FF - Powder vs. Ready to feed.

micheley88

So when we started FF, we were using the ready to feed stuff which is fantastic and so easy to use. Well, we ran out of that and moved on to powder which is more cost effective and easier to take with us on long trips. Anywho, DD has decided that she absolutely HATES the powder formula. I'm not sure if it is because the texture is different or because of the foam that is created when mixing. She also has bad AR. So we're back to using the ready to feed stuff and working it into the budget. Is one else's LO like this? I haven't gotten the formula mixer pitcher. Not sure if this would make a difference.

ajanes

Here's my advice on RTF vs powder.  All powder formula has corn starch solids as one of the first (largest) ingredients.  Only one RTF formula (Nutramigen) has this.  According to our GI, many children have a corn intolerance.  It is quickly outgrown but is tough for some kids to digest.  DS couldn't tolerate powder formula until he was almost a year old.  He is still on formula due to AR and MFPI.  As soon as I would give a powder formula bottle, he would start screaming and would have terrible gas.  Our GI said it is a common intolerance and many children outgrow it quickly.  She told me to try every 4-6 weeks to see if he could tolerate the powder.

Aprilmomx2

Ryland is like this too, we tried the RTF the first few weeks, and when we ran out of all our free samples and such, I switched to powder...it is sooooo much easier in the middle of the night and when we are not home....however, it makes him WAYYYYY gassy and he spits up alot more with powder...so we are back to only giving him RTF.  I keep wanting to try powder in the night again but am afraid to upset his tummy again like that.  for now we are sticking to RTF and stocking up from sams club, the cost isn't that much more when we buy it in bulk!

taagent

We started off on RTF but it was just too expensive so we tried powder.  DD ended up throwing it up (not spit up) both times we used it so we went back to RTF.  At her 1 month check up I asked her pedi what to do.  He suggested that we give 2oz RTF then 2oz powder to get her used to it and eventually cross her over. 

We did have to switch formulas a couple times to find one that she liked.  She now takes gentle/for fussy babies mainly because the others made her gassy.  It did cause constipation at first but that was until her system got used to it.  Pedi told me to use apple juice if needed but I would ask your pedi first.

micheley88

I'm glad I'm not alone. I just thought DD was trying to be expensive I didn't know about the corn starch and babies not being able to tolerate it. I think we may continue with the ready to feed formula and then start slowly mixing in the powder. Thanks for the help ladies!