one all the way to a year. It's not all or nothing. Whatever I can get in him is good! Quite honestly, having the formula option handy takes a LOT of pressure off of you and your supply.... perhaps not stressing about how much you're pumping because you know your LO will have enough to eat with formula will help your pumping output! But even if it doesn't, 8ozs is great! When I first started pumping I was lucky to get 6oz total all day at work! We used quite a bit more formula then!
Ugh... my long-winded, rambling point is that formula or milk your baby will be happy and healthy and that's what matters.
ETA the EBObwebsite says the whey/casein ratio is nearly identical to breastmilk so I don't see how that's a bad thing.
We has to supplement in the beginning. Enfamil gave C major runs and gas. We ended up doing the Similac Sensitive with soy. Worked well. Not a lot of spit up. FYI though that gas may be an issue especially sat first so grab some gas meds too just in case.
Good luck!
I saw Similac now makes a formula for breast feeding moms that supplement. Didn't look much into it- just saw it on the shelf. Both my babies use/used Similac AND enfamil with no problems. I actually switch back and forth depending on coupons/sales. I have no issue with either. Enfamil has a lighter texture and mixes a little more easily, but it's not a big issue between the two.
I know Organic is a popular option nowadays, but I do wonder about using products from a smaller company. I can probably be disproven, but similac and enfamil are used in hospitals even on NICU babies where nutrition is so important and calculated down to the last calorie. I just feel like more patients have used them, more research has been done with them to make them more like breast milk. Just my 2 cents.
Henry Cavill...You're welcome!
BFP #3: EDD 1/10/13 **DS born 12/30/12!!!**
BFP #2: MC 7/2/11 @ 12 weeks
**Missing our February '12 LoveBug**
BFP #1: MMC discovered on 12/6/10
All formulas are held to the se FDA standards.
I was at the store last night and I noticed that similac had the supplement and another gentle formula. I didn't look at them but I'd bet they're just a marketing ploy.
Interesting
https://holisticsquid.com/the-best-formula-for-your-baby/