Formula

FinallyMrs.G

What formula do you use or will you use?  I'm researching organic formulas and they all sound great, I'm a little overwhelmed here.

hersheykiss

K went on Similac Soy when she was born because she is lactose intolerant.

With Emmalee, we are using Costo's brand (Kirklands) with iron. We tried the organic and it did not seem to sit well with her stomach. We tried about 4 different types with E. We got the same results with the Kirklands formula and it is about 1/2 as much.

Amy720

We had to use Enfamil Soy because Ben spit up a lot at the hospital.  The pedi thought we should just stay on it.  I was a little nervous switching to whole milk at 1 because he had never been on a milk based formula, but it was fine.  I really don't think he was spitting up because of the formula anyway, he had reflux and was on Zantac until just a few weeks ago.

kmkaull

We looked into the organic formulas, too.  I considered the Similac, but there seems to be a lot of controversy about an added sweetener.  Earth's Best is supposed to be wonderful but at $30 a can, and never any coupons, that could get expensive very fast.

Quinn started on Good Start Gentle (orange can).  I kept hearing from friends how it was supposedly easy on newborns.  It is a nice formula, but he spits up a lot on it.  So I switched him to the Good Start with Natural Cultures (green can).  That's been a wonderful formula for Quinn--absolutely no spit up, and boy does it keep him regular!  A lot of people also like the Enfamil Gentlease, too.

I agree not to get set on something ahead of time.  Baby may need soy or a specialty formula.  I also believe you have to try a few to see what agrees best with your baby.

 

FinallyMrs.G

fredalina:

The moral of the story is that whatever you think you'll use, you may not end up sticking with it.  It isn't usually a one-size fits all thing, so you may have to change.  i'd love to use an organic formula, but it just doesn't seem like an option all things considered.  We are using organic rice cereal (for reflux), and i plan to make my own baby foods with organic veggies as much as possible.  When she starts rice from a spoon, i'll make it myself, too.

I thought of this too. I'm almost certain we will be changing from whatever we start with anyway, it seems like I have heard that more than once.

Thanks ladies

jacksjerseygirl

We are an organic family but we chose to use what the hospital started the baby on. It's difficult on their fragile undeveloped systems to change formula early on unless there is a medical reason for doing so. 

The hospital gave DS enfamil lipil and then gave us nursettes while we stayed in the hotel for 2 weeks.

We kept him on that for the first 6 weeks and then switched to enfamil AR because of reflux issues.

At about 2.5 months we discovered he had a cow's milk/lactose allergy or intolerance and so he has been on Enfamil Nutragemin since then and thriving.

So in my honest, organic minded opinion - there are some great formulas on the market that are not organic and have proven boosters to help brain development when BM is not an option. I think what ever the hospital starts LO on is probably the best thing to stay on for at least the first 6 weeks (all babies are gassy, all babies have reflux, and all babies have some tummy problems - especially during the first 6 weeks - so I think sometimes switching during that time period can be premature unless recommended by pedi).

Good luck! 

FinallyMrs.G

kmkaull:

We looked into the organic formulas, too.  I considered the Similac, but there seems to be a lot of controversy about an added sweetener.  Earth's Best is supposed to be wonderful but at $30 a can, and never any coupons, that could get expensive very fast.

Yikes! Earth's best is the one I have been leaning towards just because of the nutrition but I have not researched cost yet, I will have to consider that too I guess. Thanks a ton!

crystalpopcorn

DS was EBF until he was about 6 months old.  After that, we started supplementing with Similac.  We used Similac Organic for the most part, although we also used Similac Advanced.  They are the same thing, except one is made with organic milk.  Both worked fine. 

As PPs said, it will really depend on what works for your baby.  The hospital will probably give a plenty of samples as well.

julandjo

FinallyMrs.G:

kmkaull:

We looked into the organic formulas, too.  I considered the Similac, but there seems to be a lot of controversy about an added sweetener.  Earth's Best is supposed to be wonderful but at $30 a can, and never any coupons, that could get expensive very fast.

Yikes! Earth's best is the one I have been leaning towards just because of the nutrition but I have not researched cost yet, I will have to consider that too I guess. Thanks a ton!

When I was done BFing my daughter, we went with Earth's Best.  We got the best price on it at Whole Foods (who'd have thought?!), and if you buy it in a case of 4 cans, you get 10% off. 

(DFL)

We started out using what the hospital nursery was  giving her.  FYI:  they will send a bunch with you when she is released from the hospital. 

Later I thought I'd go with another brand because they are all basically the same.  after a few months on it we realized that maybe the skin problems might be related to the other formula.  We switched back to the original and within a few days her skin improved soooooo much. 

PSU-NCBride

I had no clue about formula when were in the hospital. Immediately after he was born the nurse asked me if I wanted him on Similac or Enfamil. I randomly chose the Similac Advanced and he stayed on that for about 2 or 3 months. He was gassy, but our doctor said that all babies were gassy and to try it for a while. His gas continued so we went on to Gentlease Enfamil and that has worked well for us. Every baby is different. We are an organic all natural family but for formula we went with whatever could keep him happy and healthy.?

mrs.trisha_nicole

When JJ first came to our house he was on Enfamil AR due to spitting up, but I thought it was terrible for him (too thick for him to burp, he would just spit up instead).  We went to Enfamil with lipil and that seemed better, but he still spit up a lot.  Finally we switched to Enfamil ProSobee (the soy one) and he's doing so much better.